"So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." John 20:25
Have you ever met anyone like Thomas? I'm not talking about those who have no belief at all. I'm not even talking about those who might need some help with their unbelief. I'm talking about those who have walked with the Lord and talked with the Lord but when they come into contact with those who are claiming miraculous blessings, they fold their arms over their chests and demand proof. You've met them. Some of them sit in the pew next to you. Some reside in your mirror.
Our problem can sometimes be that we will only believe God so far. We assign the finite to the infinite, the common and explainable to the miraculous and happenstance to blessings. We are quick to give credit for job promotions to a person's perseverance, intellect and perhaps even office politics rather than to God from whom all blessings flow. Why not give God the credit, especially because you have seen Him work in your own life?
Thomas was an apostle of Christ. Those closest to him should have been the first to believe, nevertheless because Thomas did not see his much predicted return with his own eyes, he refused to believe. It makes one wonder why he spent three years of his life following someone around who was evidently in his eyes at best an ideologue and at worst a liar. What must that say about Thomas? What must it say about us when we allow our faith to retreat? What kind of example are we setting for those with no belief at all?
Fortunately, the Lord is patient. He was patient with John when his faith faltered and he was patient with Thomas. He was in fact so patient with him that he returned and offered to have Thomas place his fingers into his wounds. Thomas was given the opportunity to have his faith verified by what he saw, however, we, beloved, must walk by faith and not by sight. Jesus put it better when he said, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." John 20:29b
Believe and you will see...
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Showing posts with label Patience of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patience of God. Show all posts
Friday, August 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Patience of God-6/17/2011
And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, " You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matt 14:29-31
Jesus had just fed the five thousand plus. He then sent his apostles away to cross the Sea of Galilee while he took some time to himself to pray. Just as Jesus needed time away from the rigors of his mission to spend time with the Father, we likewise are sequestered from our day to day responsibilities to enjoy the Family Gospel Cruise and focus on communing with our Lord.
Soon, the apostles found themselves enduring yet another storm. You'll recall in yesterday's lesson, Jesus was with them on the ship asleep. This time, he walked on the water through the storm to get to them. It is clear that he is the master of creation but more to the point, he is the master over our storms. One might ask why he allows us to go through storms at all. Should you ask that question, ask also if you have not come out of every storm better than when you went in.
Since the last storm, Peter had grown in his faith enough to be convinced that if Jesus would call him, he would be able to walk on the waves as well. Jesus called him and he did just that. The bible says, however, that once he took his eyes off Jesus, the storm began to consume him.
Beloved, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. As long as we continue to focus on him, we can walk on our storms until we, as the apostles were, are delivered. Jesus saved Peter and by calming the sea, he not only also saved the apostles, he them to be at their destination immediately.
Despite our doubts, fears, concerns and worries, our God is patient with us and if we are willing, He saves.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Jesus had just fed the five thousand plus. He then sent his apostles away to cross the Sea of Galilee while he took some time to himself to pray. Just as Jesus needed time away from the rigors of his mission to spend time with the Father, we likewise are sequestered from our day to day responsibilities to enjoy the Family Gospel Cruise and focus on communing with our Lord.
Soon, the apostles found themselves enduring yet another storm. You'll recall in yesterday's lesson, Jesus was with them on the ship asleep. This time, he walked on the water through the storm to get to them. It is clear that he is the master of creation but more to the point, he is the master over our storms. One might ask why he allows us to go through storms at all. Should you ask that question, ask also if you have not come out of every storm better than when you went in.
Since the last storm, Peter had grown in his faith enough to be convinced that if Jesus would call him, he would be able to walk on the waves as well. Jesus called him and he did just that. The bible says, however, that once he took his eyes off Jesus, the storm began to consume him.
Beloved, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. As long as we continue to focus on him, we can walk on our storms until we, as the apostles were, are delivered. Jesus saved Peter and by calming the sea, he not only also saved the apostles, he them to be at their destination immediately.
Despite our doubts, fears, concerns and worries, our God is patient with us and if we are willing, He saves.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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