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Wednesday, April 12, 2017

To Believe or Not Believe

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16
As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

This is and has been the Father's work from the beginning - to bring us into the home of His heart. George MacDonald



Despite the miracles Jesus performs, there are those who do not believe He is the Christ. There are those who do believe but are afraid to speak up, afraid of rejection or punishment. And still there are others in the crowd who believe, but their faith is fragile and weak. We, too, are standing in the crowd today. Who do you choose?

Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in Him. But they wouldn't admit it to anyone because of their fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. 
John 12:42-43 NLT

Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If you trust Me, you are really trusting God who sent Me." John 12:44 NLT

God's plan from the beginning was to offer us a way back to Him, to offer us salvation. We can read all the books every written and ask all the questions ever wondered and still not have the evidence that our human minds crave. Grace enters into the world in the form of Perfect Love, not in the way the world finds logical. How often we choose human praise over God's praise! How seldom we really place our trust in God! Yet, God still chooses us.

READ John 12:37-50

consider this!

- What evidence is necessary to secure your belief in Christ?

- Using Jesus' words (vs. 44-50), explain Christ's purpose in coming to earth the first time?

- How does my desire for human praise stand in the way of trusting in God's plan?

Lord, we stand in the crowd watching. Some around us choose the world, and others choose You but are afraid to tell. Then, there are those like me that choose the Grace that only Perfect Love can give. Forgive me when I find the world's applause more appealing than the Spirit's whispers. Forgive me when I stand in the crowd, and no one knows I stand with You. Amen. -dho


All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

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