In this week's study, we enter the intimate upper room where Jesus spent time with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. Their time together included the foot washing, the last supper (communion) and some interesting give and take between Jesus and his followers about Jesus going away. The disciples seemed to have some confusion about what Jesus was talking about. Thomas asked a few pointed questions. Perhaps that's how he got his nick-name "doubting Thomas?" Or, perhaps Thomas simply asked some good questions? He seemed to ask questions that most other people likely thought about but just didn't ask. Or perhaps they didn't have the courage to ask.
INVITATION: As you enter into this week's scriptures, be thinking about a few questions you might have for Jesus. It can be based on the scriptures, or perhaps even questions you have wondered about for years and years.
MONDAY: John 14:1-4: Jesus was saying we can trust him. He was telling his disciples and is telling us to "believe" in God - not a generic "god" but "the Father" to whom he leads us. We make a choice to trust him and the Father to bear our troubles for us. What is on your heart that is troubling you right now? Feel the intensity of that. Listen to its demands. Face the immensity and offer it in complete abandonment to God. Consider this prayer, "Lord, I choose you." Take this prayer with you into your day and repeat it several times. Let God shoulder this issue today. Jesus has promised that you will not be orphaned and left to face your troubles alone.
TUESDAY: John 14:5-6: When we need directions, we use GPS or a map. Thomas asked a logical question after Jesus said he would be leaving and would prepare a place for them. "How can we know the way?" Jesus replied with the "I am" statement for this week. Jesus IS the way, truth and life. Are you wondering about how to get some place in your life? Are you willing to submit YOUR ways to God and seek HIS guidance, leadership and whatever way He directs you toward? Do you long for truth? These verses contain the answer. Do you want life? Jesus tells us he will not only provide life but life ABUNDANTLY (John 10:10).
WEDNESDAY: Proverbs 3:5-6: These verses indicate we are to submit ALL our ways to God and he will make our "paths straight." How do you go about giving your days, your hours and your minutes to the Lord? Is this a daily practice for you? If not, how might this become part of your prayer practice on a daily basis? Pastor Adam mentioned that just good intentions do not get us very far. We also need good directions. Jesus has told us that He is the way, truth and life and Psalm 119:105 tells us that Scripture is a "light unto our path." How is scripture and following Jesus Christ like a GPS or map in your life? How might you submit more of your paths to Jesus?
THURSDAY: Ecclesiastes 3:11: Eternity is built into my heart and into your heart. We have a God-created, built-in longing for our TRUE home - - which is eternity with Jesus. In the meantime, that deep longing will never be fully filled. Pastor Adam quoted C.S. Lewis: "If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." Are you trying to get your needs and deep desires met in unhealthy ways? What would it be like for you to accept and realize that you will never feel completely fulfilled, happy, and completed while being a pilgrim on this earthly journey? This is not your forever home. You were made for and built for eternity and you have a "homing device" within you longing for that completion. As you consider this verse and its implications, how might you begin to orient your heart, mind, and soul toward eternal things rather than temporal things?
FRIDAY: Romans 4:22-24: Jesus alone is the standard for your righteousness. Jesus alone is the way. In this day and age of "declaring your own truth," how does it make you feel when you read scriptures about Jesus being the ONLY way? Just like "doubting Thomas" asked good questions, what questions might you have for God about this exclusivity?
SATURDAY: Questions for Jesus: Today spend some time journaling, listening, and asking Jesus any and all questions you have had rumbling around but have never had the courage to ask. What is it about the Christian faith that you don't understand? What doubts do you have? What do you flat out disagree with? Be honest. God knows what's in your heart, mind and soul anyway.
Did you know Rockhills is a safe place for your questions? It doesn't mean we have all the answers, but we will sit with you, pray with you and maybe even wonder with you.