DCLM Higher Everyday 16 July 2024 — The Doubting Thomas

DCLM Higher Everyday 16 July 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Doubting Thomas

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Topic: The Doubting Thomas

Text: John 20:24-31

24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Key Verse: “Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27).

Message

In science, some elements of doubt are entertained and researches are carried out to verify various claims. However, spiritual truths may not have scientific proofs, but accepted or believed as revealed. “First doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Dieter F. Uchtdorf.Thomas, a distinguished disciple and follower of Christ right from the start of His ministry, found himself in a situation where he totally forgot the God he had always served and doubted blatantly the resurrection of Christ until he saw the nail prints on the body of Jesus (Hebrews4:12). Glorious, inexpressible joy comes not by seeing Jesus now, but by believing in Him.

Friend, do you doubt the promises of God? Are you allowing life’s situations to make you doubt the validity of the Word of God? It is only if you take God by His Word that you can experience His peace. Believe in Jesus!

Quote: He saw the nail prints

Challenge: Take God by His word and experience His peace.

Prayer for today: My God, deliver me from unbelief, in Jesus’ name.

GOSPEL REALM: STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)