Calvary Baptist Church

Sunday's study will concentrate on the disciple Thomas and his journey from doubt to confession.  I find it very interesting that neither the disciples nor the Lord rebuked Thomas for his questions.  Could it be that this was because Thomas was looking for a reason to believe and not for a reason to doubt?  There is a difference of attitude among skeptics, cynics, doubters and seekers.  Some are asking questions because they really want to know.  Some are asking questions and expressing doubts because they think it makes them appear intellectual or "on the edge."  Some are expressing doubts because they want others to join their misery.  Only the Lord knows the heart.  Jesus Christ knew the heart of Thomas and Thomas wanted to believe.  I think it is such a beautiful scene when Thomas declares, "My Lord and my God."  I don't know if anyone has ever painted this scene, I wish I could paint, this would be a moment to capture with canvass and oil.  We all believe in something.  Those beliefs form values and values force decisions and decisions determine destinations.  Where will you be based on what you believe?  "Stop doubting and believe".   

This Sunday is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.  Since 1973 54,559,615 people have been killed in name of "choice."  That is greater than the 2010 population of Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Vermont, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Mississippi, Montana, Arizona, Oregon and Alaska.  And people in this country wonder why we have too many houses on the market and why Social Security income is not keeping up with payouts.  It is no mystery but we don't like to look in dark places for things we can make up other answers for.  How do we respond to this culture of death and deceit?  We are people of the resurrection.  We are called to overcome evil with good.  We are not to use the weapons of the flesh but to break down strongholds with prayer and the truth of God's Word.  Doing this will not be flashy and it usually doesn't grab the headlines but the "gracious disturbance" of a life giving life will be a catalyst to this endeavor.  Pastor and author Michael Horton coined that phrase "gracious disturbance" in writing about the resurrection.  The resurrection started something.  The age to come quietly slipped into the age that is and believers are now a part of this conspiracy of goodness and righteousness in the fight for life.  Join the disturbance.