-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, May 15, 2009
Doubt toward Belief
John the Baptizer was in prison. He heard about the things
Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to
Jesus. John's followers asked Jesus, "Are you the man that
{John said} was coming, or should we wait for another man?"
-- Matthew 11:2-3 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
As John faced the struggle of his life, he maintained his integrity and
faithfulness. His motivation was to simply know for sure that Jesus was
who John believed him to be. He was not afraid to face death or doubt
as he sought God's truth and lived God's life with commitment. Nearly
all of us go through periods of doubt or struggle with difficult
questions about our faith. Struggle with difficult questions, in and of
itself, is not wrong nor is it something to be feared. Christianity has
withstood the criticisms, scrutiny, accusations, and doubt of centuries
of our world's best thinkers and harshest skeptics. The issue with
these kinds of struggles is faithfulness in our ministry, holiness in
our lifestyle, and honesty in our motives. As we work through our
struggles using these three areas of integrity, we will find that our
doubts and questions move us toward faith rather than toward disbelief.
The biggest issue with struggles and doubt occurs when we break
faithfulness and Satan can unleash a chain of consequences that weaken
us spiritually. So in struggle and doubt, remember these three things:
faithfulness in our ministry, holiness in our lifestyle, and honesty in
our motivation.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
O Lord, God of the great expanse and my Abba Father who adopted me in
grace, please help me. Give me courage to face my doubts. Empower me
with strength to face my struggles. Give me a heart that depends upon
the Holy Spirit's guidance. O God, I want to honor you with my behavior
and my choices. More than just knowing the truth, dear God, I want to
know you and to display your truth in my life. In the name of my Lord
Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
>> available as a book. Click below to order!
http://images.ultracart.com/aff/ACU9/1414/108/185/575/0/index.html
>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0515-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+11:2-3&sr=1&t=erv
/--- Sponsor a Child with Compassion -----------------------\
For less than a dollar a day, you can make a powerful
difference in the life of a needy child. Click on the
following link to learn more about sponsoring a child
through Compassion!
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/199/ -------------------/
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
RESURRECTION MORNING, by Max Lucado
Best-selling author Lucado brings to life the story of a Roman soldier
assigned to watch the garden tomb. What he sees pierces his soul!
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?256
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
WHAT JESUS DID! from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd \/
This devotional is made possible by YOUR donations! If you've found
our emails encouraging or inspiring, we pray you'll give a voluntary
donation to keep this ministry going. Donations are NOT required,
but they are appreciated!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
What Jesus Did! is a 365-day devotional through the book of Luke.
It is written by Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org> and is part of
HEARTLIGHT Magazine, the leading Christian living e-zine on the
Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus
music, devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
http://www.heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-wjd@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
Send a blank email to the unsubscribe address:
wjd-unsubscribe@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
OTHER QUESTIONS?
Find answers to your frequently asked questions:
http://www.heartlight.org/help/faq/wjd.html
======================================================================
