This author’s survey of Old Testament heroes continues with the lives of the patriarchs of Israel. These summary verses take us through the end of the book of Genesis and remind the reader that faith was God’s standard long before the Law was ever put into place.

Hebrews 11 continues with mention of Noah, a singular man of faith in his generation. Flawed but faithful, Noah was used by God to impact the drama of redemption for all generations of man. What was his secret for standing alone in a hostile world?

The Christian life can be exhausting at times. Serving God is fulfilling, but it takes a toll on us when we begin to lean on our own strength. But God is faithful in showing us our limitations so that He can display His power. Unfortunately, the only way we can see it is often when we are pushed to the end of ourselves. As He faithfully provides storms to get our attention, we should not rush to pray for relief. Instead, we should listen for the voice of the one who allowed it in the first place.

Hebrews 11 is a brief catalogue of Old Testament heroes of the faith. It is compiled as one long illustration of what pleases God in the earth, namely the faith of His people. Writing to a Jewish audience, the author shows that Judaism had become mired in self-effort, self-salvation, and self-glorification. In contrast, whether OT or NT, faith is always God-focused.

The book of Philemon shows us the behind the scenes story of redemption, forgiveness, and love from a master to his former slave. We see that through Christ all people are equal and are brothers and sisters in the great family of Jesus.

Restoration as a Kingdom Priority is accomplished when the Lord chooses to use Christ followers through the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel by putting the mighty works of God on display through testimony in our words and actions.

Jesus was intentional in all that He did during His time on earth. His life mission was always to do the will of the Father. This passage starts with a one on one engagement between Jesus and a broken Samaritan woman at a well. Through this one engagement, other conversations continue to flow throughout the chapter at the same well. John tells us in 1 John 2:6 "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked”. Let's look for some ways that Jesus modeled His life and how He engaged people to see how we can mimic that intentionality at our own mission "wells".

Israel has lost its great leader and now sits poised to see the long-awaited promises of God fulfilled. Joshua, having been raised up under the leadership of Moses for several decades, is finally called upon by God to lead the people into prosperity, but victory would require more than status.