By: Reverend J. Loren Russell
Hebrews 11:1, 6 NKJV
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not see…, 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.”
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was in a hotel room in Easley, South Carolina, trying unsuccessfully to get onto the internet to broadcast that Monday night’s episode of Matters of Faith: The Radio Show. A regular viewer called me just to give me a word of encouragement. I took the liberty to share with her my inability to get online and my apprehension that I wouldn’t be able to broadcast. She suggested that I do something I had never done before, a Facebook live broadcast! What a surprise I had when 750 people joined in almost immediately when I went live. I remember saying to myself, “I am going to do this all the time.”
Matters of Faith began as a column and article that first appeared in The Bronx Chronicle in 2014. The intention was to share God’s word by providing a theological perspective and a practical application of the Word of God to everyday issues. It was birthed in faith without knowing where the column would go, who it would touch, or how long it would last, but wanting to be obedient and please God. I hoped it would be a blessing to a wide and diverse audience near and far. I hoped it would be all those things and more.
When I got a notification from Facebook that this past Tuesday was the eighth anniversary of my first Matters of Faith broadcast as its own Facebook group, I saw the substance of the things I hoped for and the evidence of things that could not be seen at the beginning. The column is still running, in five publications, and has become a broadcast, and the message now reaches people from shore to shore and nation to nation. The author of Hebrews was right on point when he said, “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
When God calls you to go, it only takes one person with faith. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews lists several people who stepped out on faith. One person with a call from God, convicted by the Holy Spirit, walking with faith is all it takes. I am grateful for the nine years of writing and the eight years of broadcasting. The Lord knows if I can do it, anybody can. It’s just a matter of faith.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, Chief Chaplain of the NYS Chaplain Workers Taskforce, the producer and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live, author of Matters of Faith: The Book (Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177), and President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096, jlorenrussellconsulting.com). Be sure to ‘Friend’ the Matters of Faith YouTube Channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com.
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