Where does doubt lead you?
This week’s devotions are based on Week 1 of Stormproof – Downpours of Doubt (CLICK HERE)
I Doubt it.
We have all had doubts in life. We doubt a news report. We doubt some exaggerated claim our children make. We doubt the weather report.
Doubt comes when we have a tension between two sets of information or opinions. What I believe to be true is challenged by another set of information. In a moment of doubt we are faced with deciding what we will believe and act on.
Perhaps some moments of doubt have little consequence in our life. If we don’t believe the weather report, we may find ourselves caught in a thunderstorm and a bit wet. If we don’t believe a news report, we move on and it has little consequence on our day.
Faith doubts are bigger deals.
Doubts that come into our faith life have the opportunity to do one of two things:
One, separate us from God, or
Two, solidify our faith in God.
Satan loves to not only create doubt in God and his Word, but keep the doubt growing until a person believes the lies of Satan over the truth of God. Consequence? Separation from God forever. This is a big deal.
The Lord loves to come into our place of doubt and solidify our faith. He doesn’t dismiss, condemn or leave us for having the doubt, but rather reminds us, encourages and removes the doubt with only the certainty he can bring.
Sure, he challenges our doubt and reminds us that he and his Word are always trustworthy.
Even the disciples had doubts.
Doubting Thomas is the most well-known.
John 20:24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thomas had a lot of information. He had peers with whom he spent three years with. He had heard Jesus himself speak of his suffering and death. He had seen the miracles of Jesus. You would have thought he had enough information to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead…even though he had not seen Jesus alive himself.
Yet, he wanted to see it himself.
Jesus obliged him. But also reminded him. He didn’t have to see to believe.
But Jesus wanted him to have certainty.
He wants the same for us.
So, when we are challenged in a way different from the Words of Jesus, we can always trust with confidence, the truth Jesus gives.
Apply: What times in your faith life have you found yourself doubting? How did our doubt get answered?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love that always wants to guide us to certainty when we have doubts. AMEN.
Ever been caught in a downpour of doubt?
This week’s devotions are based on Week 1 of Stormproof – Downpours of Doubt (CLICK HERE)
Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
After three years of watching, listening to and asking questions of Jesus, some of his closest followers still had doubts.
Does this surprise you?
What perhaps is more surprising is in this moment, Jesus, who knows all things and knew some doubted, did not delay his return to heaven to address every doubt that lingered in the hearts of his followers. He simply reminded them of his power, gave them great purpose, and left them with a wonderful promise. (See Matthew 28:18-20)
But while he didn’t linger and answer every doubt in this moment, his disciples trusted enough to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit. As evidence by the work of the apostles in the first century, the doubts turned to certainty and the conviction of their faith led them to be great proclaimers of Jesus.
Doubts come on our journey of faith. I think it is safe to say that every follower of Jesus has had some sort of doubt in their journey.
Perhaps some doubt that God created the world in six days. Some may doubt that Jesus really was the Son of God. Some may doubt that they are loved by God. Some may doubt that God is truly a good God. Some may doubt they are forgiven.
Perhaps you have had doubts too.
It’s OK. Downpours of doubt can come at any time and sometimes unexpectedly. We can think our faith is rock solid, only to have a life experience that causes a tension between what we just experienced and what we believe God to be or say.
Doubt is standing in that tension. Literally that’s what one of the Greek words means that is translated “doubt” – to stand between two beliefs that then leads to an uncertainty in our belief.
We have all been there.
The question is what do we do with our doubts?
Dealing with doubts is certainly important because doubts can do one of two things. Doubts can lead us to separate from God (that is choose to believe the thought or answer that is contrary to the Word of God) or they will lead us on a search that leads to solidifying our relationship with God (which is God’s desired answer for all our doubts.)
God’s desire is always to overcome doubts with certainty. He wants our faith, trust, and confidence to be rock solid, so gives us what we need to alleviate the tension that doubt creates and walk confidently with our Savior. The Apostle John wrote, (John 20:30) “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
So this week we will explore the doubts that come and, with the Spirit’s help, be prepared for the downpour of doubt with the umbrella of God’s truth.
Apply: Do you have a doubt/uncertainty with which you are struggling today? If you are willing to share, email pastorgeiger@gmail.com and I will be happy to include a thought about it in one of this week’s devotions.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for a heart of love and the working of your Spirit that seeks to move us from our places of doubt to hearts of faith and confidence. AMEN.
Pray Personally!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Rooted – Grounded in Prayer (CLICK HERE)
Prayer is very personal.
We started this week reflecting on our relationship to God the Father and the blessing and privilege we have to pray to him because he has made us his dear children. Whenever we pray we engage this very personal relationship that the blood of Jesus has secured for us. It’s no wonder that the Second Commandment encourages us not to take God’s name in vain. Frivolous or thoughtless cries to God don’t communicate the blessing of the relationship, but rather the callous demands of a entitled person. Everytime we use the phrase “O my god” is calling on God’s name in vain, not a reflection of faith that trusts the child/father relationship. God is also not just a magic genie in a bottle that is “out there” to be tapped for favors and request. Prayer is a personal reflection of the relationship you know and trust with a heart that desires and yearns to be in communication with your heavenly Father. Every prayer is to be a very personal expression of this wonderful relationship.
Prayer is for you personally.
Child who has a solid relationship with their father and mother know that he or she has privileges that other children don’t. While growing up they may not always express appreciation for that relationship, but the personal connection with one’s parents allows for very personal conversations and requests to be made. Parents have this personal relationship with their children as well and will give to their children far more than they will give to other children.
So prayer is not only an expression of the personal relationship God has established with us, but is for us to use to have personal conversations with our heavenly Father. He desires us to share what’s on our hearts, both words of thanksgiving and challenge. He wants to be invited in to your personal challenges and the concerns that you carry. He invites us to put our burdens on him. He teaches us to ask for things for our personal spiritual, emotional and physical well being.
When Jesus taught the Lord’s prayer, it was intended to capture the very personal requests we need on a daily basis.
Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’’
Each one of these petitions is for a personal benefit, whether for body or soul. While the prayer is used by many and we often speak it together, it is intended to be the personal expression of your needs to your heavenly Father. Martin Luther captured the thought on the fourth petition:
Everything included in the necessities and nourishment for our bodies, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, farm, fields, livestock, money, property, an upright spouse, upright children, upright members of the household, upright and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, decency, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like. *
So, while we certainly don’t want all our prayers to be self-centered in nature, never feel bad for presenting your personal requests to God. He loves you and always is ready to hear from you!
Apply: Here is a four-part outline to use as you pray that perhaps keeps a balance in your prayers:
A-Adoration – Reflecting on the person and work of God; praising him!
C – Confession – Sharing the sins of your thoughts, words and actions, seeking forgiveness and God’s faithfulness to forgive through Jesus.
T – Thanksgiving – Don’t forget to return and give thanks for all with which the Lord has blessed you!
S- Supplication – Ask for personal needs and pray on behalf of others.
Prayer: Lord thank you for making me your child and inviting and encouraging me to bring my requests to you. I am grateful for the personal nature of prayer and that I can use it personally. AMEN.
* Practical Advice on Prayer from Martin Luther by MARY JANE HAEMIG https://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/35-1_Prayer/Practical%20Advice%20on%20Prayer%20from%20Martin%20Luther.pdf
Pray Persistently!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Rooted – Grounded in Prayer (CLICK HERE)
“Mom, can we go to the park today?”
“No, son, I am busy today.”
“Mom, can we go to the park today?”
“No, son, I told you I am busy today.”
“But mom, you promised yesterday that we would go today.”
“Hmm. You’re right son. I will finish my work and then we can go.”
Jesus put it this way:
Luke 11:5-13 Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’
7 “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Pray persistently.
Praying persistently isn’t whining or babbling, but asking with firm confidence in a) the ability of the Lord to provide and b) in line with what the Lord has promised.
When we persist in prayer we don’t give up because we know that the answer is to come. We know with confidence that the Lord knows how to give what is best. We don’t give up because the Lord has promised that as we ask, he will answer. He desires that we ask and then trust that he will give as he determines what is best for his children.
If he says, “No”? It’s hard to take, but its the best answer. In fact, you may still persist in praying because the seeming “No.” today might simply be a “not yet.”
Persistence comes when I know God’s promises and his ability to provide what is best. Even though my prayer may not be answered in the way I prefer, I know that if I ask, I will receive what he knows is best for me.
Martin Luther wrote in “On Rogationtide Prayer and Procession” (1519) he admonished: [Y]our trust must not set a goal for God, not set a time and place, not specify the way or the means of his fulfilment, but it must entrust all of that to his will, wisdom, and omnipotence. Just wait cheerfully and undauntedly for the fulfilment without wanting to know how and where, how soon, how late, or by what means. His divine wisdom will find an immeasurably better way and method, time and place, then we can imagine.*
Don’t give up.
Keep praying
Pray persistently!
Apply: Do you give up too soon? Or simply don’t ask at all? Persist in prayer with a confidence that the Lord will hear and answer what is best for you.
Prayer: Father, thank you for hearing my prayers and answering according to your promises and your divine will. AMEN.
- Practical Advice on Prayer from Martin Luther by MARY JANE HAEMIG https://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/35-1_Prayer/Practical%20Advice%20on%20Prayer%20from%20Martin%20Luther.pdf
Pray consistently!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Rooted – Grounded in Prayer (CLICK HERE)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continually.”
Does that mean that you can get nothing else done in your day, but from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed you have to be in prayer?
No.
But it reminds us of two things.
Prayer is available any time of the day.
As a child growing up, you knew that your parents were available pretty much 24/7. When you were little, they were in proximity at all times. As you went to school and did some things on your own, you knew they were just a phone call or text away. While you maybe didn’t think of your parents 24/7, you knew they were available for conversation, help, and even late night bad dreams.
Our heavenly Father desires that we have such a close relationship with him that we can and do talk to him on an ongoing basis in our day. There is not a time where God sleeps and is not available. There is not an issue that comes up unexpectedly in our day that he is not interested in. There is not a situation that he is not interested in hearing about. We can call out to the Lord in praise and thanks or worry and concern anytime during our day.
Prayer is important at set times of the day.
While we can and want to be in ongoing communication with our heavenly Father, setting some deliberate times in our day for prayer is also a beneficial discipline. Probably the best example of this was Daniel. Daniel actually had such a regular prayer life that his enemies were able to convict him of prayer because they knew when and where he would be praying. Even under threat of the lions’ den, Daniel maintained his routine and set time for prayer.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
God spared Daniel from the lions’ den. Daniel was unphased by the external circumstances of his life because he had a strong and ongoing connection to the Lord almighty.
Here’s a couple thoughts and encouragements from Martin Luther on praying consistently:
In 1535, Luther wrote a book for his barber containing practical advice on prayer. In A Simple Way to Pray, Luther recommended that prayer be the first business of the morning and the last at night.
Guard yourself carefully against those false, deluding ideas which tell you, “Wait a little while. I will pray in an hour; first I must attend to this or that.” Such thoughts get you away from prayer into other affairs which so hold your attention and involve you that nothing comes of prayer for that day.
This echoes the advice given in his Small Catechism (1529) where Luther provided content and structure for a blessing or prayer “in the morning, as soon as you get out of bed” as well as an evening blessing “in the evening, when you go to bed.” He also provided prayers for before and after meals. Luther knew that set times and habits of prayer could be helpful to the Christian. Luther advocated daily prayer, as he wrote in the Large Catechism (1529):
Therefore from youth on we should form the habit of praying daily for our needs, whenever we are aware of anything that affects us or other people around us, such as preachers, magistrates, neighbors, and servants; and, as I have said, we should always remind God of his commandment and promise.…This I say because I would like to see people learn to pray properly and not act so crudely and coldly that they daily become more inept in praying. This is just what the devil wants.*
Apply: Set at least one time in your day which you will spend 3-5 minutes in prayer. Add or increase your time as you begin to realize the blessing of spending that time with the Lord!
Prayer: Lord forgive us for hurrying about our day without awareness of you or set times to speak with you. Give us your spirit of discipline to, like Daniel, make prayer a regular and set part of our days. AMEN.
* Practical Advice on Prayer from Martin Luther by MARY JANE HAEMIG https://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/35-1_Prayer/Practical%20Advice%20on%20Prayer%20from%20Martin%20Luther.pd*