Day 1
Devotional (Understanding Faith)
Everybody talks about faith, even the atheist, if he would be honest with himself has to admit that he/she put their faith in someone and something. The most common argument for this is “I don’t believe in God.” But before we address if it is even possible to not believe in God, let's address why they have nothing to do with one another.
Faith is not believing in God, Faith is putting your trust
in someone or something other than yourself. It can be a simple as a chair or
as complicated as God the creator of the universe. Consider this when we sit on
a chair we put on faith in that chair and the builder of that chair that the
chair will hold us. If we had no faith
that the chair would support us, we would not sit in it. However, every day, we
put our faith in chairs, and the breaks of our cars, and so many other things
to support us and sustain our very lives.
But would you put your faith in a habitual thief to keep
your wallet? Of course, not because the character of the thief makes you question
what he/she may do with your money. Most of us have a story of a good friend
that has gone behind our back and hurt. And to be fair we never really trust their
character again.
The same is true for an experimental drug ( like those used
to treat COVID-19) even though authorities have told us these drugs are safe, much
of the world is still very cautious about getting vaccinated. In fact, even though
there are more than enough medications only about half of America is vaccinated.
And why have some people refused to get vaccinated? Because it's a new drug and
we just don’t know the possible side effects.
But does it mean we don’t put our faith in drug manufacturers? No. In fact, every
school-age child must be vaccinated for Small Pox, Measles, and a host of other
diseases before they are allowed to start public
school. So to be honest even those people that refuse to get vaccinated for COVID-19 actually do put their faith in drugs, every day, for everything from headache relief to major
surgery. So the first question is
1. 1. “Can we put
our faith in Jesus?” That
is trust Jesus to do what we cannot do on our own? To be equivocal we must ask
ourselves,
a.
What is the history and character of Jesus in
our lives? If historically he has not given you a reason to doubt, and his
character has only shown itself impeccable. Then it makes sense to trust Jesus in your
life.
b.
What are the benefits of having Jesus as Lord of
my life?
2. 2. Why haven’t put my trust in Jesus?
a.
What in my life has caused me to say no to Jesus?
b.
What is it in my life that I value more than I value
the love of Jesus?
3. 3. What does putting
my trust in Jesus look like in my life.
Think on these three things and recite this prayer as many times as you can remember today.
Oh, heavenly Father;
Lord Jesus my mind had been so preoccupied with everything of this world that I did not have time to develop a quality relationship with You. Forgive me for allowing everything else to come between us. I understand in order for any relationship to work, both parties must give up something to make it work. You have given up the heavens and died on the cross to be with me. Show me what in my life I have to give up to be with you. Now abba, I know that I will never love you as deeply as you love me but help me to love you as deeply as I can.
In Jesus’ name Amen.
Abba is a Hebrews word for daddy
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