I Know (W.O.W)

I Know

By Mike DeVries

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

There are perhaps no two more powerful words than the words "I know."

I know what you're going through.

I know what it is like.

I know how you are feeling.

I know.

We all long to hear those words, do we not? We all long to believe that there is someone, anyone, who knows what it is like - who knows what we are going through. When you find that certain someone who does know what it is like, doesn't it seem to change everything?

Some two thousand years ago, in a sleepy town in Judea, God did something revolutionary. Rather than offering a voice of concern to a weary world, God did something beyond what anyone could have ever dreamed or imagined.

In Jesus, the Word, the voice, comes to dwell among us.

In the incarnation, we celebrate the reality that God knows and cares enough about people that He chose to dwell among us in a very physical and present sort of way. The unseen God of Israelite history was now the seen God. The invisible made visible.

We are told in the Scriptures that in Jesus "we saw the glory of the one and only." In other words, Jesus was putting God on display. You want to see what God is like? You want to see how to live in harmony with the Creator? Look at Jesus. He is the way and the truth and the life.

In the incarnation is found a large message from God to you and me: I know.

I know what you're going through.

I know what it is like.

I know how you are feeling.

I know.

So wherever you find yourself this day, no matter what circumstances you may find yourself in, know that there is a God who knows. Feeling alone? He knows. Feeling overwhelmed? He knows. Feeling as if you just cannot go on? He knows. Feeling like there is no one who understands? He knows. He's been there too. In Jesus, He knows.

He knows. He knows. He knows.

Stop Doubting About it (W.O.W)

Stop Doubting About It

By Brenda Gittens

To doubt is to be uncertain about something or to consider something unlikely.  When you know that God has spoken, promised, or shown you something, do you still have doubt about it?

The disciples were excitedly sharing with one another at their weekly meeting on the evening of that first day of the week, about seeing Jesus after he was resurrected from the dead.  One who wasn’t with them when they saw Jesus, just sat there and listened to it all and part of him was still unconvinced and he voiced his doubts.  One of the disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came.  They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”  But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”  (John 20:24-25, NLT).  Because of this, he is known by another nickname today, that of “Doubting Thomas” and it’s stuck, labeled on him.  Think about it, would you have responded in this manner also?

As the disciples gathered again some time later, Jesus showed up and this time Thomas was in attendance at the meeting.  Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them.  The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them.  He said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands.  Put your hand into the wound in my side.  Don’t be faithless any longer.  Believe!”  “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.  (John 20:26-28, NLT).  After this experience, he began to trust and believe.  Thomas wanted to believe in the first place but was just honestly searching for the truth.  When Jesus showed up, his doubts were gone.  Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me.  Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway.”  (John 20:29, NLT).

Temporary, occasional doubting is normal in our Christian life.  It could even be a good thing if it draws us to search harder for God.  Wallowing in unbelief is displeasing to the Lord.  If you are wrestling with doubt about anything today, ask God to give you a fresh look at our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.  And when he does, stop doubting about whatever it is!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, by your blood you cleanse us, by your mercy you save us, by your resurrection you give us hope.  How can we help but live to give you praise!  Though we don’t see you, we love you more than words can say.  Oh, then what shall it be when we see you on that day!  In your name we pray on this day, Amen!

Scripture of the Day: “You believe because you have seen me.  Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway.”  - John 20:29 (NLT)