Our generation lives “on the run.” Jacob lived like that. He was literally born “on the run,” trying to outfox everyone around him. He ran from his brother Esau. He ran from his father-in-law, Laban. He was really running from himself. Yet a day came when he ran out of resources and ran into God. At that moment, everything in Jacob’s life changed!

A man of faith is often formed by both his acceptance of a past heritage of faith and his adoption of God’s promises for the future, what was received and what is to be passed along. Isaac is often seen as the lesser of the patriarchs; and yet his role in the drama of redemption is both vital and irreducible. Faith elevates the quality of lesser men to greatness.

Catch up on the latest 6 mission trips the Evergreen family participated in and hear what is to come!

Everyone leaves a footprint of faith. Yet, not all footprints are the same. What legacy of faith are you leaving for generations to see? When people recall your name, what will they acknowledge you for?

How do we live the life to which believers have been called? How do we please God? The answer to both questions is the same—faith. Faith is the commitment to live life according to unseen realities and unbreakable promises.

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.