Thomas: When Doubt Meets Truth

You're listening to the My Morning Devotional podcast, episode 1510. Today's Devo is called Thomas When Doubt Meets Truth. Hey there. We're the Alessi's, a ministry family working together in our church in Miami, Florida. And if you're like us, when days get busy and to do lists get longer, it can be hard to find devotional time. That's why we've partnered with our friend Allison to produce a five minute daily dose of heaven. This is the My Morning Devotional podcast. Happy Friday. We made it to the weekend. I have loved this series with you all and yesterday I cried like a baby. If you haven't heard it, go back and listen to it. It's super good. It's about Mary Magdalene and today I'm talking about Thomas. But this week has been probably one of my favorite Devo series that I've ever done. Please let me know if you liked it in the comments. I. I need, I need that, you know, like, affirmation from you guys every once in a while. Every once in a while I need those comments. But no, I'm kidding. I'm good. I'm not like that. But thank you. I hope that this has blessed you this week. I hope that you've enjoyed all of these devos and all of these stories and if it has blessed you, sure, share it with a friend or two so that they can go through the whole devo. And we'll be closing out with our last character. His name is Thomas, Thomas the Apostle. They call him Doubting Thomas, but let's not give him that reputation. Come on, he's got to change. He's got to change. And the key theme that I have gained from this story is Jesus meets honest doubt with evidence and grace. Let's read John 20-24 through 29. In the NIV version, it says Now, Thomas, one of the 12, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, we have seen the Lord. But he said to them, 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. If Thomas is Italian, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm just going to put that out there because I can hear him going, unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, I don't know. I just kind of hear that because I can be like this. A week later, let's go back to scripture. A week later, his disciples were in the house again. And Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, hey, yo, put your finger here. See my hands? Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe, Thomas. Thomas said to him, my Lord and my God. Then Jesus told him, because you have seen me, you have believed. And blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. I don't think Jesus spoke like that, but he didn't say ao. But I just kind of like to imagine every once in a while, you know, he's down to earth like that. So this is what we know. Thomas often gets remembered as the doubter, but his story is honestly about belief. Thomas didn't reject Jesus. He struggled to believe the resurrection. He wanted real proof. Just like anybody, Jesus invites Thomas to see and touch his wounds. And Jesus is not threatened by honest questions. And you know, many believers go through seasons of doubt, just like Thomas. They'll ask questions like, is this all worth it? When will I see the miracle? What is God doing right now in these seasons where I don't see God at all? Where is he? But faith grows when doubt meets the truth of Christ. And something in us becomes elevated when we choose to believe, even when we don't see, because that's operating in true faith. I want to quickly read Romans 5, 3, 4 in the NIV version, which says not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. You know, my kids, I have two, Gianna and Matthew. And Gianna, she is such a typical girl. And I am a girls girl. I love it. I love all of the ways that we are. We're a little more emotional. We are more prone to seeing things and discerning things, which makes us sensitive to situations. And I love seeing that in my daughter because it just shows that she's developing her girlhood. But one thing for sure, I want a strong daughter. I want a daughter who is able to persevere when times get hard, who is able to overlook the emotion when times get serious. I want her to be strong. And sometimes I will allow my daughter to walk through small scenarios without knowing why or how or what I'm doing, just so I can put her strength to the test. Why do you have to get dressed and brush your teeth? Because that's what we gotta do. Why do you have to go to school? Because that's what makes you smarter. Why is mommy taking away this toy? Well, because you're not sharing. And all of these little lessons, even though she doesn't quite understand it, it's all there to strengthen her. And God does the same to you. There might be seasons of your life that you can't quite wrap your head around, but God will use that to make you a stronger Christian. Not just a stronger Christian, but a more faith filled Christian. Thomas moved from doubt to one of the greatest confessions in the Bible. My Lord and my God. And if seasons of why Lord and why God can turn into my Lord and my God, then we step into a new strength. We step into a new faith. We step into new wine. I hope that this week encouraged you. I hope that it blessed you. Please go back and listen to them if you haven't heard them. I really, really love these devos, but I just hope that it gave you something to hang on to for the weekend. Have a wonderful weekend. Let's pray as we go. God, we just thank you for, for all of these ways that you have encouraged us through your word. Father. If we have any of these questions that we don't know the answer to, if we keep running into disbelief and doubt, I pray that you will show us that you have peace with these seasons. You are not rattled by our questions. Instead, you allow them to refine us, you allow them to strengthen us. You allow them to strengthen our faith. So God, we pray, make our faith stronger, make our belief stronger. We trust you, we believe in you. But if you can make it stronger, then that would bring us peace. God, we believe in you and we trust in you. But make our faith stronger than ever before. As we lean into you, as we trust in your guidance and and as we fill ourselves up with your spirit, we want to be known not just as any other regular Christian, but as a strong Christian who has faith in you even when the times get hard. And in Jesus name we all pray. Amen. So there you have it. Your 5 minute daily dose of heaven. Thank you so much for tuning in today. We pray these devotionals empower you to take on your day. If you found value in this devotional, share it with a friend. Friend. Leave a comment or review for us on the app you're using right now. Until tomorrow. We pray that your latte is strong, but your love for Jesus is stronger.