February 14, 2017
A man, desparate for help for his seriously ill son, implored, "if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" (Mark 9.22)
His desperate plea was more last resort that resolute faith. Challenging his plea, Jesus replied, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9.23) The One before this man was well able to accomplish this miracle. If anything was lacking, it was faith on this man's part; to which he famously replied, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9.24) In essence, "I have an imperfect faith, but I have faith nevertheless. Lead my faith to be true faith indeed."
Faith opens up new vistas and possibilities. To begin to see with faith, even imperfect faith, is to launch into exciting new frontiers, as Hebrews 11 vividly recounts.
While faith is the realm of possibilities, the burden of lingering illnesses and injuries does not fall on individual or collective lack of faith. Faith must exist for miracles and hearings to occur, but other circumstances sometimes override the faith factor. This side of the kingdom, mortality still reigns. Some sicknesses result in death; ultimate healing comes through resurrection. Grace is sufficient ... power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12.9); God's glory is sometimes displayed through illness and injury instead of through the absence of such. But, there is not the slightest possibility of the miraculous, for His glory, in the absence of faith. Faith does not guarantee the miraculous, but rather sets the playing field where such things can occur.
Without faith, we cannot ever hope to please our Father (Hebrews 11.6). With faith, we become bold explorers and pioneers, venturing into new territory bristling with possibility. That's the adventure I hope we are eager for today - and every day.
Steve
His desperate plea was more last resort that resolute faith. Challenging his plea, Jesus replied, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9.23) The One before this man was well able to accomplish this miracle. If anything was lacking, it was faith on this man's part; to which he famously replied, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9.24) In essence, "I have an imperfect faith, but I have faith nevertheless. Lead my faith to be true faith indeed."
Faith opens up new vistas and possibilities. To begin to see with faith, even imperfect faith, is to launch into exciting new frontiers, as Hebrews 11 vividly recounts.
While faith is the realm of possibilities, the burden of lingering illnesses and injuries does not fall on individual or collective lack of faith. Faith must exist for miracles and hearings to occur, but other circumstances sometimes override the faith factor. This side of the kingdom, mortality still reigns. Some sicknesses result in death; ultimate healing comes through resurrection. Grace is sufficient ... power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12.9); God's glory is sometimes displayed through illness and injury instead of through the absence of such. But, there is not the slightest possibility of the miraculous, for His glory, in the absence of faith. Faith does not guarantee the miraculous, but rather sets the playing field where such things can occur.
Without faith, we cannot ever hope to please our Father (Hebrews 11.6). With faith, we become bold explorers and pioneers, venturing into new territory bristling with possibility. That's the adventure I hope we are eager for today - and every day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:22 AM
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