“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

“Through faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3).

“But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The Lord has set before us an open door and if we face life’s challenges we need to remember that the Lord will always cause us to triumph! Unfortunately, we shouldn’t stop when we obtain the faith to believe God, because someone has to show up and do the work. It takes people to get the job accomplished.

No amount of desire, alone, will ever cause a building to be built, and I can look at the dishes piled in my sink, all day long, but unless I actually fill the sink with water and begin to wash them, they won’t get clean! (Unless someone has mercy and washes them for me.) It is the Lord’s purpose and his will that we have faith, but we won’t see much ever get accomplished if we don’t get to work.

I used to try to be all things to all people, (still do, much of the time), then, I realized that I was working awfully hard for little return. Now, my whole attitude has changed about working for the kingdom: I desire to be a vessel of honor. It isn’t what I can do for God; it’s what he can do through me. He can take my imperfect vessel and miraculously flow through me to bless others.  I must be open to his call.

James 2:26 tells us, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”   I can have faith all day long and it’s good to have a measure of faith, however, when it comes right down to it, if I have within my power the means to help someone, and I neglect to help them, my faith will not save them:

What doeth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body: what doth it profit? (James 2:14-16).

The Lord encourages us to work and to be involved in building up the church and each other, because he knows that without the church body working together, we will be hindered in fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives. It takes teamwork to get the mission accomplished, and that requires that you be actively involved, because the Lord will always have a people. I want to be a part of it. Don’t you?

I spend a great deal of effort reaching out for God’s purpose in my life. Unfortunately, I keep grasping for the proverbial carrots that are hanging just out of my reach, never taking the time to look at the overflowing baskets of carrots that God has already provided for me.

The bible says to be content. There is a reason for this. When you are content, you aren’t always reaching for things to satisfy you that God may not be ready to give you. How many sunsets have you missed with someone you love, because you were trying to find just the right camera app setting to capture it?

Life’s too short to miss the most important things in life, and the key to not missing life is to be content.

Are You Missing Out on Your Miracle