There is no doubt about doubt!

Doubt, we all have doubts, but it is important to find what the object of our doubt is. I remember one time on my dirt bike way out on the power lines there was an area with a large ditch and a very thin ridge that I knew my motorcycle could go over. The problem was my doubt led me to end up at the bottom of the ditch with my bike on top of me! 

I had no doubt that the ridge was wide enough for my bike to go over, I had no doubt that my bike had the power and ability to pass by the ditch along the ridge. My doubt was in my own abilities and because of that my body was stiff and not loose, which is always a disaster when dirt biking. Nothing was permanently hurt except my pride.
 
James 1:4-8 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.  But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.

In Review:
Evidence # 1 – How you handle troubles is an “evidence” of what you believe.
Evidence # 2 – Purposeful living is an “evidence” of what you believe.
Evidence # 3 – Spiritual Maturity is an "evidence" of what you believe.
Evidence # 4 – Wisdom that comes from God is an "evidence" of what you believe.

This section of Scripture has been so twisted and abused in its use. A whole false movement has come from a corruption of the word “faith”! The “name it, claim it” doctrine that turns God into our genie for our selfish wants and needs. When we commit to obeying God...walking by faith and not by sight, we will experience being nervous, unsure, or being hesitant because we are flesh. But when we doubt God will answer our faith request (not demand) we are doubting Him. If we have faith, when we yield as Jesus did, “Your will be done” God will do what He has decided is His will! You can bank on it!
 
Scripture shows us men and women, when called by God to move, they were hesitate, unsure, nervous, and even doubtful...in themselves, yet not condemned or chastised by God. Whether we like it or not, most faith and obedience is a process. Endeavoring to establish what we are sensing is truly from God and not from ourselves, because we know our character is flawed by sin, we may experience what we think may be a lack of faith. That is normal for an honest human. However, when we allow our flesh and the adversary to bring doubts concerning God’s love or His motives, we cross the line from human faith to sin!
 
This is why the greatest time and effort of study, and meditation needs to be on Who God is! If we decide to spend the majority of our time in His Book, instead of the myriad of “How To” books, the fruit would be a full confidence in our Lord and His love toward us!
 
Evidence # 5 – Standing on what God states in His Word and not how you feel, is an Evidence of what you believe.
 

Meditation Thoughts: What guides your heart the most? What God states, or what you feel?

The Nerve of it!

I love to write; however, I was never very good with the mechanics of writing. Fortunately, God placed in my circle of supporters a woman that is an expert in it. She offered me advice and helped me improve. Interestingly, the Lord has                                                     used this issue to lead me in this                                           particular devotional.

Two words that look the same can communicate very different ideas based on context.

I had a root canal and a temporary crown in preparation for a permanent one. The day after the tooth continued to hurt and a day later the temp fell off. The sharp edge of the broken molar cut into my cheek; the dentist’s secretary said she would get me in the next day. He used a paste to numb my gum, took an x-ray, but then brought out the tools for a root canal. He hit a live nerve, and now I sing soprano!
 
I have learned that nerves in back molars can be very difficult. I accept that, that nerve was no one’s fault. However, afterwards he retreated to another office, refused to talk with me and his secretary said that I would have to find someone else to do the crown. I felt that took a lot of nerve and was not right. He has been my dentist since I returned from the field.
 
Here's the point…no pun intended…since my health has continued to decline with age, I have caught myself not being thankful to the Lord. So, I have been praying concerning this, and my Lord has offered me this opportunity to walk the path I claim to believe.
 
Two Scriptures have become very precious during this journey:
 
Psalm 34:1  I will praise the Lord at all times; my mouth will continually praise him.
 
Habakkuk 3:17-19  Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. 
 
So now, I will focus on this reality: One day, all of me, even my teeth, will be new and forever with Jesus because He chose not to hold on to His life. He allowed Himself to be broken, beaten, and murdered so I could live with Him forever.
 
Compared to the little suffering I have experienced in this short period of eternity it is nothing.
 
The So What: Keep God’s picture before you, the Eternal world where there is no end, not this temporal world that cracks and breaks! No thing, not even your teeth, are as important as the inner you! Sure, brush your teeth and try and keep them, but dedicate your focus on developing your inner man – that is who you are!