Quote from Forum Archives on April 6, 2004, 11:27 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Word for Today, Tue, 06 Apr 2004: Doubts and Faith

Dear friends,

Larry Davies writes another important message about our doubts
and how they may be transformed into faith. The Bible character
he uses in his illustrations is "Doubting Thomas". I've been
listening for a few minutes, just as I'm about to arrive at work,
to a series of messages being preached on a radio program called
"Proclaim", a ministry of the Moody Broadcasting Network. This
week, Joe Stowell has been using another figure in the Bible, the
disciple who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot.

In both illustrations, we don't like to see ourselves, yet it's
very likely that we have some of both Thomas and Judas within us.
My prayer is that God's Word will pierce the innermost parts of
our souls and affect the way we think and act.

Yours in Christ,
Brian

____________________________________________________________

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

Name: Jeremy
Address: Arkansas - Email: mailto:Hippie42009@yahoo.com
Comments: I am thinking about suicide. I do have friends but my
mother wants to move out of state away from my dad (they are
divorced). I have depression. I want to kill myself. I'm looking
to the Lord for help. Please pray and email me.

Name: Casi Hawks, Email: mailto:casihawks@yahoo.com
Comments: I am 12 but I seem to be very depressed at times. I go
to church. I pray but still I find myself in a deep hole,
falling deeper and deeper, and I seem to never find a ladder to
get myself up, so please, if you could find the time pray for
me, I'd be thankful!

Sowing Seeds Ministry receives hundreds of prayer requests
weekly. Thousands of prayer partners just like you help us pray
for them. We continue to need your help and you can do that in
one of two ways: Become one of over 9,000 prayer partners:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm and/or become a
Sowing Seeds Ministry financial partner by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm. Most of
all we need your prayers if our ministry is to continue making a
difference around the world. Thank you and have a Christ-filled
Holy Week and Easter. Rev. Larry E. Davies, Sowing Seeds
Ministry

"Doubting Thomas and Resurrection Faith" Larry Davies

You must endure darkness before experiencing the dawn. "Early
Sunday morning, while still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the
tomb and found the stone rolled away from the entrance. Peter
and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. They stooped and
looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there... and they
believed." (Parts John 20) But one of the disciples, Thomas
refused to believe it.

Anyone could be a Doubting Thomas... even you. Imagine being
holed up inside a house, fearful, confused and desperately
seeking answers. What happened? Your leader, spiritual guide and
closest friend was brutally tortured and executed. The word out
on the street is about a mob searching for you and your friends.
While fearfully huddling together, you have to wonder... who
will be murdered next?

Eleven frightened disciples followed Jesus faithfully until...
the cross. Could there be a Kingdom if the king was dead? Could
there be miracles with the miracle worker murdered? Could you
offer sight to the blind, healing to the sick or hope for the
poor if the one who made the promises... ceased to exist?

Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come running from the tomb
to claim they saw Him... alive!

"No way!" you say. "I heard his final words and saw the spear
thrust into his body. I saw Jesus die! I won't believe anything
unless I see the nail wounds and place my hand into the wound on
his side!"

Suddenly Jesus is standing there among us! "Peace be with you,"
he said. As he spoke, he held out his hands and we saw his
wounded side. Most of us were filled with joy when we saw our
Lord but not you. Then Jesus walks over and says to you:
"Thomas, put your finger here in my hands. Put your hand into
the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"
(from John 20:20-27)

What else can you say? "My Lord and my God! Please forgive me
for doubting but I am so afraid!"

Jesus replies: "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed
are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway." Wow! Jesus is
alive! He's reassuring everyone in the room, just like the old
days... only different. Something has changed. You can feel it.
Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that
everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the
Psalms must all come true." Then he opened our minds to
understand the Scripture. (Luke 26:44-45)

Finally, you realize that Jesus Christ's death and resurrection
had a purpose and was predicted by scripture. After years of
confusion while sitting at Christ's feet, the teaching becomes
clear. Then Jesus said: "With my authority, take this message of
repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'there is
forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' You are
witnesses..." (Luke 26:47-48)

1. You've just experienced the miracle of knowing Christ is
alive! You are a witness!

2. You are to take Christ's message of forgiveness to everyone
starting here in our community.

3. You can share the message with confidence because we are
Christ's living witnesses.

But what about those who are waiting outside? What if others do
not believe us? You are so afraid! Will they crucify you just
like they did to Jesus? It is one thing to merely believe...
it's quite another to face your fear. Then Jesus said: "And now
I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But
stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you
with power from heaven." (Luke 26:49)

There is the final answer! Did you catch it? God understands
your fear and is sending help...

1. Jesus is alive and you just witnessed it... now believe!

2. You are to extend Christ's message of faith and hope to
others.

3. Do not be afraid for the Holy Spirit will fill you with power
from heaven!

Are you a Doubting Thomas? Are you holed-up, fearful, confused
and desperately looking for answers and courage? Hear the Good
News! Christ was dead! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!
Easter is the promise that you will be filled with the power of
God's Holy Spirit so do not be afraid! Confidently open your
doors and take Christ's message of forgiveness and hope to all
the nations. Christ is risen!

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join
our prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it
shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a
Better Life" now on sale only through our website.
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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