Welcome to this week’s  “In the Little things” Podcast.  How has social media impacted your social life and your faith?  Before there was even the notion of smart phones.. I wrote in my journals  my encounters with other people because I didn't want to forget what God was showing me. Now with our phones we can go back and see every “comment”, Q & A, or emoji. Today I will share a story that I wrote in my journal..

Scripture:

(1 John 4:1) “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

(Proverbs 3:5) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding!”

(Matthew 14:28-31) “Lord, if it's you, Peter replied. Tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come”, Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when hew saw the wind, he became afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, SAVE ME!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter. “You of little faith”  said Jesus. “Why did you doubt?”

(John 20:24-29) "Now Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side,I will not believe. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it int my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus then said, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!"

(Mark 9: 24) “Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!”

Application: This is how the Bible provides instructions that help you navigate pass the stormy waters of life. But in order to have smooth sailing, you must have FAITH in what you read to be ABSOLUTE TRUTH! If you don't fully believe or have a hard time with your belief, than pray to God to help you in your disbelief. He will prove faithful!

Devotional Insight: God has given us a natural curiosity and desire to explore, learn, and grow.  He delights in watching us use these inclinations to grow in His Word, learn more about Him, and test what we hear, think, or believe against His absolute Truth by studying scripture for knowledge and understanding.

Guided Prayer: “LORD, thank you for your unfailing and unchanging Word!  Thank you that we can have a Truth to know and stand on in an ever-changing world full of ever-changing values and beliefs.  You are never wrong, and Your Word always holds firm and stands the test of time.  Please give me a curiosity that leads to exploration of Truth, and give me a love for your Word that will guide me securely through life!