But Believing

Warriors Arise: July 30th, 2020

John 20:24-27 (NKJV) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

My mind is challenged. Did Jesus really have to say this to Thomas AFTER He stood in their midst, called his name and told him to reach and touch Jesus' hands where the nails pierced and His side where the blood and water ran?

I am thankful the Bible tells the truth. It does not sugar coat the reality, the humanity of the disciples. So many times Jesus asked, "How long will you remain faithless?" They saw ALL the miracles; blind eyes seeing, lepers cleansed, the dead made alive, winds and waves obeyed Him, Jesus and Peter walking on the water... Everyone who came to Jesus received healing. Then, Jesus had risen. He stood in the midst of His disciples as they struggled to believe. For the ten disciples, Jesus has to tell them He is not a spirit. It seemed to be easier for them to believe Jesus was a spirit than to actually believe Him. Now, Jesus is telling Thomas, I am here. Come and do as you said, so you will believe.

We have prayed. Without a doubt, I believe people have experienced the presence of God in their hospital rooms, protected their homes and businesses, brought comfort to those who have lost, and made Himself known, and speaking truth about COVID-19, the pandemic, doctors who He has given a treatment plan, and how to stop the division in this country and all over the world. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

What you choose to believe is a choice. We can be doggedly wrong and yet think we are right. Jesus can come into our midst and reveal the truth, flesh and blood standing right in front of us and we can still deny He is there. Seems crazy, but it is true. We choose to deny the truth.

Many do not want the terror of COVID-19 to be over. Why is this? COVID-19 is out there, but there is a cure. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Many do not want the pandemic to be done. Why is this? The pandemic is over; COVID-19 has a cure, work places have opened up and schools are opening. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Many do not want to be responsible adults and return to work. Why is this? The longer we sit stagnate the harder it is to get up and do what needs to be done. Many people received a check from the government and they didn't have to do anything. There is not one person who doesn't delight in getting something when they didn't have to do anything. This is what the lower classes faces all the time. Too much financial help from the government enables a society to be lazy. Many learn to live with less just so they don't have to put forth effort, be responsible, and contribute to society. The longer one is in the line of government hand-outs the harder it is to get out. Getting out would mean they now have to be responsible, put for effort, submit to someone else's schedule for work, get along with and respect those they work with, and keep themselves in check (honorable, solid work ethic). This is increasingly more difficult the longer one lives without being responsible for themselves, family, community, and country. It is time to be responsible for our actions and apply ourselves in our jobs, families, communities and country. Each person has the opportunity to become who God created them to be. But they will have to embrace responsibility. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Many do not want to be united. Why is this? If I am not accountable to anybody, then I do not have to value others. When I do not value others, I can treat them with disrespect, over step my freedoms and take from them, as I express they do not have the same freedoms. For people, a country to be united they have to honor one another. They have to apply the same rules for others as for themselves. To be united, we have to lay down our own wants and the abundance of selfish desires in order to come together. To be united, we have to be who God created us to be, fulfill our purposes and responsibilities. To be united, we have to want to best for each other. This does not mean we deny what is best for us or withhold the best from others. The greater our unity the stronger we are as a people group. Unity invites all to live a better life. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Many do not want to be responsible adults and forgive. Why is this? A responsible adult is one who can forgive what has happened and move forward without the baggage. Leave the baggage in the past. There isn't one person who hasn't had something terrible happen to them, a bully verbally or physically devalue them, cheated, slandered or lied about. This is where the power of Jesus is so valuable to Christians. When a Christian doesn't have the fortitude to forgive someone, they must seek God for the power to forgive. I am not denying that terrible and wrong things have happened, but one can never be free when one can't forgive. The baggage will weigh heavier and heavier every day they carry it. The weight of choosing unforgiveness will cause one of two reactions: quitting on life or lashing out in anger. Jesus gives us the ability to forgive, but He can't forgive others for us. We must say the words, "I forgive you." Sometimes I even say what Jesus said from the cross, "Father, forgive them for the know not want they do." Some people are oblivious to the wrongs they have committed against you, because they acted in such a selfish manner it doesn't register that they have done any wrong. Forgive the ignorant no matter how selfish they are, no matter what they have done. If you forgive them, God will bring you through and the trauma will become your testimony as you walk in the freedom He gives you. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Many do not want the facts but want to remain ignorant in their pride. Why is this? We are taught at an early age that we have to think, analyze, and come to a conclusion with our own reasoning. If we do it without help, then we are an adult. We are taught that being an adult is being independent, not needing anybody's help. This couldn't be further from the truth. Being an adult means you have learned to be teachable, you're responsible for your words and actions, you ask for help when you need it, and offer help to others. When we reason in our mind without facts, without the whole picture, and without asking God to guide us through the information being given; we cannot identify what really is the truth. We can't identify when someone is lying to us. We can't identify parts of the puzzle we need to see in order to make the right decision. God is the only one who can see outside of our current time. He is the only one who knows when people are lying. Without asking God we position ourselves to be ignorant and prideful. With God, we can know the truth. When someone knows the truth they don't have to argue because it is no longer about having to prove their intelligence; it is helping others to see the truth in the midst of the lies. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Many do not want the truth. Why is this? Generally, the truth means something about me or my thought process has to be relinquished as I receive the truth. I have to let go of what I thought to be true and humble myself to receive the truth. No one likes to know they were wrong. And when we know we're wrong, we don't want anyone else to know we're wrong. But living the truth is being responsible, bringing purpose, possibility, and a drive to fulfill our destiny. Just like Thomas, Jesus says, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Father, I ask for You to make me aware of the thoughts in my mind that do not line up with the truth. I want to be responsible with my words and actions. I do not want to promote a lie. I ask for You to come into the midst of Your people, those who say they are Christians and speak to them as You did Thomas. Reveal truth, put it before each one, and then challenge them as Jesus did, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing." I pray we would walk in the freedom of the truth You reveal. We will not be afraid to return to our jobs. We will return to our jobs with a renewed work ethic, positive attitude, and honor to those we work with. We will not be in fear as our children return to school. We know You have given the cure and our children will be made stronger. We will not embrace irresponsible government support. We will reject the temptation to continue to seek handouts when we have two hands that can work a good job. We will contribute to our home by working a job to the best of our ability. We will not cause division or accuse others for our lack of responsibility to make the most of life through a strong work ethic and honor. We will apply ourselves to serve in our community, help those in need, and offer kindness to everyone we meet. We will lay down our own thoughts and reasoning; while we position ourselves to hear Your voice. We will no longer hold resentment toward others who have brought hurt into our lives. We will forgive each one and release ourselves from the prison of unforgiveness. We will submit our mind to Your thoughts and learn from the leading of Your Holy Spirit. We will follow as You lead in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.