Through God's inspiration, Paul clearly defines and characterizes the somewhat confusing word “FAITH" in Hebrews  11:1, 6:

"Now faith is complete confidence in what God says, and assurance about what He does that we do cannot see. And, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He is Almighty God, and that He rewards, now and in eternity, all those who exhibit "faith" by passionately seeking His Face."  LSV

FAITH IS COMPLETE TRUST in Some-One we’ve never seen, can’t audibly hear, don't totally understand, and some say, is One without any hard scientific evidence anyway.

Last, and perhaps most critical, without faith, we will not clearly see God's Hand in our daily lives, can’t please God, and will never receive any "by faith" rewards in Heaven.

Those who have lived (and are living) "by faith" lives, are very few and rare indeed. In Hebrews 11: 4-40, the apostle, in his "hall of faith", makes special note of the few that lived lives that could be characterized "by faith". Spend a few minutes going through the list, and take special note of what characterized each of their lives. 

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WHY is it when I'm hiding known sins deep in my heart, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they seem to be, I'm not able to clearly understand God's Word, distinctly see God's direction, and never receive the fullness of His blessing.

Jesus elucidates this conundrum in one of the 'Be-attitudes': "Blessed are the pure (clean and purified by confession) in heart, for they shall see God (experience, hear from, understand)." (Mt. 5:8).

From when Adam and Eve ate of the 'forbidden fruit' in the Garden, then tried to hide that 'little' act of disobedience from God (Gen. 3:8), to today's 'little' sins of rebellion and disassociation from God, He shuts Heavens door to understanding His Mind, and won't share "secret" messages from Him.

--- "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3).

Only through complete openness with Him, confession of sins to Him, and renunciation of those 'little' (no such thing as little sins), will He restore closeness of fellowship with Him.  I John: 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Isaiah implores (55: 6): "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD."

Finally, I welcome your response, and would love to hear from you - and, how can I pray for you?

God bless you richly as you seek our Precious Savior's Face. 

This may be hard to fully comprehend, but happiness, euphoria and ecstasy are not inventions of man, nor are they fully experienced on earth. It was God who created the very greatest of feelings that reside in our souls.

It's natural to wonder whether or not in heaven, these same types of feelings will be fully experienced, or are our earth-feelings simply an exotic teaser, never again to be experienced as intensely in Heaven as they are on earth?  Is Heaven going to be a non-stop hymn sing and prayer meeting, or will there be pleasures in heaven that far exceed the very greatest ecstasies of earth?

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Hymnody is sweet with the longing after God, the God whom, while the singer seeks, he knows he has already found . 'His track I see and I’ll pursue,' sang our fathers only a short generation ago, but that song is heard no more in the great congregation.

How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of “accepting” Christ (a term, incidentally, which is not found in the Bible) and we are not expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our souls.

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If believers are gut honest, they will admit to giving more of their time, energy, and focus, drawing closer to their friends, family, and various activities, than they do in disciplining their souls to draw ever closer to Jesus and His realized Presence.

In terms of real time, each of us needs to carefully evaluate exactly where and how Jesus fits into our established relationship structures and life --- in terms of time, energy and resources. He deserves our best...in fact He asks for our all. Does He get the very best of our soul, mind, heart and strength?

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