Your Daily Devotional for October 6, 2006

 

October 6, 2006

 

 

Living by the Basics

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

 

 

Hebrews 11:1-3

 

 

Living the Christian life without faith is like driving a car without oil, washing clothes without soap, or playing in a football game without a helmet or pads—the basic needs are essential for the success of each task. Christians who lack biblical faith will find that they struggle with discouragement, despondency, doubt, and despair. Christians who have placed their faith in self or others are equally discouraged.

 

Our verse says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Webster’s dictionary defines faith as “belief that does not rest in logic; confident belief in the truth.” Faith cannot be explained and it cannot be understood. Faith tells us to believe the impossible and trust God for the rest. Faith also believes that God’s Word is true. If God’s Word were not true then we would have no basis for our faith! Since we were not present at the creation of the earth, we must trust that what God’s Word has told us is correct. That is faith!

 

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Faith is not believing that God can, but that God will.” Faith steps out and says, “I don’t know how this will work, and I don’t need to know how it will work, but I trust that God will take care of me.” Faith believes the incredible and expects the impossible.

 

Faith is not a new concept for us. We see and even experience faith every day! When you fly on an airplane, you exercise faith. Oh sure, you trust the pilot, but you also trust the plane’s equipment! Have you ever seen a plane’s engine before you’ve flown on it? Have you ever checked to make sure the fuel tank was full of gas? How do you know that the maintenance crew fixed each piece of equipment properly? You don’t! It takes faith to believe in things you cannot see!

 

We often trust a plane to take us where we need to go, but we do not trust God to guide us and provide for us. You may say, “Well, the plane has proven itself. I’ve seen many planes that have flown and made it safely.” Friend, I’ve seen many Christians step out by faith and trust God and make it safely! God has proven Himself real time and time again! The only way you will be able to experience this for yourself is if you walk through the “terminal” of faith and into the blessings of God!

 

Living the Christian life requires many things, but one of the basics is faith. It takes faith to believe that a God you have never seen will save you from your sins and reserve a home in Heaven for you. It also takes faith to believe that same God will provide for you day by day. It takes faith. How strong is your faith? Do you believe that God can and will provide for your needs? Trust Him and let Him work out the details of your life today!

---

================================================
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
================================================
Manage your online subscriptions at
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-login.aspx

To Unsubscribe from this list please follow this link
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-unsubscribe.aspx?s=4159&l=1