Hebrews 11:1 (NCV) Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.

Faith is not the absence of fear; Faith is not the absence of problems; Faith is not the absence of obstacles;

Hebrews 11:1 (Living) What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

What are some things that we cannot see but we know are real?

Faith is believing when I don’t see it. Some things have to be believed before they can be seen. The world says, "Seeing is believing." God says, "Believing is seeing." You have to see it in advance.

Has God ever ask you to do something that made little or no sense to you at the time?

Hebrews 11:8 (NLT) It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.

Sometimes God will tell you to do something, and you’ll think, "There’s no way this is going to work!" Yet, God says, Do it! And guess what? It works!

Isn’t that interesting? Giving and faith go together. God uses money to test our faithfulness. God watches the giving of a Christian.

Luke 16:11 (NLT) And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?

There is a direct relationship between how I use my money and how much of God's power I experience in my life. It influences how much God can bless my life. You cannot out give God.

How do you develop perseverence?

Hebrews 11:27 [NLT] It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

Only as we see the invisible can we accomplish the impossible. The key to perseverence is to keep our eyes focused on God.

Corrie Ten Boom says, "If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest." It all depends on where you’ve got your eyes.

What are you focusing on? The visible which often appears impossible or the invisible Who makes all things possible?!

Joshua 6:1-5 (NLT) Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go in or out. [2] But the Lord said to Joshua, "I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its mighty warriors. [3] Your entire army is to march around the city once a day for six days. [4] Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram's horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. [5] When you hear the priests give one long blast on the horns, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the walls of the city will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the city."

What were they doing seven times a day for seven days? Thanking God in advance. Praising God in advance.

Faith doesn’t mean you believe God can do something. He can do it whether you believe it or not.

Faith is believing He’s doing it! That He’s already doing it. That the answer is already on the way.

(Mark 11:24) "When you pray believe that you have received it and then you’ll be given what you’ve asked for."

Living by faith does not exempt you from problems. We all know that from personal experience.

Hebrews 11:39 (NLT) All of these people we have mentioned received God's approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.

Anybody can trust God when things are going great. Big deal! Real faith is developed in the valleys of life, when the situation looks impossible, when the people look hopeless, when the tide has turned against you, and when you’re tempted to ask yourself, "Why is this happening to me?" This is a test! Faith is trusting that if you don’t get it, God has a better idea -- a far, far better idea.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Which of these 6 are the most challenging for me in my daily life?

What is God asking me to door believe that appears absolutely impossible?

What are you focusing on? The visible which often appears impossible or the invisible Who makes all things possible?!

Focus on God and put your faith to work by taking action!