A Cloud of Witnesses

Andrea@EasTview.org
The card over the water cup was held up by air pressure. Can you see the air pressure? No? But now we've seen it we believe. We can't see God except by faith.

Global Leadership Summit coming up October 20.21

Dave Ens www.EasTview.org
Hebrews 12:1-2
http://bible.com/72/heb.12.1-2.hcsb Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses  surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance  the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus,  the source and perfecter  of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him  endured a cross and despised the shame  and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.

The 1/2 marathon was a challenge.
This passage is a challenge to remember we are not alone. Others have invested in us. Who are the significant people that are part of your cloud of Witnesses? We need to speak into other people's lives.
The honour roll of faith. People who lived with enormous faith. Many of them never saw the fulfillment but still believed that God is faithful.
They are not there to be glorified. These are imperfect people. They believed in something greater than them.
Where is your faith?
Are you inspiring others?
Record the names of the people that inspired you on the church's wall of faith.
http://bible.com/116/heb.11.1-3.nlt
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

This is not about faith in doctrine but based on a faith in God through Jesus. Not about but in Him.
Not about hope in my plans. My faith will be shaken if I don't get my way. It's not about exchange of goods and services.
A friend said I've been doing everything right but what I'm asking for I'm not getting so I'm questioning my faith. Are you trying to manipulate God?
Faith invites us to participate in what God is doing.
Faith is a response to the trustworthiness of God.
Noah is a great example of trusting God. He built an Ark even though he had no idea why.
Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for. Just as Jesus is the very SUBSTANCE of God.
By looking at Jesus we see God. Weakness is my strength. Trusting submission to God like Jesus is our calling. He died for us while we were still sinners.

The Lord Table. The Lord's Supper. Our faith is based on a relationship with the one who was willing to die for us.
Take a moment to reflect on that as we share this bread and the fruit of the vine.
http://bible.com/116/1co.11.23-26.nlt
For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me."  In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it."  For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again.