Believing and Receiving

 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, 

was not with them when Jesus came. 

The other disciples therefore said to him, 

"We have seen the Lord." 

So he said to them, 

"Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, 

and put my finger into the print of the nails, 

and put my hand into His side, 

I will not believe." 

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, 

and Thomas with them. 

Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, 

and said, "Peace to you!" 

Then He said to Thomas, 

"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." 

And Thomas answered and said to Him, 

"My Lord and my God!" 

Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, 

you have believed. 

Blessed are those 

who have not seen and yet have believed."

John 20:24-29

Medical systems and communication systems have advanced so much 

that it is difficult to live by faith and walk by faith!

Even the development of a fetus in the womb 

is monitored throughout the pregnancy.

Do we receive GOD'S word of healing by faith 

or do we believe that word only when we see 

the report of a scan or blood test? 

Where is our faith? Is it in the medical system, 

the Doctor's word

or in GOD'S word?

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Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 

let your requests be made known to God; 

  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Suppose you mailed a gift to your friend overseas.

You would know your friend received the gift

if and when she writes to say 'Thank You'!

We are asked to add thanksgiving to our prayers - 

petitions and supplications to GOD.

We receive the answer to our requests in faith, 

even as we ask.

When we say 'Thank You' to GOD, 

we are receiving by faith, what we have asked for.

 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, 

the works that I do he will do also; 

and greater works than these he will do, 

because I go to My Father. 

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, 

that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14

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"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, 

Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. 

  "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

So are My ways higher than your ways, 

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

The answers we receive from GOD 

are not always what we expect.

GOD'S thinking and His ways are different to ours.

They are far higher in value 

than our thoughts and values!

They are far reaching and they are eternal.

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Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly 

above all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that works in us, 

  to Him be glory in the church 

by Christ Jesus to all generations, 

forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

GOD is able to do above all 

that we ask or even think!

He is able to do abundantly above all 

that we ask or imagine!!

GOD is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all

that we ask or think!!!

But what He does is 

according to the power that works in us!

The extent of the power that works in us 

depends on our faith in GOD 

and our obedience to Him.

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who according to His abundant mercy 

has begotten us again to a living hope 

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled 

and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 

who are kept by the power of God through faith 

for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, 

though now for a little while, if need be, 

you have been grieved by various trials, 

that the genuineness of your faith, 

being much more precious than gold that perishes, 

though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, 

honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 

whom having not seen you love. 

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, 

you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 

receiving the end of your faith-

-the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9