February 28, 2013 - John 20:25b

            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 20:25b

            Have you ever had doubts about God?  Have you ever wondered if all the talk about Jesus being the Son of God is really true?  Shortly after the resurrection of Jesus had been reported to the disciples, Thomas made the announcement above, remarking about needing to see His hands and side and touching His wounds.  This is strong language coming from one who followed Jesus day in and day out for three years.  Thomas still doubted

            Jesus met Thomas in time and allowed him to see and touch those wounds.  While allowing Thomas to touch His wounds, Jesus was also coming to touch the wounds that Thomas carried.  Like the others in the upper room, Thomas struggled deeply at the loss of his teacher and leader.  He was hurt to his core.  He had invested so much of himself in following Jesus, and now He was gone.  How could he believe, he must of thought, unless he saw and touched Jesus?  When Jesus came to him, Thomas called Him, “my Lord and my God!”  What a dramatic and life-changing turn-around!

            Questions to consider: Do you have any doubts about Jesus?  Are there “wounds”, so to speak, that you need to touch in Jesus?  Are there wounds that you carry that He needs to touch?  What will you do with your doubts?

            Prayer: Father, I believe; please help me in the areas that I don’t believe and have my doubts.  Amen.

February 21, 2013 - Acts 28:28

            ‘“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”’  Acts 28:28.

            Many in the crowd that assembled that day in Rome were very interested in learning what this new teaching from Paul was all about.  Paul had arranged with the Jewish leaders in the city to meet together in order for Paul to give his message of God’s salvation through Jesus of Nazareth.  At the meeting, Paul spoke that whole day, and when he was finished, many in the crowd were not interested in listening or learning about this new way.  They were not interested in following through with the changes in their lives that would be necessary, so they left.  Paul, in remembering his reception among the Gentiles, exclaimed that since the Jews no longer desired to learn about Jesus, he would turn to those who would listen and learn, and as a result would be willing to seek a change in their lives.  Paul confronted the Jews because they would not listen.

            There have been multiple times during each day when I have closed off the input coming into my brain via my ears.  I just stopped listening.  For instance, I usually tune out for many of the commercials on TV.  In more serious ways, I have been guilty of not listening to some messages being preached in some churches.  Truth be told, there have been times when, out of my personal reaction to some issues, I stopped listening to God, whether He was speaking through a person, circumstances, or a scripture.  I think that there have been times that, in my pride and arrogance, I thought that I didn’t have anything more to learn.  I thought that I had truly arrived!  Boy, what a delusion I was under!  Thankfully, God helped to keep me in line by giving me a glimpse of how much I don’t know.  I hope that I will continue to always be a learner, and in the process, I will continue to learn to listen for God’s voice speaking to me.

            Questions to consider: What are the marks of someone who listens well?  How about someone who is a continual learner?  Are you a listener and a learner?  What are the marks in your life that confirm your belief? 

            Prayer: Father, please give me an ear and a heart that is always attempting to listen and to learn from Your Spirit.  Forgive me for my pride, and for ever thinking that I have learned enough.  Help me to be a lifelong learner.  Amen.

February 14, 2013 - Acts 28:23b

            “From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses.”  Acts 28:23b.    

            Even though Paul was under house arrest and had a guard watching him at all times, he still proclaimed the message of salvation through Jesus Christ persistently, each day, all day, and even into the night.  He was never ashamed of the gospel that he so boldly declared, and he was tireless in his efforts to convince all who came to see him.  Circumstances didn’t look very good for Paul, but he was undaunted.  He had his eyes on the prize.  He always remembered his end destination.  He never forgot where his true home was, and his focus was on a kingdom not of this world.  Because of that, he proclaimed the kingdom of God “from morning till evening” in order that all who heard his voice would have the opportunity to respond to God’s call to follow Jesus as Lord.  Paul didn’t allow his surroundings to influence his ability to proclaim his message.

            When I have my eyes on the circumstances around me, I grow tired and grumpy.  Yet, when my focus is on doing what I believe God is leading me to do, I become energized and experience a taste of the fruit of the Spirit – His love, joy, peace, and so forth.  It is when I notice my frustration levels rising, and I start getting curt with people, that I realize I have strayed from my source of life, love, and peace.  It is one of my goals in life to lessen those negative and destructive times and experience more prolonged periods of His righteousness, peace, and joy.  Paul was able to push through whatever circumstances he encountered and was able to keep his focus on Jesus.  Paul was strengthened to declare the kingdom of God no matter what.  This is my hope, as well.

            Questions to consider: What energizes you?  Is there anything that gets you up in the morning and keeps you going “from morning till evening”?  Is what energizes you worthy of your devotion?  If not, what is?

            Prayer: Father, You alone are worthy of my devotion, and I am grateful to You for energizing me to do what You have called me to do.  Amen.

February 7, 2013 - Acts 28:20

            “’For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you.  It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’”  Acts 28:20.

            While under house arrest in Rome, Paul called together all the Jewish leaders to tell them his story of how he came to be under arrest and in Rome.  In giving his explanation, Paul told them the reason he is “bound with this chain.”  He explained that the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem objected to Paul’s proclamation of Jesus as Lord and raised such a riotous uproar that Paul, as a Roman citizen, was compelled to appeal to Caesar for his imperial judgment.  He submitted himself to be bound as a prisoner, even though he was considered innocent of any crime.  There was a higher purpose that God alllowed in having Paul bound and transported to Rome, and Paul did not allow his chains to bind him up from proclaiming this purpose to anyone who would listen.

            In reflecting on this, I asked myself the questions, “What is it that has me in chains, and does it keep me or restrict me from proclaiming Jesus in and through my life?”  I realized that the pain condition that I deal with is a constant reminder of a potential chain that could restrict me.  I could very easily view myself as being a prisoner – a captive to this condition.  Yet, I have chosen to use this situation in my life to allow God’s grace to flow in and through me.  It is a constant on-going struggle, similar, I’d imagine, to being locked up under house arrest.  Like Paul, the attempt in my daily life is to not allow the pain – my imprisonment – to keep me from proclaiming Jesus in and through me.

            Questions to consider: Is there anything in your life that is like a chain that restricts you from proclaiming Jesus in and through you?  What is it and how does it restrict you?  What can be done to break free from those chains?

            Prayer: Father, I realize that I have limitations – chains – in my life that try to keep me from fully living my life in You.  Please give me strength to choose to use these limitations to allow Your grace to flow through me.  Amen.