July 25 ~ John 4:46-53
Now he was back in Cana of Galilee, the place where he made the water into wine. Meanwhile in Capernaum, there was a certain official from the king's court whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked that he come down and heal his son, who was on the brink of death. Jesus put him off: "Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe."But the court official wouldn't be put off. "Come down! It's life or death for my son." Jesus simply replied, "Go home. Your son lives." The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home. On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, "Your son lives!"
He asked them what time he began to get better. They said, "The fever broke yesterday afternoon at one o'clock." The father knew that that was the very moment Jesus had said, "Your son lives." That clinched it. Not only he but his entire household believed.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
So much of what we do in life is based on proof. We want our significant others to prove that they love us by showering us with affection, gifts, endearing words and more. We want our bosses to prove that we are doing a good job by praising us and rewarding our efforts. We want coaches and teachers to prove that they believe we have learned what they taught by giving us good grades. We want others to prove their friendship by always being available - even at a moment’s notice. We want the doctor to prove that we really are healed by showing us the x-rays and lab results that verify this.
Even in simple things, we require proof… if the car dealer says his vehicle gets the best gas mileage and goes from zero to sixty in a certain amount of time, we want documentation and a test drive. If a detergent promises to get out any stain, we’ll give it a try on our toughest ones before we believe the claim. Acne medications better deliver those almost-overnight results, or we want our money back! Even in the movies, we hear, “Show me the money!” So it should come as no surprise that most people demand proof in their Spiritual life, also.
But unlike the mortal world, where proof is required – and often justifiable – demanding proof from Jesus demonstrates immature faith, at best. And it may be an indication that we really have no faith at all! Look back at the scripture passage and review Jesus’ words to this effect… "Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe." I’m afraid this applies to most of us much of the time. We want fireworks and lightning bolts, disappearing tumors and bills that are mysteriously paid in full… and a whole lot more. We want that unexpected bonus check in the mail and the “A” we didn’t see coming on our biology test… and we want God to, essentially, “show us the money!”
In reality, what we need is more faith… the persistent faith of this court officer. We need to be saying, “C’mon, God… I am counting on You to do what only YOU can do! I will not give up. I’m believing that what You promised, You will deliver. I know that you can perform miracles and wonders in my life, if You choose. But I also know that every day You bless me, that is miracle enough! I will recognize Your presence and power in my life in all things… and I will trust You to know what I need and how - and when - to deliver it.”
What about you… do you require the dazzle of a major miracle? Must Jesus turn water into wine for you… or is it enough that He gives you His Living Water every day? Must you have a major breakthrough, financial windfall, or incredible healing… or are you dazzled that He breathes into you the Breath of Life? What is your faith level… do you have real faith in Jesus in the first place? Isn’t it time you started believing in Him and acknowledging everything He does for you every minute of the day? Isn’t this dazzle enough?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label proof of God's existence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proof of God's existence. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 13, 2011
John 3:11-12
I tell you for certain that we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. If you don't believe when I talk to you about things on earth, how can you possibly believe if I talk to you about things in heaven?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
How many times have you tried to tell someone something, and they simply refused to believe you? I bet I’ve shown our little Timothy several dozen times that his square block doesn’t go in the hole for the one with the triangular shape. Yet he still seems to try to force the wrong blocks in the wrong openings. I don’t get upset with him – he will learn. But for now, it can be somewhat frustrating… especially when I just showed him the correct place for each block shape.
As we grow, we are still told things that we don’t believe. Sometimes we have to make mistakes for ourselves in order to truly learn the lesson involved… and some of those lessons are really difficult ones! If we never mature to a level where we can accept certain truths – much less believe what others tell us – how will we ever believe in something as nebulous as heaven?
A lot of us have been reading the book Heaven is for Real lately. This is the story of a four-year-old boy who had a near-death experience and “went to heaven.” He tells in vivid detail of his encounter with Jesus and loved ones – and how glorious everything was. As my mother-in-law said, “I surely hope he’s right!” We won’t know for sure until we get there. But I have to admit, I’ve been greatly encouraged by this little boy’s account.
Why is it that I am more willing to believe after hearing a “firsthand” account than I was by merely reading the accounts in the Bible? Does this truly make heaven any more real because a four-year-old child supposedly saw it and can speak from experience about what he observed there? Do we have to wait until Jesus stands right in front of us and shows us his hands and feet before we believe He truly died on the cross for our sins? What does this say about our faith? Do we even have any?
I am not ashamed to say that I was encouraged by the account of heaven given in the book Heaven is for Real. But I am not dependent on such “physical proof” in order to believe that heaven exists… or that Jesus lived and died for me and waits there to welcome each of us home. I cannot see the Holy Spirit, but I know that He is with me every second of the day.
The miracles, signs and wonders of God are all around us… and some are more readily recognizable than others - though not necessarily more significant. Until we “believe in unseen things” with God, we are not fully enjoying a deep, abundant relationship with Him based on unabashed faith. This is where He delights… this is what pleases God… when we unconditionally trust Him – especially for that which we have not seen. What is your level of faith these days? Do you need physical proof before you can truly believe… or is God’s word and promise good enough?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I tell you for certain that we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. If you don't believe when I talk to you about things on earth, how can you possibly believe if I talk to you about things in heaven?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
How many times have you tried to tell someone something, and they simply refused to believe you? I bet I’ve shown our little Timothy several dozen times that his square block doesn’t go in the hole for the one with the triangular shape. Yet he still seems to try to force the wrong blocks in the wrong openings. I don’t get upset with him – he will learn. But for now, it can be somewhat frustrating… especially when I just showed him the correct place for each block shape.
As we grow, we are still told things that we don’t believe. Sometimes we have to make mistakes for ourselves in order to truly learn the lesson involved… and some of those lessons are really difficult ones! If we never mature to a level where we can accept certain truths – much less believe what others tell us – how will we ever believe in something as nebulous as heaven?
A lot of us have been reading the book Heaven is for Real lately. This is the story of a four-year-old boy who had a near-death experience and “went to heaven.” He tells in vivid detail of his encounter with Jesus and loved ones – and how glorious everything was. As my mother-in-law said, “I surely hope he’s right!” We won’t know for sure until we get there. But I have to admit, I’ve been greatly encouraged by this little boy’s account.
Why is it that I am more willing to believe after hearing a “firsthand” account than I was by merely reading the accounts in the Bible? Does this truly make heaven any more real because a four-year-old child supposedly saw it and can speak from experience about what he observed there? Do we have to wait until Jesus stands right in front of us and shows us his hands and feet before we believe He truly died on the cross for our sins? What does this say about our faith? Do we even have any?
I am not ashamed to say that I was encouraged by the account of heaven given in the book Heaven is for Real. But I am not dependent on such “physical proof” in order to believe that heaven exists… or that Jesus lived and died for me and waits there to welcome each of us home. I cannot see the Holy Spirit, but I know that He is with me every second of the day.
The miracles, signs and wonders of God are all around us… and some are more readily recognizable than others - though not necessarily more significant. Until we “believe in unseen things” with God, we are not fully enjoying a deep, abundant relationship with Him based on unabashed faith. This is where He delights… this is what pleases God… when we unconditionally trust Him – especially for that which we have not seen. What is your level of faith these days? Do you need physical proof before you can truly believe… or is God’s word and promise good enough?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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