Faith is a hard word to define, but the eleventh chapter of Hebrews does it best, giving many examples of people who lived in Bible times. The following is a quick scan of stories for you to read on your own. They will be worth your time.

I understand from the first verse that even though so many people won’t believe anything unless they can see it with the naked eye, this chapter gives many examples to prove faith is real, is attainable, and could even cause miracles in their lives.

To receive faith you decide to believe in God as your Creator and His Son, Jesus, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and if you pray for forgiveness of your sins, you will go to Heaven when you die. Plain and simple.

So when you have made up your mind to pattern you life, as best as you can, to live by loving people and having a desire to help those in need like Jesus did, your life can’t help but change. It starts in your heart. You can’t see it happening, but you know a miracle took place. by the different ways you begin looking at life.

The Bible is your instruction book. That’s why if you don’t understand what can happen, read the 11th chapter of Hebrews. You’ll be amazed how people’s lives changed by asking God to lead them in all things. They became sensitive to their consciousness when considering the difference between right from wrong.

The chapter begins with people from the start of the Bible, reminding us that our early ancestors were approved by God by their active faith. But first, in verse 3, it tells us By Faith, we understand the world (Universe) was prepared (created) by God’s command (His Words) so that what is seen was NOT made out of things that are visible.

Verse 4: By Faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain. God approved Abel. And, even though Cain killed Abel, Abel’s exercising faith became our standard.

Verse 5-6: By Faith, Enoch was taken to heaven without experiencing death, and because of his faith in God, was witnessed by many.

Verse 7: By Faith, Noah trusted in God by God’s directions in building the Ark—even tho it had never rained—to save his faithful family from a coming flood.

Verse 8-10: By Faith, Abraham obeyed God’s calling to go out to a place to receive an hesitance. He didn’t even know where he was going, but by faith he left for the unknown.

Verse 11-19: By Faith Abraham’s wife, past the age of childbearing, was told she would finally have a child. From this offspring would come ones as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the grains of sand by the seashore. From keeping her faith in God, this miracle did happen. Then later, by faith, Abraham was told to offer up that son as a sacrifice. This story is worth checking into for the results. Verse 20: By Faith, Abraham’s son, Isaac, blessed Jacob and Esau.

Verse 21-22: By Faith Jacob, even while dying blessed each of Joseph’s sons. Verse 23: By Faith, Moses, whose life was saved when male babies were being killed by the Egyptian king’s edict (sounds like eat it), grew up in Pharoah’s court but refused to be called his son. Instead he rejoined the Israelites to suffer with his people. Read this story to see what miracles were experienced when he obeyed God and led the Israelites out of Egypt.

Verse 30: By Faith, Rahab,.... and others: Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah ( pronounced Jeff-fa), David, Samuel, and others, who, By Faith, conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the sword, gained strength after weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Look up these others in your Bible Concordance or Google them to read amazing, exciting stories.

In doubt about these? Archeologists are continually digging up proof that Bible stories really, really happened. If nothing else, Hebrews 11 should encourage you to begin strengthening your faith by reading the Bible.

Who knows what could miraculously change in your life? May God bless your efforts in getting to know Him better. What can you lose?