August 4 – Does Seeing Mean Believing?

“Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””  John 20:29  (ESV)

“Seeing is believing.”  A common phrase used by all of us from time to time.  We want empirical proof, don't we?  Thomas, a disciple of Jesus demanded that when he was told by the others that Jesus had risen from the grave and appeared to them a week before.  Tomas missed that meeting.  Thomas doubted their witness and so we have “doubting Thomas” as a person type.  There is a lesson in the promise for those who believe without seeing physical evidence.  In fact the promise is a blessing, a special blessing which rewards our faith with eternal live.  Perhaps it would be good to have visible proof but most likely it would not make a difference to those who choose to not believe.  Isn't it true that we have accepted Jesus and believed on His name as our Savior without seeing Him with our eyes?  And have we experience the blessings which Jesus promised to those who believe? Let's be thankful to Him for these promises.  

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October 25 – Believing and Loving Is Seeing

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”  John 14:21 (ESV)

The words we are looking at today are again words spoken by Jesus to His disciples on the evening before His arrest and crucifixion the next day.  Knowing that He was soon to be taken from them in a violent way by a hateful crowd, Jesus was preparing their hearts with this promise.  We know that it was God's love which sent His Son into this world to become our Savior.  Our verse speaks of God loving people who love His Son which is a special love that we can be assured  of if we love Jesus.  And, Jesus also promises that He will love those who love Him.  That is also part of the love that we receive and feel.  Another part is the promise we have for today is that as Jesus loves us with this special love He shows Himself to us.  Isn't it wonderful to sense the presence of Jesus in our lives, demonstrating to us His love for us?  Some say 'seeing is believing' but we are promised here that 'believing and loving is seeing Jesus in our lives.  

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