By Faith
“Let’s trust in who God says He is and believe He will do what He says He’ll do.”
Hebrews 11:1-2, 31 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Reflection
A few years ago, I felt a whisper in my heart. It was gentle and loving, and my heart was consumed, my spirit stirred. It was like a seed had been placed deeply in the most inner core of my being. I prayed, and God lit my path – He wanted me to start a ministry for moms.
I proceeded in conversation with God. “God, are you sure? I’m not a seasoned mom. I’m not an expert in biblical theology.”
God responded, “You are not qualified, but through Me, you are.”
I immediately felt tears swell up and run down my face. By faith, I started taking scary steps.
Yes, faith can be scary.
Rahab’s story demonstrates a faith that counters any fear opposing God’s calling.
Rahab, living in Jericho, heard accounts of the Israelites taking over cities in unprecedented ways. Two spies sent by the Israelite army, enemies of Rahab’s people, entered her home. This was the moment when Rahab stepped into the unknown and took a scary step of faith. How did she respond to the spies? She welcomed them.
How she responded contradicts logic. Why did she welcome the spies? She knew in her heart that their God was the true God of Heaven and Earth, and that day, she chose to follow Him. The Israelites ended up taking over Jericho. By faith, Rahab and her family were saved. By faith, Rahab, once a prostitute, became part of establishing Jesus’ lineage.
Friends, faith is bigger than our fears, logic, and circumstances. Let’s trust in who God says He is and believe He will do what He says He’ll do. It’s having faith in God that gives us confidence for what’s to come, even when our eyes cannot see. Are you willing to take a step of faith today?
Action Step
Like Rahab, there are many more great examples of faith in the Bible. By faith, Noah built an ark to save his family. By faith, Abraham traveled to a foreign land. By faith, Sarah conceived Isaac in her old age. By faith, Moses led God’s people out of captivity. By faith, (enter your name and fill in the blank).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Help me to have faith even when my eyes cannot see past my current situation. Please give me wisdom and confidence to follow Your call. Thank You for being with me, in every step, in every moment, and in every season. You are faithful, good, and loving. In Your name, amen.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Reflection
A few years ago, I felt a whisper in my heart. It was gentle and loving, and my heart was consumed, my spirit stirred. It was like a seed had been placed deeply in the most inner core of my being. I prayed, and God lit my path – He wanted me to start a ministry for moms.
I proceeded in conversation with God. “God, are you sure? I’m not a seasoned mom. I’m not an expert in biblical theology.”
God responded, “You are not qualified, but through Me, you are.”
I immediately felt tears swell up and run down my face. By faith, I started taking scary steps.
Yes, faith can be scary.
- It forces us to leave our own logic, comfort, past, and qualifications.
- It drives us to consider and weigh everything at stake.
- It requires us to see past the physical and enter the unknown, trusting fully in God.
Rahab’s story demonstrates a faith that counters any fear opposing God’s calling.
Rahab, living in Jericho, heard accounts of the Israelites taking over cities in unprecedented ways. Two spies sent by the Israelite army, enemies of Rahab’s people, entered her home. This was the moment when Rahab stepped into the unknown and took a scary step of faith. How did she respond to the spies? She welcomed them.
How she responded contradicts logic. Why did she welcome the spies? She knew in her heart that their God was the true God of Heaven and Earth, and that day, she chose to follow Him. The Israelites ended up taking over Jericho. By faith, Rahab and her family were saved. By faith, Rahab, once a prostitute, became part of establishing Jesus’ lineage.
Friends, faith is bigger than our fears, logic, and circumstances. Let’s trust in who God says He is and believe He will do what He says He’ll do. It’s having faith in God that gives us confidence for what’s to come, even when our eyes cannot see. Are you willing to take a step of faith today?
Action Step
Like Rahab, there are many more great examples of faith in the Bible. By faith, Noah built an ark to save his family. By faith, Abraham traveled to a foreign land. By faith, Sarah conceived Isaac in her old age. By faith, Moses led God’s people out of captivity. By faith, (enter your name and fill in the blank).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Help me to have faith even when my eyes cannot see past my current situation. Please give me wisdom and confidence to follow Your call. Thank You for being with me, in every step, in every moment, and in every season. You are faithful, good, and loving. In Your name, amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One Mission
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show Love
No Comments