Devotionals for the Heart: Believing in God isn't the same as knowing Him

Believing Isn’t the Same as Knowing Him
A devotional by Heidi Lewis-Ivey

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

—Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

A pastor friend of mine asked me to teach a Christian Foundations course for a group of aspiring ministers she's raising up. This week's lesson was “Faith Toward God.” I've taught on faith more times than I can count, but I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did. But somewhere in the middle of preparing, I got stuck on one question: How does faith in a God I can't see turn into knowing Him?

Because those are two different things. I think a lot of us live in the first one without realizing it. Let’s break this down.

Believing He's There:

Most of us start here, whether we remember starting or not. Somewhere along the way we came to believe God exists. We believe there is a Creator, a Judge, a Someone behind all of this. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) puts words to that starting point: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

That's a real and necessary step. But as I sat with the next verse this week, I realized I read past something important my whole life that is found in Hebrews 11:6 (NJKV). It says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

It's not just “believe He exists”. It's “believe He rewards those who seek Him”. That second half is the part I think I'd been skipping. Believing God is there is one thing. Believing He responds when you look for Him is another thing entirely, and it's the part that turns faith from an idea into a pursuit.

I Can Believe the Right Things and Still Not Know Him:

This is the verse that stopped me while I was preparing for the lesson. James 2:19 (NKJV) reads, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

I read that and thought, “Well, that's humbling. Demons have better theology than half of us. They know exactly who God is. And it does absolutely nothing for them, because knowing facts about someone isn't the same as knowing them.”

I think I've done that with God more than I'd like to admit. I believed the right things. Said the right things. And still kept Him at arm's length, more like a concept I agreed with than a Person I walked with.

He's Not an Idea, He's Alive:

What changed something in me this week was sitting with this phrase: the living and true God. Paul uses it describing people who'd turned away from idols. He said in 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (NKJV), “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

Idols don't do anything. They don't answer, they don't respond, they don't know you're there. And if I'm honest, I can treat God like an idol without ever bowing to a statue just by keeping Him as a distant idea instead of a living presence. Jeremiah 10:10 (NKJV) says it plainly: “But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.”

Living. Present. Here. That's a very different thing to have faith towards than a concept in a book.

So How Do You Actually Get There?

I don't think this shift happens automatically just because time passes. A few things stood out to me as I thought through it—not as steps to check off, but more like doors that were already open, waiting. One is simply hearing from Him. Paul says faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). I can't know someone whose voice I never listen to, and I think that's true of God too. The more time I spend in His Word and in prayer, the less abstract He becomes.

Another is that seeking Him isn't a shot in the dark. God promises this in Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV), “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” That's not a maybe. That's a promise from a God who wants to be found. It is a reminder that we can't do anything to earn His love. His heart toward us was set long before we ever sought Him.

And then there's what Jesus says eternal life is. Not “believing the correct doctrine.” Knowing Him like He says in John 17:3 (NKJV) that reads, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The Apostle Paul wanted that so badly he called it the goal of his whole life. He said this in Philippians 3:10 (KJV): “That I may know Him.”

Not know about Him. Know Him. In other words, not a mere intellectual belief, but an experiential, intimate relationship with Him. That’s what I want. I want to know Him and live so close to Him, that when He whispers, I hear it.

Coming Closer, Not Just Believing Harder

Here's what I keep coming back to since teaching this: because of Jesus Christ, we're not left to approach an unseen God from a distance, hoping He notices us. Scripture says we get to come close. According to Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV), “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Boldly. Not timidly, not from far off, not just believing Him from across the room. We're invited in. That's the shift I was trying to put words to in class this week: Faith toward God was never supposed to be the finish line. It's the doorway. On the other side of it is an actual Person, alive and present, who wants to be known.

The Bible says in John 1:12 (NKJV), “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

The Holy Spirit spoke to me years ago. He said, “Faith is progressive and it is historical.” This means we grow in faith as we continue to approach Him through His Word (The Holy Bible), and in prayer. Faith is historical because there is this record of God’s love and faithfulness toward us that says, “If He did there (wherever there is), surely He can do it here.”

Believing got me to the door. Knowing Him intimately is what's on the other side of it and honestly, I'm still walking through.

Let’s Pray:

Lord,

Thank You that You are not a distant idea, but the living and true God who is near, present, and real. We confess that it's possible to believe the right things about You and still keep You at arm's length. Forgive us for the times we've settled for facts about You instead of relationship with You.

Stir in us a hunger to seek You with all our heart, trusting Your promise that those who seek You will find You. Let our faith not stop at believing You exist but carry us into knowing the way the Apostle Paul desired in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know Him.”

Thank You that through Jesus we don't have to approach You from a distance. We can come boldly, not because we've earned it, but because You've already made the way. Draw us closer today. Let what we know about You become what we know of You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Song of Reflection #1: “I Believe God” by Kurt Carr (feat. Timiney Figueroa-Caton). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God's Favor” by Donald Lawrence featuring Karen Clark-Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Kelly Price. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “You Are God Alone” by Marvin Sapp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Just to Know You” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Knowing You, Jesus” by Graham Kendrick. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Oh, I Want to Know You More” by Steve Green. Listen to it here. 

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Author Bio:

Heidi Lewis-Ivey is an affirmed prophet and an internationally acclaimed speaker. 

She impacts audiences with her authenticity and bold style of delivery. She has had the opportunity to minister in Trinidad, St. Thomas USVI, Manchester and Liverpool (England).

Heidi is an award-winning and bestselling author. She is the author of Can I Rest Awhile? and Black Girl Cry: What Black Women Need to Know to Amplify Their Voices. She is a co-author in Soulful Prayers (Volume 1 and Volume 2) and Soulful Affirmations. Heidi is the convener of the Encountering the Courts of God movement and the founder of Visions International, a training ground for five-fold ministry gifts.

She holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Boston University. Heidi is the CEO of Nael & Associates Inc and franchise owner of Patrice & Associates recruiting firm. She is a member of the Pentimenti Women Writers Group, a former mentor with Year Up, former board member for Friends of Young Achievers, and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategist.

Heidi is the proud aunt/great aunt of 14 nieces and nephews and two bonus nieces. They are her joy. The older nephews have become her protectors.

Heidi is an NFL football fan. As a child, she taught herself the game. In 2017 she won her NFL.com fantasy football league. Heidi is an avid reader (Audible listener) of romance novels, a lover of purses and handbags, and a tea snob who believes bling is always appropriate.

She lives in Boston, MA.

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Connect with Heidi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamheidi01
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/heidi-lewis-ivey

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to be rooted in the truth

Rooted in Truth: Building Your Life on God's Foundation
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”—Matthew 3:17 (NIV)

As a Christian life coach and mental health coach, one of the most common desires I hear people say is, “I want to find my purpose.”

This longing resonates with so many of us because we want our lives to matter. For those of us who know Jesus Christ, this desire often shifts to something even deeper: a longing for significance that has Kingdom impact. We yearn to understand how our unique gifts and calling fit into God's bigger picture and how we can use them to make a real difference for His glory.

But discovering our purpose is only part of the journey. Our Kingdom purpose is found in who God says we are and carried out in the community of other believers. To truly understand our Kingdom calling, we first need to know who we are in Christ. Our identity is foundational. It shapes how we see ourselves, how we use our gifts, and how we engage with the world around us. In a world that often pushes us to find our worth in accomplishments or approval, God invites us to root our identity in Him. When we see ourselves through His eyes, our purpose becomes clearer, and we begin to walk in the unique calling He has placed on our lives.

There’s no better example of this than how God established Jesus Christ’s identity when He was preparing to fully step into His purpose on earth. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, as He came up out of the water, “… a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”

Three points stick out to me from this short verse:

Point #1: God said this to Jesus when He was baptized, before He began His earthly ministry.

Point #2: God established His identity by speaking it over Him.

Point #3: Before Jesus did anything for God, He got His identity from God.

It’s imperative we know that we are His child, we are loved by Him, and God is pleased before we do anything. Our identity is already established and doesn’t need to be earned.

I think it’s interesting to note that right after Jesus was baptized, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Do you know one of the ways the devil attacked Jesus? By getting Him to question His identity. In Matthew 4:6 (NIV), we see the enemy (Satan) say to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God throw yourself down…”. Satan tried to get Jesus to question His identity and to act on those incorrect beliefs. I don’t think it’s a coincidence God called out who Jesus was before sending Him into the wilderness. He wanted to make sure that firm foundation was set before the testing came. We too need to know who we are and believe it so that when the enemy tries to tell us otherwise—and he will try—we can rebuke those lies with the truth. I am a firm believer in Biblical affirmations, speaking God’s truth out loud over yourself, just as God did to Jesus. Faith comes by hearing. We need to hear ourselves say what God says about us to increase our belief.

If we do not believe what God says about us and have our identity firmly built on the foundation of our relationship with Jesus and who God says we are, everything we do will flow from a faulty belief system. We will lack stability and struggle to bear fruit. If you have made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized, then I believe that your Heavenly Father is saying these words over you: “You are my son/daughter. Whom I love. I am pleased with you.” Our job is to believe what God says!

Walking in our Kingdom purpose isn’t about striving or proving our worth; it’s about resting in who we already are in Christ. Just as Jesus’s identity was affirmed before He began His ministry, so too is our identity established in Him, rooted in love, and anchored in truth. This week, let God’s words over you settle deeply in your heart: "You are my beloved child. I love you, and I am pleased with you." Let this affirmation shape every step you take, reminding you that your purpose flows from His love and that He has equipped you to impact His Kingdom. Embrace this truth, rebuke any lies that say otherwise, and let your life reflect His glory.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for calling me Your beloved child and for establishing my identity in You. Help me to rest in this truth, knowing that I am loved and that You are pleased with me, not because of what I do, but because of who You’ve made me to be. When doubts arise and the enemy tries to shake my foundation, remind me to stand firm in the truth of who I am in Christ. May Your words be the foundation upon which I build my purpose, and may my life reflect Your love and grace to those around me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Time to Believe” by ForeverJones. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” [feat. Chandler Moore & Cody Carnes] | Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt, founder of Walking the Walk Ministries, is a Kingdom-focused writer, speaker, and coach, passionate about helping women worldwide awaken their hearts to see their God-given purpose and thrive in their walk with Christ. 

With a desire to cultivate a craving for God's Word, her writing is saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing, speaking, and coaching she hopes to ignite your eagerness to pursue God passionately, invite your heart to experience God’s love personally, and inspire you to live your life “souled” out to the One whose love has no limits.

Cyndi lives in Central Florida with her two kitties and is a Jesus-loving, adventure enthusiast devoted to living her life for Jesus until the day she is living with Him.

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Connect with Cyndi:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkingtheWalkMinistries
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkingthewalkministries/
Website: https://walkingthewalkministries.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: When you struggle with waiting on God

Waiting on God
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” –Hebrews 11:11 (KJV) 

Waiting on God is something I have been struggling with lately.

Usually, I am worried that I will miss something that God has for me or that He will refuse to give me what He promised in His Word because I did not react fast enough.

I think there is an inner desire in every human being to take control of our lives and the situations that dictate our daily living. We fear being subject to someone else. We want to work hard and make it happen. But our timing is not God’s timing.

I love Sara’s story because her doubt is very human, but her faith is something to be admired. Sara knew that God had promised her husband, Abraham, a son. But after years of her own barrenness, Sara assumed that God did not intend to give Abraham a son through her. I cannot imagine how discouraged and disappointed she must have felt. Did she feel like God had cast her aside? Did she feel like God had rejected her and would never use her?

Sara, like most of us, decided it was too difficult to daily face her shortcomings and she decided she wanted the shame to end. So, Sara gave her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, to her husband, hoping that Abraham will have a seed through Hagar. You can read this portion of the story in Genesis 16. Sara was impatient and tired of feeling inadequate, so she tried to find the quickest and easiest solution to her problems.

Sometimes, God gives us instructions, but we misinterpret what we think God is trying to tell us.

Naturally, we take what God has given us and we try to rationalize what He is saying and try to plan our next step. But God always intended to use Sara to give Abraham a son. You can open a Bible and read Genesis 18:9-15 where God told Sara that she would have a child, but she still did not believe him! In the book of Genesis, we do not see a major turning point in Sara’s spiritual journey where she decided to believe God. But we know from the book of Hebrews that it was because of her faith that she conceived and bore a son. In Chapter 21 of Genesis, we can read that Sara gives birth to her son in her old age because of her faith.

Waiting on God is hard. We want to make things happen and bring about His will in our own way, but our efforts will only bring confusion and destruction in the end. Sara had to let go of her control of her situation and have faith that God was going to do what He said He would do.

What situation are you trying to control right now? What would it look like to let go of the situation and just trust that God will take care of it? Do you need to step back and revaluate what it would look like for you to leave your life in the hands of the God who cares so infinitely for you?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and the examples of the great men and women of faith in the Bible. Please grant us the courage to let go of the control we claim on our own lives. Help us to leave our future and plans in Your loving hands. You are the Lord of our lives, and we surrender our hearts and lives to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin and Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Tessa Huckstep grew up in rural Illinois. She was born to Christian parents and has known Jesus Christ personally since the age of five. 

Currently, Tessa is attending community college and majoring in elementary education. In the future, she plans to teach in the public school system, hoping to bring the love of God with her.

Tessa enjoys being active in her local church. She serves as a co-teacher for the two-to-five year old class where there is never a dull moment.

It is Tessa’s passion to be a girl after God’s own heart and through her studying of God’s Word, Tessa longs to draw closer to her Savior. Through her writing, she longs to take others with her on this journey of faith.

Tessa loves all things Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size.

When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, she can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

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Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/