Thursday, August 18, 2011

SOAP 08/18/2011; John 20:29

Today's reading: Jeremiah 26, 35, 36; John 20

S)"29 Jesus *said to him, 'Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.'"
John 20:29 (NASB)

O) Thomas is often called doubter, but I don't like to see it that way. He was skeptical, but understandably. Jesus doesn't even call him out on a lack of faith or believing, He actually just shows him the proof. Then, He mentions us... us! Jesus said we will be blessed because we believe without ever actually seeing Him. So, just to be a Christian today, it requires more faith than it did when the disciples walked with Him.

A) I think people have more faith than they realize; it's just that people are deceived. They get lulled into thinking that God doesn't perform miracles, or they're persuaded that God can't/won't use them. Believing in Jesus today is every bit as difficult as it was for the first century Christians, or else it requires more faith. I need to remember that I have faith and it is a gift that should be shared. I have prayed and seen the sick recover. God has given me knowledge and information I could not have received from anywhere else. I have seen God move on my faith before, so why haven't I used that faith more? It seems pretty simple, but I need to just do it! Get out and do it! I need to be bold, step out in faith, and let God use me and the gift He's placed inside me, so that others can see the move of God and believe as well.

P) Father, You have given me a great gift, Lord. Help me to honor that gift by using it. Holy Spirit, remind me that in Him I have been given a spirit of boldness, and encourage me to step out in faith more often. I want to be used, God. Remove laziness and self-consciousness from me, God. I am Your servant, here to do Your will. Take me out of my comfort zone and stretch my faith, God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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