faith

Only Believe!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 14:24

During a recent snow storm our friend’s son told his dad that since God had sent the snow then he would just wait for God to take it away. In the morning I sent the father this short message, “Let your son know that I waited a few hours for God, but finally I had to shovel the snow myself!”
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Jesus cannot be hurried or pressed into doing our part. The father in Mark’s gospel story had done all he knew to do. He had asked everyone he could think of for help. Now at last he stood before Jesus and pleaded for help for his son. But Jesus was not concerned only about the problem that this man could see. Jesus was at work, beneath the surface. He tenderly pressed this dad till he touched on the core issue of his struggle. He was willing to sacrifice. He was willing to humbly ask for help. Could he now be brave enough to believe?

It seems almost hard-hearted of Jesus to push this person to his limit, but Jesus saw something within him that he didn’t even know he had. He had faith! Listen closely to his prayer, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” That is a prayer God always answers!

First we believe, and then He gladly helps us with our unbelief. Drawing out this father’s faith is the great miracle.  When the miracle of faith drawn out to action in our lives is accomplished there is nothing that God cannot do!

 

“All things are possible, only believe!” Mark 14:23b

 

Who Me?

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” Matthew 14:28-29a

The Osprey are a large fish-eating raptor which is not exactly either an eagle op1030165r a hawk. One thing that seems unique is their habit of building a large nest and then continuing to add to that nest year after year. They like to make their nest where they can see in every direction such as a dead tree or a utility pole. Sometimes the nest gets so heavy that it can cause the tree top to break and on utility poles they can cause a power outage.

Some of us Christians are a lot like our Osprey friends. We like our big safe nest and don’t venture out unless we are sure the coast is clear. The disciples were no exception. They peered out over the edge of the boat in terror as they saw the form of a man walking out on the waves that night. When Jesus called out for them to not be afraid they really weren’t convinced at all! But Peter came up with an idea that was totally crazy. He called out to the person on the waves, “If that is really you then tell me to come!” See Peter was no longer satisfied just peering over the edge of his nest. He was ready to go anywhere if Jesus called him to go. He may have said the wrong thing at times but his faith urged him to take a risk, to dare everything on the word of Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus calling you to step out of your boat today? We can stay in the nest of safety or we can walk on water to go to Jesus. The choice is yours and mine!

 

Flower of our Faith

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment 
"The force that through the green fuse drives the flower" Dylan Thomas

The force of the flower is to attract and draw 
the bee to participate the life together. 

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, 
cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give Matthew 10:8

A great question for us today might be, "Is my faith drawing or driving people away?"
When the bee gathers pollen to make honey and the flower is pollinated everyone is blessed. 
Who am I to bless today?

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