I'm in love, I'm a believer, I couldn't leave her if I tried.
I'm a Believer, The Monkees, 1967
Do you believe beyond a doubt that the risen Jesus lives? I admit, sometimes when life isn't going quite right, it's easy to wonder. "God, where are you?" And sometimes when sharing our faith, we can get asked some tough questions by non-believers that make us think.
The first folks who had to come to terms with whether or not the risen Jesus was really alive were the disciples. They were in hiding behind locked doors fearing for their lives as associates of the crucified Jesus. Then he appeared to them. They were overjoyed. But one disciple was absent.
Thomas was not with the disciples that day, and when they told him Jesus had risen, he stated, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." I don't know about you, but I meet people with that philosophy all the time. They want proof, concrete evidence of Jesus. Like the Monkees, they need to see a face before they'll be a believer.
Jesus returned and showed his face, hands and side to Thomas. He told him, "Stop doubting and believe." As a result of seeing, Thomas did believe. But Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
We don't have the opportunity to physically see Jesus, and touch his scars. But it doesn't matter to me. "I'm in love. I'm a Believer, I couldn't leave him if I tried." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which the disciple John says he didn't record. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Don't be a doubting Thomas, or even a Monkee, who will only believe with seeing. Join me today in singing "I'm a believer!"
Musical Musings:
1. We can't physically see Jesus. But Jesus says blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. What are some blessings in your life as a result of your belief?
2. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 What are some ways that you show your faith in your daily living? Would those around you know you are believer without telling them?
3. The Donkey in the movie Shrek sings the Smash Mouth re-recorded version of I'm a Believer at the end of the movie. Donkey sings, "I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe." Sometimes it is good to be stubborn as a mule, like when it comes to your faith.
Karaoke:
Dear Lord, I want to be a believer! Help me in times of doubt. Renew my faith, help me believe without seeing. Thank you for the Bible, so that I may read it and be renewed in my faith. In Jesus name, Amen.
Rock on: Spend some time in prayer asking God to increase your faith. Join a Bible study. Talk to like minded Christian friends. Remember Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
Donkey singing "I'm A Believer" from Shrek.
Sing along, "I believe, I believe, I believe!"
10 comments:
Great message. Love the Shrek/Donkey version of the song. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings, SusanD
So very good! I'm a believer, too. There is no one else for me and no where else to go.
BTW...they're baaaaack...my comments. Yay!
Awesome message, love the video :)
Love this!
I have had so many blessings come as a result of my faith and God's overwhelming goodness. He is so good to me, and I will praise His name forever!!
<°)}}><
Thought provoking, Kelly. I always read about Thomas and thought, "How could he not believe?" It's so easy to think I wouldn't be like that. Truth to tell, I PRAY I wouldn't have been like that...
I'm glad I have His word to guide me, and Christian friends to strengthen me.
It's hard to say why Thomas doubted at that moment, as he was practically first in line to go and die with Jesus (or so he thought) upon their visit to see Lazarus, who had just died. The mood had already been tense there, and now Jesus wanted to go back with a mission. Thomas didn't get it, but he was ready to go!
Even after witnessing a resurrection, Thomas couldn't come to grips with the fact that his Lord could do the same thing through the Father.
It shows me that folks definitely waver in their faith, no matter how close the walk. Thankful that our Lord takes us back and continues to love us, even in our unbelief.
*smiling big* Love it!
Sometimes we get asked some really tough questions from believers! Such is the case with the book I just read- posted about it at my place. Hebrews 11:1 is where I was hanging out earlier tonight, as I was thinking some things through. Thanks for this post (even though you wrote it a while ago, I'm just reading it now).
{{{{{}}}}}hugs... loved that!! I'm a believer!! Lord help my unbelief!!
Post a Comment