--- title: "Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: Heavenly Things" description: If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:12, ESV) image: https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-27%20at%2010.23.10%20AM.png --- [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) - [Store](https://pm.training/store/) - [Events](https://pm.training/events/) - [Events & Webinars](https://pm.training/events/) - [Bring Peacemaker to You](https://peacemaker.training/event-pricing/) - Help - [Conflict Training](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-training/) - [Conflict Reconciliation](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-reconciliation/) - [Peacemaker Consulting](https://peacemaker.training/peacemaker-consulting/) - [About](https://pm.training/about/) - [About the Ministry](https://pm.training/about/) - [Our Beliefs](https://pm.training/beliefs/) - [Staff and Board](https://peacemaker.training/staff-board/) - [Policies and Finances](https://peacemaker.training/policies-finances/) - [Donate](https://pm.training/donate/) ![blog-header](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.jpg?width=1920&name=blog-header.jpg "blog-header") # Everyday Peacemaker # Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: Heavenly Things by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) / September 30, 2019 [![Screen Shot 2019-09-27 at 10.23.10 AM](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-27%20at%2010.23.10%20AM.png)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-heavenly-things)  Scripture  *If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?* (John 3:12, ESV)  Thoughts  In the third chapter of John, Nicodemus came to Jesus and acknowledged that Jesus came from God. This Jewish leader was beginning to believe in Jesus, yet Jesus saw that he was struggling with who Jesus really was. As their conversation continued, Jesus challenged Nicodemus directly in verse 12 (above) and then gave him this wonderful news:  *… that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.* (John 3:15-18, ESV)  The second birth—this new life—comes through believing in Jesus Christ. God loves all people so much that he gave his only son for us. Believing in him means we will have eternal life. It sure is a “heavenly thing” to believe that God loves us so much that he doesn’t want us to miss out on eternal life. Nicodemus took action to address his limited belief. He went to Jesus with his questions and listened to the Lord’s answers.  Application  Do you believe some things and struggle to believe other things? In your conflict with another person, are there “earthly” or “heavenly” things you can’t believe? Jesus died for the sins of the person you’re angry with. And Jesus also died for your sin of anger at yourself. Hear me, please: If you struggle to believe when Jesus tells you earthly things, you probably won’t believe when he tells you heavenly things.  One day Jesus talked to a father about belief. The man’s son had a terrible affliction—a spirit that made him mute and caused episodes of violent self-harm. The father was desperate to have Jesus heal his son. Jesus did heal the boy and then had a life-changing conversation with the father.  *\[The father said\] “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” * *Jesus said to him, “‘If you can?’ Everything is possible for the one who believes.” * *Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”* (Mark 9:22-24, CSB)  Prayer  Lord, I do believe, but I also struggle to believe, so please help my unbelief, build my faith, and show me yourself.… *Continue praying*.  Tags: [The Path of a Peacemaker](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/the-path-of-a-peacemaker), [devotion](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/devotion) 0 Comments - - - - [previous post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-but-when) Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: "But when..." [Next Post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-putting-away-bitterness) Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: Putting Away Bitterness ![P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/Brian_Headshots08242018.43-Edit.jpg) ### [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) P. Brian Noble is an everyday guy who loves Jesus. He has been married to his best friend, Tanya, for 20 years and they have four children; they currently reside in eastern Washington. Brian has a Master of Arts in missional leadership from Northwest University. He is the Executive Director/CEO of Peacemaker Ministries. An ordained minister for the past 20+ years (3 years as a Youth Pastor, 14 years as a Senior Pastor, and 4 years as an Executive Pastor), he proclaims hope through the gospel message as the Holy Spirit empowers believers in their daily walk. He believes in the power of the Word of God to transform lives. He has been a Certified Christian Conciliator since 2008, with 1000+ hours of conflict coaching and mediation experience. His caseload has ranged from husband and wife cases, to family farm, to public schools, and even county government. Brian has taught peacemaking in local jails and even internationally in Uganda. His hope is that every Christian reconciles their differences in a way that glorifies God. His hope is that every Christian recognizes they are a Peacemaker before they try to do peacemaking. Finally, his hope is that every Christian reconciles by making authentic peace that blends justice, mercy, and humility. ### Related posts ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) March 22, 2021 ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: Stumbling](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610665344544.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: Stumbling](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-stumbling) by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) February 8, 2021 ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: As Christ Forgave You](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610665506210.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: As Christ Forgave You](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-as-christ-forgave-you) by [P. 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Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) April 10, 2020 ### Social Networks - - - - ### Newsletter Subscribe for New Blog Posts And Images.up to date form your inbox! ### Popular Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/IMG_0659.png) [My Pastor is Rude](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/my-pastor-is-rude) December 16, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1590774962450.png) [Prepare your Mind For Action](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/prepare-your-mind-for-action) June 5, 2020 ### Categories - [devotion (60)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/devotion) - [Peacemaker Wisdom (22)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/peacemaker-wisdom) - [The Path of a Peacemaker (16)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/the-path-of-a-peacemaker) ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) March 29, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) March 22, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752733844.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Own Gift](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-own-gift) March 15, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752698859.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Boast in God](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-boast-in-god) March 8, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752671036.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: A Logs Worth of Specks](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-a-logs-worth-of-specks) March 1, 2021 ![pm-logo-blog](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/pm-logo-blog.jpg?width=250&name=pm-logo-blog.jpg "pm-logo-blog") Peacemaker Ministries exists is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically in their families, marriages, workplaces, and communities. ### Paths - [Family](https://pm.training/family/) - [Churches](https://pm.training/churches/) - [Workplaces](https://pm.training/workplace-choice/) - [Coaching](https://pm.training/coaching/) - ### Subscribe to Everyday Peacemaker Blog updates and we'll let you know when new posts are available! ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) 29 March, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) 22 March, 2021 © Copyright 2017 | All Rights Reserved