Mark 9:14-24 (New International Version)
The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit
14When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.
17A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
19"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered. 22"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Have you ever noticed the words believe and faith are almost exclusively New Testament terms. They occur almost 550 times and possibly constitute the single most frequent command or instruction in the New Testament. You might think, given it's prominence in scripture, it would be one of the most understood concepts in Christendom.
However, I think most of you will probably agree this is not case. In fact, my thoughts are Jesus knew how hard it was going to be. He knew we would have great difficulty relinquishing control and truly submitting ourselves to him through faith. He knew we would need constant lessons and instruction on living in faith and believing Him. He knew we would need His help. The story in Mark points it out beautifully, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
The Greek word for faith is pistis (noun) and believe is translated pistevo, which is a verb. The true translation of believe is far meatier than our simple translation gives credit. The word believe (Greek verb "pistevo"), means adheres to, trusts in, relies on, clings to. It truly is an action word.
As I am learning in my spiritual walk it is one thing to "believe in God" but truly another to "believe God". I think Jesus, in His many admonitions for us to "believe" and "have faith", was recognizing our human nature which makes it hard to turn the noun of faith loose allowing the verb of belief to rule our lives. We are going to need Him and His power to walk out belief and it is OK to ask for help in this area to admit we are weak. He wants us to ask Him to help us overcome our unbelief and He fully intends to give you the power to do it.
Take comfort in knowing, He understands our need for help. He gives us the reassurance of this in Ephesians 1:18-20:
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead."
The awesome truth is, God wields "incomparably great power" for those who choose to believe. If you have just a little faith He will amplify that in His mighty power to enable you move mountains (Matt 17:20; Matt 21:21). God gives us the same power He used to raise Jesus from the dead. With power like that, nothing is impossible!!
Take this lesson forward with you today. Ask God to use his word to overcome whatever stronghold is crippling your life and keeping you from living it to the fullest in Christ Jesus. Share this note with someone who might need a word of encouragement to overcome a stronghold in their life.
Next we will look at the freedom which comes from believing God (notice I didn't say "believing in").
Blessings all!!
"Father God, Your Word declares that we, Your people, are Your witnesses and Your servants whom You have chosen, that we may know and believe You and understand that You are He. Before You no god was formed, nor will there be one after You (Isaiah 43:10). You have chosen me, God, for the express purpose of knowing and believing You. I can't really begin to know You until I choose to believe You! Make me a person of belief, Lord." (prayer taken from Beth Moore's Praying God's Word)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
"It is all in your head"
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (New International Version)
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Have you ever known anyone to have irrational fears about something? A child who thinks the boogyman is going to get them. Have you ever heard someone say to them, or perhaps you said it or have had it said to you "It is all in your head"? Oh, how right they were!!
As I continue to struggle with the stronghold of worry and anxiety in my life, God has led me to this next lesson in my journey. The things that make me worry and anxious are all in my head. More literally, it is the devil trying to keep me from the peace of knowing I can do everything through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
The primary battlefied of our faith is in our mind. However, we must remember, when we are born again in Christ Jesus, our transformation comes with a renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23). Paul knew if our thoughts were left unchecked, they would cause all kinds of problems. We all know what happens when we are left to dwell on something too long. We can think of the worst kind of things. The devil takes every opportunity to use our thoughts against us. We must understand this fully, and use the weapons of God's word and our prayers to constantly gaurd our hearts and mind (Philippians 4:7).
In fact, the ONLY way we can overcome these feelings is to put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18). Take note that all of the armour is defensive EXCEPT the sword, which is the Word of God. Right after Paul notes the sword being the word, he says we are to pray. In fact, the offense we need to regularly mount against the power of the devil's invasion of our mind is power of God's word and prayer.
By searching for answers to questions of our mind in the Word of God, we know we will never be led astray. In fact, Jesus gave us the ultimate example of overcoming the devil with the word in Matthew chapter 4. In knowing that, think how effective it would be in our battle to overcome our strongholds by praying God's word. (I highly recommend Beth Moore's book, "Praying God's Word")
Finally, consider Paul's words "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8). Every time you feel your mind being pulled by the devil into negative thoughts, immediately think of all the awesome things God has graced your life with. Start counting your blessings right then and there and the devil will flee. It takes some effort to form the habit of taking your thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ. However, with the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible. And consider the reward, a peace that surpasses all understanding.
So, you see, it really is all in your mind!!
"Lord, thank You for showing me how to win the battle for my thoughts. Thank You for providing Your word and for allowing me a personal relationship with You so I can bring everything to You in prayer and bring my thoughts captive and obedient to Christ. Help me to seek out Your word as a weapon against the negative thoughts which invade my mind. With Your word in my heart and on my lips, I can overcome anything. In Jesus Name, Amen."
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Have you ever known anyone to have irrational fears about something? A child who thinks the boogyman is going to get them. Have you ever heard someone say to them, or perhaps you said it or have had it said to you "It is all in your head"? Oh, how right they were!!
As I continue to struggle with the stronghold of worry and anxiety in my life, God has led me to this next lesson in my journey. The things that make me worry and anxious are all in my head. More literally, it is the devil trying to keep me from the peace of knowing I can do everything through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
The primary battlefied of our faith is in our mind. However, we must remember, when we are born again in Christ Jesus, our transformation comes with a renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23). Paul knew if our thoughts were left unchecked, they would cause all kinds of problems. We all know what happens when we are left to dwell on something too long. We can think of the worst kind of things. The devil takes every opportunity to use our thoughts against us. We must understand this fully, and use the weapons of God's word and our prayers to constantly gaurd our hearts and mind (Philippians 4:7).
In fact, the ONLY way we can overcome these feelings is to put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18). Take note that all of the armour is defensive EXCEPT the sword, which is the Word of God. Right after Paul notes the sword being the word, he says we are to pray. In fact, the offense we need to regularly mount against the power of the devil's invasion of our mind is power of God's word and prayer.
By searching for answers to questions of our mind in the Word of God, we know we will never be led astray. In fact, Jesus gave us the ultimate example of overcoming the devil with the word in Matthew chapter 4. In knowing that, think how effective it would be in our battle to overcome our strongholds by praying God's word. (I highly recommend Beth Moore's book, "Praying God's Word")
Finally, consider Paul's words "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8). Every time you feel your mind being pulled by the devil into negative thoughts, immediately think of all the awesome things God has graced your life with. Start counting your blessings right then and there and the devil will flee. It takes some effort to form the habit of taking your thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ. However, with the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible. And consider the reward, a peace that surpasses all understanding.
So, you see, it really is all in your mind!!
"Lord, thank You for showing me how to win the battle for my thoughts. Thank You for providing Your word and for allowing me a personal relationship with You so I can bring everything to You in prayer and bring my thoughts captive and obedient to Christ. Help me to seek out Your word as a weapon against the negative thoughts which invade my mind. With Your word in my heart and on my lips, I can overcome anything. In Jesus Name, Amen."
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Let Us Fix Our Eyes on Jesus
“ 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12-2-3
I will tell you, Hebrews 12:2 is a verse I recall often. In my efforts to overcome the feelings of this world, I often find my self quoting this verse in my head, a circling of the horses so to speak.
These last few weeks have been rough. I have been enduring some trial I would rather not have to face. Struggling to stay focused on God, to draw close to him for strength, I have been unable to release the worry and the feelings of anxiety. To be frank, I have felt like He wasn’t there. I kept looking at my circumstance trying to figure out quickly what it was He was trying to get me to understand, so it could stop!
Then, as I was studying my Pastor’s sermon notes on Sunday evening, I was reviewing 2 Corinthians 4, specifically the last paragraph. Just then my heavenly epiphany came in a seemingly random question from my husband. As I answered him using Hebrews 12:2 as an example, I stopped in my tracks. All of a sudden, I understood the lesson God was trying to get me to understand.
I know for certain God used my husband’s question to make me stop and look at what I was reading in relation to the verse I use so often to cope with the struggles of life. He brought all the things I had been reading the past few weeks together in one moment of clarity and there was no doubt it was Him doing it.
So, what was the big break through?
Let me try to relate what finally came to my understanding in an analogy we are all familiar with. Most of us have experienced the joy of a babies first steps. If you haven’t yet, I am sure you have seen it. One parent holding the baby in a standing position, the other a few feet away urging the child on, “come on, come to me, you can do it, come on”.
In that moment, what is the baby doing? The baby is solely focused on the person in front of him or her. He is smiling and looking at the person who loves him waiting to wrap him in there arms with hugs and kisses. He isn’t looking down at the path his feet are going to take. He just wants to get to the smiling, loving face of his Mom or Dad whom he trusts.
That is exactly what God was trying to get me to understand. Fixing our eyes on Jesus should allow us NOT TO LOOK DOWN. I was looking at my path, trying to figure out the right and wrong steps and stumbling all over the rocky path. My focus wasn’t truly on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, I was worried about the path. Jesus didn’t focus on the pain he was going to endure. His focus was on the end result, the will if the Father. He endured his rocky path joyfully focusing only on the end, His Father. He knew his short scary walk would lead to His rightful seat next to His loving, faithful Father.
As I type it out now, it seems so obvious but I was missing it. God had to remind me NOT to look at the path, to show me exactly what he meant when he instructed Paul to write “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus”. We are to trust Him fully and He will make all our paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). In my moment of Godly clarity, I looked back down at the passage I was studying before the fateful question which prompted my answer from Hebrews 12. I read the following:
“16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Wow, when God wants me to get a point, he really drives it home. Of course, He knows how hard headed I am! So, today, I am living with my eyes looking ahead to Jesus, not at the troubles on my path. I am trusting on the seen, knowing God will take care of the rest. Whatever “light affliction” I might encounter will only be temporary, so I wont lose heart or my focus. What an awesome promise from a faithful God.
“Lord, I thank you for loving me so much to teach me the lessons I need to learn in Your word. You are a loving, faithful, perfect parent who will never let me fall. Help me to always remember to focus on You and not the rocky path I might be on. Help me to endure ALL with the joy of knowing my eyes are always on You and Your promise of our eternal reward. In Jesus name, Amen.”
I will tell you, Hebrews 12:2 is a verse I recall often. In my efforts to overcome the feelings of this world, I often find my self quoting this verse in my head, a circling of the horses so to speak.
These last few weeks have been rough. I have been enduring some trial I would rather not have to face. Struggling to stay focused on God, to draw close to him for strength, I have been unable to release the worry and the feelings of anxiety. To be frank, I have felt like He wasn’t there. I kept looking at my circumstance trying to figure out quickly what it was He was trying to get me to understand, so it could stop!
Then, as I was studying my Pastor’s sermon notes on Sunday evening, I was reviewing 2 Corinthians 4, specifically the last paragraph. Just then my heavenly epiphany came in a seemingly random question from my husband. As I answered him using Hebrews 12:2 as an example, I stopped in my tracks. All of a sudden, I understood the lesson God was trying to get me to understand.
I know for certain God used my husband’s question to make me stop and look at what I was reading in relation to the verse I use so often to cope with the struggles of life. He brought all the things I had been reading the past few weeks together in one moment of clarity and there was no doubt it was Him doing it.
So, what was the big break through?
Let me try to relate what finally came to my understanding in an analogy we are all familiar with. Most of us have experienced the joy of a babies first steps. If you haven’t yet, I am sure you have seen it. One parent holding the baby in a standing position, the other a few feet away urging the child on, “come on, come to me, you can do it, come on”.
In that moment, what is the baby doing? The baby is solely focused on the person in front of him or her. He is smiling and looking at the person who loves him waiting to wrap him in there arms with hugs and kisses. He isn’t looking down at the path his feet are going to take. He just wants to get to the smiling, loving face of his Mom or Dad whom he trusts.
That is exactly what God was trying to get me to understand. Fixing our eyes on Jesus should allow us NOT TO LOOK DOWN. I was looking at my path, trying to figure out the right and wrong steps and stumbling all over the rocky path. My focus wasn’t truly on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, I was worried about the path. Jesus didn’t focus on the pain he was going to endure. His focus was on the end result, the will if the Father. He endured his rocky path joyfully focusing only on the end, His Father. He knew his short scary walk would lead to His rightful seat next to His loving, faithful Father.
As I type it out now, it seems so obvious but I was missing it. God had to remind me NOT to look at the path, to show me exactly what he meant when he instructed Paul to write “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus”. We are to trust Him fully and He will make all our paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). In my moment of Godly clarity, I looked back down at the passage I was studying before the fateful question which prompted my answer from Hebrews 12. I read the following:
“16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Wow, when God wants me to get a point, he really drives it home. Of course, He knows how hard headed I am! So, today, I am living with my eyes looking ahead to Jesus, not at the troubles on my path. I am trusting on the seen, knowing God will take care of the rest. Whatever “light affliction” I might encounter will only be temporary, so I wont lose heart or my focus. What an awesome promise from a faithful God.
“Lord, I thank you for loving me so much to teach me the lessons I need to learn in Your word. You are a loving, faithful, perfect parent who will never let me fall. Help me to always remember to focus on You and not the rocky path I might be on. Help me to endure ALL with the joy of knowing my eyes are always on You and Your promise of our eternal reward. In Jesus name, Amen.”
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