Who's Your Hero?
Encouragement for Your Heart and Mind from Pastor David Staff
I’ll admit it.. I’ve lost touch with today’s popular heroes. Honestly, I am at a loss to name any without doing a Google search.
Our dictionaries clarify for our thinking that a hero is “a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.” “A person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities, regarded as a role model or ideal.”
As you consider those descriptions, who comes into your mind? And why?
THE BIBLE’S HEROES
The closest thing we have to a “Hall of Fame” of heroes in the Bible is found in the 11th chapter of the letter to the Hebrews. In that chapter, the Holy Spirit lists those God designates as deserving commendation because they lived their lives by faith in God (“All these…commended through their faith…” Hebrews 11:39).
What does that mean? It means that they lived with a faith assured of things hoped for and a steady conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, they believed that God exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (11:6).
Please note this important about the Hebrews 11 list – which includes Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab and others. None of these faith-heroes was perfect. In fact, reading their Scriptural biographies makes it very clear their living was often flawed. Just like our own lives.
But while our God calls us to share in his holiness, his commendation of our lives does not depend on achieving perfection. Rather, God is looking for a heart which is solidly confident God exists, is who creation, the Scriptures, and Jesus reveal who He is, and eagerly rewards those who are sure of what is ahead and confident of what is not yet seen.
God loves when we completely trust Him, what He has promised, and his invitation to seek Him each day with our obedient living.
HEROES AROUND US
This week, I was greatly encouraged by a conversation I had with one of Jesus’ disciples, part of our body. As we talked, it was clear he wanted to know what God has said and honor God with his life choices. By faith, he wanted to make wise choices that aligned with God’s word and honored the Lord.
In response, I simply said, “You are one of my heroes. Thank you for your heart for trusting and following Jesus.”
There are many of these kinds of heroes in the body which is the Free Church of Cañon City. A church family, a church team with many who are rock solid about who the Lord God is and trusting them with their lives and their future.
As you come to gathered worship this Sunday, come ready to worship the Lord, but also to encourage those around you who truly are heroic in their living. Not perfect…but rock solid on living each day by unwavering faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Our dictionaries clarify for our thinking that a hero is “a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.” “A person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities, regarded as a role model or ideal.”
As you consider those descriptions, who comes into your mind? And why?
THE BIBLE’S HEROES
The closest thing we have to a “Hall of Fame” of heroes in the Bible is found in the 11th chapter of the letter to the Hebrews. In that chapter, the Holy Spirit lists those God designates as deserving commendation because they lived their lives by faith in God (“All these…commended through their faith…” Hebrews 11:39).
What does that mean? It means that they lived with a faith assured of things hoped for and a steady conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, they believed that God exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (11:6).
Please note this important about the Hebrews 11 list – which includes Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab and others. None of these faith-heroes was perfect. In fact, reading their Scriptural biographies makes it very clear their living was often flawed. Just like our own lives.
But while our God calls us to share in his holiness, his commendation of our lives does not depend on achieving perfection. Rather, God is looking for a heart which is solidly confident God exists, is who creation, the Scriptures, and Jesus reveal who He is, and eagerly rewards those who are sure of what is ahead and confident of what is not yet seen.
God loves when we completely trust Him, what He has promised, and his invitation to seek Him each day with our obedient living.
HEROES AROUND US
This week, I was greatly encouraged by a conversation I had with one of Jesus’ disciples, part of our body. As we talked, it was clear he wanted to know what God has said and honor God with his life choices. By faith, he wanted to make wise choices that aligned with God’s word and honored the Lord.
In response, I simply said, “You are one of my heroes. Thank you for your heart for trusting and following Jesus.”
There are many of these kinds of heroes in the body which is the Free Church of Cañon City. A church family, a church team with many who are rock solid about who the Lord God is and trusting them with their lives and their future.
As you come to gathered worship this Sunday, come ready to worship the Lord, but also to encourage those around you who truly are heroic in their living. Not perfect…but rock solid on living each day by unwavering faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Recent
Archive
2023
January
February
2022
July
August
September
October
November