ROOTED IN FAITH: THE SUBSTANCE OF THE UNSEEN
(Introduction to a 10 day series)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
- Hebrews 11:1
Faith doesn’t wait for proof—it lives as proof. It holds onto promises yet fulfilled and finds solid ground in the invisible. Belief is not blind—it’s anchored in the character of the One who cannot lie.
WHAT IS FAITH(BELIEF) LIKE
Faih is like a little child standing on the edge of a swimming pool. Toes curled over the concrete lip, tiny arms stretched out, eyes wide with hesitation. Behind them, the ground feels safe. Familiar. Solid. But in front of them? Water. Deep, rippling water. And waiting there in the middle of it all, arms open wide, is their father. Smiling. Reaching. “Jump,” he says. “I’ve got you.”
For a heartbeat—or maybe two—the child wavers. Questions flood their little heart. What if I fall wrong? What if he doesn’t catch me? What if I sink? But then, in one small, daring act of trust, the child bends their knees, takes a breath, and leaps. And the second they leave the ground, everything changes. They are no longer holding on to certainty; they are trusting the one who promised to catch them.
That’s belief.
THE LIGHT YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN
Your spiritual beliefs are the quiet songs you hum in the dark, the compass that stirs inside when the world feels upside down. They are the unseen roots that keep you steady, even when the winds howl. You may not always be able to explain them, but they carry you. They whisper that there is more to this life than what your eyes can see. And at your core, you believe—not because you've figured everything out, but because something—or Someone—has met you in your need.
THE LONGING THAT POINTED TO GOD
C.S. Lewis didn’t stroll into faith with ease. He once stood firmly against it, an outspoken atheist whose heart had been bruised by sorrow. For a long time, he believed that only what we could see and touch was real—that thoughts and feelings were just results of brain chemistry, nothing more. But the very thing he trusted—his mind—began to point him in a different direction. And it was both reason and wonder that led him home.
In Surprised by Joy, Lewis describes a feeling that visited him again and again—a deep longing for something beyond this world. He called it “joy,” but not the fleeting kind. It was more like homesickness for a place he’d never been. And that longing, he realized, must be pointing to something real. After all, hunger points to food. Thirst points to water. So didn’t this yearning for something eternal point to God?
COLD SCIENCE CAN'T EXPLAIN
Lewis once stood at the edge of belief, staring into a world explained only by science—atoms, cells, neurons firing without meaning. He found that it could tell him how a heart beats, but not why it breaks. If every thought was just a chemical accident, how could he trust any thought at all—including the one that said God wasn't real? But then came a shift, quiet and powerful: what if the mind behind the universe wasn’t random, but wise? What if we were made to reason because we were made by Reason Himself? Suddenly, truth wasn’t just possible—it was personal.
THE STANDARD OF FAIRNESS
Another light began to glow in Lewis’s soul—the quiet certainty that some things are simply right, and others plainly wrong. In Mere Christianity, he noted how people argue not just with emotions, but with appeals to fairness: “That’s not fair!” they insist. But how would we even know what fairness is—unless something higher had written it on our hearts? That cry for justice, that ache when we see cruelty, isn’t something we learn. It’s something we inherit.
You can’t build morality out of molecules. You can’t explain the conscience with chemistry. Why do even small children instinctively protest injustice—before they know the word for it? Because there’s a compass inside us, one we didn’t create and can’t erase. It doesn’t wobble with public opinion. It points, steady and true, to something greater… someone greater.
Lewis came to see what many sense but few name: if there’s a moral law, there must be a Moral Lawgiver. Not an energy or an idea, but a God—righteous, eternal, and impossibly good. Once you recognize that voice, you stop debating it. You start following it. Because truth, Lewis realized, isn’t cold logic—it’s a familiar voice whispering, “Come home.”
WHEN EYES SEE JESUS
But Lewis’s journey didn’t end with reason—it led him straight to the feet of Jesus. And once he saw Him clearly, he couldn’t look away. The words of Christ weren’t tame or polite. They were too bold, too blazing. Jesus didn’t speak like a man hoping to be admired—He spoke like God expecting to be believed. Lewis wrestled with that. If Jesus was only a man, then His claims were outrageous. But if He was telling the truth—then He was the very One our hearts had been longing for.
Lewis put it plainly: you can’t call Jesus just a good teacher. Not when He claimed to forgive sins, judge the world, and unite Himself with the Father. Those are not the words of a wise man—they’re the words of the Son of God… or of someone deluded. And if they’re true? Then He is worthy of far more than curiosity—He is worthy of your life.
In the end, Lewis knew there was no middle ground. You can’t politely admire Jesus from a distance. You either turn away—or fall to your knees and call Him Lord.
JOY SO DEEP
Lewis did surrender—but not with a parade or a spotlight. There were no shouts of hallelujah, no dramatic declarations. Just a quiet soul, worn from wrestling, giving in to a grace that refused to let go. He later said he was dragged into the kingdom of God “kicking, struggling, resentful”—the most reluctant convert in all of England. But once inside, he found something that undid him completely: joy. Not shallow happiness, but deep, soul-drenching joy that reached places logic could never touch.
In Jesus, Lewis didn’t just discover truth that satisfied his mind—he found a beauty that awakened his heart. This wasn’t just about belief; it was about belonging. The questions that once haunted him were now held by a love stronger than reason, a love that didn’t demand perfection—just surrender. And when Lewis finally let go, he didn’t fall into emptiness… he fell into arms that had been open all along.
THE HUNGER IN US ALL
There’s a hunger in all of us. Not for more money or status, but for meaning. We want to know why we’re here, if our pain has purpose, and whether love really wins in the end. We long for assurance that we matter and that we’re not walking through this life alone. And deep in the soul, where words struggle to go, God has placed a light—a flicker of faith—that invites us to seek, to hope, to believe.
THIS STARTS A 10 DAY SERIES OF DEVOTIONALS - ROOTED IN FAITH: WHY WE BELIEVE
This series begins with that spark. Over the next ten devotionals, we will explore the heart of what we believe and why it matters. We’ll look at how our beliefs are shaped—not just by sermons or scriptures—but by moments. Moments of loss and longing, of wonder and worship. Moments that press us to ask, “What do I really believe about God, about life, and about myself?”
Some answers may surprise you. Others will feel like coming home. We will trace belief through the winding roads of culture, experience, emotion, doubt, and ultimately, hope. Whether you are strong in faith, hanging by a thread, or simply curious, these reflections are for you.
Because believing isn’t about having every question solved. It’s about knowing where to go when the questions come. It’s about recognizing the fingerprints of God in both the miraculous and the mundane. It’s about seeing the cross not as a symbol of defeat but of invitation—to be known, loved, and redeemed.
So, come with your story. Come with your questions. Come with the beliefs you hold and the ones you’re unsure of. Let’s walk this road together and discover why faith still matters—and why, deep down, we still believe.
A PRAYER FOR THE HEART THAT STILL LONGS TO BELIEVE
Father,
I come to You not with perfect understanding, but with a heart that still aches to be held by something true. You see the quiet wrestlings in the dark—the questions I don't always say out loud, the doubts that hum beneath my songs of praise. And yet, here I am. Not because I have it all figured out, but because You keep meeting me in the places I least expect.
Like You did with C S Lewis, take my longing and make it a doorway to joy. Use my reason, my imagination, my sorrow—even my resistance—to draw me closer to You. I want more than facts, God—I want to know that You’re real. I want to believe not just with my mind, but with my whole soul. So open my eyes to see You in both the questions and the quiet certainties. Let me find You not only in the pages of books, but in the ache of the heart, the tug of beauty, the echo of truth that won’t let me go.
You are the answer I keep circling. So today, I bring my hunger. I bring my wondering. I bring my fragile, flickering faith. Take it. Hold it. Breathe life into it. And if I must be carried, then carry me—into the joy that reason cannot quench and love will never abandon. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
GROW YOUR FAITH: FINDING WHAT YOU REALLY BELIEVE
Faith isn’t built in loud stadiums or lightning bolts—it’s often born in quiet rooms and honest questions. If Hebrews 11:1 is true—and it is—then your faith is not just a feeling. It’s substance. It’s evidence. It’s the bridge between what is promised and what is present. But to walk across it, you must first know where you’re standing. Here are four ways to begin.
1. WRITE YOUR FAITH STORY
Pull out a journal or open a blank document. Take a deep breath. Now write down when you first sensed God’s presence—whether as a whisper, a longing, or a lightning-strike moment. Where were you? What did you feel? How has your belief grown, struggled, or changed since then? Be honest. Your story matters. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” (Psalm 107:2).
2. DRAW YOUR FAITH MAP
On a blank sheet of paper, sketch a winding path. Along it, place key “mile markers” in your journey of belief—moments of joy, doubt, surrender, or deep questioning. Label each one with a word or phrase: "Loss," "Breakthrough," "Confession," "Wonder," or "Still waiting.” This is your spiritual map—and just like Abraham, “you go out not knowing where you are going” (Hebrews 11:8). But you go in faith.
3. ASK AND LISTEN: THE THREE QUESTIONS
Spend time with God, asking Him these three questions:
What do You want me to believe about You?
What lie have I been believing about myself?
What do You want to do in me today, Lord?
Write down the answers that stir in your heart. They may come as whispers, scriptures, or sudden clarity. Be still long enough to hear the God who still speaks.
4. DECLARE YOUR CREED
Using your own words, write a short faith declaration. It could be three sentences or ten. Make it personal. Make it honest. Begin with: “I believe…” and let it unfold. It might sound like: “I believe God sees me. I believe Jesus is who He says He is. I believe, even when I doubt, that grace still holds me.” Keep it somewhere close—because in shaky moments, your own words may become a lifeline.
You don’t need perfect faith. You just need real faith. God isn’t asking for polished answers—He’s inviting you to come closer. Day by day. Thought by thought. Step by trembling step.
And as you do, you’ll discover something beautiful:
You weren’t just holding onto belief… belief was holding onto you.
SCRIPTURES ABOUT FAITH AND BELIEF
Faith is more than a feeling—it’s the quiet courage to trust what you cannot yet see. It’s the hand reaching for God in the dark, the heart whispering yes even when the world says no. C.S. Lewis once said that belief isn’t the absence of doubt—it’s the decision to hold on, to lean in, to follow the voice that calls us home. The Bible paints a tender picture of this kind of faith—not rigid or forced, but rooted in relationship. From whispered prayers to bold declarations, Scripture reminds us that belief is the doorway to peace, purpose, and eternal life. So let these verses wash over you like rain on dry ground—each one a reminder that you are invited not just to believe in something, but to believe in Someone.
Here are the Scriptures that speak to the heart of belief and the power of faith:
JOHN 20:29
"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
Faith isn’t bound to physical sight—it’s tethered to trust in a living Savior. Jesus speaks a blessing over those who believe without visible proof, showing us that faith is a relationship, not a requirement for certainty. He honors the unseen yes—the heart that leans into grace even when the path ahead is misty.
ROMANS 10:17
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Faith isn’t manufactured—it’s received. As we soak in the Word, our hearts begin to echo heaven’s truths, and belief takes root. Every whisper of Scripture is a seed of trust waiting to bloom.
HEBREWS 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Faith doesn’t wait for proof—it lives as proof. It holds onto promises yet fulfilled and finds solid ground in the invisible. Belief is not blind—it’s anchored in the character of the One who cannot lie.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:7
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Our steps are not lit by the approval of men but by the assurance of God’s presence. Belief leads where sight cannot follow. Even in the dark, faith finds a hand to hold.
JOHN 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
This is the gospel in a single breath: love, sacrifice, invitation, and promise. Belief in Jesus is the key that opens eternity. We don’t believe to impress—we believe to receive.
ACTS 16:31
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Belief is more than a private whisper—it’s a generational echo. When we place our trust in Jesus, the ripple reaches our homes, our children, our legacy. Salvation begins with one surrendered heart.
MARK 9:23
"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
Faith isn’t about what we can do—it’s about what we dare to trust God to do. Jesus opens the floodgates of the possible to those who believe. He isn’t asking for strength—He’s asking for surrender.
EPHESIANS 2:8
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Salvation isn’t earned—it’s embraced. Faith is the open hand receiving what grace freely gives. Every breath of belief is a miracle birthed by mercy.
JOHN 11:40
"Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
Belief opens the eyes of the soul to divine glory. Jesus isn’t limited by the grave or the clock—He’s waiting for us to trust. And when we do, heaven unfolds before us.
ROMANS 1:17
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
The life God calls us to isn’t measured in milestones—it’s marked by moments of faith. One step, then another, always toward Him. We believe because life without Him is not life at all.
GALATIANS 2:20
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Belief isn’t just a decision—it’s a daily dying to self. It’s Christ taking the wheel, writing the story, living through us. Every act of faith becomes a mirror reflecting His love.
ISAIAH 26:3
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Peace isn’t found in answers—it’s found in the Anchor. Belief steadies our hearts when the world spins wild. God meets the trusting soul with calm that no storm can shake.
1 JOHN 5:13
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life..."
God doesn’t want us to guess—He wants us to know. Belief in Jesus brings certainty, not confusion. Eternal life isn’t a gamble—it’s a gift sealed by faith.
MATTHEW 21:22
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Belief is the bridge between prayer and promise. God delights in a heart that dares to ask, not because it demands, but because it trusts. Faith-filled prayers reach places fear never could.
1 PETER 1:8
"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."
To believe is to love Someone your eyes haven’t seen but your soul has met. There’s a joy in that kind of faith—deep, dazzling, and hard to explain. It’s heaven humming in the heart.
Would you like the final 15 scriptures next in the same format?
You said:
PROVIDE ALL THE SCRIPTURES IN THE FOLLOWING IN ESV
ChatGPT said:
Certainly! Below are the same 15 scriptures rewritten in the English Standard Version (ESV), following your original format—bolded references, italicized scripture text in quotes, and a warm, Max Lucado–style devotional reflection beneath each.
JOHN 20:29
"Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"
Jesus honors the unseen yes—the kind of belief that trusts without evidence and clings without certainty. You may not have walked the dusty roads with Him, but your faith still catches His eye. What a Savior, to bless not just the strong but the willing.
ROMANS 10:17
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Faith begins with a whisper from heaven—a word that enters the ear and settles in the soul. The more we open the Word, the more belief grows roots. God speaks, and hearts awaken.
HEBREWS 11:1
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Faith is not the absence of doubt—it’s the presence of trust in what we can’t yet grasp. Hope has a name, and belief gives it substance. When the future is foggy, faith leads us forward.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:7
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
We don’t wait for the sky to clear before we move—we trust the One who charts the stars. Faith lets us step even when we can't see the whole map. And each step writes a story of grace.
JOHN 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
This is where belief begins—in the wide-open arms of a God who gave everything. His love came wrapped in flesh so we could live forever. To believe is to be held by mercy.
ACTS 16:31
"And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'"
Faith is not a solo song—it’s a melody that can echo through a family. One heart awakened can awaken many more. God’s grace doesn’t stop at the doorstep—it moves through the whole house.
MARK 9:23
"And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.'"
Jesus doesn’t shrink from our need—He meets it with invitation. Belief opens the door to what we thought was impossible. He isn’t asking us to be strong—just to trust.
EPHESIANS 2:8
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."
Grace reaches out and faith receives it. We didn’t climb to salvation—it came down to us. It’s not a ladder to ascend but a gift to unwrap.
JOHN 11:40
"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'"
Faith doesn’t erase grief, but it makes space for glory. Jesus meets Martha’s sorrow with a promise—belief unlocks wonder. The grave isn't the end when Jesus stands near.
ROMANS 1:17
"For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"
This life isn’t fueled by answers but by trust. From start to finish, it’s faith that breathes life into our steps. Each day is a fresh invitation to depend on the One who never fails.
GALATIANS 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Faith is not behavior modification—it’s heart transformation. Christ becomes our breath, our story, our song. We live because love took our place.
ISAIAH 26:3
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Peace isn’t the absence of problems—it’s the presence of God. When our thoughts fix on Him, the world’s chaos loses its grip. Trust quiets the storm inside.
1 JOHN 5:13
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."
God wants you to know, not guess. Eternal life isn’t fragile when it’s held by nail-scarred hands. You can walk in assurance, not anxiety.
MATTHEW 21:22
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
Prayer becomes powerful when fueled by faith. Not because our words are perfect, but because our trust is placed in a perfect God. He listens not for eloquence, but for belief.
1 PETER 1:8
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."
There’s a joy reserved for the ones who believe without seeing. Love grows in the soil of trust. And in that unseen place, heaven meets the heart.
HEBREWS 11:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Faith is the bridge that brings us close to God—it’s the hand reaching for His. He doesn’t demand perfection, just belief that He is real and good. And when we seek Him with open hearts, He meets us with open arms.
PSALM 27:13
"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!"
Belief isn’t just for someday—it’s for today. David declared his hope not in a far-off heaven, but in a present God. Even here, in the midst of pain, goodness can be found.
JOHN 6:29
"Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'"
The greatest work you’ll ever do isn’t about effort—it’s about surrender. Belief is the soil where God’s grace grows wild and beautiful. When we believe in Jesus, we step into divine purpose.
1 JOHN 5:5
"Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
The battle is real, but so is the victory. Faith doesn’t make the storms disappear—it makes us rise above them. Believing in Jesus makes you an overcomer, not because you're fearless, but because you're His.
ROMANS 4:20-21
"No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."
Abraham didn’t have all the answers—he just had unwavering trust in the One who gave the promise. Every time he praised, his faith grew stronger. Belief isn’t about knowing how—it’s about knowing Who.
JOHN 1:12
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
Belief rewrites your identity. You’re not just saved—you’re adopted, loved, and welcomed into God’s family. The moment you believe, heaven calls you “child.”
MARK 11:24
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Prayer isn’t wishful thinking—it’s powerful trust. When faith fuels our asking, God hears deeper than words. He honors hearts that believe He’s listening.
LUKE 8:50
"But Jesus on hearing this answered him, 'Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.'"
In the face of heartbreak, Jesus speaks the same word to us: “Believe.” Fear may shout, but faith whispers steady. And in that whisper, healing begins.
ACTS 13:39
"And by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses."
The law could diagnose—but only Jesus can deliver. Belief breaks chains that rules never could. Through faith, we don’t just try harder—we live freer.
JOHN 7:38
"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’"
Faith doesn’t just fill you—it overflows. Jesus promises a wellspring that runs deep and pours out life into dry places. Belief turns the heart into a fountain of grace.
ROMANS 5:1
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Peace with God isn’t something you earn—it’s a gift you receive through belief. No more striving, no more shame—just the stillness of being right with Him. Faith opens the door to rest.
GALATIANS 3:26
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith."
Through faith, the gap is closed and the adoption is sealed. You don’t have to wonder where you belong—your name is written in the family of God. That’s what belief does—it brings you home.
JOHN 14:1
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me."
Jesus speaks peace into our panic and faith into our fear. When life is uncertain, belief steadies the soul. To trust Him is to trade anxiety for assurance.
ACTS 10:43
"To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Belief in Jesus wipes the slate clean. No sin too deep, no past too messy—His name holds the power to forgive. And all He asks is that you believe.
JOHN 20:31
"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Scripture isn’t just a record—it’s an invitation. Every story, every miracle, every word was penned to draw you closer to life Himself. Believe, and live.
These scriptures aren’t just verses to read—they are invitations to respond. Heaven is not looking for perfect people, just willing hearts. The same God who spoke stars into being is whispering your name even now, asking you to believe—not just with your mind, but with your whole life. So what will you do with Jesus? Will you scroll past or kneel down? Will you cling to comfort or step into the unknown, trusting that the One who calls you is faithful? Don’t wait for certainty—faith is the bridge between today’s questions and tomorrow’s miracle. Believe. Not later. Not someday. Believe now—and let the life He promises begin.