5-Day Devotional: DAY 1 - Get Your Hopes Up for Kingdom Impact

Day 1: Hope as the Foundation of Faith
Reading: Hebrews 11:1-6
"Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Devotional: Faith requires something to aim at—and that something is hope. Without hope, faith has no foundation to build upon. Today's reading reminds us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for." Consider this: if you cannot envision God using you to impact someone's eternity, you'll never step out in faith to do it. Your hope sets the ceiling for your faith. Many believers love God deeply but have quietly lost hope that their lives will make an eternal difference. Ask yourself honestly: Do I expect God to use me? Your vision determines your faith's potential. When you can see yourself as God's instrument for reaching the lost, faith activates. Let hope rise today—not in your abilities, but in God's faithfulness and willingness to work through surrendered vessels.

Reflection Question: What limiting beliefs have kept my hope—and therefore my faith—from rising?