Over the past few days we have been looking at the faith portion of faith, hope, and love found in 1 Corinthians 13:13. We have found …

• Faith abides
• Faith is a gift from God
• Faith is the product of Bible saturation
• Faith is based on facts, and today
• Faith is properly focused.

The faith we are talking about is not faith in faith. Faith is properly focused when it is focused on God and the promises and the truths in His Word. In a favorite hymn of many years ago, the songwriter wrote

Have faith in God, He’s on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.

The first stanza of that hymn goes like this:

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely.
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Allow me to ask you a couple questions.

1. How is your faith? Many of us can relate to the statement of the disciples when they said, “Lord, increase our faith.”
2. What are you trusting God for this year? Let me ask that in a little more detail.
   1. What are you trusting God for this year for yourself and your family? Increased Bible knowledge?  Boldness in witnessing? Stepping out of your comfort zone? Financial need? Would you be so bold as to write that down? No one needs to know what you are writing down, unless you want to tell someone, but what are you trusting God for this year?
   2. What are you trusting God for this year for where you attend church? Would you be so bold as to write that down?

This year will be filled with opportunities, challenges, and surprises. As we walk on into this year, let’s walk on with firm reliance and confidence in God. Let’s agree and believe that 2015 could be one of greatest years we have ever experienced. Tomorrow, we will begin to look at the hope portion of these three Christian virtues.