Let’s imagine the scene taking place in Mark 9. In our scene the characters are Jesus, a desperate father, a boy, a nasty, evil demon, and the bewildered disciples – and of course there’s a crowd. The boy was possessed by a demon and had been for many years. This demon was so evil that its intent was to destroy the boy. The father was at his wits end and brought the boy to Jesus as a last resort for any kind of help. He encountered Jesus’ disciples and they attempted to get rid of the demon, but they were not able to. In light of the disciples in ability to get rid of the demon, it’s not inappropriate for the father to say to Jesus, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” However, the issue is not Jesus’ ability to help, but the father’s faith. Jesus says to the father, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” The father expresses both faith and unbelief at the same time. He says, “Lord I believe.” But then his very next sentence is, “Help my unbelief.”
The Bible doesn’t tell us that the father had heard or seen all the miracles that Jesus had been doing. But we can assume that news like that travels – and fast. Even if he hadn’t witnessed Jesus doing miracles, he probably had heard the stories. He could have even seen some of the blind who could now see or the terminally ill now healed. Some of those that Jesus had healed probably resided in the same village as this father and his son. And the son whom he loves has a problem – and a big one. The father describes the demon as a “mute spirit” that seizes the boy, throws him down and the boy foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. Jesus tells the father to bring the boy to him. As soon as he sees Jesus, the boy convulsed, fell to the ground and began foaming at the mouth. Jesus asks the father how long this had been going on. The father tells him, “from childhood.” He goes on to say that this demon has thrown the boy in the fire and water trying to destroy him. Perhaps this is what happened that caused the father to bring the boy to Jesus at this moment in time. The hopeless father appeals to the compassion of the very person who can do something about his problem.
Too often we are just like this father. We don’t come to Jesus with our problem until Jesus is our last ditch effort. How would our problems be different if we started with bringing them to Jesus rather than making him our “last resort”?
We also can struggle with both faith and unbelief at the same time. We believe that God can bring healing or meet our financial need. We believe that he can repair broken relationships and bring the prodigal child back home. We can believe that God will work everything out for our good. But do we have the faith that was seen in Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego who believed that God would save them from the fiery furnace? They had such faith that God would deliver them that they told Nebuchadnezzar, “We serve a God who is able to deliver us, but even if he does not, we will not worship other gods who are false!” (Daniel 3:16-18)
Often times, we see that people “claim” this verse as their promise from God and then expect God to give them whatever they ask for. But God isn’t a “name it and claim it” God. He’s a loving father who only gives good gifts to His children. It doesn’t matter how much I might want Porsche, if God feels that car is not in my best interest He will not give it to me – no matter how much faith I have or how long I pray.
The simple truth is God can do anything. I mean He spoke our universe into existence so He really can do anything. He is able. However, he only does things according to His plan, His purpose, and His will. But when we are seeking His will and living according to His will then our wants will align with God’s wants and we can have the faith that God will do exactly we need Him to do. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said, “if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” A mustard seed is very tiny, but even with just that much faith, Jesus said nothing is impossible.
If Jesus had up a faith meter against you, how much faith would the better say you have? If it would register a little low, we can cry out just like the boy’s father and say, “Help my unbelief!”
#mustardseedfaith #allthingsarepossible #justbelieve
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
1 Chronicles 28:9
Know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him.
Meditate and apply:
Will you commit to praying with us in 2020 that God will revive His people, renew our faith, and redeem our land? We feel such an urgency and desperation for revival. If God is moving your heart for revival, write your revival prayer in the comments along with your state or country.
#knowGod #headknowledge #heartknowledge #revivalinAmerica #revivalin2020 #WCM
This week’s featured design is taken from Matthew 17:20. A mustard seed is tiny; yet that is all the faith it takes to move mountains. Don’t be afraid to use your faith.
You’ll find this week’s design in two formats: a floral and a “mustard label.” Available in tees for men, women, kids, mugs, bags, and other products. The design is also available in white print or black. Check them out in the Spreadshirt shop.
Thank you for helping us grow!
Click here to view the Teespring store.
Click here to view the Spreadshop Store
#mustardseed #faith #notafraidtouseit #teespring #spreadshop
BOOKING NOW! Be a host site for the NEW God, Love & Marshmallow Wars Book Tour & Couples Conference:
This event helps couples understand why the daily activities found in the book will equip them to build a stronger marriage and the book provides them with 365 intentional activities to take what they learn at the event and apply it on a daily basis. Through the event, couples will discover the Biblical “why” behind the categories of activities found in the book and the “how” these activities are important to building a stronger marriage. Focus points of the event includes :
- How memorizing scripture together and studying God’s Word together as they study, meditate and apply scriptures related to marriage and life issues will help them develop marriages that honor God.
- Why utilizing fun conversation starters that spark meaningful conversations will keep interest alive as they continually learn new things about each other.
- Why keeping romance alive is essential to intimacy and connectivity.
- How making memories and working together builds relationship investment bonds and how these investment bonds can become the knots that keeps them together through the tough times.
- How they can understand what they are or are not contributing to the marriage as well as how they might be contributing to problems or potential problems within the relationship through the use of targeted, intentional personal reflections
- Why it is important that couples never stop dating and how group dates with Christian friends can be both an encouragement and accountability to their own relationship.
During the event, couples will be given an activity from each focus point to do together, making this event an interactive, fun, and engaging event with practical, hands-on learning. Unlike other couple events that are over when the event ends, couples who attend the GLMW event will be able to apply what they learn when utilizing the book on a daily basis for a year. Since the book is not dated, couples are able to reuse the activities year after year to continue being intentional in strengthening their relationship with each other and with God as they strive to live out God’s design for marriage every day.
Learn more about hosting this event at your church or conference site by clicking here.
About the book: The GLMW book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble
#GLMW #couplesevent #GLMWbook #intentionalmarriage #Godlymarriage
Looking for a keynote speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events.
Book with us now.
Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants. Today, Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.
With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities, regardless of size.
To request more information or a booking,
fill out the online form here.
Or call us at 904.524.8073
#JuliaBruce #speaker #keynote #author
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Faithful, Abundant, True – Member Book: Three Lives Going Deeper Still
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Pursuing A Deeper Faith-Life Principles Study Series Vol 19
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Everything is Possible Study Guide: Understanding the Six Phases of Faith
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Mustard Seed Pendant
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Mustard Seed Stone
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Benefits:
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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage
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