Hebrews 11:30

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. - Hebrews 11:30

Dear Heavenly Father,

What wisdom was there in making Israel march around the city of Jericho for seven days? All that did was give their enemies a good look at their strengths and weaknesses. It removed all elements of surprise, too. Militarily the idea stunk, but spiritually, it was brilliant. It told both Israel and Jericho that this was your battle and not theirs. It gave people in Jericho and Israel time to repent and find forgiveness before they faced you. And finally, it created an encouraging story for all time. I'm encouraged by your mighty hand at Jericho and I'm thankful for its remembrance when I face fortified challenges in my fight of faith. Thank you for Jericho and the faith you have taught me through it.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

When God's requests seem unreasonable, expect unreasonably amazing results.

Hebrew 11:29

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.- Hebrew 11:29

Dear Heavenly Father,

What it must have been like for the children of Israel to take those first steps into the chasm you formed in the Red Sea.  Their hearts must have been beating out of their chests as they gawked at the walls of water on either side.  But you led them with your mighty word and you allowed them to watch their enemies fall behind them. Help me to remember your great act of deliverance in the Red Sea crossing when you call on me to step in between two "walls of water" for you.  Protect me from my enemies and give me the privilege to see either their conversion or their end.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

When God's on your team, the wins are embarrassingly obvious.  

Hebrews 11:27-28

By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. - Hebrews 11:27-28

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, Moses' exodus from Egypt is one of the largest leaps of faith in history. But you made it easy by showing your great blessings through the plagues and by giving Moses the words he needed to confront Pharaoh and to lead your people. You have given me great blessings, too, and I have a whole book full of your words. Give me the faith of Moses to take leaps of faith because, even if it takes me through the wilderness, I know you will do your wonderful work through my leap. Make my life count, Lord.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

When God calls you to leap he always extends his arms to catch you.

Hebrews 11:24-26

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. - Hebrews 11:24-26

Dear Heavenly Father,

Faith makes us different. You gave Moses a wealthy upbringing and all the riches of Egypt, but you never intended him to exploit that for himself. You wanted him to use it as a leader to be prepared for big things. He understood your purposes and was willing to give up an easy life to accomplish great things with you. He led Israel out of captivity and he signed up for the last 40 years of his life to be hard labor. I want to be like Moses; living for you no matter the cost. I cannot do it on my own. Give me the will and the power to overcome the self indulgent messages of my culture and become a servant who burns brightly for you right to the end of his life.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God went all in for us, let's go all in for him too.

Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. – Hebrews 11:23

Dear Heavenly Father,
How brave and loving were Moses' parents! They risked their lives to save him and through their heroism the whole world received great blessings such as: the first five books of the bible, the ten commandments, the accurate account of the beginning of the world, the beginning of Israel and the first promises of a Savior. I can see now that long after I am gone, the actions of I do today out of faith will have a greater impact than I can imagine today. Help me to remember this when the pressure is on for me to conform to the world out of fear and convenience and help my by your Holy Spirit to be like Moses' mom and dad.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God will do tons more than you can ever imagine with the small things you do today for him.

Hebrews 11:22

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. – Hebrews 11:22

Dear Heavenly Father,

What great wisdom you gave Joseph that he would make his people keep up with his bones for hundreds of years until you fulfilled your promise to send them back to the promised land.  As each generation told the next about the bones they also told them about your promises.  It’s your promises that produce faith in us.  Thank you for giving me parents who passed on your promises to me.  When my heart was still wet cement they carefully made sure I knew all the big and wonderful promises that I hang my faith on. Help me to pass along your promises to my children and grandchildren. Give me creative ways to help them remember you are their God, you have redeemed them, that you are there for them and that you will welcome them into glory. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Family leadership is passing the baton of God’s promises from one generation to the next.

Hebrews 11:21

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. – Hebrews 11:21

Dear Heavenly Father,

The blessings of Joseph on his sons came true because you were speaking through him.  I don’t have special blessings that you have given me to speak over my grandchildren, but I do have blessings from you that are for all people including them.  I can learn to speak those blessings to them and over them.  Too many people don’t ever talk about you in their families and homes.  They hear about you at church but then it seems you are put in a box during the week as we go about our personal lives.  Help me to get your promises out of my heart, over my lips and into the minds and hearts of my children and grandchildren.  Help me give them the positive destiny and identity that you have promised them.  They are heirs of heaven.  They are your own children that you watch over and encourage and lead.  They are a blessing to many others and their lives matter.  Even hardships in their lives are a way you prepare them for greater impact.  I can tell them these things and give their lives your divine blessing and perspective.  Thank you for giving me so much to give them. By faith I will bless my family like Jacob did.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

The promises of God are low hanging fruit to pluck and bless and your family with.

Hebrews 11:20

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. – Hebrews 11:20

Dear Heavenly Father,

Oh Lord, all of your purposes are good even if they look like you are favoring one of us over the other.  Your favor for Jacob announced by his father led to the salvation of all of Esau’s descendants.  You never told him so, but from heaven Esau wouldn’t want it any other way.  Help me have the faith to see the blessings and restrictions you place on my life from heaven’s perspective.  Sometimes when you say “no” to my prayers from earth, it’s so you can make sure I will be surrounded by my loved ones forever in heaven.  By faith I will tell my kids and grandkids about your salvation and the beauty of your Son.  By faith I will tell them that the gospel is the best I could ever give them.  And then I will relax as you work out their lives for eternal good. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God’s blessing on others have a way of making our own lives better.

Hebrews 11:17-19

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. – Hebrews 11:17-19

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for graciously revealing here in the New Testament what was in Abraham’s heart in the Old Testament story where he was completely committed to sacrificing his Son for you.  He believed that you would raise him from the dead.  Since this happened on the same mountain where you really did sacrifice your Son for me, I can see that you too were comforted that you would raise Jesus from the dead after he had died for me.  It’s the perfect win/win situation.  I get saved by that one supreme sacrifice and you get your Son back along with me and all believers.  Everybody wins in your grace.  Only you could pull it off.  Because I have already won your grace, I will lose my life on earth in Christian service.  You can give me ten thousand times more than I ever would need when I get to heaven.  It all makes sense when I consider that heaven is waiting for me.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

The greatest test on earth is the test to give up your best bird in the hand for God’s best two in the bush.

Hebrews 11:13-16

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, admitting that they were foreigners 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. – Hebrews 11:13-16

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am a stranger on the earth because I view the entire planet as not worthy to be called my home.  The most beautiful place on earth and the land I love the most will still cough me up at the end and reject me as a permanent inhabitant.  I will not kid myself with state pride as if I have a stake on something special over any other earthling.  I long for my home in the city that you are building for all who have learned your gospel. It’s a home where truth, grace, peace and hope eternally grow where there is no fall or winter. It’s a home where every relationship is perfect and satisfying, where criticism ceases and attitudes are perfect.  It’s the place where you walk with us in person and prayer is casual conversation between you and me. It’s where I will see your form and not be afraid of your holiness.  It’s where there are no taxes, fines or penalties and no misbehavior that would warrant them.  Your home will be my home and mine will be all yours too.  Angles will be my neighbors and saints will call me by name.  Oh, how I long for that home where heaven and nature sing for joy everlasting!

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Imagining heaven is great therapy for spiritually realistic earthlings.

Hebrews 11:11-12

 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. – Hebrews 11:11-12

Dear Heavenly Father,

It's easy for me to get discouraged when I do not see the fulfillment of your promises to bless me as soon as I expected.  Sometimes I wonder if you will turn away from me because I am so easily discouraged.  But then I see in this passage that you commend Sarah for her faith, even though she pushed Hagar on Abraham because she doubted, and she laughed when you sent visitors to tell her she would have a baby in a year.  You saw her imperfect faith and you counted it as righteousness.  Oh, how little faith you will commend!  I do believe in you Lord and I believe in all of your promises too.  But in my heart lurks doubt too.  Help me overcome my unbelief and thank you for fulfilling your promises in spite of me.  I will not let Satan lead me to despair because I know you count my weak faith as righteousness. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

It only takes a thimble of faith to grab a life preserver when you are drowning.

Hebrews 11:8-10

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 architect and builder is God. – Hebrews 11:8-10

Dear Heavenly Father,

Your friend Abraham is one of the greatest mentors of faith that I have ever known. He went even though he did not know where.  We waste so much time waiting to see where we think you are leading when you love to hide the details.  You want us to put our hand in yours.  Instead of charting a course for myself and calling it your plan, I will let you drive where you want me to go.  I want to live by faith that doesn’t have to see to step out. Shed light on my next step and I will go that direction even if the following steps are still hidden to me.  I do not have to know exactly what you are doing, only that I have you guiding my life.  Give me the faith of Abraham so I am truly your friend and not your boss.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Why waste time being overly disappointed or overly thrilled with anything in our temporary life, when our permanent home in heaven is being built by God himself.   

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. – Hebrews 11:7

Dear Heavenly Father,

I realize that faith is also calling out sin when you do, instead of pretending everyone can do whatever they want to do without consequences.  It seems that my generation thinks the biggest sin is not being nice.  Otherwise anything goes.  You led Noah to build the ark because you were done with evil in your justice.  Thank you for being merciful to Noah and his family, for preserving their faith and blessing their efforts.  I am their descendant and had you killed them also, sinners that they were, I would never had the privilege of living here.  Your mercy toward them was mercy toward me.  Help me to have the courage to stand out for you against the evil that runs rampant again today.  And most of all, help me lead people to your redeeming grace before the great and terrible day comes when you will once and for all destroy this sinful world in your justice. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

When God says his patience has come to an end, faith sits up and listens.

Hebrews 11:5-6

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 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. - Hebrews 11:5-6

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I am still blown away that Enoch did not have to die. What mercy you showed your child by allowing him to escape the horrors of losing his breath. I find it equally intriguing to know that without faith in you, I cannot please you. It is, and always will be, a matter of the heart. What do I think about you, O God? I believe that you created me and all beings. I believe you are merciful and gracious to all you have made. I believe you have redeemed me in your son. And I believe you have a purpose for my life today. To fulfill that purpose, I will love and serve the people you put near me today. If you have more specific things for me to do, make it perfectly clear to my otherwise dimwitted soul. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Faith recognizes that one's very existence on God's green earth is an act of mercy on his part. 

Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. – Hebrews 11:4

Dear Heavenly Father,

What secrets are locked away in that little story about Cain and Able!  What was it about the faith of Abel that pleased you so much?  Was it his thankfulness, his pure worship, his desire to please you and not himself?  Was it his deep love for you?  I think it was all of that.  I think it had little to do with what he offered.  It was about his heart while he offered it.  Even though his shallow hearted brother snuffed him out; his life, the first to pass on this earth, still speaks to me.  You have made his life count.  You will make mine count too.  I can lose myself in loving you instead of striving to make a name for myself with anyone.  Make my life like Abel’s, one that worships you and is pleasing to you without regard for the opinions of people. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God has earned the right to be our audience of one!

Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. – Hebrews 11:3

Dear Heavenly Father, this verse has become my dearest friend whenever I hear the debate about how the world and the universe began.  In all of our scientific strivings, we formulate theory on top of theory of how it was formed all by itself out of matter that has already existed.  With all timetables aside, we forget the one fundamental reality that you so clearly put forth here in your word; everything we see was supernaturally made by your command out of nothing.  I will never understand how you did it, but one glance at your beautiful creation makes it easy to see that you did it.  Only an all wise, infinitely powerful God could create such a magnificent universe with an incredible earth that sustains so much diverse life and then graciously give me the opportunity to live here for a short time. If this is what you do for our temporary earth, I can’t wait to see our eternal home in heaven.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God wants us to enjoy the beautiful world he created for us and he wants us to worship him for making it for us. 

Matthew 22:18-23

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax. ”They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.  Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” – Matthew 22:18-23

Dear Jesus,

When those evil men came to trap you on Tuesday before you died, they wanted you to pit our allegiance to you against our allegiance to our country. You saw through their foolishness and showed us the truth about life under government.  We live in two kingdoms, the kingdom of this world and the spiritual kingdom under you and your heavenly rule.  We are to live with appreciation and loyalty to both kingdoms.  I love being in your heavenly kingdom of grace where I am free from guilt and slavery to the law.  But I also love living under the earthly kingdom you chose for me in the U.S.A. because it is a kingdom built on the concept of religious and civil freedom from oppression and persecution.  It allows me to live wherever I chose, to worship you without interference and to spread your word without legal hassles.  It gives my peers and me amazing opportunities for economic growth and possibilities for generosity.  The U.S.A. is like receiving grace on top of grace.  On this day when we celebrate her birth as a nation I say with you, “I am proud to render to my Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”  With both salvation and American citizenship, you have gifted me beyond the imagination of any generation from heretofore.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Loving God and loving this country is easy when you think of the blessings that both have afforded you.

1 Timothy 6:20-21

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.   Grace be with you all.- 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Dear Jesus,

Your gospel is beautiful, simple, sweet and life changing.  In love how you came and gave us salvation.  Your life for ours!  It's the basis of our identity, our peace and our hope.  We trust that in love you have rescued us, even though we don't really deserve it.  Help me to guard and protect this gospel and what it has done in my life from the distractions of religious knowledge that only puffs up.  Keep me from wondering into theological debates that starve my soul of this beautiful message.  Accept my devotion as a thank you offering to you.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

With Christ the main thing, it's easy to keep the main thing, the main thing. 
 

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Dear Jesus, 

It's so easy for us who receive your earthly blessings to think we have inflated value and are no longer dependent on you for anything.  Over confidence and anxiety are two sides of the same coin.  All I have is a gift from you.  Help me to put my hope in you and not my temporary life.  Give me the life that is truly life, a life lived with eyes fully fixed on you.  Make me generous and willing to help my wealthy friends be generous too.  I treasure my salvation more than anything else.  Help me to show this in the way I live and encourage others to live.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

True wealth is the freedom to be a conduit for blessing toward others instead of a reservoir for oneself. 

1 Timothy 6:11-16

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. – 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Dear Jesus,

You tell me here the true riches I am to pursue; righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  That is enough to fill each day with holy striving that brings with it peace and increased fulfillment in relationships.  Give me the desire to seek these virtues with a dedicated heart, not out of fear but out of thanksgiving that comes from believing in grace.   You have totally changed my life from worldly striving to heavenly dedication.  My life is yours, you made it and you bought it with your own blood.  No direct it to be a spiritual blessing to everyone who knows me.

Amen

People can tell your net worth in Christ.  You wear it on your heart, face and life.