Topic:  FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11: 32-40
Memory Verse: All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. Hebrews 11:39 (CEV)

Please sing the hymn, “Faith of our Fathers” on page 104. Yes, Jesus has come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly (John 10:10b). There comes a time in the life of a Christian when his faith in God shall be tested. Why? The coming weight of glory is dependent on such test. There are many Christians who don’t want to hear anything about the word “suffering”. They believe such a word is appalling. Well, not all about the word suffering is awful for a genuine believer. Even the Cross of Christ is a symbol of shame, pain, and suffering. In this kingdom, we move from the Cross to the Throne. A time comes in your journey in life, and in the pursuance of your divine vision when you may need to prove your convictions in God. No true patriarch escaped the wilderness period. Not to forget, God tests before He trust. The Patriarch of Old – Abraham, Job, Jacob, etc, all passed through the furnace of affliction of the Almighty. Isaiah 48:10 says, “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” No wonder Fredrick W. Faber dedicated his life to writing hymns that he believed would assist his fellow Christians in their faith. He penned about 150 hymnals in his lifetime and in the opinion of many, his greatest creation was “Faith of Our Fathers.” This is a hymn that recognizes the importance of martyrs in England who had been killed since the time of Henry VIII. Henri Hemy, a renowned organist and composer wrote the musical composition for “Faith of Our Fathers” in 1849. He was born in England on Nov. 12, 1818. The arrangement was originally created in respect to Catherine of Alexander, a fourth-century lady who was sentenced to death because of her faith. Dear fellow Soldiers, are you ready to die for Jesus if need be? Enough of compromise. Take a rigid stand for Jesus now and always.

EVANGELISM IS GOD’S HEARTBEAT.
GO, GIVE, AND GROAN TOWARDS IT.
CHECK PAGE 54 NOW.

Quote: Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone – John McCain
Prophetic Decree: Even in the face of death, may you not fail God, in Jesus mighty name.
Prayer Focus

1. Thank you Father for loving me now and always.
2. I receive grace to feed my faith and convictions daily with the Word of God, in Jesus name.
3. Faith destroyers, die, in Jesus name.
4. Every evil bird hunting for my faith, catch fire, in Jesus name.
5. I reject and renounce all the devices of the devil to derail and compromise my faith, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 14-16

Hymn: FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, LIVING STILL

1. Faith of our fathers, living still
   In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
   O how our hearts beat high with joy
   Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
   Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
   We will be true to thee till death!
2. Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
   Were still in heart and conscience free;
   And blest would be their children’s fate,
   If they, like them should die for thee:
   Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
   We will be true to thee till death!
3. Faith of our fathers, we will strive
   To win all nations unto thee;
   And through the truth that comes from God
   Mankind shall then indeed be free.
   Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
   We will be true to thee till death!
4. Faith of our fathers, we will love
   Both friend and foe in all our strife,
   And preach thee, too, as love knows how
   By kindly words and virtuous life.
   Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
   We will be true to thee till death!