Would you have to have seen it to believe it? Are there things you have never seen and yet still believe? What is it that makes you believe without having seen it? Was it a credible witness? Was it the volume of evidence? Was it the source of the information?
Would you believe something without seeing it first? What made it so? What caused you to believe without needing to see it? Was it the source? Was it the evidence? Was it the witness?
Do you find it easier to believe after seeing it? Have you ever had a hard time believing what you were seeing? Ever seen magic tricks? Ever seen illusions? Ever seen science experiments? Ever seen trick photography? Ever seen edited videos? How do you know what you can believe? How do you know you can trust what you have seen? Are there things easier to believe without seeing?
Do you believe in the wind even though you can’t see it? Do you believe in gravity even though you can’t see it? Do you believe in love even though you can’t see it? Do you believe in hate even though you can’t see it? Do you believe in hot and cold even though you can’t see it? Why?
Are there things you haven’t seen and yet believe are or will be possible? Are there things you haven’t seen and yet believe will happen? Are there things you haven’t seen and yet believe have already happened somewhere? Do you have faith in God? Do you believe there is a devil? Do you believe in life after death? Do you believe there is a heaven and hell? Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe He is coming back? Do you believe natural disasters exist? Do you believe that wars exist? What do you believe? Faith is the antidote of fear!
So as we head into the Christmas season, what is it that you believe?
THE ONE YEAR DAILY INSIGHTS
WITH ZIG ZIGLAR AND DR. IKE REIGHARD
FOR DECEMBER 20TH
Believing Is Seeing
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY:
‘For we walk by faith, not by sight. ‘
II Corinthians 5:7
Let’s get more details and context for this statement by expanding upon this verse and using the Amplified version.
‘For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our [immortal, eternal] celestial dwelling, so that by putting it on we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened [often weighed down, oppressed], not that we want to be unclothed [separated by death from the body], but to be clothed, so that what is mortal [the body] will be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection]. Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the [Holy] Spirit as a pledge [a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise]. So then, being always filled with good courage and confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him. For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities]. Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment]. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an occasion to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances [the virtues they pretend to have] rather than what is [actually] in heart. If we are out of our mind [just unstable fanatics as some critics say], it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit. For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake. So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way . Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].’
2 Corinthians 5:1-21
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
- Do you believe God’s Word?
- Do you believe God’s character?
- Do you believe God’s promises?
- Do you believe God’s plans?
- Do you believe God’s purposes?
- Do you have faith in God?
- Do you have faith in God’s trustworthiness?
- Do you have faith in God’s perfect timing?
- Do you believe that our earthly bodies will be destroyed and we will receive new heavenly bodies that are strong, healthy and beautiful?
- ‘For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ‘
2 Corinthians 5:1-8
- ‘For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ‘
- Are you sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit?
- Are you building your relationship with God and drawing closer to God?
- Are you giving more and more attention to what the Holy Spirit leads and guides you to do?
- Are you listening to the still quiet voice, the whisper of the Holy Spirit or does it require a big booming voice to get your attention and obedience?
- Are you moving forward by the nudges of the Holy Spirit as He tries to lead and guide you?
- Are you noticing how your faith is growing to enable you to move out of obedience to God’s will and plan and purpose?
- Have you received your downpayment for the future and guarantee from God of the Holy Spirit?
- Are you being limited by living a life that is directed by your 5 natural senses?
- Are you living your life limited by the natural senses and keeping yourself from being able to experience the supernatural world that God has for you by not being sensitive and responding the the whispers and nudges of the Holy Spirit?
- Are you living by what you can’t see, feel, or hear?
- Are you living by faith?
- Are you living in the spiritual world rather than the natural by living by faith rather than by sight?
- Are you living in the spiritual world rather than the natural by living by faith rather than by feelings?
- Are you living a life focused on God’s promises rather than the promises of this world?
- Are you living a life focused on God’s promises rather than the illusions of this world?
- Are you ready to start paying more attention to the things of God, the ways of God, and the Spirit of God?
- Are you ready to start growing more spiritually mature by paying more attention to the things of God, the ways of God, and the Spirit of God?
- Are you ready to start growing more spiritually mature by trusting God and His Word and the prompting and nudges of His Spirit?
- Will you take God at His Word or are you like Thomas who needed to see it to believe it?
- ‘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
- ‘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.” ‘
- How would or will you feel when Jesus shows up in your life face to face and because of your needing to see to believe confronts you like He did to Thomas?
- ‘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
- ‘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.” ‘
- Will you believe without needing to see?
- Will you have faith in Jesus?
- Is your faith growing or has grown to the point where you are starting to see the unseen movement of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual realm?
- Is your faith growing or has it grown to the point where you are starting to hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit?
- Is your faith growing or has it grown to the point where you are starting to feel the nudges of the Holy Spirit?
- Has the spiritual realm become real to you yet?
- Has the spiritual realm become as real as what you can touch, tast, smell, hear, and see?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
- How much are you like Thomas, needing to see to believe?
- What are some of the most important of God’s promises to you?
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
— Hannah Whitall Smith
As we continue through December we have finished the readings of the Tanakh and I thank Sefaria for their resources in helping me to see the Old Testament in a new way and my friend Lionel for having shared this tool with me. As we kicked off December the idea my wife brought up came to mind about going through the book of Luke (who was a doctor) which happens to have 24 chapters so that we can read one a day and complete it in time for Christmas. To get as many details from this I am going to use the Amplified version to try and grasp all the details Luke gives us to consider and learn.
So today we will read Luke 20:
‘On one of the days, as Jesus was instructing the people in the temple [area] and preaching the good news (gospel), the chief priests and the scribes along with the elders confronted Him, and said to Him, “Tell us by what kind of authority You are doing these things? Or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Jesus replied, “I will also ask you a question. You tell Me: The baptism of John [the Baptist]— was it from heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men?” They discussed and debated it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are firmly convinced that John was a prophet.” So they replied that they did not know from where it came. Then Jesus said to them, “Nor am I telling you by what [kind of] authority I do these things.”
Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey for a long time [to another country]. At harvest time he sent a servant [as his representative] to the tenants, so that they would give him his share of the fruit of the vineyard; but the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. So he again sent another servant; they also beat him and dishonored and treated him disgracefully and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third; and this one too they wounded and threw out [of the vineyard]. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will have respect for him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves, saying, ‘This [man] is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw the son out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and put these tenants to death and will give the vineyard to others.” When the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders heard this, they said, “May it never be!” But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is [the meaning of] this that is written: ‘The [very] Stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief Cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken and shattered in pieces; and on whomever it falls, it will crush him.”
The scribes and the chief priests tried to [find a way to] arrest Him at that very hour, but they were afraid of the people; because they understood that He spoke this parable against them. So they watched [for a chance to trap] Him. They sent spies who pretended to be upright and sincere, in order that they might catch Him in some statement [that they could distort and use against Him], so that they could turn Him over to the control and authority of [Pilate] the governor. They asked Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and that You show no partiality to anyone, but teach the way of God truthfully. Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] for us to pay taxes (tribute money) to Caesar or not?” But He saw through their trickery and said to them, “Show Me a [Roman] denarius. Whose image and inscription does the coin have?” They answered, “[the Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They were not able to seize on anything He said in the presence of the people; and being unnerved at His reply, they were silent.
Now some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Him and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us [a law that] if a man’s brother dies , leaving a wife and no children , his brother should marry the wife and raise children for his brother . Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless. And the second, and the third married her, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. Finally the woman also died. So in the [life after] resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “The sons of this [world and present] age marry and [the women] are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy to gain that [other world and that future] age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; and they cannot die again, because they are [immortal] like the angels (equal to, angel-like). And they are children of God, being participants in the resurrection. But [as for the fact] that the dead are raised [from death], even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, when he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living [so these forefathers will be among the resurrected]; for all live [in a definite relationship] to Him.” Some of the scribes replied, “Teacher, you have spoken well [so that there is no room for blame].” And they did not dare to question Him further about anything [because of the wisdom He displayed in His answers]. Then He said to them, “How is it that people say that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord (the Father) said to my Lord (the Son, the Messiah), “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ So David calls Him (the Son) ‘Lord,’ and how then is He David’s son?” And with all the people listening, He said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and love respectful greetings in the [crowded] market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. These [men] who confiscate and devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense [to appear devout] offer long prayers. These [men] will receive the greater [sentence of] condemnation.”’
Luke 20:1-47
So where are you today? What do you believe? Do you have faith? Are you ready to believe without feeling it? Are you ready to believe without seeing it? Are you ready to believe without hearing it? Are you ready to take God’s Word for what it’s worth? Are you ready to invite God into your heart? Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life? 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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