The Spirit of Faith Newsletter
August 1982

Main Article "Hope?" "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. " (Hebrews 11:1) This has been called, correctly, the Bible definition of faith. But what does this really mean? One translation says that faith is the "giving of substance to things hoped for." Faith is the spiritual power that is applied to natural things to cause a change. Notice that this power of faith gives substance to what is hoped for, this would indicate the importance of hope. We, as "Word People," have spoken disparagingly of hope in the past. We've said, "If you're just 'hopein' and prayin" about it, then you're just wasting your time." To some extent this is true, that is, if all you are doing is "hopein' and prayin,"' it won't work. Faith must be part of your prayer if it is going to work, notice, faith is the force that gives substance to the hope. But, we can't eliminate hope from our life and teaching on the victorious Christian life.  We need to define the word "hope."

The English Dictionary says, "desire with expectation of obtaining what is desired, or belief that it is obtainable." The Greek word used is "elpis", which means "favorable expectation or anticipation". You can easily see that real, Bible hope is very different from the way most people use the word. To say, " I sure hope that God will heal me someday" is not what true, Bible hope is about. It is rather a confidence... something that is firm. If you are a man of your word, and you told me, "I'll be at your house at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon, and we'll have coffee and doughnuts," then I will expectantly prepare for your arrival by having the coffee and doughnuts ready at 3:00 o'clock. In other words, I'll make every preparation, and I won't be surprised when at 2:59, you knock on my door. Unfortunately, we don't always act this way about spiritual things. Yet, spiritual things are more real than physical things around us. It was the spiritual force of God's faith that He used to create all these physical things. (Hebrews 11:3)

Hope should be a goal setter for the believer. Use your hope to form an image on the inside of you! You can receive whatever you can vividly see on the inside of you by applying your faith to it. The only limiting factor is your lack of vision. Without a vision the people perish (or fail). (Proverbs 29:18) However, with vision, we will succeed! You need to develop a divinely inspired goal. All that a vision is is a divinely inspired goal! The Hebrew word for vision is, "chazown," which means, "sight or revelation." You must have an inner sight of whatever your need is - fulfilled! And realize this - hope is a mental power, while faith is a spiritual power. If you can keep the two separate, and in their place - then Hebrews 11:1 will be real to you! Your faith will begin to give substance and reality to that which you have envisioned!

Items of Interest in This Issue

Report on "Healing Springs Faith Center"...  Tape offer on "Catching the Vision" of the local church and the upcoming satellite ministry... Radio Topic List... Spirit of Faith Broadcast invitation... Itinerary... Satellite Poster for Charles Capps Satellite Seminar next month