OUR DAILY BREAD : THOMAS TIME

[cimi]

March 16
Monday


THOMAS TIME

READ:
Thomas answered and
said to Him, "My Lord
and my God!"
__John 20:28
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A young adult was struggling with his faith. After growing up in a home where he was loved and nurtured in a godly way, he allowed bad decisions and circumstances to turn him away from the Lord. Although as a child he had claimed to know Jesus, he now struggled with unbelief.

One day while talking to him I said, "I know that you walked with the Lord for a long time, but right now you're not so sure about Jesus and faith. Can I suggest to you that you are in the 'Thomas Time' of your life?"

He knew that Thomas was one of Jesus' 12 apostles and that he had trusted Christ openly for several years. I reminded this young man that after Jesus' death Thomas doubted that He had really risen from the tomb. but after 8 days the Lord appeared to Thomas, showed him His scars, and told him to stop doubting and believe. Finally ready to abandon his doubts, Thomas said, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:24-28).

I told this young man, "Jesus patiently waited, and Thomas came back. I think you will too. I'm praying that someday you will again say to Jesus, 'My Lord and my God!' "

Could you be in a "Thomas Time" --finding it hard to feel close to Jesus, perhaps even doubting Him? Jesus is waiting for you. Reach out for His nail-scarred hand. __Dave Branon
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```````````There can be times when our minds are in doubt,`````````
`````````````Times when we ask what our faith is about:````````````
``````````But we can believe Him, we know that He cares--``````````
``````````Our God is real, as the Bible declares. __Fitzburgh`````````
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A child of God is always welcomed home.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ John 20:24-29**************

24 Now Thomas, called the
Twin, one of the twelve,
was not with them when
Jesus came. 25 The other
disciples therefore said to
him, "We have seen the
Lord."

So he said to them,
"Unless I see in His hands
the print of the nails, and
put my finger into the print
of the nails, and put my
hand into His side, I will
not believe."

26 And after eight days His
disciples were again inside,
and Thomas with them.
Jesus came, the doors being
shut, and stood in the midst,
and said, "Peace to you!"

27 Then He said to Thomas,
"Reach your finger here,
and look at My hands; and
reach your hand here, and
put it into My side. Do not
be unbelieving, but
believing."

28 And Thomas answered
and said to Him, "My Lord
and my God!" 29 Jesus said
to him, "Thomas, because
you have seen Me, you
have believed. Blessed are
those who have not seen
and yet have believed."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The experience of Thomas illustrates the redemption of a doubter.
When told of Christ's resurrection, Thomas replied: "Unless I see
in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print
of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe"
(John 20:25). When Jesus appeared to Thomas 8 days later to
accommodate his request, Thomas responded: "MY Lord and my
God!" (v.28). Christ then extended His blessing on those who would
believe the report of His resurrection without having personally
seen it. "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (v.29).
__Dennis Fisher