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Posts Tagged ‘belief’

Luke 17:5-6
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you….”

We live in a “give me more” culture. We don’t seem happy with meeting our needs, but want more. So, now it’s normal for most houses to have at least 1 1/2 baths… if not two or even three. Most of us in the U.S. have more than one car in the family, and even three isn’t considered over the top. Each child must have his/her own car, ipod, cell phone, etc. Most homes have more than one television. Women have more than 50 pairs of shoes and sometimes, handbags. Often, there are two wage earners, and still it is not enough. We live just outside our income so that debt becomes the norm. When will it be enough?

In my work, we are always looking for more customers, more programs, more books. In my church, we are looking for more people to sit in the sanctuary, more ministries, more space, and more activities.

The disciples also asked for more. They asked for more faith. But Jesus chides them, saying if the faith they already had was just as a big as a mustard seed, it would be enough. It would move mountains. This is no different from the rest of our lives. If we cherished and nurtured the little things we had, we would discover how bountiful our lives really are … or could be.

Help me see and appreciate the mustard seeds in my life.

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John 8:25
“Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been claiming all along,” Jesus replied.

Just what does it take to be convinced of something? I mean, at what point, do we have that “aha” moment?

Many people of Jesus’s time never did “get it.” Why? He told them over and over who He was. He performed miracles. He spoke with authority. He was knowledgeable. He was kind. He was inclusive. He was loving. What was the stumbling block?

And today, if Jesus were to appear in our modern age, what would it take for people to believe? If he did miracles, everyone would focus on debunking them. If he spoke with authority, he would be questioned about his curriculum vitae. If he said he was God, he would be analyzed by a psychiatrist. If he had a television show, he would be critiqued. And, God forbid, what if wasn’t good-looking as politicians and entertainers have learned. Would he need a jingle or a mission statement? Would he need an agent? And what race would be acceptable to the world? Perhaps He would blog first and build a virtual following before He revealed himself?

Belief is a funny thing. It’s not always based on proof. In fact, the primary dimension of belief has nothing at all to do with what is logic or reasonable. Belief happens within. And if a person is cut off from his or her interior self, belief is not possible.

So far, the book of John is all about becoming convinced. “Is he really who he said he was.”

When I became convinced, it was 1979, and although I had lived a very “worldly” life that included lots of drugs, alcohol, sex, and self-absorption, his words reached through the fog and inside I knew. I just knew there was truth and I wanted it.

“… he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” [John 8:23-24]

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John 6:19
When they [the disciples] had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.

Here are a few questions about this passage:

  1. Why did the disciples leave without Jesus? Did he tell them to leave?
  2. Why did Jesus walk to them on the water? Was it just more convenient or was he showing them a truth?
  3. Did they think He had abandoned them?
  4. Whose idea was it?
  5. Why were they afraid?

So far, in all six of the early chapters in the book of John, Jesus was telling the crowds AND the disciples who he was. He was establishing his authority.

He is still doing the same thing with us, but we don’t recognize Him. I am listening to a light fantasy book for young people and one of the characters says that “humans” can’t see through the mist. They see what they want to see.

Look, Jesus is walking on the water today!

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Matthew 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I think I’ve put too much emphasis on the last part of this sentence (“…and it will be yours”) and not enough on the middle “…believe that you have received it.” Now, I’m not an advocate for that 70’s “blab it and grab it” kind of faith, but I do think there’s a mindset that spawns trust. If I’m going to pray for/about something, do I or don’t I believe God is listening. Is God sovereign? Is God faithful? The answer is yes. So, why do I keep asking. Sometimes, it feels like there is a fine line between persistence and distrust.

The truth is probably closer to our disapproval of God’s answers. God doesn’t have a problem saying “no.” We have a problem with hearing it.

I think “believing what I ask for” includes believing that He is answering.

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It is much easier to build/sustain my faith because I know… this I believe:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

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