Category: Faith in the Struggle

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. . . for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26 It’s something I hear often in clinic. I drink…
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By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac . . . Hebrews 11:17-18 When I lost my job as an Emergency Room physician due to my addiction, I realized that I’d lost a large part of my identity. I enjoyed the respect and prestige that came with that job. When someone came up…
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. . . They were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country,…
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For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10 Like many of you, we used pacifiers to calm our children when they were infants. When they were distressed, the pacifier brought instant relief. Through repeated use, they learned to require the pacifier to calm down…
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And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 When I first met my wife, I simply knew that she was the one. So, I pursued her. I thought about her all the…
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Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen . . . By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. Hebrews 11:1,7 In treatment eight years ago for my own drug addiction, I…
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But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39 As my wife and I were watching an action movie last night, I contemplated the hero. Though few others were on his side, he did what he thought was right, no…
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But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison . . . Hebrews 10:32-33 Recently, a buddy and I were allowed back into…
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It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31 Even as a young child, I was aware that my parents could assume two very different postures towards me, depending on the situation. They were loving and supportive, which I liked. When I disobeyed, sneaking off to the neighbors…
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For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27 Thirty years ago, I attended a conservative Christian college where the students were required to…
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