Help the part of me that doesn’t believe!

Mark 9: ²¹ Jesus 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 one who believes.”

 ²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

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Being raised in a family who believed in GOD enabled me to understand who HE was at an early age. I was privileged to have parents who read and understood the Bible and who taught me to do the same. But my teenage years hit and I questioned the validity of what they taught me and of their belief.

Life happened and troubles flared. There was a part of me that disowned GOD until I was on my own facing the largest trials of my life at that time. Upon returning to GOD I asked for help, but I had disowned HIM.  I mean I didn’t believe HE would forgive me and I didn’t feel like I deserved to be listened to.

• I believe GOD created the world and everything in it but sometimes I question how.
• I believe GOD became a human to fulfill HIS decree but sometimes I ask why.
• I believe GOD allows me to sin yet HE remains sinless and gives me pure love but sometimes I turn my back on HIS forgiveness.

Humans cannot and will not understand who and what GOD is. HE revealed a little of HIMSELF by giving me the Bible but this is only a glimpse of HIS true and marvelous power.  HE is all knowing, all seeing and is everywhere and has all power. Part of me believes that, yet I try to steer my destiny.

I do believe everything is possible to those who believe. I have seen some marvelous things in my own life that can only be attributed to GOD. My only prayer is “LORD help the part of me that doesn’t believe so I can stop trying to steer my own life so much!”

• Are you trying to do things GOD is supposed to be doing?
• Will you allow HIM to fix what is broken in you?
• Can you ask HIM to help the part of you that doesn’t believe?

Ashamed of GOD?

Mark 8: ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

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Our missions trip was scheduled and we were getting packed to go to a different country this time. I went to work to verify my vacation time and my boss at that time asked me “what are you going to do on your vacation?”

My mind quickly went into defense mode. I thought of all sorts of statements that would satisfy his curiosity without letting on that I am a follower of CHRIST who wants to preach the gospel. “We are going to teach English” I blurted out. This was no lie but that wasn’t the primary reason for the trip. Why was I so ashamed?

• At times I don’t want to be embarrassed so I hide my light for CHRIST.
• There are times when I feel like business is business and my CHRIST life is separate.
• Many times I have worn my title as a businessman on my sleeve but when it came to my CHRIST life I tried to hide.

It’s amazing how many times I have thought about telling someone about CHRIST or even that I am HIS follower but didn’t because I was too embarrassed. I mean I don’t want to be viewed as some sort of weirdo otherwise I might not get that promotion.

I stripped all service related items from my resume and tried to look as generic as I could to the world. Business is business right?

• GOD does not like when I act ashamed of HIM.
• HE desires that I act different than those who do not follow HIM.
• GOD wants my business life to point to HIM as well.

Everything I do should point to GOD.  I should never be ashamed of talking about HIM or living for HIM.  HE is the reason for my existence and I should never forget that. My soul should never be exchanged for my pride.

• Are you trying to hide your relationship with CHRIST from “that” group of people?
• Why do you feel ashamed sometimes and not ashamed other times?
• Can you be bold for CHRIST today?

Fitting “in” can get me thrown “out.”

Mark 7: ²⁰ He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. ²¹ For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, ²² adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. ²³ All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

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A few of us guys were standing around the bar after the long hard day of following meticulous detail ensuring everything was done right at the convention. As the drinks poured the conversations became more and more interesting.

Wanting to fit in, I joined in on the laughter even though drinking was not my thing. The cruder my jokes the more I fit in. Soon I was considered one of the crowd but I think I discussed everything on this list, with the exception of murder.

• My heart has some terrible behaviors in it.
• My heart fights against GOD daily.
• My heart can get hard when I practice “evil thoughts.”

It’s true that misery loves company. More and more, people want to do their own thing and it seems like morals are a thing of the past. You will find it hard pressed to watch a movie or television show that doesn’t mention or glorify at least four things on the list in this passage.

Desiring to “fit in” I absorb the words and actions like a sponge. GOD listens to every word I say and every action I take.  HE sees my heart and knows exactly what I’m thinking. HE knows my pitiful efforts to balance the bad with a little good but HE wants me to think differently.

• If I put my mind on GOD on purpose then I will reduce my sinful thoughts.
• If I put my mind on GOD on purpose then my words will change from evil to graceful.
• If I put my mind on GOD on purpose then maybe, just maybe my heart will soften enough to be used by GOD for HIS purpose.

“Fitting in” isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be especially when I have to fit into this list. I could gain a world of friends and lose my true GODLY value. GOD knows the evil lurking in my heart and applauds when I follow HIS ways in spite of what the crowd thinks.

• Are you trying to fit in to the crowd?
• Is the crowd doing anything on this list?
• Are you doing or have you done anything on this list?
• Do you believe JESUS died to remove every sin listed in this passage?
• Can you celebrate what HE has done for you?

You are welcome here.

Mark 6: ¹¹ And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

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Many times I have felt unwelcome in a place. The group would not ask any questions about me or talk to me or have conversations with me. Even if they would include me, it felt like I was on the periphery rather being inside.

I don’t know if it were cultural differences or if it were something I was saying or not saying, but the result was the same, I wasn’t supposed to be there.

• GOD wants me to tell people about HIS SON through my experiences.
• GOD wants me to share HIS wisdom through my circumstances.
• GOD wants me to embrace people who HE sends to me.

I cannot reach every person, nor was I designed to. Quite honestly, there are places that do not want to hear what I have to say.  At one point I used to lose sleep trying to steer cold hearts to CHRIST thinking it was me who was doing the saving.

• If my approach is humble, generous, warm and loving yet not accepted, then it’s time to go.
• If my approach is sincere, gracious and merciful yet not accepted, then it’s time to go.
• If my approach is prayerful, kind, patient and GODLY yet not accepted, then it’s time to go.

I noticed one thing about this passage. The people were “sent” out, not sitting and listening. When GOD sends me out to tell people about HIS SON and it they will not listen then I need to prayerfully leave and take my message to those who are willing to be drawn to HIM.

Notice I said “prayerfully” because I believe it takes discernment, wisdom and patience to understand know when to leave. This isn’t a call to give up on “that” person GOD has in your life, rather if I am sent and not listened to, then I can move on.

• Have you accepted GOD’s calling to “go” and teach others about HIS great news?
• Have you run into a group of very stubborn people who you know in your heart will not listen?
• Are the people you are serving draining you spiritually?
• Is it time to listen to GOD and move on?

JESUS is still supernatural!

Mark 5: ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

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Growing up in a large city in modern times has made me cynical towards GOD. I have dentist, doctors and medication available to me to make me feel better.  If one of my vital organs stops working I can just go to the supermarket and have the cashier put in a new one. Okay, I know it’s not that simple but you get the picture.

I hear the questions “Is GOD real” or “Does HE still perform miracles” or “Did HE really do all the miracles stated in the Bible?” My answer is a resounding YES!

• Just because I didn’t see GOD do the miracle doesn’t mean it never happened.
• Just because I didn’t witness JESUS’ resurrection doesn’t mean it isn’t significant.
• Just because I don’t understand how and why JESUS makes things out of nothing doesn’t mean HE can’t.

GOD sometimes seems quite random to me when I look at HIM through my sinful eyes. HE heals some and lets others die. Some people get rich while others struggle. Isn’t there a way to control GOD with my prayer to make HIM less random?

• GOD is the most high and does not bow to humans.
• HE is supreme in HIS decisions because all HIS decisions are based on pure, sinless love.
• GOD has a perfect and pure plan that redeems any human who believes in HIS SON.

Trouble will happen while we live on this earth. I will get emotionally and physically hurt someday I will even die. BUT GOD has given me eternal life and healed my soul of the eternal disease called sin. I have seen GOD do supernatural things. That doesn’t make me special, it makes HIM special.

• Do you believe GOD can heal you or “that” person?
• Even if HE doesn’t is HE still GOD to you?
• Can you grow in your excitement toward the most HIGH GOD?

Faith to move forward

Mark 4: ³⁰ Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

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Great Bible heroes actually made me sad when I was younger. Stories taken out of context always painted these people as super great. It seemed like these supernatural things would never happen to me or I would never witness some of the great things GOD has done to get our attention.

One day we went out in a tough neighborhood explaining who CHRIST was to anyone who would hear it. I met a young man who told me he did some terrible things and wanted to be forgiven. GOD’s words were all I needed saying “JESUS forgives any and all of his sins.”

The young man believed and accepted the fact that he did not deserve CHRIST to save him but GOD did it anyway. The young man was now saved from eternal separation from GOD. Two weeks later I went to check on him and found out he had been killed.

• I sometimes put false expectations on GOD.
• I sometimes expect GOD to send fire from heaven when I command it which would serve no purpose than drawing attention to me.
• I sometimes pout and threaten to not serve GOD when I don’t get my way when I pray for something.

Faith is a very strange thing to have. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In other words I must depend on the fact that GOD knows what is best and my tiny acts of faith will produce a mountain of fruit.

• When things are falling apart, the tiniest bit of faith moves GOD to produce fruit through me.
• When things are tough and everything is going wrong, the tiniest bit of faith enables GOD to turn my pain into joy.
• When things are not as they should be, the tiniest bit of faith allows me to see GOD has a better plan for my life.

No matter what the circumstance, whether the loss of a family member, job or relationship, GOD is there to help me because of the tiny faith I have in HIM.

• Do you have the tiniest faith to continue to move forward?
• Will you use your tiny faith to help someone today?
• Can you believe that GOD will never leave you and HIS plan only needs a tiny bit of faith?

In loving memory of Uncle Vernon.

Who is my family?

Mark 3: ³⁴ Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

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Arguments ensued as the discussion over my grandmother’s house was the topic. Several uncles and aunts were ready to disown family members, especially those who stepped up and paid for the property. I was caught in the crossfire and I fully understood this passage of scripture.

• Once I accepted CHRIST I joined a new family.
• Once I believed I needed to be rescued by JESUS I joined a new family.
• Once I acknowledged JESUS as GOD who died for my sins I joined a new family.

Over the years I have heard about mothers trying to kill their kids, fathers walking out on families, brothers attacking each other sisters hurling insults at each other. If the hate runs that deep then they aren’t family. 

Personally I have hundreds of sons and daughters who are not my flesh and blood relatives rather they are my relatives through JESUS who unites us. I have several earthly mothers and fathers but we all have one HEAVENLY FATHER.

• Those whom I serve or who serve me are my family.
• Those who sincerely call on the name of the LORD are my family.
• Those admit they are sinners rather than those who pretend to be perfect are my family.

I have family members I have met from all over the world in various races and denominations of worshipping GOD. This is a great family!

• Are you feeling left out of your family?
• Do you need to be accepted?
• Have you tried JESUS and HIS family?
• Are there some in the church who do not act like your family?
• Are you acting like a family member of GOD or are you starting or causing problems?