Monday, October 20, 2014

Statement by Miracle or Faith?

Do we have to see something to believe it's true?  Or can we take in truth by faith alone in what is said to be true?  This is a crossroad of belief!

After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. Therefore His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. "For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For not even His brothers were believing in Him.  (John 7:1-5)

John writes in Chapter 6 of a miracle that the disciples witnessed, but then he follows with a teaching of great significance afterward when Jesus told the crowd that He is the "bread of life" and in v35 "you will not hunger or thirst".  When he started teaching this and saying these things over and over again, Jesus began to lose the crowd even His brothers.  They wanted to see more miracles when Jesus was directing everyone to His truths and teachings to build their faith on.

We are so visual today.  We learn visually.  Our minds are so stimulated by visual things.  What we see tends to help us believe whether something is real or not.  This is a faith - critical issue.  "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."  (Romans 10:17)  This principle is true today more than ever.  Faith comes from hearing the Words of Christ!  The truth is written about who He is and what He done for all mankind.  Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that we "walk by faith, not by sight."  By Jesus very words, we should believe....not just because of miracles or what we see.  John Newton, the writer of a favorite hymn Amazing Grace, expressed that when he became blind he could finally see what the Lord wanted of him.  Wow!

Walk by Faith, Not By Sight!  Amen.  Sleepy Disciple  
 

Monday, January 13, 2014

Storms and Peace

It's amazing when we pray what happens - sometimes we don't even know if God is listening.  Sometimes we don't hear a peep or we go without hearing or seeing action for a long time.  Phillip Yancey in his teaching prayer admits that he experienced a year long drought in prayer that shook his faith.

That's it though isn't it?  Isn't it about faith when we pray?  When Jesus said to come and lay your burden on him, did he really mean it?  When he said ask and it will be given to you, was he serious? When James writes that the prayer of the righteous man is good is that right?

When we go through storms, the problem is that we can't see.  We are confused as to the direction in our life and there certainly is no peace.  The goal is to have faith.  Jesus is at the wheel steering the ship and we ride knowing that wherever we go or whatever we ware called to do, he is at the helm - he is in control - that, my friends is peace.  

When someone is trying to drag you into the storm, drag them into your peace.  Jesus is in charge of your life - no need to go into one storm after the other - seek peace from your faith of knowing who is in control.  Today God answered three prayers in a mighty way and I am thankful because he has got all of this and we are faithful in waiting on the results no matter what they are.

Good night and God Bless - Sleepy Disciple