…we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…It is very important to surround oneself with people who can impact your life for the good and not for the bad. Here is a list of a few great men and women worth hanging out with 24/7.
1. Abel:
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. - Hebrews 11:4
Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. He was the first martyr in the Bible and also the first shepherd. Very little else is known about Abel, except that he found favor in God's eyes by offering him a pleasing sacrifice. As a result, Abel was murdered by his older brother Cain, whose sacrifice did not please God. He is the first person to enter Heaven after death.
2. Enoch walked with God - Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
I’ve always been mystified by this guy. But from Genesis through Revelation, from the garden to the city, we see glimpses of how Enoch walked with God. He walked by faith, he walked in the light, he walked in agreement with The Lord. He also walked consistently, sincerely in obedience, union, and fellowship with The Lord.
3. Noah was a man who took God seriously.
Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.-Genesis 6:22
4. Job was a man whose life and resolve was tested beyond imagination, yet did not curse God.
“In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” -Job 1:22
5. Abraham did nothing, yet got everything. He did not work for what he got. He simply received it by faith. The bible says he believed God. The world is yet to see what God can do to and through a man who would simply believe. He believed for a son even at 100 years old. He believed for a lamb when tested to sacrifice his own son. He embraced the promises even though he did not see them clearly
Abraham believed God and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.- Romans 4:3
6. Sarah, wife of Abraham, is one of only two women specifically named among the heroes of faith (Some translations, however, render the verse so that only Abraham receives credit.):
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.- Hebrews 11:11
Sarah waited long past child-bearing age to have a baby. At times she doubted, struggling to believe God would fulfill his promise. Losing hope, she took matters into her own hands. Like most of us, Sarah was looking at God's promise from her limited, human perspective. But the Lord used her life to unfold an extraordinary plan, proving that God is never restricted by what usually happens. Sarah's faith is an inspiration to every person who has ever waited on God to act.
7. Isaac, the miracle child of Abraham and Sarah, is the next hero distinguished in the Hall of Faith:
It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau. Hebrews 11:20
The Jewish patriarch, Isaac, fathered twin boys, Jacob and Esau. His own father, Abraham, was one of the greatest examples of faithfulness the Bible has to offer. It's doubtless Isaac would ever forget how God had delivered him from death by supplying the necessary lamb to be sacrificed in his place. This legacy of faithful living carried into his marriage with Rebekah, Jacob's one and only wife and lifelong love.
8. Jacob, another of Israel's great patriarchs, fathered 12 sons who became heads of the 12 tribes. One of his sons was Joseph, a key figure in the Old Testament. But Jacob started out as liar, cheater, and manipulator. He struggled with God his entire life.
The turning point for Jacob came after a dramatic, all-night wrestling match with God. In the end the Lord touched Jacob's hip and he was a broken man, but also a new man. God renamed him Israel, which means "he struggles with God."
It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. -Hebrews 11:21
The words "as he leaned on his staff" are of no small significance. After Jacob wrestled with God, for the rest of his days he walked with a limp, and he gave over control of his life to God. As an old man and now a great hero of faith, Jacob "leaned on his staff," demonstrating his hard learned trust and dependence on the Lord.
9. Joseph was a man who was completely devoted to the Lord even in times of injustice, betrayal, and temptation.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” -Genesis 50:20
Joseph is one of the greatest heroes of the Old Testament and an extraordinary example of what can happen when a person surrenders his life in complete obedience to God.
It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.- Hebrews 11:22
After the terrible wrongs done to him by his brothers, Joseph offered forgiveness and made this incredible statement in Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
10. Moses was a man of great humility. His humility caused God to take notice of him. When others attacked him, he didn’t try to justify himself, he stepped back and allow God to speak for him. When the load of leadership was too heavy he took the guidance of his father in-law. When God would have nothing to do with a stiff-neck people and threaten to destroy them for their evil ways, Moses offered his own life as he interceded for Israel.
Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.
Numbers 12:3
11.Joshua
Against overwhelming odds, Joshua led the people of Israel in their conquest of the Promised Land, beginning with the strange and miraculous battle of Jericho. His strong faith caused him to obey, no matter how illogical God's commands might seem. Obedience, faith, and dependence on the Lord made him one of Israel's finest leaders. He set a brave example for us to follow.
While Joshua's name is not specified in this verse, as the leader of Israel's march on Jericho, his faith hero status is certainly implied:
It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.-Hebrews 11:30
12. Ruth was a woman who left everything she had for something far more greater than anything she’d ever imagined.
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.” -Ruth 1:16-18
13. Samuel was a drama free scandal free prophet. A man of great integrity. A holy man of God. A man who refused to compromise. A man who said, “obedience is better than sacrifice.” A man who even thought it sinful to stop praying for the people God called him to serve.
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. -1 Samuel 12:23
14. David, the shepherd-boy king, looms large in the pages of Scripture. This courageous military leader, great king, and slayer of Goliath was by no means a perfect role model. Although he's ranked among the most notable heroes of faith, he was a liar, adulterer, and murderer. The Bible makes no attempt to paint a rosy picture of David. Rather, his failures are vividly displayed for all to see.
So what was it about David's character that made him such a favorite of God? Was it his zest for life and passionate love for God? Or was it his unshakable faith and trust in the endless mercy and steadfast goodness of the Lord?
15. Daniel was a man whose integrity and prayer life Helped him to see unbelievable miracles and prophetic mysteries.
“He went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done.” -Daniel 6:10
16. Esther was a woman who understood her times and seized the day not only for her people but also for God.
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” -Esther 4:14
17. Elijah was a man who availed himself in such a way to God. As a result, Gods used him mightily.
“Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king.”- 2 Kings 1:15
18. Elisha was simply a bald headed miracle worker. You name it – he did it through the power of God. The healing of the waters at Jericho, God used him. The filling of the poor widow’s vessels with oil, God used him. The reviving of the Shunammite woman’s son, God used him. The feeding of a multitude on an insufficient quantity of food, God used him. The healing of Naaman, the Syrian captain, of leprosy, God used him. The raising of the iron ax which had fallen into the water, God used him. Even after his death, the very touch of his bones revived a man buried by accident in his sepulcher.
19. Nehemiah was a man who silenced the Nay Sayers and did what they said he couldn’t do.
Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” -Nehemiah 2:20
20. Ezra was a scribe who knew how to attract the favor of The Lord upon everything he did. He made it his duty to study the word of God – not just read it. He also spend much time in fasting and praying over the word. For these reasons everything he touch literally turned to gold. The hand of God was upon him and he succeeded in everything he did.
for the good hand of his God was on him… For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.- Ezra 7:9, 10; 8:23
21. John the Baptist seemed to have it all together. Jesus called him the greatest man who ever lived. I can still hear his words, “I must decrease – He must increase”, ring in my heart. A powerful testament to his humility. But the thing that speaks more to me about John is the fact that he was human, frail, and doubtful – just like me. Even though he had a miraculous birth, saw the Holy Spirit come down upon Jesus, and heard the voice of God from heaven – in his moment of weakness, behind bars questioned what he knew was true.
Calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” -Luke 7:19
22. Paul was a man so passionate for the lost, that he literally would have walked upon broken glass just to reach the next person.
“A prophet named Agabus came down from Judea… took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles… For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:10-14
23. Phillip was a man who chose to live by the spirit; follow His promptings; and be used by the Spirit.
“Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place… And there was an Ethiopian.” Acts 8:25-40
24 Timothy was a young man with a tremendous gift and calling. The only thing that was slowing him down was himself. He was extremely timid and shy. Especially leading a congregation of older men and women. To succeed, he had to dig down deeper. He had to tap into something much more powerful. He had to fan into flames the gifts and calling of God on his life.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 1 Timothy 1:6, 7
25 Onesimus was a man who at one time in his life was a screwup. One day he decided to change that with one step of faith. His life went from useless to useful.
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. -Philemon 1:11
Compiled From
http://walterbright.org/2014/01/08/10-more-bible-characters-of-great-faith/
http://walterbright.org/2013/01/08/10-bible-characters-of-great-faith-2/
http://christianity.about.com/od/biblefactsandlists/tp/Hebrews-11-Heroes-Of-Faith.01.htm
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