Thursday, February 27, 2014

Why do I doubt?

Matthew 28:17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Imagine the doubt and turmoil the disciples were experiencing after Jesus’ death.   In Matthew 28:10, the first order of business was to have the women remind the disciples to go to Galilee.  When Jesus was last with his disciples, he told them to meet him in Galilee (Matthew 26:32).  On the mountain, Jesus stands before them, the risen Lord.  Matthew 28:17 says, "When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted”. Everything came true. Jesus has risen. He is in Galilee exactly where he said he would be.  In amazement, they worship the risen Lord.  Yet there are still some that doubted.  

Too often, I experience doubt in my life.  Each time, I pray for the doubt to disappear.   I beg, “Lord, please reveal yourself to me”.  Without fail, I sense him: as I read my bible, He provides the exact verse; in a word, I read in devotion; or in a message, I hear from a friend, the radio, during the weekend worship.   Each time he reveals himself, the doubt retreats.

I am not alone.  Some disciples doubted as they stood before the risen Lord. Doubt comes from the enemy.  I combat the doubt by calling on the power of the Lord.   I am the father in the bible exclaiming to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  (Mark 9:24)

The doubt reminds me of my weakness.  I am weak and He is strong.  The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

My prayer today:  Forgive me for the times I drag my feet, doubt your purpose, or delay the inevitable.  You are the risen Lord, creator of heaven and earth, beginning and end.  You are the savior of the world.  Help me Lord in my doubt. Help me embrace my weaknesses. Help me to walk in your light always.  Thank you, Lord, for your love.  Amen.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Who is in charge of your mind?

When my body is telling my mind to have it my way,  I feel tortured.  Recently, I have struggled with tracking my food.  The tracking happens at the end of the day or even the next day.  No surprise here, I am regularly exceeding my healthy food limits.  I bought into the lie that my hectic schedule is a reason not to track my food and physical activity.  The scale on the other hand reveals the truth. 

Today in my quiet time, Paul’s writing to the Romans 8:7 helped me. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

I am encouraged by the good news.  When we allow the Spirit to control our mind, we enjoy life and peace.  Tracking my food and exercise helps my mind to know when enough is enough.  I am focusing on the care of my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.   In the same way I ask the Lord to bless my food, I need to ask him to bless my tracking.  Tracking my activity allows the Holy Spirit to govern my mind.  Peace comes when I have tracked at the time of my meals.  From this point forward, every time I fill out my tracker, I will thank the Lord for the Holy Spirit who is in me.  (1 Corinthians 6:19)


My prayer today: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have resisted tracking and allow my flesh to govern my mind.  Lord, you are my strength; your Spirit gives life because of your righteousness.  Help me to allow your Holy Spirit to govern my mind.  Thank you for the resulting peace and healthy life.  Amen