Do you need to see it to believe or are you good enough believing it based on evidence? Do you believe there is oxygen in the air? Does the fact that you are alive and can breathe give you enough evidence to believe there is oxygen in the air? Do you believe there is something called time? You can’t see time but you can see evidence of time. Be it how things happen over some measure. Be it how we know about history. Be it how we have found fossils. There is evidence to prove there is such thing as time. So you need to see it to believe it or are there things you can believe without seeing it?
Do you need to experience to believe it? Do you believe that you have blood and would bleed if you were cut? Do you believe it because you have seen it? Do you believe it because you have experienced it? Do you believe it because you have seen it happen to someone else? Is getting to learn through someone else’s experience enough for you to believe? If someone else were to share the experience with you would that help you to believe?
What about when it comes to God? Do you believe in God? Do you believe in gods? Do you believe in a god or a GOD? Do you believe because of something you have seen? Do you believe because of something you have heard? Do you believe because of something you have experienced?
‘Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. ‘
— Romans 10:17
‘As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ‘
— 1 Timothy 1:3-4
‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ‘
— Hebrews 12:1-2
‘To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ‘
— 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
‘Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘
— Ephesians 6:23
‘The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ‘
— 1 Timothy 1:14
‘You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. ‘
— Job 11:18
So what will it take for you to believe? Does it take the same level of evidence or experience for you to believe something? Does it take a specific amount of time for you to believe something? Do you need to make it personal and see it, touch it, or experience for yourself?
‘Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ‘
— John 20:24-25
When you finally get to see it and you do believe it, how do you respond?
‘A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ‘
— John 20:26-29
So before we jump into today’s devotional, pause for a moment and consider the things you believe. Consider if they are facts that don’t change. Consider if they are truths that will last. Consider if there is evidence to things you need to believe or reject. Let’s be ready for this day ahead of us! Let’s be building our lives on truth, a solid foundation that doesn’t change, and a firm life that we can live out into eternity.
The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and Dr. Ike Reighard
for September 27th
Seeing The Invisible
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY:
‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ‘
Hebrews 11:1
Let’s take a moment to consider what is being said and grab a bit more context through the Amplified translation:
‘ NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. For by [faith–trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report. By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible. [Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking. [Gen. 4:3-10.] Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God. [Gen. 5:21-24.] But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. [Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness (that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith). [Gen. 6:13-22.] [Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. [Gen. 12:1-8.] For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God. Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word. [Gen. 17:19; 18:11-14; 21:2.] So from one man, though he was physically as good as dead, there have sprung descendants whose number is as the stars of heaven and as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore. [Gen. 15:5, 6; 22:17; 32:12.] These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God’s] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth. [Gen. 23:4; Ps. 39:12.] Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland (their own country). If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it. But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God–the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], for He has prepared a city for them. [Exod. 3:6, 15; 4:5.] By faith Abraham, when he was put to the test [while the testing of his faith was still in progress], had already brought Isaac for an offering; he who had gladly received and welcomed [God’s] promises was ready to sacrifice his only son, [Gen. 22:1-10.] Of whom it was said, Through Isaac shall your descendants be reckoned. [Gen. 21:12.] For he reasoned that God was able to raise [him] up even from among the dead. Indeed in the sense that Isaac was figuratively dead [potentially sacrificed], he did [actually] receive him back from the dead. [With eyes of] faith Isaac, looking far into the future, invoked blessings upon Jacob and Esau. [Gen. 27:27-29, 39, 40.] [Prompted] by faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in prayer over the top of his staff. [Gen. 48.] [Actuated] by faith Joseph, when nearing the end of his life, referred to [the promise of God for] the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his own bones. [Gen. 50:24, 25; Exod. 13:19.] [Prompted] by faith Moses, after his birth, was kept concealed for three months by his parents, because they saw how comely the child was; and they were not overawed and terrified by the king’s decree. [Exod. 1:22; 2:2.] [Aroused] by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [Exod. 2:10, 15.] Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense). [Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible. [Exod. 2:15.] By faith (simple trust and confidence in God) he instituted and carried out the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn (the angel) might not touch those [of the children of Israel]. [Exod. 12:21-30.] [Urged on] by faith the people crossed the Red Sea as [though] on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do the same thing they were swallowed up [by the sea]. [Exod. 14:21-31.] Because of faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed for seven days [by the Israelites]. [Josh. 6:12-21.] [Prompted] by faith Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who refused to believe and obey, because she had received the spies in peace [without enmity]. [Josh. 2:1-21; 6:22-25.] And what shall I say further? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, [Judg. 4:1-5; 6:1-8, 35; 11:1-12, 15; 13:1-16; I Sam. 1-30; II Sam. 1-24; I Kings 1-2; Acts 3:24.] Who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, [Dan. 6.] Extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devourings of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts. [Dan. 3.] [Some] women received again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured to death with clubs, refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith], so that they might be resurrected to a better life. [I Kings 17:17-24; II Kings 4:25-37.] Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated– [Men] of whom the world was not worthy–roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth. And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised, Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].’
— Hebrews 11:1-40
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
- What do you have faith in today?
- What areas or things are you putting your faith in today?
- What about that chair you are sitting on?
- What about that screen you are looking at?
- What about that floor you are walking on?
- Do you have faith the chair will hold you and not break?
- Do you have faith that the floor won’t collapse and cause you to fall?
- What about technology? What about other people?
- Do you trust that when you come to a green light that it turned red the other way?
- Do you trust that when you come to a green light that the person going the other way won’t go through the red light?
- What about in the spiritual realm?
- Where can you put your trust?
- Where do you put your faith?
- Do you grab hold of the evidence of God’s power, love, and faithfulness even when it is invisible because of the evidence?
- Do you grab hold of the beauty of nature as evidence of God’s creativity?
- Do you grab hold of the life of Jesus as evidence of God’s character and purpose for our lives?
- So with the mystery of the unseen, what has brought you to the point of faith?
- So with the mystery of the invisible, what has allowed you to come to the point of faith?
- Is it creation? Is it Jesus? Is it stories of believers?
- We all have to make the choice for ourselves!
- We all have the freewill to decide for ourselves!
- Let’s consider what we read about from today’s verse of the day!
- Let’s grab hold of what we read in Hebrews 11 to give us more context!
- So today let’s stand firm on God’s faithfulness in the past and reach forward into the future trusting God and walking and standing in faith that God is in control, He did it before, He can do it again!
Let’s take a moment and listen to a song as we get ready for the day:
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
- In what ways is our faith based on the visible and tangible? on the invisible and intangible?
- What does God want you to trust Him to do today?
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
“Faith is a passionate intuition.”
— William Wordsworth
Today’s reading from Tanakh:
So where are you at today? What do you believe? What do you have faith in? Whom will you trust? How will that impact the way you choose to live out your today? Let’s pray:
I come to you in prayer asking for the
forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my
mouth and believe with my heart that
Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven.
and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of
Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose
from the dead and I ask you right now to
come in to my life and be my personal
Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and
will Worship you all the day’s of my Life!
Because your word is truth, I confess with
my mouth that I am Born Again and
Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus
Name, Amen
Did you pray with me?
Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision?
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