DECIDING TO BELIEVE

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, August 3, 2025

(John 20:27–29, NLT) “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

1. DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS.

(John 20:25, NLT) “I won’t believe it unless I see …”

“When we are in doubt, God will never fail to give light when we have no other plan than to please him and to act in love for him.” Brother Lawerence, The Practice of the Presence of God

2. DECIDE TO BELIEVE!

(John 20:27, NLT) “Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

(1 Corinthians 14:1a, NLT) “Let love be your highest goal!”

a. Love and Do Good

b. Be Informed. Faith is informed trust.

c. Discipline my thoughts.

(Psalm 56:3–4, NLT) “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?”

(John 20:28, NLT) “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.”

GROWTHWORK

(1 Samuel 12:24, GN) “Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Remember the great things he has done for you.”

1. Remember when you came to Christ.

(Hebrews 10:32, NLT) “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ.”

(Colossians 2:11, LB) “When you came to Christ, he set you free from your evil desires…”

2. Remember the miracles that God has done for you.

(1 Chronicles 16:12, NCV) “Remember the miracles he has done, his wonders, and his decisions.”

3. Remember that God is always with you.

(Hebrews 13:5, NLT) “God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

(Philippians 1:6, NLT) “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”