July 27, 2016

Call it the faith factor. Without it, nothing works. With it, amazing possibilities unfold. "we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard." (Hebrews 4.2) 

Two people can hear the truth message of salvation. One simply hears it, and it accomplishes nothing in their life. Another hears it, believes and receives it in faith, and it is a life-changing experience. God's word is designed to be received in faith in order to be powerfully effective. 

A battle has long raged over the authenticity of the Bible. Is it truly God's word, or merely a book of human origins? While there is ample evidence to consider it God's inspired word, a step of faith is still required. One must leap beyond the evidence and accept it in simple faith for it to be effective. 

What applies to salvation also applies to daily reading and study of the word. If we simple read the Bible as we would any other book, it is marginally effective. But, if we read in faith, with a desire to do as it says, it will have a radical effect on lifestyle.

Read and study it today in simple faith. Do as it says. Experience the power of godly change as a result. 

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
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July 20, 2016

From cradle to grave, He's got you covered. 

"Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, You who have been borne by Me from birth 
And have been carried from the womb; Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you." (Isaiah 46.3-4) 

As His covenant people through Christ, these promises to Israel apply to us. He has birthed us, carries us, bears with us, and will ultimately deliver us. From cradle to grave, we can count on Him. The proof is His declaration: 

"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure' " (Isaiah 46.9-10)

The One who "has our back," from cradle to grave, promises that everything He says is as good as done! So, these promises implore us to walk faithfully and confidently, no matter what a fallen world throws at us today or tomorrow. We're truly in good hands, from life's beginning to end.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

July 19, 2016

The silence of God is often presumed to be the absence of God. If He doesn't speak, then He must not be there. 

"Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long." (Psalm 86.1-3) 

David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13.22), and yet he experienced periods of God's silence, as many of us do. Silence is not indicative of disfavor. 

The covenant Hebrews people experienced four hundred and thirty years of extreme hardship through slavery in Egypt while God was silent. Generations lived and died amidst the silence and hardship; not living to see His divine deliverance through Moses. And, there was a period of silence lasting approximately four hundred years, from the last prophetic word through Malachi until the voice in the wilderness of John the baptist was heard. Putting it in perspective, these are periods of silence nearly twice the length of time the United States has existed as a nation. 

So, is God's momentary silence in our lives really all that long? However long the silence might be, it is a time to walk steadily in faith. It is a testament to faith that He trusts us to walk on amidst His silence. 

Regardless of whether we sense His voice, He listens and cares. He is faithful to "preserve our soul" (verse 2), and be ever gracious to us. 

Walk on in faith today, faithful friend.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045