A Signed Contract (Hebrews 11:1-2)

Word for word

For this one DeWayne read the King James, the version he grew up hearing from his mom: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

The roofing contract

The Greek word behind "substance" is closer to a deed or contract. In DeWayne's roofing business, once a homeowner signs, nobody is wishing anymore. Materials get ordered, permits get pulled, and crews get scheduled. Faith is holding a contract signed by Someone whose credit is better than yours.

Who, not how

We lose faith when we fixate on how God will do something. Faith rests on who He is. The heroes of Hebrews 11 were liars, cheats, and failures, but they took the step before they saw the result.

The prayer cards

One participant said a prayer journal built her faith. DeWayne shared a story: for years at church he wrote a prayer for his brother on the card in the seat pocket, assuming the cards went nowhere. Later he found every one of them typed into the church's system, and his brother had come back to Christ and was serving at the church.

Try this

• Start a simple list of prayer requests and answers.
• Read Hebrews 11 and note who never saw the promise in their lifetime.