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

Think about traveling in a circle for seven days. As a runner, I prefer running a route versus a circle track. Otherwise, my mind tends to want to quit. No matter their mental or physical discomfort, by faith Joshua and The Israelites continued to march. In running there is a term called “hitting the wall” where you want to stop mentally and get sudden fatigue physically. I love when my time, mind, and body allow me to run 7 miles. It reminds me of the walls of Jericho. As I run and pray, I can envision walls in my personal life coming down. 

I know you may not be up to walking or running 7 miles but maybe you could do 7 laps of walking, riding your bike, or running. To triumph means a great achievement. I encourage us all to get up and get moving, even if it means getting out of your chair 7 times today. As you move, pray over the walls in your life. May we all have the faith and mindset to persevere.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the example of Joshua and The Israelites who have taught us what it means to persevere. Give me the strength to mentally and physically move and pray for the walls in my life. I desire to triumph for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV — 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.‬‬

It’s not often we talk or read about Moses’ parents. Take a moment to read their brave story in Exodus 2:1-10 NIV. In reading this, I think of my two children and how I would do anything for them. I can’t fathom having to give up either of my children, especially as infants. Now that our twins are in college I am reminded that my husband and I only have them for a season. They were God’s children first. As their earthly parents, we are here to nurture them as they grow and mature into young adults.

Just like Moses, you and I are not ordinary. We are all unique with unique gifts. This is no ordinary Wednesday. God has a specific plan for you and I today. He will work out all things for His glory and our good. What will you do with this No Ordinary Wednesday? Every word you speak, every step you take, and every prayer you make, God is in the details. I encourage us all today to be great and to do little things like they are big. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my parents, who nurtured me into the Godly person I am today. I pray for all the children of the world, that they will know and follow You. Help me with my words and actions today so that I can be great for Your Glory and my good. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Hebrews‬ 11‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 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.

In today’s time, we have Google and GPS to guide us where we are going. We know what the weather should be, what clothes to pack, and an idea of where we want to stop along the way. As children we trust that our parents will get us to our destination even though we might ask 50 million times, “are we there yet.” Think about the faith it took for Abraham to go not knowing where he was going. He had to put his trust in God, his Father, to guide him.

Looking back, has there been a time God called you to go? Did you have faith like Abraham? What is God calling you to do today? Are you open to taking the next step of faith? Our Christian journey is just that, a journey filled with many different destinations. We must trust God as our internal navigator. I encourage us today to take the next step in our go, whatever that may look like to each of us.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for being my internal navigator to guide me through this earthly life. Help me to take the next step in Your go plan. I’m Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV — 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.‬‬

Can you imagine the holy fear it took for Noah to build the ark? I wonder if he ever got tired or questioned the process or did he just persevere. Recently our youth group went through a series of “Would you rather?” questions. One of the questions was, “would you rather name the animals or build the ark?” Both took holy fear and faith. Both took commitment to follow through. 

Building the ark was the first crazy step. In Genesis 7:2 the thought process of seven pairs of every kind of clean animal and one pair of every kind of unclean animal was the next crazy step. It was God. It was holy fear crazy. Check out the Ark Encounter where they encourage you to think bigger and the Creation Museum where they say, prepare to believe. If Noah only knew that one day his holy fear would now be displayed in a museum for all the world to see. I encourage us all to think big like Noah! 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the story of Noah. I desire to think big and live in holy fear with action faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — This is what the ancients were commended for. 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.

Reading our key verse, I want us to think about the assurance we have in God’s promises. According to the dictionary, assurance is a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise. We are blessed to have God’s word to tangibly hold and read. What about the unseen? Think about the commending faith of the Ancients in Hebrews 11. According to Merriam-Webster, assurance is the act or action of assuring someone or something: such as a pledge or guarantee. 

Action shows the confidence we have in our hope. Last month I shared on memorizing scripture verses and Deborah shared on relishing time by living in today. As I typed today’s message, HisRadio talked about how it isn’t always easy to recall scripture verses, yet a song can play that reminds us. HisRadio then played “Trust In God” by Elevation Worship. Some of the lyrics sing: “Perfect submission. All is at rest. I know the author of tomorrow has ordered my steps.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for being the Author of my tomorrow. May my faith be one that is confident in what I hope for and have assurance in what I do not see. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.