Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Peace in Fear (5/23/24)

 Who do you and I know that lives in constant fear?

I think Thomas was living in constant fear that first week after Jesus’s death, which led to his doubts. He was so confused by Jesus’s death and probably afraid for his own life, too.  

John 20:24-29         ²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus’s resurrection offered peace in fear! Jesus offered peace to doubting and fearful Thomas. Jesus met Thomas where he was, offered for him to do the very thing he requested, and showed he heard Thomas’s words from the previous week.

We can extend that same peace to those around us who are also living with doubts and fears. Many people lack true peace and joy that can only come from a relationship with our all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who rose victorious over death! Because Jesus rose, we can have peace knowing those who believe will also rise from the dead and join Jesus for all eternity.  

How will you and I tap into this blessing of peace today, especially with any fears faced?

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, to Dispel Doubts 7/14/22

 Have you ever doubted if something would work, but you tried it anyway?

Some of Jesus' disciples doubted Jesus' resurrection, but went to meet Him anyway.

Matthew 27:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

We know Thomas was as least one of the disciples that doubted at one point (John 20:24-31). I think there may have been more than just Thomas, though, because it says "some doubted." From the other Gospels it is clear that some of them doubted the report by the women (Mark 16:9-11), doubted the witness of those who had seen Jesus (Mark 16:12-14), and even doubted Jesus himself when he appeared to them personally (Luke 24:36-43).

We know they didn't stay "doubters!" Mark 16:19-20 says "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up in to heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."

Even though some disciples doubted, they still did as Jesus commanded and went to meet Him in Galilee. They took their doubts to Jesus and then He was able to give them the confirmation they needed. What if they hadn't obediently gone to Galilee? Some of them may have remained doubters.  

We can do the same today with our doubts. We can go to God in prayer and ask our questions. We can then study and search the Bible for answers. If we have doubts, but don't go to God and His Word, then we can't expect to receive answers. 

What doubts do you have? What doubts do those around you have?

How will you and I take those doubts and questions to God and ask for the Holy Spirit to help us know the truth as we study the Bible? Then, we can proclaim the truth with confidence, as God dispels doubts!

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Our Doubts

Sarah was devastated last Friday! We found out her desk-mate at school came down with Covid, which meant she couldn’t go on the mini weekend trip we had planned as a family. After praying for wisdom, Joe and I decided he could still take the other 3 kids. I told Sarah we could plan some fun things at home together, but she doubted we would have as much fun. However, towards the end of the weekend she declared it was like we were on Mackinac Island! I was shocked and praised God for answering my prayers beyond my expectation!

God is with us in our doubts, disappointment and discouragement.

Matthew 14:25-33 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus graciously handled the disciples’ doubts. He can graciously handle our sincere questions and doubts, too. In fact, like with Peter, He can pick us up when we fall on our face due to our own doubts.

In what situation have you and I taken our eyes off Jesus and lasered in on the present circumstances? He’s ready to pick us back up as we turn our focus back to Him.

Alice

Turning From The Game

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”  Luke 5:4-8

We all have doubts sometimes.  When watching my favorite hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings, play their biggest rival in the playoffs, I used to turn the channel when they were down multiple scores doubting they would ever be able to comeback.  One night when I turned, the Red Wings staged a comeback, and ended up winning the game. Fortunately, I turned back right in time for them tying and then winning the game.  That was the last time I would turn from watching them in a game.  Similar to that in my early 20s, I became distant from God because of the teachings of a minister.  She taught in the word, but would constantly discuss our sinful nature, and as such, I doubted I was never good enough to earn God’s grace.  Thus, I turned away from God.  That was not a bad thing in retrospect because to this day, I realize that no matter what I do, it is never enough to earn God’s grace.  Yet, I am humbled and feel secure because He gave it to me anyway through Jesus Christ.  Are there days that I question whether or not I am saved?  No.  Just as I learned never to turn from the game, through God’s grace, I learned to never doubt His love for and grace given to me.

We must have full faith in the grace God has given us.  This story of the fisherman becoming Jesus’s first disciples is often discussed for its path of discipleship.  It is fascinating to note Simon Peter’s response to Jesus when casting his net into the water again.  “Master, we worked hard all last night, and didn’t catch a thing,” he said.  Then he resigns himself to Jesus saying, “But if you say so,” giving us key instructions when we are in doubt.  We know Jesus is master, and even when we have tried everything we can think of, we must trust in Him.  Why?  Because He said so!  We all have moments of fatigue, frustration, anger, and loneliness where we might allow for self-doubt to creep into our minds.  Is Jesus really here for us?  Will He come through for me?  Am I really worthy?  However, we must remember the lesson He taught Simon Peter.  We are to ‘cast our net into the same water’ not because we expect a different result.  Instead, it’s simply because Jesus said so.  Only then will we have true faith in Him.

God always knows where we stand.  We know victory is ours if we just trust in Him.  Yes, we all face times where things look grim, and there will seem to be no way out.  However, God always makes a way.  We must trust in Him even when we’ve ‘cast our net in the same waters’ before.  So remember how faithful God has been in the past, and use it as reassurance in the future.  What areas of your faith can you further solidify in Christ?  How can you stand firm against doubt?  My prayer is that we keep our faith in Christ so as to never turn from the game.  Amen.