BY FAITH

From The Parallel Bible NIV 1st then The Message: Hebrews 11:8-10 & Hebrews 11:13-16

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architec and builder is God."

The Message: "By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations--the City designed and built by God."

How does this relate to your own life experiences? For me, well I did have idea in the beginning of the journey. Back in 2004 when I had no idea when or what I would do after my dad either passed away or was in a nursing home being taken care of. The Lord had me get a metro phone book and look under the apartments section. My eyes fell upon ParkView Apts in Elgin Texas. Not long after that I got a car and was able to get out and about some. I took a trip to Elgin and was led straight to the apartment complex The Lord had shown me earlier. I looked around and knew that when the time came, this is where my first tent so to speak would be set up. Sure enough on Dec. 16, 2005 I moved in to that complex. I got my new start in life, made new friends and looked up old friends. The Lord helped me to rebuild my self-confidence and get a fresh vision.

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. they did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."

The Message: "Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that--heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them."

I have learned during this transition phase or season of my life living by faith day to day. I have had the opportunity to decide to a degree what I want in this life, I could have returned to Bastrop, but I know that there is something more ahead, when and what exactly I do not know, but I wait in faith for whatever God has planned for me.

I took this from my friend, Kathy's. To read more of her articles please go here: http://katrinka3.multiply.com/journal/item/79

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj