Week #29 - 2-Minute Devotional w/ Omar Calvillo

On this week's 2-Minute Devotional, Omar Calvillo reflects on Matthew 11:2-3, where John the Baptist, despite being a significant prophet, experiences doubt while in prison. This passage highlights that even strong believers can struggle with faith during tough times. Omar emphasizes that faith involves bringing doubts to Jesus rather than running away, as demonstrated when John sends his disciples to question Jesus, who responds with evidence of His works. The devotional encourages believers to hold on to the truth of God's word through trials and doubts, reassuring that Jesus remains constant. The message concludes with a prayer for strength and faith amidst difficulties.

Transcript

0:02

Welcome to the Wrong to Strong two Minute Devotional. Each week we're blessed to have a new guest share a powerful scripture and a word of encouragement to ignite your spirit and feel your journey of faith. Let these messages inspire and strengthen you as you grow closer to God, stay strong, keep the faith, and let's grow together. We're on a mission from God, from darkness to light and from wrong to strong. Hello everyone and welcome to the Wrong to Strong Two Minute Devotional. My name's Omar Calvillo. Today I'm gonna be reading from Matthew 11:2-3. It says, When John who was in prison heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" Have you ever gone through a season so difficult that you began to question what you once knew for sure about God? That's exactly where John the Baptist finds himself in this passage. The same man who boldly proclaimed, Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Is now behind prison walls wrestling with doubt. Even the strong can struggle. John wasn't just any prophet. Jesus himself said that Among those born women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist."(Matthew 11:11) Yet here he is confused and questioning Why? Because prison changes things, trials, suffering, isolation. These things have a way of shaking us. This reminds us that faith doesn't always mean the absence of doubt, but the courage to bring those doubts to Jesus. Remember what you've seen and heard just chapters earlier, John witnessed the heavens open. He heard the voice of the father say,"This is my son and whom I am well pleased."(Mattew 3:17) He saw the Holy Spirit descend like a dove, but now he's in a dark cold cell. Those memories are fading. Isn't that just like life? When we're on the mountain, God's presence is so clear, but in the valley, we start to forget. That's why we must build our faith on the truth of God's word, not just our feelings or surroundings. We must rehearse what God has already shown us. Take your doubts to Jesus. What does John do when he's struggling? He sends his disciples straight to Jesus, and Jesus doesn't rebuke him. He doesn't say, how dare you question me. Instead, Jesus replies with evidence."Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blind received sight, the lame walk. Those who have leprosy are cleansed."(Matthew 11:4-5) Jesus is saying, look at what's happening. I am who I said I am. When we are in doubt, don't run from Jesus. Run to him. Ask your questions. He can handle your honesty. Jesus ends his message with a powerful encouragement. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."(Matthew 11:6) in other words, don't give up when life doesn't make sense. Don't fall away when the answer doesn't come quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps believing, especially in the dark maybe you're in your own prison today. Maybe it's a physical prison or maybe it's emotional, financial, or spiritual. You've seen God move before, but now things feel quiet. Doubt has crept in. If that's you, you're not alone. Even John the Baptist walked that road. But here's the good news. Jesus didn't change just because John's circumstances did, and he won't change on you either. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, strengthen our faith in the midst of trials. Help us to remember what you've done in the past and hold on to the truth of who you are. Even when life gets hard. Like John May we take our doubts to you and find peace in your presence. In Jesus' name, amen. My name is Omar Calvillo, and I am wrong to strong.