Do you believe this? —John 11:26

Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But— she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s theology had its fulfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance— “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ . . .” (John 11:27).

Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you— “Do you believe this?” Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.

To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.

Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, “Do you believe this?” I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier

Journal, DJR
Good Morning Lord,
The recurring theme that comes thru to me is that the really good things in our walk with you are not available by directly trying to achieve them …. Rather they are more like by-products of other actions. “Trying harder to believe” or trying to increase my faith, always seems to lead to a work of the flesh with frustration and ultimate failure. So it seems that just “walking in the Spirit” as relaxed as I can, and letting you bring me the agenda and bring me thru it….. Then, later I look back and see that my faith was exercized and increased.
Prayer: Lord help me walk in the Spirit today, holding the events and stresses in an “open palm” and letting you lead. Keep me learning, learning your ways, which are different and higher than my ways.

________________________

JD’s prayer for today-

Lord, help me to simply trust you and let the outcomes and results belong to You. Help me to understand that the focus today is intimacy with You. And please give me the reassurance of knowing that everything else will  …or will not occur based on Your love and grace. Thank you in Jesus’ name.

Amen

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