It
is said that ‘seeing is believing,’ but that was not the experience of the
disciples after the Resurrection. They struggled to make sense of it all for
weeks. Luke says that even when Jesus stood among them, “They were startled
and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you
troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet.
It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you
see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And
while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked
them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled
fish." (Luke 24:36-42, NIV) Before you criticize them too
harshly, remember the times in your own life when it was hard to trust His
promises. Breaking out of the boundaries of what we think we know, of trusting
our senses, is never easy. Faith does not arrive in our lives fully mature. God
develops it in us.
Before
His friends could take on Jesus’ command to ‘go in all the world and preach
the Good News,’ they had to grow up in faith. In the natural, they just
were not ready or even capable. I understand! Even after 40 years of
ministry work, representing Christ is a high calling that is daunting to me. I
love that even Paul wonders out loud "who
is equal to such a task?" (2 Cor. 2:16) How can I even think
of accepting the privileged responsibility to stand before a congregation to
teach God's truths? But, I also know this: When we come to the end of
ourselves and acknowledge the persistent power of sin at work in us, we are in
the place where God can use us. Yes, the Word says 'when we are weak, He is strong!'
Just before He ascended to Heaven, leaving a little group of all-too-ordinary people to carry on the work of the Kingdom, Jesus promised, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49, NIV) Luke continues the story (Acts 2) telling us that a few days later, the Holy Spirit flowed into that Upper Room and rested on those men and women in a life-transforming way. Were they made perfect in that instant? Hardly. In Acts, which tells the story of the first generation of Christians, we read of their disagreements, watch them work through misunderstandings, and cringe as they deal with sin. Through it all, we see them filled with God's power, again and again. Because of the Spirit's power, they turned the world upside down in a generation!
Christianity has not survived for 2000 years because of the greatness of Christians, but because of the faithfulness of God.
After the high moments of the Resurrection celebrations, are you feeling overwhelmed by life?
Just before He ascended to Heaven, leaving a little group of all-too-ordinary people to carry on the work of the Kingdom, Jesus promised, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49, NIV) Luke continues the story (Acts 2) telling us that a few days later, the Holy Spirit flowed into that Upper Room and rested on those men and women in a life-transforming way. Were they made perfect in that instant? Hardly. In Acts, which tells the story of the first generation of Christians, we read of their disagreements, watch them work through misunderstandings, and cringe as they deal with sin. Through it all, we see them filled with God's power, again and again. Because of the Spirit's power, they turned the world upside down in a generation!
Christianity has not survived for 2000 years because of the greatness of Christians, but because of the faithfulness of God.
After the high moments of the Resurrection celebrations, are you feeling overwhelmed by life?
Now
that ordinary life has resumed, do you find yourself wondering if you're up to
doing anything useful for the Lord?
Have you failed Him in some way?
Take heart! Those first disciples felt all the same things! They wondered and wandered for several weeks, processing what they had seen and heard. Even when Jesus showed up, they struggled to believe. So, God gave them the gift of waiting. When we read about that time, it looks like they’re stalled – going home to Galilee, doing nothing. But, God was doing something inside their hearts. Gradually they came to a place where they were totally dependent on His power. That is where He can use us most effectively.
Have you failed Him in some way?
Take heart! Those first disciples felt all the same things! They wondered and wandered for several weeks, processing what they had seen and heard. Even when Jesus showed up, they struggled to believe. So, God gave them the gift of waiting. When we read about that time, it looks like they’re stalled – going home to Galilee, doing nothing. But, God was doing something inside their hearts. Gradually they came to a place where they were totally dependent on His power. That is where He can use us most effectively.
Before
you give in to that temptation to quit, find some time to get alone with the
Word and wait on
the Lord. Those first disciples had to wait in the Upper Room for days.
God, the Holy Spirit, came in HIS time, not theirs!
Here's a word from the Word to keep in your mind today:
"Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know-
far more than you could ever imagine or guess
or request in your wildest dreams!
He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit
deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! " (Ephesians 3:19-21, The Message)
Here's a word from the Word to keep in your mind today:
"Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know-
far more than you could ever imagine or guess
or request in your wildest dreams!
He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit
deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! " (Ephesians 3:19-21, The Message)
__________
Deeper
Deeper,
deeper,
in the love of Jesus
in the love of Jesus
Daily
let me go!
Higher,
higher,
in the school of wisdom,
in the school of wisdom,
More
of grace to know.
Deeper,
deeper
blessed Holy Spirit,
blessed Holy Spirit,
Take
me deeper still.
Till
my life is wholly
lost
in Jesus
And
His perfect will.
Deeper,
deeper,
though
it cost hard trials,
Deeper
let me go.
Rooted
in the holy
love
of Jesus
Let
me fruitful grow.
Deeper,
higher
ev'ry
day in Jesus
‘Till
all conflict past;
Finds
me conqu'ror
and
in His own image
Perfected
at last.
O
deeper yet I pray,
And
higher ev'ry day.
And
wiser, blessed Lord,
In
Thy precious holy Word.
Charles
P. Jones
Public
Domain
_________________
Jerry D. Scott, Pastor
Faith Discovery Church
Washington, NJ 07882
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