DAILY READING
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REFLECTION
Stand Firm in Your Faith
by Judy Webb
As often happens when reading and praying about the daily reading text, I have more questions than answers. Just when I think I have a handle on the topic and begin to compose a devotion, I find my knowledge of the passage is too limited. I feel inadequate to address the subject as it deserves. But then, I realize I am not alone. We all are constantly learning and figuring out how to apply any given text to our daily lives. After all, aren't our lives changing moment by moment?
"Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him." (John 12:37)
We've been reading about the miracles and healings Jesus has been performing. I can almost hear the gasps of wonder and the stunned intakes of breath as the people witness these unbelievable events. And yet, they still joined in the noise of the crowd which demanded, "Crucify Him." How can this be? What more could Jesus have done to show his Priesthood?
But, aren't we like those unbelievers? Aren't there times when we don't acknowledge the power of Jesus? Don't we try to fix our problems on our own, never stopping to give them to the one who can make a difference? Is it that we don't believe, or don't feel worthy? Perhaps we are afraid that God won't show up for us, so we hide out and let our fears and unbelief dictate the future.
Many in Jesus' day did believe, but they kept quiet because they were afraid the Pharisees would remove them from the synagogue. "Their faith was clandestine and limited. For they loved human praise more than praise from God." (John 12:42-43)
The ladies in my small group, just the past Sunday, spoke about needing to be more vocal about our faith. We decided that we must boldly proclaim Jesus, and when questioned about our faith we must stand firm and tell everyone who asks.
PRAYER PRACTICE
Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.
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