Devotions are written by Sharon Pierce, founder of Women at the Well Ministries of PA
Doubting Thomas?
Thomas replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into His side, I won’t believe.” John 20:25
Thomas often gets a bad rap for being a doubter, but there are some other doubters in the Bible too. John the Baptist had actually baptized Jesus and seen the Holy Spirit descend on Him, but he doubted.
Sarah doubted God so much she actually laughed out loud!
But maybe doubt isn’t a bad thing. There is difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is sincere questioning, while unbelief refuses to accept. Jesus didn’t mind Thomas’s doubt; He provided the proof that answered Thomas’s questions.
Our circumstances often bring doubt to our hearts. Isolation is a big factor and we have all experienced that in the recent past. Another factor is illness. Put them together and we can begin to doubt things we have believed for years.
So, what can we do when doubts surface? The first thing we should do is admit we have them.
We can be tempted to deny them, and stay stuck there. A better thing is to face our questions, and then determine just what we are doubting. When we have figured that out, we can take them to the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to guide us. I have found He is always ready to lead. And He can bring us through and enrich our relationship with Him. It may not be an easy process, but it is always worth it. My faith is deepened.
Thomas missed Jesus’s first appearance to the disciples because he was isolated from the others. But he made a point to be with them so he could see Jesus for himself. And Jesus didn’t rebuke him for having questions; in fact, He readily showed him the proof that He was raised from the dead.
Thomas went on to spread the Good News to India, where he was martyred, according to early historians. His doubts had been answered by Jesus, and he spent the rest of his life sharing it with others.
Lord, help us learn to take our doubts to You. We know that You will guide us, and the Bible tells us You will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for being our Lord and Savior.
October 29, 2021
Kun-TENT or CON-tent? (Content or Content?)
Lately I have been looking up words in the Bible that promote characteristics I desire. I started with the word “peace”. Finding those places led me to search out “quiet.” I could find the Greek word that was used in the original writings, and they did shed some light on both.
Peace and Quiet directed me to Contentment, and that’s when my word study took a new turn. I could not find an instance in my Bibles where I was given a link to the Greek word that had been translated. I had a few choices here. I could either go to Bible Gateway and get lost in all the study helps they offer, or just go to Webster’s Dictionary and see what it said.
I chose Webster’s, because I didn’t want to get off track and I thought I might get overwhelmed with too many resources at Bible Gateway. For me, simpler is better. Besides, I wasn’t preparing a message, I just want to learn to be more content in whatever place the Lord has me.
In looking at Webster’s, I remembered that “content” has more than one meaning, and the two are not related. Or are they? Kun-TENT means free from care or waiting quietly. CON-tent, on the other hand is an amount of specified material contained.
As I thought about this word, I decided that the two meanings ARE related in my walk with Jesus. What I allow to settle in my heart – the contents – determines my contentment! Both Colossians 3 and Galatians 5 give me a list of characteristics that I am to “put off”. And then they tell me what I am to “put on”. Things like mercy, kindness, humility, patience and love which binds us together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:15 wraps it all up for me: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Lord, please help me to remember that what I allow to stay in my heart determines how much peace and contentment I experience. Thank You for the timeless truths we find in your Word.
Kun-TENT or CON-tent? (Content or Content?)
Lately I have been looking up words in the Bible that promote characteristics I desire. I started with the word “peace”. Finding those places led me to search out “quiet.” I could find the Greek word that was used in the original writings, and they did shed some light on both.
Peace and Quiet directed me to Contentment, and that’s when my word study took a new turn. I could not find an instance in my Bibles where I was given a link to the Greek word that had been translated. I had a few choices here. I could either go to Bible Gateway and get lost in all the study helps they offer, or just go to Webster’s Dictionary and see what it said.
I chose Webster’s, because I didn’t want to get off track and I thought I might get overwhelmed with too many resources at Bible Gateway. For me, simpler is better. Besides, I wasn’t preparing a message, I just want to learn to be more content in whatever place the Lord has me.
In looking at Webster’s, I remembered that “content” has more than one meaning, and the two are not related. Or are they? Kun-TENT means free from care or waiting quietly. CON-tent, on the other hand is an amount of specified material contained.
As I thought about this word, I decided that the two meanings ARE related in my walk with Jesus. What I allow to settle in my heart – the contents – determines my contentment! Both Colossians 3 and Galatians 5 give me a list of characteristics that I am to “put off”. And then they tell me what I am to “put on”. Things like mercy, kindness, humility, patience and love which binds us together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:15 wraps it all up for me: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Lord, please help me to remember that what I allow to stay in my heart determines how much peace and contentment I experience. Thank You for the timeless truths we find in your Word.
October 22
A Cloudy Season
Fall is here in vibrant color. The intense heat of summer is gone, and I am planting daffodils in anticipation of next spring. Each season has its high points, and I downplay the negative changes that also arrive. The four seasons have a cycle, and I look for the best in each one. That’s probably because I am the eternal optimist. I can find the good in just about any circumstance.
Like the weather, life also has its seasons, but they are not neatly defined and cyclical. We have an expectation of our seasons, though, and think they will follow a general order. We prepare for these changes as we have watched others transition through them. But even as we anticipate the next change and try to prepare, some events can throw our expectations out the window, and we are completely unprepared for the challenges that follow. I find myself in this season. This season doesn’t have a name, and that is part of my frustration. I would like to fit it neatly in a box.
It started with an unsettled feeling just below the surface. It slowly settled in over the past several months, and was further fueled by political unrest and the daily COVID-19 numbers count. Warnings, opinions and numbers were constantly changing and they seemed impossible to avoid.
This gloomy outlook was compounded by issues at home and in my extended family. I feel like I am drowning in events beyond my control. I read my Bible and pray, but peace evades me. I either get busy doing things that don’t really matter, or I seem paralyzed and do nothing. I eat compulsively and berate myself for the added weight it brings. I vow to do better the next day. Some days I do, and other days I munch from dawn 'til dusk.
A few days ago, I had a wake up call. I was scrolling the internet – a mistake, I know – when an article on depression caught my eye. There was a quiz to help people determine if they were depressed.
I thought, why not see what it says, so I answered the questions. Imagine my surprise when the result came back “mildly depressed”! What? I can’t be “mildly depressed”! I am the one who always sees the bright side. I look for the silver lining to every cloud. I know something good will come out of whatever is going on.
But it got me to thinking…… Is there a bit of pride in that attitude? I seem to think that I shouldn’t be feeling the way I do. I should know how to handle whatever comes my way. I felt convicted about my perception of myself.
Rather than thinking I am too good to be “mildly depressed” I should acknowledge the diagnosis may be correct. I remember a warning from Romans 12:3. “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourself, measuring yourself by the faith God has given us..”
Maybe the better way to think about my emotional state is, “I am where I am, and that is okay. Where do I start to get better?” I revisited the article and read some suggestions for improving my outlook. It outlined some steps I had already considered, and that was encouraging.
For me, writing is therapy, and it turns out that journaling is listed as a good way to get back on track. But I know that more important than writing is spending more time in the Bible and making a consistent effort to draw closer to Jesus. I have learned that motivation comes after the action, so I can’t wait until I feel like reading and praying. I must determine to take the steps, and I know God’s Word has a promise for that. “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:8 I’m counting on that!
A Cloudy Season
Fall is here in vibrant color. The intense heat of summer is gone, and I am planting daffodils in anticipation of next spring. Each season has its high points, and I downplay the negative changes that also arrive. The four seasons have a cycle, and I look for the best in each one. That’s probably because I am the eternal optimist. I can find the good in just about any circumstance.
Like the weather, life also has its seasons, but they are not neatly defined and cyclical. We have an expectation of our seasons, though, and think they will follow a general order. We prepare for these changes as we have watched others transition through them. But even as we anticipate the next change and try to prepare, some events can throw our expectations out the window, and we are completely unprepared for the challenges that follow. I find myself in this season. This season doesn’t have a name, and that is part of my frustration. I would like to fit it neatly in a box.
It started with an unsettled feeling just below the surface. It slowly settled in over the past several months, and was further fueled by political unrest and the daily COVID-19 numbers count. Warnings, opinions and numbers were constantly changing and they seemed impossible to avoid.
This gloomy outlook was compounded by issues at home and in my extended family. I feel like I am drowning in events beyond my control. I read my Bible and pray, but peace evades me. I either get busy doing things that don’t really matter, or I seem paralyzed and do nothing. I eat compulsively and berate myself for the added weight it brings. I vow to do better the next day. Some days I do, and other days I munch from dawn 'til dusk.
A few days ago, I had a wake up call. I was scrolling the internet – a mistake, I know – when an article on depression caught my eye. There was a quiz to help people determine if they were depressed.
I thought, why not see what it says, so I answered the questions. Imagine my surprise when the result came back “mildly depressed”! What? I can’t be “mildly depressed”! I am the one who always sees the bright side. I look for the silver lining to every cloud. I know something good will come out of whatever is going on.
But it got me to thinking…… Is there a bit of pride in that attitude? I seem to think that I shouldn’t be feeling the way I do. I should know how to handle whatever comes my way. I felt convicted about my perception of myself.
Rather than thinking I am too good to be “mildly depressed” I should acknowledge the diagnosis may be correct. I remember a warning from Romans 12:3. “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourself, measuring yourself by the faith God has given us..”
Maybe the better way to think about my emotional state is, “I am where I am, and that is okay. Where do I start to get better?” I revisited the article and read some suggestions for improving my outlook. It outlined some steps I had already considered, and that was encouraging.
For me, writing is therapy, and it turns out that journaling is listed as a good way to get back on track. But I know that more important than writing is spending more time in the Bible and making a consistent effort to draw closer to Jesus. I have learned that motivation comes after the action, so I can’t wait until I feel like reading and praying. I must determine to take the steps, and I know God’s Word has a promise for that. “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:8 I’m counting on that!
