Who could ever forget “Doubting Thomas?” How would you like a name like that, people remember you for one crazy thing you did… and the name sticks with you even thousands of years after you die? Today I want to give some encouragement. Even as Christians there are times when we’re hit with something so random and so serious, even though we know what the Bible says, we can get caught up with all kinds of doubts. That’s when Jesus steps in and reaches out to us to restore our faith. Can I get an Amen? In my life, Jesus has proven that to me over and over…
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life promised by God to those who love him.” James 1: 12
Perseverance, persistence, the prize!! You were never promised a bed of roses when you became a Christian; instead Paul constantly reminds us that we better be prepared with a plan because hard times are inevitable, and Satan will attack. But we never persevere or run this race of faith without the promise of a prize—a promise God will keep. Let’s look at a few scriptures to continue to build our faith. After all, faith comes by hearing the Word of God…
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6: 7-10
It’s so discouraging to continue doing right and receive no words of thanks or see no tangible results. One of the hardest things is to continue blessing others, and put all of your trust in God for results. But this scripture tells us if we hang in there… we will harvest. I’m sure you’ve heard that God is never late; He’s always right on time. That brings up something else: “Bible Darts.” What I mean by “Bible Darts,” is when someone who has never been standing in your shoes throws scripture at you like its magic, and makes you feel like you don’t have enough faith or something because of your circumstance. Being on the receiving end of that can be devastating. Please don’t be like Job’s buddies.
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3: 13, 14
I love the writings of the Apostle Paul. He kept it real—he had reason to forget his past…he used to persecute Christians, and he even held the coats of the people who stoned Stephen. We’ve all done things in the past that we’re ashamed of and regret. We live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because we have our hopes set upon Jesus, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. It’s really an awesome thing that we can look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life—I’m talking about the lives we’re living in the here and now.
“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2: 1
Again, God gives us grace to persevere. Tomorrow, we’ll get into grace…