Friday Word
Category Archives: Devotion
Friday Word
Once Again Have Faith
As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daugther has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him.
Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.
After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region. When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed. But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.” (Matthew 9:18-34, NLT)
3 miracles Jesus did in 1 day! Amazing and encouraging at the same time knowing that our God is the God who is able to do the impossible. Jesus acts upon the faith of someone who believes in Him.
Those miracles happened because there was faith, the active faith. The woman, the official and the 2 blind men were acting out of their faith because the believe what God could do the impossible for them. It was because they trust in the works Jesus had done among the people in the past showing that He came from God. He is God. It was because they were longing for the Messiah, the Promised One from God.
But those who do not believe, won’t ever see the miracle, the works of Jesus in their life, just like the Pharisees.
So who are we? Are we the believers who have the faith in Jesus who is sent by God and God’s Son, given the power and authority to reign in the heaven and on earth, the Ruler and the King of kings? Or are we a group of people who claim knowing God but do not have the faith that pleases God?
Once again God reminds me of the important part of faith in my life that activate God’s power and the one that please His heart only. Once again He reminds me that his grace is enough and his desire to see His children to the the live He has planned for each of us. All so that the world will see His glory and He will be glorified among the nations.
Once again God show us His faithfulness endures forever.
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Friday Word
Have Faith
Soputan Mt., North Sulawesi, Indonesia (by Dave Gullett, 06:00 AM local time, 2008/08/16)
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:22-25 NLT)
This is Day 36 of 48 Days Seeking God, a Bible Reading Plan from YouVersion. I have been reading Scriptures on seeking God, prayer and faith. Today verse from Gospel of Mark gave me a different understanding. These questions got me to think the attitude of my heart when I come to God in prayer asking for miracles or whatever I need.
Jesus made some amazing statements about faith and prayer. Is there anything too difficult for God, the One who created everything? Why do so many Christians rarely experience the miraculous power of God? Could it be that we have too much unbelief? Does our lack of faith put limits on God? What mountains are in your life? Are you pleasing God by actively asking and believing in Him to bring about His glory in each situation?
When Jesus says, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours,” He really means it. But do I really believe it because of the situation we are in now? I am learning to trust in God. I am learning to lean on Him and His grace. I am learning to have faith in Him and His promises he gives to me. Every single moment, I am learning.
My husband often tells me this, “We don’t know what the future holds. So why worry so much?” That’s the point. We do not control the future, God does. We do not see the days to come, but God does. We are not perfect, but God is. His plan is way better then our plans. Honestly, I worry a lot. When I worry, I cannot think, much more pray. I need to have faith. MORE FAITH in God.
Today I ask God to give me (once more) the faith of moving the mountain. I pray that God will be glorified and pleased because of my faith in Him. I do not want to stop trusting him. And the same prayer I pray for you, too, today.