DATE POSTED: Friday, May 3, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM The Message (MSG) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 11:6

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: It might be interesting for you to try and write down what you believe about ‘faith’. Do you have faith? Is it a strong faith? In whom do you have faith – doctors, pastors, bankers, investment strategists, your spouse, God…?? Which of these do you turn to when you feel like you have reached the end of your efforts on a desperate issue, or perhaps before you make a major, life-impacting decision? Although I found the whole chapter of Hebrews 11 extremely interesting, the Holy Spirit seemed to have really caught my attention in the words of our focal verse today. You see, some may struggle to complete the exercise I asked you to place in writing, for they feel like they have no faith at all. Yet, when they seem to be over their heads in debt and challenged by the circumstances of life, many who will not entertain the idea of God, or church, or even Christians, yet they will run to Social Media and request prayers, or they will call a trusted friend to pray for their need. Why is that? Could they have a touch of faith? Could it be that they really do believe in the power of God, especially when desperate about circumstances such as what they are currently facing? This Bible verse today seems to clarify that very question: If they believe that God exists, and surely they must, since they are asking for prayer from the Creator of the world. AND because they think that God cares enough about them to understand their concern and answer their prayer, then obviously they are exercising their faith in God by asking friends and loved ones to pray for them. So why are they not bowing before our holy God to make personal petitions before Him? Well, remember the curtain in the temples of old, where the priests were on one side and allowed direct access to speak with God, while the people occupied the other side of the veil and had to ask the priests to petition God on their behalf? Yes, you and I know that the temple veil/curtain was eliminated at the time Jesus was crucified, giving direct access to the Master by those seeking an audience with Him. However, I feel like our friends and loved ones mentioned above may be challenged to stand before God and pray for anything other than their sin that separates them from the holiness of God. At times, this refusal to approach God directly may be because individuals are so caught up in their earthly obligations to a loved one lying on a hospital bed of affliction, or perhaps too close to a very bad situation, that they just can’t pull themselves together to pray, so they ask us who are prayer warriors and thinking straight, to pray for their situation. I’m not God, but I am convinced that God knows us better than we know ourselves, so He knows if something is separating us from His unconditional love and His powerful and all-sufficient power. Suffice it to say, dear friends, no one will come boldly before a God that they have no relationship with, just like you wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and assume a loving and caring concern for you and your needs. So let me encourage you today, know God and know that peace that passes all human understanding. Know God and know the power that He posses and the love that He has for all mankind – yes even you in your state of sin and unforgiveness. He desires relationship with you – His precious creation. Just as walking up to your daddy and asking for provisions to help you through a day, it is just as easy to ‘clear the air’ (ask forgiveness of your sin) between you and God – your heavenly Father. It is only then that you will be comfortable in kneeling before Him and asking for the many other needs that will come your way each day. Let no one, or no thing, separate you from the love of God!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, we believe. Please help us see and understand the areas of our life where our faith is not strong enough, or our conscience clear enough to approach Your throne and have open communication with You. We are a needy people Lord, and we need You ever hour. Please speak to us continually so that we may see those obstacles that often separate us. Help us Lord to always be at ease in approaching Your throne for every concern, every day that You allow us to remain here on earth. For Yours is the kingdom and the glory, for ever and for ever. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!