God is Able. Are you Willing?

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Is Sure Enough Good Enough?

Didn't I tell you that you will see God‘s Glory if you believe? - John 11:40

How many of us have heard God asking us that same question? I know I have more times than he probably should have to. As I read in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John I have come across many times when Jesus has asked this question. He hasn’t only asked this question to non-believers, but also to his disciples, his followers. His disciples even questioned what happened to his body after he was buried. They were in shocked when they found only his grave cloths left in the tomb. When his followers needed a miracle they always doubted their situation. Sometimes they would call on Jesus to come help or save them. Other times Jesus would just step in and show them how it’s done. I believe that there are people of God, children of the Most High God, righteous people who are living like the disciples some times did. You see, Thomas was one of the ones who had to SEE Jesus before he could believe. He had to make sure that Jesus had truly risen before he could believe what was already spoken to him (John 20:24). He put God’s promise to him and others aside. He put faith aside. In Luke 24 you’ll find what took place on the Walk to Emmaus. There are two followers of Jesus who were walking in deep conversation about what happened 3 days ago. This stranger appears to them out of no where and asks what the talk is all about. This stranger happens to be Jesus. The bible tells us that God placed blinders on these two men so that they could not recognize Jesus. They begin telling Jesus about what has taken place. They tell him about the women who went to see him and came to tell Jesus’ followers this amazing news! He has risen! They go on to say that some of the men ran out to see if what they were being told was true. They came back to tell them that SURE ENOUGH Jesus’ body was gone. Sure enough! Wow! Just reading that in Luke 24 made me instantly think this next phrase. Sure enough is not good enough! 

What if we tell our husbands that we love them. Will it take a life threatening situation for them to finally believe that we do love them? Sure enough, my wife really loves me! Uh, no I don’t think so! He better believe that I love him! What about our kids. Do you want them thinking that they might have a place to sleep when they come home? What if our kids tell their friends, “Sure enough, I had a bed to sleep in when I got home from school today.” Sure enough is not good enough! 

In Mark 16:14, it says that when Jesus met with all the 11 disciples he rebuked those for their unbelief. Remember, these were his followers. Men who had been with him for so long. They didn’t just start following Jesus yesterday! These were the men who were with him and right by his side during the signs, wonders, and miracles he performed for others and themselves. How could someone like them have that “sure enough” kind of belief in their Lord? We can ask ourselves that same question. Mark 24 goes on to say that they were rebuked for their unbelief- their stubborn refusal to believe. Wow. Stubborn refusal to believe. Do you find yourself in that stubborn place? It’s not that your heart towards Jesus has turn cold, or that you are a doubter in His Word. Maybe you find yourself still waiting on this one promise from your Savior to come to pass for years now. You find yourself hanging on to that promise. 

I want to let you know something. Whether you have the stubborn kind of faith or the certain faith, you have faith! Do you hear me? YOU have faith! After Jesus showed Thomas what he needed to see to believe he still loved him. Thomas still did great things for Jesus. He just had a moment. Jesus reassured him. I don’t want to get in that lifestyle of  “show me 1st” faith. I want the kind of faith that says no matter what my situation looks like I am going to trust in Jesus. Even though I may not have everything in my hands that I have believed God for I am still going to believe that it will happened, in Jesus’ name! 

Take hold of the faith God has given you! Don’t let circumstances make you waiver in your faith! Stand firm in what you believe! If God said it you can be certain that He will do it! 

One more thing! Even the guards were convinced that Jesus would rise! They arranged for extra guards at the tomb because they even believed that Jesus would do what he said he would do! Now isn’t that something? There should be more believers in God’s promises, His Words that are spoken to us than non-believers who know more about what God will do. While the guards were preparing for Jesus’ resurrection his followers were wondering if Jesus would rise on the 3 rd day. Some even thought his body was stolen! 

In closing, I challenge you to get God’s promises in your heart and in your mouth! Hold on to them with everything you have. Have them ready when circumstance comes against you! They are your’s! They belong to you! Go forth in knowing that God is with you and He lives in you! No one can take what has been given to you unless you give them the permission to do so! Just as you lock the door to your home or vehicle do that in your heart that holds the power of believing! 

Believe it, receive it, know it, and move forward in Jesus’ name!