Daily Devotional
Faith Goes Beyond Evidence
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 3:14-15
August 24, 2023
Ponder This
Faith goes beyond evidence. God does not need to prove anything to you. God gives you evidence, but there comes a time when you must go beyond evidence to faith. In John 7:16-17, Jesus was talking to the doubters of His day and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” Now what that means in plain English is if you surrender your will, God will reveal Himself to you. Faith is not an intellectual response to God.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…” (John 10:27). If you want to know the truth, God will speak to you out of the Scriptures, and you will gain faith. The Bible says, “Beware, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief…” (Hebrews 3:12). Note the problem is not an empty head but an evil heart. You may think you only have intellectual problems. No, you have an evil heart. God will reveal Himself to the one who wants to understand. When my eye is right, it responds to light. When my ear is right, it responds to sound. When my heart is right, it responds to God.
- How have you heard the Good Shepherd’s voice through Scripture and through other believers?
- How has God given you faith as you have surrendered to Him?
Practice This
Ask God to speak to you through His Word today. Share what you learn with someone.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
