Fickle Philip….

Missouri is known as the “Show Me” state. I lived there so I can vouch for it’s authenticity. Philip (one of the 12 disciples) didn’t believe Jesus, so he asked Jesus to “show him the Father”, then he would know and believe. Why is it, that we have such short memories? Such short attention spans? Such a lack of confidence in God, after all He has done for us? Philip was there when Jesus calmed the storm, when He brought several people back to life, fed the 5,000, and when He cast out demons into pigs. How is it possible that He didn’t understand? Are we not the same way? Are we just as fickle as Philip? Jesus is God. He proved it time and time again. So what is it that we must do to avoid all of these doubts, fears, and uncertainty? It’s simply, yet difficult. We have to set aside our feelings, and go with what we know to be true. That’s what obedience is truly all about. Not trusting your feelings is exactly what faith is all about. Faith isn’t some mysterious power we find. Faith is trusting God, with what He does best. Faith is setting aside “how you feel”, and living out what you know to be true. God wants us to trust Him. If you’re honest, you know you can trust Him. Proof of this is acknowledging all that He has done for you up to this point. Make sense? We need to move out of the “Show Me” state, and into the motto on our money. Do what the dollar bill tells us to do: “in God we trust”.

1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.2 There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.4 And you know the way to where I am going.”5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where You are going, so how can we know the way?”6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. 7 If you had really known Me, you would know who My Father is. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him!”8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father! So why are you asking Me to show Him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak are not My own, but My Father who lives in Me does His work through Me.11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen Me do.12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.13 You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.14 Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it! John 14:1-14