Seeing and Believing
The Gospel of John
John Chapter 20
Scripture: John chapter 20:29 (N.I.V.)
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Observation: There is nothing wrong with wanting to see things for yourself. You can take the word of others but when you are able to verify something personally it is even better. Thomas wanted to see Jesus for himself and for that desire he has been labeled ‘doubting Thomas’. Would Thomas have believed if he had never seen Jesus and been able to put his hands into the wounds of Jesus? How many times are we skeptical when we hear about God moving in a way that is different than what we are accustomed to? I have often asked God to show me things I have never seen. I mean it would be so cool to see an angel but I never have. It is even worse when you know others who have seen one. Every time I have asked for something like this the answer I have received is, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Application: By faith we enter into the Kingdom of God and by faith we live every day. Whether I have had the same experience as someone else is not a valid criteria to judge their experience. God knows what I need in my life and what he reveals to me or chooses not to reveal to me is under his sovereign plan for my life. The same is true if someone tries to discredit what has happened in my life. They cannot discredit my experience due to the fact that they have not had the same experience. Whatever we have seen or haven’t seen does not define who we are but I must be careful that my skepticism does not rob me of receiving all that God has for me. Just remember: The one with the experience is never at the mercy of the one with the argument. But the one without the experience can still be blessed through their belief.
Prayer: Lord, I want to see but it is even more important for me to believe. Let your Word dwell in me and may I be led by your Holy Spirit. I want to receive everything that you have for me. Help me to not criticize or judge what I do not know or have never experienced. Help me to not base my walk simply on the sensational but know that I am in covenant with a Sensational God.
Get Ready for More!!
Philippians 1:9 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ......v11, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus-Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Returned not too long ago from a short trip to Ottawa, Ontario, my hometown. Visited their local outside bustling market with a friend and was awed by the vibrancy of life that was everywhere: flowers and plants of all kinds, booths filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables, Galore. So packed with shoppers you could barely squeeze by. We did make it to one of the numerous restaurants with mouth-watering goodies displayed so enticingly. What a feast.
I was impacted the same way by verse 9, when Paul talks of our "love abounding still more and more". God has chosen the believers to be spilling over with love and so masterful in the art of loving : husband, children, friends, neighbours, and on and on. We love knowingly and with discernment: that sounds like God is daily seeking to equip us to surpass everyone else in the art of loving.
Lord, I find this exciting. A great goal to aim for. Challenging because I am so....so...aware of my personal limits and humbling because only In Christ and through Christ can I let this infilling be experienced and allow others to get a taste of this. And after all is said and done, there is MORE AND MUCH MORE AVAILABLE. What a Mighty God we serve. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Love you so Lord.
Denise Scaglione
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:00 PM