Text: Hebrew 11:1
Memory verse:
”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.“ ‭‭ Hebrews ‭11‬:‭1‬ NKJV

Trying to practice the Bible faith without understanding it can do more harm than good. We have the definition of Bible faith in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 1. Sometimes, to be able to understand what something is, it is good to first discover what it is not. Now let’s consider few things that faith is not.
First, it is not a feeling but it doesn’t deny it. As strong as feeling is, it is fluctuating. God’s word is truer than anything you feel or experience; it is truer than any circumstance you will ever face or anything in the world. Faith comes from the heart and feeling comes from the head (2 Cor 5:7).
Second, faith is not an isolated spiritual force. Rather, faith works in conjunction with other spiritual forces. For example, faith is activated and expressed through love (Gal 5:6).
Third, faith is not an imitation, rather, it must flow from the heart of each individual. It is a personal revelation (Matt 16:17).
Next, faith does not ignore responsibilities. It is not a magic. It is a partnership between God and man. “For with God, nothing shall be impossible” means, God and you working together. Faith always requires you to do something (Luke 1:37)
Faith is not a legalistic formula. Faith is about a relationship and not a formula, like “if you can confess it, you can claim it”. It is not mere positive thinking. Faith is built on “ If you abide in me and my words abide in you” (John 15:7).
Faith does not make God subservient to man nor permit man to order God as he wills. It doesn’t throw away Godly reverence and honour. God remains sovereign (1 John 5:14).
Faith is not an emergency principle that is applied only in trouble times. Rather, Bible faith is a lifestyle of walking with God and depending on Him for every minute need (Prov 3:5-6).
Faith is not a license to be oppressive. That is, Bible faith doesn’t override another’s will but enforces the will of God in human affairs.
Friends, Bible faith is not mental assent or positive thinking. It is rooted in God, His word, and His will.

Prayer points
1. Father, please give me a deeper understanding of the Bible faith so I won’t suffer faith failure in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, while practicing faith, deliver me from slipping into mental assent or mere positive thinking in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. My faith is rooted in God, His word, and His will.
2. I will not suffer faith failure because I seek to know what faith is not to discover what faith is.