In prayer and supplication I often get it wrong but God spoke to me yesterday and three things were brought to my attention. 1) We are to pray for the mind of Christ. I know in my own life I like to think I have everything worked out and then all my efforts are put into making things happen the way I planned but we are to seek God's desires. 2) Jesus spoke of healing as bread for His children in Matthew chapter 15 as the Canaan woman pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter. With an incredible love for her Jesus tested her faith and because of her faith her daughter was healed. My point, God knows our needs and the healing of our bodies is as vital as food! In Matthew chapter 7 Jesus compares our heavenly Father’s desires for his children to earthly fathers ~ he said, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.” Again pray for the mind of Christ, to really see our situations through His eyes. 3) Don’t doubt! Seek a simple, pure faith that God is who He says He is! The father who’s son was possessed by an evil spirit in Mark chapter 9 was so desperate for God to move in his situation the Bible said he cried out to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Increase Our Faith
(Luke 17) Increase our faith the disciples told Jesus and this is what he said, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you! When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, 'Come in and eat with me'? No, he says, 'Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.' And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey Me you should say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'”
It is possible the disciples, unknowingly, had selfish reasons behind asking for an increase in faith, we simply don’t know but the one thing that is clear is that Jesus knows our hearts and many times He challenges our understanding and ultimately grows us beyond places we are able to reach on our own. First, He wants His followers to see it is not the volume of faith that you have but the quality. In that I mean we don’t have to work anything up to this grand level in order for something big to happen but instead, as a child, we simply believe without doubting. It is hard to wrap your mind around but when you are in tune with the Spirit of God through prayer and supplication and in such time you sense His leading a simple faith in your Father’s goodness is all that is needed to see unbelievable things take place! Secondly, when these things happen, as the worker in the field faithfully works for his master, so should we faithfully work for our Master – not bragging on what we have accomplished but always remembering who the glory belongs to and always ready to serve as He leads and directs us, laying aside our own needs, placing God first. Then we can have clear minds knowing we’ve done all that we are supposed to do. As we obey, God remains true to His Word and true to His people therefore increasing our faith so that mightier things may be displayed through us as He leads!
It is possible the disciples, unknowingly, had selfish reasons behind asking for an increase in faith, we simply don’t know but the one thing that is clear is that Jesus knows our hearts and many times He challenges our understanding and ultimately grows us beyond places we are able to reach on our own. First, He wants His followers to see it is not the volume of faith that you have but the quality. In that I mean we don’t have to work anything up to this grand level in order for something big to happen but instead, as a child, we simply believe without doubting. It is hard to wrap your mind around but when you are in tune with the Spirit of God through prayer and supplication and in such time you sense His leading a simple faith in your Father’s goodness is all that is needed to see unbelievable things take place! Secondly, when these things happen, as the worker in the field faithfully works for his master, so should we faithfully work for our Master – not bragging on what we have accomplished but always remembering who the glory belongs to and always ready to serve as He leads and directs us, laying aside our own needs, placing God first. Then we can have clear minds knowing we’ve done all that we are supposed to do. As we obey, God remains true to His Word and true to His people therefore increasing our faith so that mightier things may be displayed through us as He leads!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Joy, God's Joy
Joy comes from knowing Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him! God has purposed for us to know Him well enough through the reading of His Word and prayer that we recognize the character of God, so that in every situation we are open to the Holy Spirit’s direction and leading. Yes, joy that comes from God is very important for it is not like happiness which is conditional upon circumstance but instead joy is everlasting and is a source of strength in times of difficulty; God’s joy gives life where there is no life and gives it abundantly so that He may be glorified in all things that come our way.
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