Today's reading: John 14
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father. John 14: 12 NRSV
Think of all the works that Jesus did. He healed the sick, raised the dead, inspired the living, reached out to the marginalized, converted sinners, called people to repent, taught and trained the disciples, called people to ministry, calmed the storm, walked on water, challenged the righteous, and lived the truth.
And he said if we believe in him, have faith in him, we would do greater works than these.
Do you really believe that?
Does your faith in Jesus strengthen you to do greater works that what Jesus did?
Jesus said this would happen because he would be with the Father. If we asked in Jesus' name, he would make it so.
Do you truly believe that?
God, help our unbelief! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label belief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label belief. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Second Sunday of Advent
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1: 45 NRSV
Elizabeth knows what she is talking about.
Elizabeth's husband, Zechariah, was in the Holiest of Places fulfilling his duty as a Priest of Almighty God. Yet, he did not believe when an angel appeared to him and gave him a message from God.
Zechariah did not trust the messenger or the message. His lack of faith in God's voice caused him to lose his own voice. But the message was still fulfilled.
Elizabeth greets her cousin, Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus. Elizabeth sees that Mary believed.
Mary, a simple girl who was not present in the Holy of Holies and was neither a priest nor even a learned man, believed the messenger and the message.
Mary was blessed. And so are we.
God, through an ordinary girl you have brought blessings upon blessings. Thank you so much, Lord! Amen.
Question of the day: How will you respond to God's message today?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Elizabeth knows what she is talking about.
Elizabeth's husband, Zechariah, was in the Holiest of Places fulfilling his duty as a Priest of Almighty God. Yet, he did not believe when an angel appeared to him and gave him a message from God.
Zechariah did not trust the messenger or the message. His lack of faith in God's voice caused him to lose his own voice. But the message was still fulfilled.
Elizabeth greets her cousin, Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus. Elizabeth sees that Mary believed.
Mary, a simple girl who was not present in the Holy of Holies and was neither a priest nor even a learned man, believed the messenger and the message.
Mary was blessed. And so are we.
God, through an ordinary girl you have brought blessings upon blessings. Thank you so much, Lord! Amen.
Question of the day: How will you respond to God's message today?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Friday, May 15, 2009
May vs. Shall
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 NRSV
As a United Methodist pastor, I had to take a course in seminary about our rules and regulations book (this is not the Bible I am referring to but our Book of Discipline). Sadly, I don't remember a whole lot about the class. But one thing did stick with me. That was the difference between the words may and shall.
If something in the Discipline says "may" this is a permission giving statement. You can do it or not as the Spirit leads.
However, if the Discipline says "shall" there is no room for error. This is something you must do in order to remain part of the UMC.
I find it interesting that this verse says that all who believe in him may not perish. May not perish. This doesn't say shall. I even checked with my Greek/English Inter Linear New Testament.
So, if you believe in Jesus, there is a very good possibility that you will have eternal life. But God doesn't give this as a guarantee. This is not cheap grace nor once-saved-always-saved. There is more to this belief stuff than just saying yes. And, God knows, we humans are often prone to error. Believing is good and a great start. We hope in God's promise of eternal life. But we also realize our dependence upon God. It is not just about our acquiescence. In the end it will all come down to God's judgment.
God, you don't make things simple, do you? Just when we think we have it all figured out and our way is made, you let us know that it will still be up to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
As a United Methodist pastor, I had to take a course in seminary about our rules and regulations book (this is not the Bible I am referring to but our Book of Discipline). Sadly, I don't remember a whole lot about the class. But one thing did stick with me. That was the difference between the words may and shall.
If something in the Discipline says "may" this is a permission giving statement. You can do it or not as the Spirit leads.
However, if the Discipline says "shall" there is no room for error. This is something you must do in order to remain part of the UMC.
I find it interesting that this verse says that all who believe in him may not perish. May not perish. This doesn't say shall. I even checked with my Greek/English Inter Linear New Testament.
So, if you believe in Jesus, there is a very good possibility that you will have eternal life. But God doesn't give this as a guarantee. This is not cheap grace nor once-saved-always-saved. There is more to this belief stuff than just saying yes. And, God knows, we humans are often prone to error. Believing is good and a great start. We hope in God's promise of eternal life. But we also realize our dependence upon God. It is not just about our acquiescence. In the end it will all come down to God's judgment.
God, you don't make things simple, do you? Just when we think we have it all figured out and our way is made, you let us know that it will still be up to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Thursday, May 14, 2009
What is Belief?
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 NRSV
What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ? More specifically, what makes a believer? Do you believe that Christ will save you? Do you believe that Christ is the savior? Do you believe that Christ is God's son? Or is it that (like Thomas the Twin) you proclaim that Jesus is "My Lord and My God!"
Certainly, belief is more than just saying someone existed or someone had a few good words to say. I know that Muhammad existed but I don't believe in his teachings or what his followers hold to be true about him. Buddha had some very wise sayings and there are many Buddhist practices that are beneficial. That doesn't mean I believe in him.
I think that belief goes beyond agreement. Belief is also respecting, following, and living as Jesus would have me live - at least to the best of my ability. Now there are quite a few Christians who say that belief means agreeing with a litany of rules and life-style choices. Many of them have very different rules and life-style choices from each other. So which ones are the "right" ones for true belief?
I don't have the answers. However, I keep coming back to Thomas proclaiming Jesus as Lord - making Jesus the number one priority in my life - fits into the answer here somewhere.
God, sometimes I don't know all the answers about being a believer. Please let everyone who reads this be willing to join in the discussion! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ? More specifically, what makes a believer? Do you believe that Christ will save you? Do you believe that Christ is the savior? Do you believe that Christ is God's son? Or is it that (like Thomas the Twin) you proclaim that Jesus is "My Lord and My God!"
Certainly, belief is more than just saying someone existed or someone had a few good words to say. I know that Muhammad existed but I don't believe in his teachings or what his followers hold to be true about him. Buddha had some very wise sayings and there are many Buddhist practices that are beneficial. That doesn't mean I believe in him.
I think that belief goes beyond agreement. Belief is also respecting, following, and living as Jesus would have me live - at least to the best of my ability. Now there are quite a few Christians who say that belief means agreeing with a litany of rules and life-style choices. Many of them have very different rules and life-style choices from each other. So which ones are the "right" ones for true belief?
I don't have the answers. However, I keep coming back to Thomas proclaiming Jesus as Lord - making Jesus the number one priority in my life - fits into the answer here somewhere.
God, sometimes I don't know all the answers about being a believer. Please let everyone who reads this be willing to join in the discussion! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Monday, May 4, 2009
A Familiar Verse From Another Angle
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 NRSV
We hear John 3:16 so often that I think we (Christians and non-believers) have become rather numb to its real meaning. I would like to look at these two verses from John's gospel from a fresh perspective this week. For today, I would like to contemplate the first word that strikes me as one to which I have paid little attention.
Jesus tells Nicodemus that God so loved the world. The world! I have always heard and understood this scripture as a personal statement made to me - the individual believer.
However, the verse doesn't say God loved me. It doesn't say God loved the one who believes. Jesus says that God loved the world.
Jesus Christ did not come to save me. Jesus Christ came to save the world.
A sobering and eye-opening thought!
God, we too often think of Christ's saving action in terms of us personally. We tend to overlook the fact that he came and died for the sake of the whole world. Expand our vision, our understanding and our love. In His name. Amen.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
We hear John 3:16 so often that I think we (Christians and non-believers) have become rather numb to its real meaning. I would like to look at these two verses from John's gospel from a fresh perspective this week. For today, I would like to contemplate the first word that strikes me as one to which I have paid little attention.
Jesus tells Nicodemus that God so loved the world. The world! I have always heard and understood this scripture as a personal statement made to me - the individual believer.
However, the verse doesn't say God loved me. It doesn't say God loved the one who believes. Jesus says that God loved the world.
Jesus Christ did not come to save me. Jesus Christ came to save the world.
A sobering and eye-opening thought!
God, we too often think of Christ's saving action in terms of us personally. We tend to overlook the fact that he came and died for the sake of the whole world. Expand our vision, our understanding and our love. In His name. Amen.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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