“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The 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.’ And 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.’
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.’
And Thomas answered and said unto Him, ‘My Lord and my God.’ Jesus saith unto him,
‘Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.’
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: but 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.” John 20:24-31
Doubt
Can You Hear Me Now?
“Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, ‘Is there any word from the LORD?’ And Jeremiah said, ‘There is: for, said He, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.’ ” Jeremiah 37:17
In a day when we should have all kinds of time to hear God we have less time. I guess we feel we always have to be doing something; something other than listening to God. There are many voices to hear – the psychiatrist, the psychologist, stock brokers, advice columnist, medical doctors, senators, congressmen, governors, and you could go on. People listen to all these voices, and fail to hear what God says. We fail to hear because our hearts are not tuned in to God, but are tuned in to the things and goings on of our own ways. Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”, and, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9, 23). He also said, “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:21). A lot of people may ask, “Is there a word from God?”, and may have just heard God’s voice the night before through a man of God proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. What do they do with it? They sense a presence, but put it off as just emotions, or their mind playing tricks on them. They hear God’s word, but will not do it.
We are not part of the body of Christ unless we have begun to do the Word, and not just hear it. Zedekiah heard, but did not do. If you will read Jeremiah 38 and 39 you will see the result of his not doing. God’s desire for us is that we hear His Word and do it. If God has at one time spoken to us and we have not did it; He will not speak to us something new until we carry out that Word which has not been done.
God desires for us to live or abide in His Word, but when we get out of His Word we begin to doubt, and fear begins to control our lives. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). God always has our best at heart. When we are out of His word we are out of His will, and therefore often we reap what we have sown.
Often people do not understand a message and it is partly because they do not hear. They hear words, but they are not tuned in to what is being said. Jesus said, “Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word”, and in another verse He says, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:43, 47). It is evident that when Jesus used the word “Hear” in these verses He meant to hear was to put into action what He had said.
Is God still speaking today? Do we need to ask? There are people being saved. There are backsliden Christians rededicating their lives to Christ. YES! God is still speaking. We can look in our nation, and the gross immorality, and in it God is saying, “Repent and come back to Me”. We can look at natures pollution and God says, “I left man to care for this planet, but the sin of lust, greed, and godlessness has destroyed her created beauty”. On a more individual level God says, “Do you know why I am not blessing you? Because you did not ‘Go’ as I commissioned you”. “Do you know why you are suffering financially? Because you have not been a good steward with what I have entrusted to your care”. He speaks to all of us through His Spirit whom He sent to be our Comforter, Guide, by His Word. Jesus said of Him, “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak ; and He will show you things to come” (John 16:13). God’s Word is truth. The Holy Spirit guides us, and teaches us God’s Word. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment (See v.8).
In the book of the Revelation our Savior speaks seven times of the Holy Spirit speaking. He said, “He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” The Spirit guiding into truth, and glorifying Jesus Christ.
“Is there a word from the LORD? There is…”. His Word is not bad. It is always for the well being of His children. We may not always understand, but God’s Word never fails. God never breaks a promise. How is God speaking in our day? He speaks first of all through the written Word guiding by His Spirit; secondly, He speaks by the Spirit impressing upon our hearts something we ought to do; thirdly He speaks through circumstances; and finally He speaks through other people, a friend, relative, or even an enemy or stranger. God does have a word for us today. Do you have an ear to hear? WELL LISTEN!
If you are not hearing God speak you need ears to hear Him. You get those ears by His grace. You hear Him as You read the only message He has given to us and that is the Bible.
READ PSALM 81:8-14
To The Almighty GOD…
“The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.” Proverbs 14:32
“And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted.” Matthew 28:17
Father, I praise You. I worship You because of Your love, mercy and grace You have shown through Your Son Jesus the Christ who died on the cross for the sins of the world, was buried carrying away all our sin, its darkness, pain, shame and despair, and all our condemnation; then He rose bodily from that grave justifying forever all who come to Him. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Lord, give me wisdom concerning the peril of the wicked. I pray that I might see the wicked will be judged by their own wickedness, and by Your Just ways and word. For those who have been clothed in the Righteousness of Jesus Christ we have hope in death of Your presence and glory with You. Forgive our sins, O God, and renew a right spirit in us. There is much darkness in this world right now; I pray that we shall be a bright light reflecting the holy Light of Christ our Lord. For in Him is no darkness at all.
I pray, O Lord, for renewed strength today of faith. Continued growing faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Doubters will turn away, unless they will come to believe.
Turn our hearts, O Lord, away from being filled with the world, the flesh and the devil and fill us with Your Spirit that we may walk with You and glorify Your holy name.
I also ask, Lord, that You would plow the soils of the hearts of men, women, boys and girls who do not know You; that I will be faithful to sow the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that You will give the harvest. Bless the name of the Lord. Amen.
Free From Sin
“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:18 (KJB)
Our master was once sin. We were enslaved to it, bound to do whatever the evil of our hearts desired. Sin kept us from doing the righteous thing; the thing that would bring honor and glory to God (Romans 3:23).
I am speaking of the redeemed, the regenerated believers, followers of Jesus Christ. We were one “dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1), but have been made alive through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Righteousness in the Person of Jesus has become our new Master. We are no longer bound in the dregs, darkness, despair, and drudgery of sin; but we have been set free to do what is good, right, holy, and just. We can now walk with God, hear His voice, see Him work in our lives and in people and things around us.
Sin causes endless fear, doubt, despair, and hopelessness. Faith in Christ Jesus takes that all away. I do not intend to mean that you will not have moments of those things; but that in those moments you do fear, doubt, and feel hopeless you will fall on your knees before your God and Savior in continued faith knowing He will care for you and meet your need.
The Christian is not without sin. We do know where to go when we sin. We are not free to live in sin. We are free to live in righteousness.
Will you turn your life over to the One who died that you might be free from sin’s bondage and become a servant to righteousness. That One who died was Jesus Christ the Son of God, God the Son who forever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
Christmas Day Eighty and Four
What do I want for Christmas today?
I want my faith to grow in Christ Jesus, and to bring forth fruit for His honor and glory, to always keep my eyes on Him and not on the perilous waves of life’s sea around me.
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” Matthew 14:31-32 (NKJV)
Christmas Day Two Hundred Thirty and Four
What do I want for Christmas?
In times of doubt, fear, discouragement, stress, I want to trust the LORD with all my heart, not leaning on my own understanding.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (KJV)
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
Able to Overcome
Able to Overcome
Numbers 13:30
1. Look at the background story (vv. 1-3; Deut. 1:19-23).
2. They searched the Promised Land to find it just as God had said; “A land flowing with milk and honey” (vv. 26-29).
3. They looked at the problem, rather than the Promise (vv. 31-33).
I. GOD HAD GIVEN THE PROMISE OF THE LAND; WHY DOUBT IT.
II. THOUGH IT MAY SEEM PRACTICAL TO SEARCH OUT THE LAND; WE WILL ONLY FIND IT AS GOD HAS SAID.
III. LET OUR FAITH BE LIKE THAT OF CALEB; “LET US GO UP AT ONCE” – WITHOUT DELAY.
Thus saith the LORD…
“And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, ‘Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.'” Exodus 5:1-2
The Word of the LORD Came…
The Word of the LORD Came…
Genesis 15:1, 4
1. Abraham had just passed over great wealth considering the glory of the LORD (14:21-24).
2. There could have been some apprehension, second guessing of himself following.
3. There was evidently some fear; what is going to happen now?; type questions of what had happened.
4. The Word of the LORD came and gave Abraham hope, vision and promise for the future.
I. …IN TIMES OF DOUBT AND FEAR (John 14:1-3).
II. …TO GIVE HOPE, PROMISE, VISION.
III. …GIVING ASSURANCE OF RIGHTEOUS DECISION MAKING (v. 6).
Application –
i. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; lean not unto your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
ii. The LORD knows that where we are not guided by vision we perish (Proverbs 29:18).
iii. Believing the LORD is the way of righteousness (Romans 10:9-13).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Preached January of 2011.
Words for Christian Living 061713
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 (KJV)
Doubting God, and unbelief are a hazard to prayer. Double-minded people are unstable. Seek God’s strength. Believe God’s Word. Trust Him to the end.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Walking on Water
“And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a spirit;’ and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.’ And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, ‘Lord, save me.’ And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, ‘O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?’ And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, ‘Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.'” Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)
Elijah, and a Still Small Voice
Following the victory at Mt. Carmel Elijah has ran from Jezebel, in fear of losing his life; then, prays for God to take his life. Depression, fear, and doubt has crept into the man of God’s life. However, as I can look at this and see it God is by no means silent with Elijah.
God sends an angel and provides food and water for him (1 Kings 19:5-8), and then, he goes for forty days and nights in the strength of that bread and water. Now, only God can give a man the physical energy and strength to make that type of journey with no other physical bread or water. Moses did it on Mt. Sinai, evidently twice at least (Exodus 24:18; 34:28).
The LORD led Elijah to Mt. Horeb called the Mount of God, which is Mt. Sinai where Moses had been with God.
Elijah was in need of a learning experience, as many of us are at times. We are pretty given to believing that God only moves dramatically, and visibly, and always powerfully; but that is not always so. God will move in His own way and His own time; and it may not be through answering by fire.
The man of God, the prophet came to a cave, and he made his lodging there. That is when the word of the LORD came to him again,
“And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said unto him, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.’ And He said, ‘Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.’ And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:9-12 (KJV)
Maybe, after the victory Elijah was expecting God to remove Ahab and Jezebel from the kingdom, or some kind of powerful and miraculous thing; but it did not happen. We do not know what was in the mind of the man of God, but he ran for his life. God asks Elijah, “What are you doing here?”. It is kind of like He asked Adam in the garden, “Where are you?” Have you ever had someone ask you a question they knew the answer to; only to get you to think things through.
The LORD and His prophet are in session together, and Elijah tells the LORD that he is the only one of the prophets of the LORD left. He has felt that way since before the victory on Carmel (1 Kings 18:22). He had much to learn yet.
The LORD sends the prophet out of the cave, to stand and witness events the LORD would cause to pass before him. A strong wind which tore the mountain, and broke the rocks of the mountain; then, an earthquake; then a fire. In all three of these catastrophic means we are told, “the LORD was not in” them. There came that “still small voice”, and Elijah covered his face;
“And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?'” 19:13
The wind, the earthquake and the fire did not spark much action from Elijah; but when he heard the still small voice he covered his face. Surely he must have realized his fear, and realized the voice was that of God at work in his life.
He was still feeling as though he were the only prophet of God left in the land. God tells Elijah to go and call Elisha the son of Shaphat (19:16) to be prophet in his place. He also tells him that there are “seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal…” (v. 18)
It would seem that God is about to do something spectacular in the life of Elijah. Even in our doubts and fears God is with us. He still speaks to us. Just because there is nothing dramatic with falling fire happening in our lives does not mean that we are forsaken; it is really the time for us to hear that “still small voice” and believe.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Elijah, and the Hand of the LORD
The prophet of fire had been told by the word of the LORD that he would send rain on the earth (1 Kings 18:1), that he was to go and show himself unto Ahab. The greatest trial of Elijah’s life had been won, the prophets of Baal defeated, and even sentenced to death, and the sentence carried out; and the rain had come, just as the LORD and the prophet had said.
“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” 1 Kings 18:46 (KJV)
It seems to be abundantly clear by all that has came to pass, with the challenge of fire, the death of the false prophets of Baal, and the rain; that the hand of the LORD is upon Elijah. Evidently Elijah was a very fast runner. With Ahab in a chariot, and Elijah on foot; Elijah seems to have out run the king to the entrance of Jezreel.
We begin seeing something about Elijah that shows us that Elijah was only a man who had human flaws, just like the rest of us. He had his moments of doubt, of fear, and feeling as though he stood alone against the mobs of Ahab and Jezebel.
Elijah coming off the greatest victory of his life; at least up to this point; faces the threats of Jezebel. Upon hearing what Elijah had done,
“Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.” 19:2
Elijah, the man, the prophet who had the “hand of the LORD” upon him, then, runs for his life. Not only that he begins requesting that he might die (19:4); instead of taking his life the LORD sent and angel to care for his needs; feeding him a baked cake of figs, raisins, or something else, and giving him water to drink. My, how the prophet was being ministered unto by the LORD through an angel. It is proof that the LORD is not finished with Elijah. The hand of the LORD is still on him. The angel prepared the cake and the cruse of water.
My the power of the angel’s food, the LORD’S food. For Elijah went forty day and forty nights in the strength of that food (19:8). I find it fascinating that often after great victories, comes great let downs. Fears, doubts, and just not knowing what lies ahead, can bring temporary defeat. This was a time of renewing for Elijah. He was hearing from the LORD.
God took him to a place where he would learn about the greatness of the LORD and His Word, again.
The hand of the LORD is on all those who put their trust in Him. Your trust is in Him through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ; His death, burial and bodily resurrection. Believe Him, trust Him, and God’s hand will be on you for blessing and eternity.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Becoming A Hero Of The Faith
Caleb is a hero of the Scriptures. He is heroic in faith. He is a champion of the Lord. Wouldn’t it be great to be known by others as a champion of the LORD. Let’s look at a time in Caleb’s life. At this point they have reached a destination and battles have been fought and won, and some lost.
“Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel“ Joshua 14:14 (KJV).
Caleb was one of two who when they had returned from spying out the Promised Land, before they would enter it, who had the faith to enter after seeing that there was a hard war to be fought (READ Numbers chapter 13). Because of his faith he and Joshua were the only people over the age of 20, at the time of the rebellion, that was allowed to enter and dwell in the Promised Land.
Now, we see Caleb being rewarded once again. In verse 12 we find Caleb saying, “Give me this mountain”, and he said it knowing there were “Giants” in that mountain. He thrived in the struggle. His further statement was, “If so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.”
O, how the one’s who follow Jesus Christ need this heart of faith. To not be hindered by the barriers, and some of those are self imposed. To not be loaded down with the baggage of fear and doubt. How was it that Caleb could go and conquer?
“Because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel”. Let’s be sure we wholly follow the Lord Jesus, Son of God, King of kings, and LORD of lords. Through faith in Jesus Christ we can take that mountain that looks daunting at the moment.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Doing The Word of God
Knowing the Mission and Purpose of the King
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto Him, Art thou He that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Matthew 11:1-6 (KJV)
In chapter ten Jesus has sent His disciples out to minister the Word of God and declare the message of the King. In the first verse of this chapter we find Jesus preaching and ministering alone. He has given commandment and sends the twelve out. In the first verse we are told, “He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. “Their cities” would be speaking of the cities of those He had just sent, of course.
John the Baptist, a prophet truly in the Old Testament sense, would know the message of the prophets. He knows, especially the ones of the coming Messiah. He, being a man, and a sinner like the rest of us would have had some preconceived notions concerning the Messiah; somewhat like his Jewish teachers. For instance he must have believed that the Messiah was going to come and free the nation of Israel from Roman rule. These preconceived notions would cause him to doubt. Preconceived notions of Scripture will cause doubt.
The Baptist has been imprisoned for his faithfulness to God’s call. He preached telling Herod he should not have his brothers wife (Matthew 4:12; 14:3-12). John’s notion was most likely that Jesus as the King of the Jews would set up His kingdom. His assumption was correct, however, his timing was millenniums away; ie., His earthly kingdom.
Since John was imprisoned he was unable to question Jesus personally and sends his disciples. He is showing faith by sending his disciples, and by seeking confirmation. An understanding of Jesus’s mission and ministry would end the doubt and the confusion for John.
To know our own mission and ministry for Christ will give us peace of mind. Every individual believer, every church needs a mission and purpose for being, and we find that in Jesus Christ, and His Word.
John’s question is one we could probably ask at times. “Art thou He that should come, or do we look for another?” Can we truly understand John’s dilemma? I think so. When he has been believing that he was preaching the way of the Messiah, then, he winds up in lock up, because he preached against Herod’s adultery, he is surely wondering, “Have I been preaching the right stuff? Is this man whom I have proclaimed really the One?” By his faith, he sends his disciples to ask Him. He did not send them to ask the religious leaders. He knew the answer he would get there. He believed Jesus would be the only one who would have the correct answer. He must have trusted, by what he had seen and heard, that Jesus was truthful, and that His word could be trusted. Jesus would not lie about His own identity. Sometimes doubt is a sign of growth, if you are really seeking the truth. Was this man, Jesus, the Messiah; the long awaited One by the Jews?
The question asked by John, which was born of doubt is answered by Jesus. To answer, Jesus had only to use the Old Testament Scripture. When Jesus gave them the words of Isaiah 29:18-19; 35:4-6; 61:1-2a John would be satisfied with the answer, and the doubt was resolved. Being a prophet he would have been very acquainted with these verses, which are prophecies of the Messiah. He would trust the Scriptures in the identity of Jesus, and the evidence that He gave as well. The evidence was what Scriptures said the Messiah would do, and Jesus was doing it.
The mission of Jesus was to help the afflicted. Those who were afflicted physically, economically and spiritually were aided and blessed by the touch of Jesus. The works He performed were evidence of who He is/was. We must keep in mind that the works we perform are a testimony of who we are. The power Christians have over man made religion is a living Savior who overcame the power of sin. Man made religion binds men to man made laws. Christians are not bound to law, but to the One who fulfilled the law, thus, able to live His life.
John knowing the Prophets and their prophecies recognized the mission of Jesus when it was told to him. Jesus’s ministry was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). His ministry was one of offense. He touched the unclean and the defiled. He ministered to “Tax collectors and sinners”, and that offended the religious leaders. He rebuked the religious establishment and their self-righteousness.
The King’s mission was to die, that all who repent and believe could be saved. The ultimate goal of King Jesus was/is to fulfill all the Word of God.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 