4/14/2023 0 Comments Trust Your EyesIf there was ever a good reason to believe in the unbelievable, the disciples had experienced it. They had spent the better part of three years with Jesus. They witnessed His miracles, listened to His teachings, saw Him crucified, watched His body being laid in a tomb, witnessed the resurrection and even had lunch with Him a few days later! So what kind of doubts could they have had that Jesus wasn't who He said He was? Matthew doesn't tell us. We can only guess what our doubts would have been. We have the same evidence that they had through God's Word.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you doubt, even though you have plenty of evidence? 2. How can you overcome this? Challenge: One of the best ways to combat doubt and a lack of faith is to become familiar with God's Word. Therein lies the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done and what He continues to do for you Spend time reading your Bible daily and unlock the mysteries that God wants you to uncover.
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4/13/2023 0 Comments FigsJesus uses the example of the fig tree to teach the disciples about the power of prayer coupled with great faith. Like most teachers of His time, Jesus used exaggeration and hyperbole to make His points. When something was really important, He would overstate it. (see Matthew 5: 27-30). His point is simply that prayer coupled with great faith yields results far greater than they could imagine
Questions for further thought: 1. Is prayer a priority for you? 2. How could you improve your prayer life? Challenge: Talking to God can really take any form you want. You can incorporate prayer into any space in your day. A whispered prayer at work, A worship and praise song on your favorite device The choices are endless. Experiment and see where God will lead you. 4/12/2023 0 Comments ThomasIt is unfortunate that we so readily identify Thomas as " The Doubter". Earlier in John's gospel, Thomas demonstrates enough faith to want to "go, that we(the disciples) may die with Him (Jesus)". We all waver in our faith and doubts. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see proof or evidence with our own eyes, but God does not always reveal all things to us. He desires our faith "blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe". (John 20: 29b)
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you readily step out in faith? 2. Do you hold back, waiting for more evidence? Challenge: Jesus recognizes that belief isn't easy or simple. He made an extra trip back to meet up with Thomas to bolster his faith. Jesus will offer you evidence if you ask. Pray for the wisdom to believe in the work that Jesus did for you. Search Scripture for the clues you need. 4/11/2023 0 Comments More Faith, PleaseThis father's expression of faith is one of the most honest and meaningful statements recorded in the New Testament regarding faith. Faith and doubt seem to oppose one another, but in reality, they can be conditions that co-exist. The man does believe that Jesus can free his son from the power of the demon possessing him, but has a hard time grasping the supernatural. We can all use more faith when it comes to the supernatural power of Jesus that is in opposition to our physical world.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you believe that Jesus possesses supernatural power? 2. If not, why not? Challenge: At the end of this story, Jesus tells His disciples that this particular demon "can only come out by prayer" Sometimes we forget the power of prayer when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Pray for Jesus power and believe in His ability to overcome any challenge you have. 4/10/2023 0 Comments Water WalkingIn today's story, Peter was the only one of the disciples in the boat who reacted to Jesus in faith. His faithful but impulsive action led to an unusual demonstration of God's power. Peter's fear got the best of him when he lost sight of Jesus and started to sink. It is important to note that Jesus was there for him when he lost faith and doubted.
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you ever attempted to "walk on the water"? 2. What was the outcome? Challenge: The lesson today is to always focus and keep your eyes on Jesus. Don't let doubt and fear take over. Pray for the courage to follow Jesus in faith and let Him work miracles through you. 4/7/2023 0 Comments Knowing Where to LookIf you were Elijah, how would you expect to hear from the mighty God of the universe? I would have picked the wind, the earthquake or the fire. Elijah knew God had arrived when he heard the gentle whisper because he had learned to listen to the Creator’s voice. That’s still the best way to follow the God of the unexpected today.
Questions for further thought: 1. How do you seek God’s direction in your daily life? 2. Can you think of a time when you were able to clearly discern God’s leading in a situation? How were you directed? Challenge: Take a walk today. Notice the sounds that you hear. Notice God in the everyday. 4/6/2023 0 Comments Back and Better Than EverWith Jesus back from the dead, the disciples are now firmly convinced that He is the Messiah. However, they still don’t understand God’s plan for His kingdom. Understandably, they expect the risen Savior to take the throne and restore the kingdom of Israel as the prophets had predicted. Instead, Jesus’ followers are left with the commission to go and make disciples of all the nations.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you perceive uncertainty in some area of your faith as a weakness or an area for potential growth? 2. Is there room in your faith for God to do something completely unexpected? Challenge: We all have skills and talents. Sometimes we rely on them more than on the promises of God. Name a skill/talent today and match it to a promise of God. 4/5/2023 0 Comments Yeah, but…Have you ever been in a situation where someone explains something to you, but you completely miss the point because you already have an answer in your mind? That’s James and John. Jesus just told them that he was going to Jerusalem to die, but these two are still picturing an earthly kingdom with Jesus on the throne…and them on either side. Even though they were starting to see that Jesus was the promised Messiah, they had completely misunderstood what kingdom Jesus had come to establish. Not to mention the whole servant thing.
Questions for further thought: 1. Can you think of a time when your “certainties” about how God would/should act kept you from seeing what He was really up to? 2. Is God possibly working in an area of your life to open you up to new possibilities? What might that area be? Challenge: Read John 5:1-18. Write down your thoughts on the reaction of the religious leaders when Jesus didn’t act the way they thought he should. 4/4/2023 0 Comments Selective GraceDevout Jews generally believed that when the Messiah came, he would elevate the fortunes of Israel to new heights and pay back all those who had wronged the Hebrews through the years. He should be here for the Jews, yet here is Jesus talking to a hated Samaritan…and a woman no less. God apparently has a bigger plan in mind and the disciples aren’t yet capable of making the mental, and spiritual, adjustment.
Questions for further thought: 1. How does this passage speak to you about the heart of God? 2. Are there individuals or groups that you believe to be beyond the reach of God’s grace? Who might that be? Challenge: Pick an individual (or group) that you struggle to relate to. Pray for them this week. 4/3/2023 0 Comments Everyone Has an OpinionWe live in an age where everyone seems to have an opinion on just about everything, and they’re happy to share. This is really nothing new. In Jesus day, everyone had an opinion on how a prophet…or a Messiah…should behave. Many who should have been looking missed John’s message and the coming of the Messiah because they had constructed a mental box of appropriate appearance and conduct, and Jesus and John the Baptist didn’t fit.
Questions for further thought: 1. What are your actual daily expectations of God? 2. Do you base your expectations primarily on the Bible, primarily on your experiences or on a mix of both? Challenge: Pick a gospel and find three promises that Jesus makes to his followers. These are expectations of God that you can count on. |
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April 2024
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