The Quiet Brook - Time in His Presence is a unique daily devotional with topics that benefit all Christians. The two-day format allows extra time to meditate on the word of God. Get it today: Click here

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Psalm 125:1-2

Those who trust in the Lord, 

Are like Mount Zion,

Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

So the Lord surrounds His people

From this time forth and forever.

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When Faith Abounds - Final Episode

HEBREWS 11

The Power of Bold Faith
1Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. 2This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for. 3Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.

4Faith moved Abel to choose a more acceptable sacrifice to offer God than his brother Cain, and God declared him righteous because of his offering of faith. By his faith, Abel still speaks instruction to us today, even though he is long dead.

5Faith translated Enoch from this life and he was taken up into heaven! He never had to experience death; he just disappeared from this world because God promoted him. For before he was translated to the heavenly realm his life had...

When Faith Abounds 

HEBREWS 11

The Power of Bold Faith
1Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. 2This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for. 3Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.

4Faith moved Abel to choose a more acceptable sacrifice to offer God than his brother Cain, and God declared him righteous because of his offering of faith. By his faith, Abel still speaks instruction to us today, even though he is long dead.

5Faith translated Enoch from this life and he was taken up into heaven! He never had to experience death; he just disappeared from this world because God promoted him. For before he was translated to the heavenly realm his life had become a pleasure to God.

...

HEBREWS 11

The Power of Bold Faith
1Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. 2This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for. 3Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.

4Faith moved Abel to choose a more acceptable sacrifice to offer God than his brother Cain, and God declared him righteous because of his offering of faith. By his faith, Abel still speaks instruction to us today, even though he is long dead.

5Faith translated Enoch from this life and he was taken up into heaven! He never had to experience death; he just disappeared from this world because God promoted him. For before he was translated to the heavenly realm his life had become a pleasure to God.

6And without faith...

When Faith Abounds 

We discovered aspects of Samuel's life to glean for our own in the past two devotionals. His faith captured God's attention. Let's peek into Samuel's life as he anointed two kings. I Samuel 8-15

Samuel was the last judge that Israel had ending a 200 year season of judges ruling God's people.

"Samuel appointed his two sons as leaders but they did not follow in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice." 8:3

"The elders of the people came to Samuel and said, 'You're old and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.'" 8:5

The people demanded a king.  God said to Samuel they are not rejecting you, but Me. Give them a king but let them know the consequences of their actions. So he did. It wasn't good but they wanted to have a king anyway. 

Saul was a handsome young man and a head taller than anyone. His wealthy dad...

When Faith Abounds 

 

Samuel is mentioned among the faith giants in Hebrews 11. His life was one of tremendous God-encounters that began in his youth.

Hannah was Samuel's mother. She promised God that if He gave her a child she would return him to God for His service. Once he was weaned she kept her vow and took Samuel to the temple in Shiloh to serve under Eli, the priest.

Every year she returned for their annual trip to worship God. Each time she brought a new robe for her growing son.

Meanwhile, Eli's two sons were very wicked and abused their position in the temple. They were scoundrels; and had no regard for the Lord. I Samuel 2:12

Eli did not discipline his sons and God stepped in. He sent a prophet who told Eli that God had had enough of their wickedness. Judgement was coming. They didn't care and continued their ungodly behavior.

"Meanwhile the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people." 2:26

Because of their...

When Faith Abounds 

Samuel is mentioned among the faith giants in Hebrews 11.

His life began through a barren, desperate woman. For many years Hannah cried out to the Lord in deep anguish. I Samuel 1-3

She and her husband, Elkanah, made their annual trek to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at the temple.

Eli, the priest, misunderstood her as he saw her praying so earnestly. Her lips were moving but she wasn't making any sound. He accused her of being drunk and told her to put away her wine.

She told him she wasn't drinking. "Don't take me for a wicked woman. I am in great anguish and grief."

Eli then said, "Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him." 1:16-17

Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel which means "heard by God."

Are you in a season of barrenness in some area of your life?

A place where no matter what you do or how much you pray, give, or try it just doesn't fly?

In these...

Faith Abounds - Episode 13 

David's life spans many chapters in the Bible. The phases and seasons recorded gives insights and wisdom for events we face in our lives.

II Samuel 22 records a song that David sang when God delivered him from his enemies and from the "days of Saul." It's 51 verses. That's a long song, right?

Read this chapter yourself. It will strengthen your faith.

"I called to the Lord...the waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came to His ears." vs. 4-7

Unless you've been in a season like he describes you can't write about it with such descriptive words. It's easy to see David sang from his own experiences.

Many times his exact words comforted me like a warm blanket giving me hope. I thank God that He, by His Spirit, had these words put...

Faith Abounds 

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Relentless pursuit. What comes to your mind when you read those two words?

On the one hand it could define our posture that we pursue God with all of our heart, with all of our soul and all of our strength to give Him glory with our lives.

On the other hand it could define God's enemy in his relentless pursuit as he attempts to derail, distract and destroy us so God receives no glory.  

Reading about David's life we discover that he was relentlessly pursued by King Saul who was jealous of him.  I refer to that as "the days of Saul." 

There are seasons where we go through our own "days of Saul." 

Times where we just don't seem to catch a break, where it feels like the enemies hot breath is breathing down our neck, where it seems like there is no end to the troubles and difficulties as though we're on the run for our lives...literally. 

Once David's victory over Goliath happened, King Saul welcomed and promised him his...

David & Goliath

David heard the commotion. He saw the giant of a man shout out his defiance against the God of Israel and His people.

They had been at a stand off for 40 days. The giants were taunting the Israelites every morning and evening driving the Israelite army to retreat in fear and dread, with great success.

David, the shepherd boy, said, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

King Saul agreed to let David take on the giant but wanted him to wear His armor. Perhaps so that as the men watched from their positions they would think it was the king who was courageous enough to go up against their ferocious enemy.

David said, "I can't wear that! It doesn't fit me. I need to go with what works for me, how God has trained me to fight."

Goliath kept getting closer and saw that it was little more than a boy, glowing with health...