Dirty diapers

Formation Toolbox: 

By Benjamin O’Loughlin

Christmas is over. But not just for us. For Jesus, Joseph, and especially Mary, who’s already changed 17 days worth of diapers. Yes, Baby Jesus wore diapers… and Mary had to change them.

That’s what I call faith. Not that changing diapers is anything special. I’m the oldest of 6, and as a kid I put in my fair share of hours changing siblings’ diapers.

Mary changing diapers is faith because there are few things more real, concrete and down to earth than the smell of freshly – or not so freshly – dirtied diapers.

Don't Let Your Faith Slip

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." (Hebrews 2:1)
Something very serious has been happening to the Body of Christ. We've often let the things which we have heard, the message of faith and righteousness, slip.

I'm not just talking about those believers who've been so surrounded by religion that they've never heard about the power that's theirs in Christ Jesus. I'm talking about those of us who have heard the Word and have known the thrill of living by faith.

In my own life, for example, there were times when I'd pray for healing. I'd say all the right words, "Thank God, I believe I receive..." and all that. But inside I'd be thinking, "I wonder why God isn't healing me?"

You see, even though I'd said that I believed I was healed, I hadn't really. I'd staggered at the promise of God, believing what my body told me instead of the Word of God.

Was He Really a "Doubting Thomas"?

Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, had the nickname Doubting Thomas, but I think that is a bit unfair. I have always thought of Thomas as more of a skeptic than a doubter. After all, Thomas did not ask for a special revelation from Jesus. He simply asked for the same proof the other disciples had (see John 20:25). Thomas was the kind of guy who wanted to know for himself. He was his own man. He would not let others do his thinking for him.

What did Jesus do with such a man? He made a special resurrection appearance for him. He condescended to Thomas and his desire to know for himself. What amazes me about this is that Jesus came to Thomas on his level. He didn't rebuke him. He didn't humiliate him. He could see that deep down in Thomas's heart, he really wanted to know God. Jesus came to him and said, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing" (John 20:27).

I like Thomas, because by nature I, too, am a skeptical person. I have never been one to believe something just because someone says it is true.

From Believing to Perceiving

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37)

The Bible calls us kings and priests (Rev. 1:6) and world overcomers (1 John 5:4). For many of us, those phrases are still becoming real. We're still learning who we really are.

If you'll look in 1 Chronicles, chapter 14, you'll see that David had a similar problem. He'd been anointed king by the prophet Samuel when he was just a teenager. He'd known for years that someday he'd rule over Israel. Yet somehow, it hadn't really sunk in.

Your Faith Is Your Answer!

 by E. Davenport !

You have a need to get an answer. It is done as long as you have gone before God in faith which is believing He can make it happen. The good news is He can. The bad news is that the forces of hell will try to convince you that the situation is hopeless! DON’T FALL FOR THAT!

Healing Always Comes

"And these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:17-18)
I used to get upset over people I'd lay hands on who wouldn't get well. I was praying one day and seeking God about it when He spoke to my spirit and said, "Healing always comes."

I remember I said, "What do You mean, Healing always comes? Not everybody gets healed."
"I didn't say they all received it," He answered. Then He spoke very sternly to me. "I do My part. And I said they would recover!"

What to do when God doesn't answer...

Today, I just want to share to you Pastor Bill Hybels' interesting experience after a baptism service in their church. 

He writes: "I bumped into a woman in the stairwell who was crying. I thought this was a little odd, since the service was so joyful. I asked her if she was all right. 

She said, 'No, I'm struggling.' 

She said, 'My mom was baptized today. I prayed for her every day for almost 20 years. The reason I'm crying is because I came this close to giving up on her. 

At the 5-year mark I said, "Who needs this? God isn't listening." 

At the 10-year mark I said, "Why am I wasting my breath?" 

At the 15-year mark I said, "This is absurd." At the 19-year mark