Today is the kick-off of our NewThru30 reading! I hope you have set a goal for yourself and have a plan to be successful at that goal. Remember to take advantage of the resources on our website.

Today’s key verses come from Matthew 11:4-6.

4Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

This part of the story happens after John the Baptist – Jesus’ cousin who prepared the way for Jesus by preaching that the Messiah was coming – is now in jail. He sends two of his followers to make sure that Jesus really is the Christ because he is apparently beginning to have doubts.

Jesus’ response is huge for us even today: erase doubt by remembering all that he has done.

First, Jesus tells these guys to go back and report what they hear and see. He didn’t tell them to rely on his words alone, but in their own experiences. The same is true for us. When we come in contact with Christ and have a relationship with Him, we should also go and tell others all that we have seen happen in our own lives. That is the best proof we can give to unbelievers who doubt! Jesus points to changed lives as his proof. Each example he gives (blind-sight, dead-raised, etc.) shows stark contrast. Our relationship with Him will also lead to our lives being radically different than they were before we became Christians or than we would be if we weren’t. And when your friends and family see that in your own life, that is exactly what an unbelieving world will find believable.

And if you yourself begin to doubt – which will inevitably happen at some point – remind yourself of Jesus’ message to even John the Baptist as he experienced the same thing. Erase your doubt by remembering all that He has done in your life.

Take a minute or two to answer these questions to yourself and spend a moment in prayer.

What is different in your life because of your relationship with Christ?
What has He saved you from as a result?
Do other people see a difference in your life because you have a relationship with Christ?
Who can you tell all that you have seen God do in your own life as a witness to them?

Prayer: Go through your answer to each of the questions above and pray it back to God.
Thank Him for what is different in your life because of Him.
Thank Him for what you have been saved from.
Ask God to help you live your life in a way that points people to Him because of the difference He’s made for you.
Finally, pray specifically – by name – for people you want an opportunity to tell them about what God has done in your life so that they, too, might believe.

I hope you are having a great Monday. Thanks for an awesome day at OneLife yesterday!
Rodney Arnold
OneLife Church
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