Heaven

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The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” --Luke 17:5 The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. And, as followers of Christ, this is something we should also be seeking. So let me share a little faith-building acrostic with you. Just imagine yourself in a giant arena running the great race of life. You’re surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses who are cheering for your success! And the way you increase your faith is to T-R-U-S-T! T—Take away anything in your life that might slow you down or cause you to stumble. You mustn’t let distractions get you off track or let sins trip you up. You’re running to win! R—Read and meditate upon Scripture. Scripture is a faith-building book, and the more of God’s Word you have in your mind, the more strength you’ll have in your heart and soul. U—Use the faith you have. Faith is like a muscle; it needs to be exercised every day. You can’t just show up at church now and then and expect to have great faith. Exercise your faith daily. S—Strengthen your faith with prayer and fellowship. We weren’t created to go it alone, but to have fellowship with other believers. T—Turn your eyes upon Jesus. If you want to increase your faith, give Jesus your full attention. Jesus knows what it takes to run to win, and he is the author and the finisher of our faith! THE WAY TO INCREASE YOUR FAITH IS TO T-R-U-S-T!   Heaven by Dr. Jack Graham We know we have a now life, but we all want to know about the next life. Everyone wants to know the truth about Heaven. But we can’t find that truth in our imaginations, from our culture, or from the claims of others. We can only find the truth in Scripture.

Being a Blessing to Others

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.”
Genesis 30:25–27

Jacob was hardly a great example of faithful Christian living. He cheated his brother and lied to his father, and he took advantage of every opportunity to increase his wealth at any cost. Despite the pain of growing up in a family where the parents were divided by their favorites, he played favorites with his sons to the point where Joseph’s brothers hated him and eventually sold him into slavery. Yet for all of his failings, Jacob trusted God.
As a result of his faith, Jacob promised to honor God with his resources. At Bethel where he saw the vision of angels ascending and descending from Heaven, Jacob promised, “And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee” (Genesis 28:22). God honored Jacob’s faith and blessed him with great wealth. But the blessing of God was not limited to Jacob alone.
Jacob’s father-in-law, Laban, recognized that God was at work in Jacob’s life and that he (Laban) had been blessed as a result of their association. We often think of the blessing of God solely in terms of what it means to us. But if we are living in such a way that allows God’s blessing to flow, the impact is not limited—it helps others as well as us.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

When we are obedient to God and honor Him, the blessings spill over beyond our own lives to help others.