DEVOTIONS @ 205.825.9633
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Join FBC-West Senior Minister Ricky A. Woods on Tuesdays @ 8:15am & 7:15pm for Devotions Dial (205) 825-9633 a few minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. P.S. REMEMBER, DON'T ANNOUNCE YOURSELF AFTER THE START TIME AND PLEASE PUT YOUR PHONE ON MUTE! |
The Theme of Disbelief -- April 14, 2020
Mark 16:9-14
The single most common theme after Easter is disbelief. Whereas the disciples, the soldiers, the religious leaders all know that Jesus’ body is not in the tomb, they still refused to believe that he was alive. The soldiers accept pay to change their story. The religious leaders are willing to serve as accessories to fake news. The disciples would not believe the testimony of the women nor those Jesus appeared to on the road just outside the city.
Disbelief not belief is the major theme after Easter. It is disheartening to see and hear of how disbelief was not just the case with the enemies of Jesus but disbelief was prevalent among the friends of Jesus as well. No one seems to be willing to accept the testimony of eyewitnesses that declared they had seen Jesus.
The good news in this dark witness is that the truth of our testimony is not based upon whether others believe us or not. Our task is not to convince non-believers but to simply tell what we have seen, heard and know from our lived experiences. Our task is just to tell it.
When we tell it, we assault Satan’s kingdom and make others aware there is another way. We do not have to live in defeat and despair. We do not have to be controlled by fear. We have the power to stand up and say what we know whether others believe it or not. Each time we tell our testimony about what we know about Jesus from our own lived experience it empowers us, it deepens our faith and harnesses our commitment. Each time we tell what we know about Jesus it stirs sacred memory within us that moves us to praise when we think about what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
It is the woman who Jesus cast seven devils out of. It is the woman who Jesus rescued from an abusive relationship. It is the woman who knows what it is like to have to be silent in a man’s world. This woman will not be silence and whether or not they believe her, she will not keep from telling her testimony that “I have just seen Jesus and he is alive.“ Do not allow the disbelief of others to silence you. Go now and tell what you know about Jesus because of what he has done for you.