October 28 - You Will Be

Luke 23:43

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43 ESV)

The Romans crucified Jesus with at least two other criminals. One of those hurled insults, but the other recognized his guilt and asked Christ for mercy. Jesus responded by declaring that the man would be in Paradise with him that very day.

When Jesus speaks it is true. The Bible itself is often referred to as the Word of God. Jesus is called at the beginning of John's Gospel the Word made flesh. Jesus words are always true. They were true when first uttered some 2,000 years ago. They are true today, and still so tomorrow.

When Jesus says "You will be," then you will be. It's a certainty. What is it you can hear him saying in your soul?

You will be....

June 7 - Help My Unbelief

Read: Mark 9:14-29

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24 ESV)

The disciples encountered a boy possessed by an evil spirit that frequently tried to harm him. It had made him mute and caused other physical manifestations of pain and suffering. For some reason the disciples were not able to make it go away. Jesus alluded to a lack of faith among those present. And I love how the father of the boy responded. "I believe; help my unbelief!"

There are days when faith comes so easy to me. It is nearly effortless to fully, completely, and eagerly accept both the big claims of Christianity and all of its various implications for my life. And then there are the days when I feel like I am having a strong case of unbelief. Not because I have ceased to believe in the truth about Jesus, but because I am internally wrestling with some of what it will mean for my life.

I don't know if you're like that. Maybe you don't have a problem pushing the unbelief out of your life. Or maybe you feel inundated by the doldrums of unbelief on a very frequent basis. Jesus can help. He can help with the prevailing feelings of a lacking belief , and he can help with the root of the issue. All we have to do is ask. All we have to do is communicate our heart to him. He is waiting.

Jesus, we believe; help us with our unbelief.

June 6 - Overshadowed Certainty

Read: Luke 9:28-36

As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. (Luke 9:34 ESV)

There are multiple occasions in the bible when a cloud, fire, or smoke accompanies the supernatural presence of God. The Transfiguration of Jesus was similar. God told the disciples to listen to Jesus, His son. And a cloud enveloped them as God spoke.

This passage is talking about a literal cloud of something that obscured vision and made the disciples fearful. I think sometimes being in the place where God is leading you will also cause you to find yourself in a place of obscured vision and potential uncertainty. Those are trust moments.

When you can't see what's around you. When you can't see ahead, side-to-side, or behind. Those are the moments ripe with opportunity to trust in God. That's probably why He seems to allow us to experience so many if them.

The Jewish psalmist, king, and prophet David wrote about God's protection in times like this. He talked about being in the "shadow of His wings." It is a beautiful metaphor that recalls the protective obscurity of parental shielding.

Maybe we're not certain of the future, and maybe God wants it that way. Ultimately He wants us to depend on Him by trusting in Jesus. When life seems hazy we can be at our most fearful, but that's also a moment of divine opportunity. God wants us to embrace His certainty in a way that will overshadow all uncertainty in our lives.