Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen And Yet Have Believed |Daily Post #5|

It's been days if not week(s) since I last was able to write a post here.📝. Writing isn't necessarily the hard part. Yet having a divine revelation is what I truly seek. What do I mean by that? Well. When we first started our online digital ministry it was great. How the Lord inspired us. To find themes seamlessly, to be 'reminded' by the Holy Spirit of the verses, the words just oozed out naturally. It truly was a humbling experience to be led by Him... And yet. As time persists, our writing became more and more stale. It felt forced. Until one moment where I realized that what I said didn't come inspired by the Spirit but by my own need to have a scheduled posting.😱. I finally now understood what Jesus meant when He spoke to His disciples:

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you things that are to come. John 16:12-13 🕊🧭⚖️

Jesus wanted to reveal and impart more teachings for His disciples yet simultaneously they cannot bear it then. Why is that? The word "bear" comes from the Greek (βαστάζω) bastazo that means to take up, carry.🏋️. In this case, whatever Jesus spoke then, they would not be able to receive nor understand it... Similar to when we were young, there is no way we are able to do multiplication without first understanding what numbers are. We can force kids to learn it but that would be ineffective. Building blocks of knowledge takes time as well as proficiency in each stage. In this case, I loved how Jesus then says, "When the Spirit of truth comes". What does that mean? This refers to one of my favorite verses:

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone borne of the Spirit." John 3:8 💨🕊️

The 'Spirit' comes from the word pneuma that literally means wind, spirit. Similar to the wind. You can't see it but you know it's there. It comes and goes. It blows where it wishes. Meaning we have no control over it. Yet we are only able to hear its sound and receive it in humble grace. As even when the Spirit comes, that too comes from the Lord... as Jesus spoke that the Spirit will guide us into all the truth.🕊️. The word 'truth' comes from the word alétheia that is truth of idea, reality, sincerity,.. divine truth revealed to man:

He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine, therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:14-15 📢

In my Christian life—I had a lot off help. Growing up in the Reformed Church helped me have the foundation and lens to see the Bible more clearly. Having family and friends that really inspired me to get closer to God and to work hard. Yet what really motivated my faith is in knowing that my God leads me..! As a fledgling Christian back in the early days, I remember reading the Spirit of God filled Oholiab and Bezalel and even now as Jesus reminds His disciples. I held on to the fact that my amazing and awesome Lord's providence also reigns in my own conquest off knowledge. Every time I learn something new in my work or even as simple as reading the Bible, in one way or the other God leads me. How the YouTube algorithm can uncannily show what I needed to watch, or how God can remind me through the people around me, even from watching anime 😬🤣… it's just so amazing to know how He orchestrates all this.

—the Spirit is —

Never too early, in which I can't 'bear' or understand what needs to be learnt.

Nor too late, in which His truths prepares me in precarious situations.

—His timing is perfect always—

Last night, I had a dream in which I vaguely remember the details. I remembered accompanying my Dad in a wheelchair inside the mall. Apparently we were trying to find something. So we searched from one end to another. At this point, my Dad was desperately sick and frail. It was after chemotherapy that he looked so weak, bald even from all the radiation and pain he had to endure..😔. In one scene I remembered we needed to climb up an inclined plane. That was too difficult for the wheelchair. So he tried flimsily to stand up and as I led him up, with all his strength he hugged me. I said, "Dad, it's okay, you don't have to hug me". He just smiled with a warm radiance...❤️. As I tried to push him away, he reached in again and he hugged me warmly.🥺. In that moment. Tears gushed out. Just as I am writing this, my eyes are bawling.😭… I felt so loved. A indescribable tranquil peace. Similar to the grace when I first came to know Christ. I didn't understand why. I was just so thankful that in my Dad's weakness he exerted all that he had and tried to love me... wow. In that instantaneous moment the Spirit reminded me off this verse:

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 👨‍🦯✝️😊

Jesus in this scene was speaking to Thomas, about eight days after Jesus' first encounter with His disciples. Thomas doubted if this was the real Jesus and finally affirmed his skepticism by placing his finger into the mark of the nails and into his side. Into which Jesus replied how Thomas believed by seeing. Yet for others who never have seen Jesus yet believe is truly a blessing in and off itself…

Reflection

Dear Lord, thank You...

Sometimes. I just find it so amazing how You are working in all things.😵. Even through dreams You can remind us. Now I am not saying dreams are universal accepted revelations, nor are they God's Words. And that's why I disagree with Watchman Nee or any other faith's revelations as being concrete or inerrant. Yet. I do believe dreams are God's divine revelation affirmed yet it has to be Scripture based. We first trust to Jesus Christ and His Words. And in hearing a recent sermon this verse kept popping up...

In retrospect, I realized that dream made me realize that I also have never seen Jesus in my life. And yet. I have seen older brothers and older sisters in Christ who embody Christ-like qualities. I think one off my greatest inspiration comes from my Dad. Who just like Jesus endured a lot off pain. Who was 'alone' battling cancer. Who relied wholeheartedly in Christ. Dad wasn't perfect, but Dad kept trying to be like Christ. There is this warmth. A radiance warmer than the brightest sun. An effervescent spirit that is both truth and love. Oh Lord Jesus. Thank You. For continually coming into my life. Filling me with grace so unfathomable.😭. I have never seen You. But that's more than okay. Seeing You in all things is even better. I hope that one day when we do meet, my eyes will finally see Your immaculate glory. Words can't describe this euphoric peace I am experiencing... 🤗. Thank You for all those people You sent into my life. Most importantly, thank You for Jesus who in His majesty humbled Himself. Who died on the Cross for His elect. Who fulfilled His covenantal promise. Who forgave our sins and from death He resurrected and ascended into Heaven. O Lord... thank You for Your mercy. Why have You chosen me out of millions Your child to be? Sometimes I forget that. Yet in Your grace, You loved me even when I rejected You. Just like my Dad hugged me, You know all off me:

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 🤰

I needed that hug. Thank You Father for loving me. I am in shatters right now. The turmoil inside dissipating. In that hug, Your grace envelops the very depths off my soul. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Thank You for looking after me for so long. This worthless jar off clay that You mold in each season off my life, to grow in Your grace and knowledge of Christ... Thank You.🤗. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.