Day 19 - Advent Morning Minute with Pastor Jason Cullum VERSES: John 20:24-29 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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. 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!” 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.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Mark 9:24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” KEY THOUGHT: Have you ever wished you could see Jesus or touch Him or actually hear Him speak to you? Are there times when you would like to sit down with Him and get a little advice on life or on how to handle a situation? Thomas wanted Jesus’ physical presence. But God’s plan is wiser. He has not limited Himself to one physical body; He wants to be present with you ALL OF THE TIME! Even right now he is with you in the form of the Holy Spirit. You can talk to Him anytime and find His words to you throughout the pages of the Bible. He can be as real to you as He was to Thomas. And can you imagine being Thomas’ in that moment? Wanting desperately to see Jesus again. He missed his friend. He missed his teacher. He was lost and rudderless without him. I think the grief of the crucifixion and the apparent end to this incredible movement that Thomas gave up everything to be a part of was more than Thomas could handle. It’s easy in those moments of loss and confusion to begin to doubt. That’s when Satan begins to whisper in your ear. You wasted the last three years. You gave up everything for this? What are you going to do now? You’re a failure. Is God even there? Does He even care? I’ve been there in those moments and it’s not easy to regain your footing and put your doubts to rest. But look at this compassionate interaction between Thomas and Jesus. It shows us that having doubts is OK. Jesus wasn’t hard on Thomas for doubting. Despite his skepticism, Thomas was still loyal to the believers and to Jesus Himself. Some people need to doubt before they believe. If doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers, and the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work. It is when doubt becomes stubbornness and stubbornness becomes a lifestyle that doubt harms faith. When you doubt, don’t stop there. Let your doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answers. My faith must overcome my doubts. PRAYER: Dear God, help me to overcome my doubts. Help me to choose the right voice in my ear to listen to and not fall prey to the lies of the enemy. And may I see Your consistent work in my life and build a strong faith because I have seen and felt Your strong hand.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:17:00 +0000
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