Jesus deliberately took time to show Thomas His hands and His side, saying "Because you have seen Me, have you believed?" However, His next statement reveals what really pleases God. "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."
"Without faith it is impossible to please God," according to the admonition in Hebrews 11:6. The obvious challenge of faith is to walk in the Spirit, to set the mind on the spirit (or Spirit) rather than live in the flesh (according to the thoughts and feelings that our fallen human nature dictates). On one hand, Jesus states that the Word is spirit and life, and on the other hand, Romans 8 points out that to set the mind on the flesh is death. Furthermore, Jeremiah 17:9 declares that the heart is deceitful above all things, desperately corrupt. God has clearly given us the truth needed to reject the deceitful, misguided fleshly understanding, and instead to choose to see things from His truthful perspective. As Isaiah 55 clearly states that God's thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways, as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Two facts to consider in order to establish a good foundation for life. One, in Romans 12 we are encouraged to think soberly or seriously, that God has given to each of us a measure of faith. Each of us has faith, just as each of us has muscles; it is up to us to use what has been given to develop it. Secondly, the Word of God is truth that is directed to our will. Consider several Scriptural instructions, "I set before you life and death, choose life." Or Jesus, telling the father of the dying child, "do not be afraid, only believe." Therefore, we can choose to believe. Jesus admonishes us to receive His kingdom like a little child. Does a child have trouble receiving a present? A good start to learn to simply receive is to say "thank you." The more we read and hear the truth of God's Word, the easier it is to receive what it says in our hearts and declare it gratefully with our lips.
Man, in his pride, always thinks his thoughts are right. So God is pleased and blesses each one who deliberately chooses God's thoughts over what the natural fleshly way of thinking would suggest. Was not Jesus amazed at the woman who put in her last two coins when that was all she had to live on? Or the woman who refused to be discouraged by the disciples and kept crying out for Jesus to give her even the crumbs from the table? The point is, God is pleased when we receive the Word with meekness. He blesses us when we choose to dwell on His thoughts and live by His Word rather than our own selfish desires and understanding.
Therefore, my word and suggestion today is to choose to stand in faith in whatever the challenges before you. Give thanks and hold on to the Word of God, even stating what God says out loud to establish and maintain your faithful position. Don't doubt in the dark what you have received in the Light. God honors those who honor Him and His Word.
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