5 posts tagged “believe”

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TOUCH ME AND SEE

Oct 15, 2008
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THOMAS BELIEVES

Read: Luke 24:36–43; John 20:24–31

But he (Thomas) 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 it." John 20:25 NIV

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Eight days before this scene, the disciples stared in amazed unbelief. Jesus suddenly appeared, and they thought they were seeing a ghost. Then He asked for something to eat and said, "Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." (Luke 24:39)

Now Thomas is unconvinced, since he has not yet seen the Lord. When Jesus appeared again, and showed him his hands and side, Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28) Jesus had been telling His disciples all along that he would rise from the dead, but this was something they couldn't comprehend.

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We have the advantage of the complete Scriptures, explaining how all these things fit together with Old Testament prophesy; yet Lord, there are times I struggle to understand Your plan for us. Perhaps it is just enough to say, "My Lord and my God!"

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Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 NKJV

THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW

Sep 23, 2008
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JESUS PRAYS FOR US

Read: John 17:1–26

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:4-5 NIV

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Now Jesus spoke to His Father in the presence of His disciples. He was going to be entering Heaven very soon, restored to the glory He left behind when He became a man. The disciples must have been encouraged when they heard Him tell His Father, "I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me." (17:8) "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (17:15)

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Lord, I am so thankful that in this prayer You said, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." (17:20) As I meditate on this chapter and all the words You said for them and for us - I claim these words for my family: "I in them and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." (17:23 NKJV)

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"I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." John 17:26 NKJV

THE TRINITY

Jul 24, 2008
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[44]

EQUAL WITH GOD

Read John 5:1–23

Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. John 5:18 NKJV

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This passage in John is one of the strongest proofs that Jesus claimed to be one with the Father. The reason they wanted to kill Him was that He claimed equality with God. He not only said He was able to give life — He demonstrated it by raising people from the dead, and eventually rising from the dead Himself.

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Men and women come to our doors today claiming that they believe in Jesus, but not in the Trinity. They cannot honestly believe in the Jesus of the Bible, without making Him a liar, because He claimed deity for Himself. He was more than a good teacher - He was and is God.

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Lord, help me to give a confident and kind answer to those who come to my door with a false teaching about Jesus. Perhaps some day one of them will be searching for the real Jesus.

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For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it . . . that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. John 5:21, 23 NIV

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Jun 16, 2008
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[36]

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

Read: Luke 16:19-31

"I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment." Luke 16:27-28 NKJV

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Jesus taught in this powerful story of life after death, that the circumstances of this life–wealth or poverty–are of little consequence in comparison to our eternal destiny. The rich man in Hell was concerned that someone would tell his brothers how to avoid this "place of torment." Abraham's answer that the man's brothers would not be convinced, "though one rise from the dead" was prophetic of what was about to happen. Jesus did rise from the dead and the Pharisees still did not believe.

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It is not pleasant to consider the reality of eternal punishment. When people are still alive there is always the potential that they will hear the message and believe. But after death, there is no more hope. Lord, help us to remember this and realize the urgency of getting the message out to unbelievers. Bless our efforts in supporting our church and missions and telling others about the gospel.

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He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:31 NKJV

SCATTERED BUT NOT ALONE

Apr 2, 2008
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THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

Read John 16:5-33

"It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." John 16:7 NKJV

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The disciples were still trying to grasp what Jesus was telling them. He was preparing them for the frightening, sorrowful days ahead when they would be scattered in fear. He said, "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." (John 16:22 NKJV) At one point, the men said, "Now we understand - by this we believe You came from God." Jesus replied, "Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. (John 16:31-32 NKJV)

The disciples would indeed be scattered, but they would be gathered again, empowered by the Holy Spirit and made into the foundation of a church that would turn the world upside down. Lord, I see from the lives of these men that I don't have to understand all that You are doing in the world. I just have to trust that You are the Son of God who has taken away my sin, and promised a fruitful, abundant life, by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

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"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 NKJV