Faith

I recently taught a lesson on "faith". As we went through the pre-selected verses I tried to give a brief explanation of each and then I asked everyone to make a "vow" to re-read the verses at home. At the end of the lesson we parked in Hebrews 11 to discuss the type of people that God used as an example of faith. In the chapter we find men and women.. some were murderers, some adulterers, one was a prostitute, others struggled with their flesh, while one made a crazy vow to God. Sometimes we get the impression God can only use the most perfected of all people - yet, we see He truly delights to highlight His glory in imperfect vessels. His ways are so not our ways... 

Through all these amazing examples there is hope for us. There is hope for the people we minister to in the rural areas of Zambia. There is hope for the illiterate and uneducated. There is hope for the scarred and weary. There is hope for the unknown "little" people. There is hope for the rich and calloused. There is hope for the all men everywhere. Why... because great faith is not dependent on great people... great faith is dependent on our Great God! 

I am so encouraged to see our God do a great work in the hearts of the people we are sent to reach with the Gospel message. Although relatively poor and without many of the common standards most Westerners have been afforded, faith is able to grow (Rom 10:17), we are able to please God (Heb 11:6), and the name of Jesus Christ can be known among the Nations (Mal 1:11).