Thursday, September 11, 2014

September 12, 2014

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:1-6
The events horrific events of September 11, 2001 forced a defining moment upon the world. 
While each of us was impacted differently none of us have been the same since. Nor will we ever be. As the President's announcement Wednesday night reminded us. We are re-engaging in the war against terrorism.
Life is determined by defining moments, though fortunately, most are far less traumatic than 9-11.
Here are some reasons why defining moments are so definitive:

1) They confront you with life-alerting choices.
2) They feel scary because they stretch you out of your comfort zone and into new territory.
3) They are risky, putting your comfort and security at risk.
4) They cause you to struggle with undesirable options.
5) They challenge you with God moments where trusting is a must.

Hebrews 11 declares that for people of faith, our defining moments should be defined by faith. If faith does not define your defining moments you will be seized by fear and led by your flesh.

If faith does not define your defining moments you will not please God. And really, isn't that choice you face when confronted by a life-defining moment? In those moments you must determine, "What pleases God?" and choose that.

The entire 11th chapter of Hebrews is filled with heroes of faith whose heroism was the result of choosing to let faith define their defining moments!

I urge you to read Hebrews 11 a few times and meditate on it from the perspective of their defining moments. This will inspire you! And if you are facing a defining moment it will instruct you!