Continuation of "Help my Unbelief".....

I did a blog post a few weeks ago and called it
"Help My Unbelief".
If you click on the title, it will take you to the post. Well....this post today is sort of a continuation of that story. Like I said yesterday, sometimes God uses the same scripture in a short period of time to get my attention. He did the same thing with the story of the man who asked Jesus to heal his son. He knew that Jesus could do it....he believed that he could do it....but somewhere there was some doubt because here's what he said to Jesus:

Mark 9:24 (NLT)
The father instantly cried out,
"I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"

This thought came to me last week.....how many times do I pray a prayer, taking my petition to the Lord....then, raise my head and doubt that He will answer it?
Do any of you do that???
Am I alone in this???
I sure hope not!!
Do you understand what I'm saying?
I'll bow my head and pray, taking my burden for whatever it might be to the Lord....always say "if it be thy will"....and always end "in Jesus' name".....but, how many times do I raise my head back up and wonder how in the world God is going to be able to answer that prayer? Will it be in the way I want it answered? Will He give me what I asked for? How long will He take? When will I know?
I want to get to the point where I pray my prayer to the Lord and let it be as Mammie used to say, "that's that about that"! I've given it to Him. I believe that He wants what's best for me....and I believe that He will answer my prayer in His time, and in a way that, whether I see it at first, or not....is the best way!!
I never want to doubt God even one tiny bit.
I looked up the word "unbelief" on my favorite web-site:
www.biblegateway. com.
(If they ever start charging, I'm in heap-o-trouble!!!)
I found 16 results for the word unbelief, all found in the New Testament.
This one touched my heart:

Matthew 17:19-20 (KJV)
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them,
Because of your unbelief:
for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

If you look up this scripture in the New Living Translation, it says:

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them.

It saddens me to think that I could...would...ever be accused of not having enough faith.
But....if I don't pray believing...then, I don't!!
I hope anybody reading this can learn from my faults...my mistakes...my failures.
God has blessed me and Pappy so very much....way beyond I could have ever dreamed, or hoped.
My prayer is that He will "help my unbelief"....and strengthen my faith!!!

In His Love...and with mine!!!

Help my unbelief

*** Edited ***
I thought of something this morning before I got out of bed, that I hadn't realized before....unless I had forgotten, which could very well be because my thinker isn't what it used to be.
But.....
I was saved in January of 1966....which is also my birth month.
Isn't that amazing????
I was born twice in the month of January!!!

Mark 9:24 (NLT)
The father instantly cried out,
"I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"

To read this entire story click here

This story reminds me of me....
well, more of maybe how I used to be.
If I'm not wrong...because I don't have the exact date, which disappoints me....but I was saved in January of 1966....at the age of 11 years old....which was 43 years ago this month. I was a young, scared, 11 year old girl who had been struggling for quite some time....the "struggle" was actually being under conviction. One Sunday morning, and it's as clear today as it was then....Mr. Jess Connor, who was a deacon in our church...who is now in heaven...came to me and asked if I would like to be "saved". I'm not sure that I completely understood what he meant....but I knew my heart couldn't take the struggle any longer, so I gave it to Jesus.

So...I've been a Christian for a long time....which means I've "believed" in Jesus for many years.
But....I still have to ask Him to help my unbelief.
Does this make sense to you at all?
I've tried to explain before about when I quit my job, about 2.5 years ago. That was another struggle. I kept having this conversation with God about how in the world He expected us to make it on just one salary, and He kept directing me to what I've claimed as my signature scripture....Jeremiah 29:11. One day, I was on our back porch...asking Him once again "how"...and what kept going thru my mind was "a future and a hope". I've never been a quitter....well, I've never thought myself as one....and I knew that turning in my notice would be so difficult with my boss...and it was...and I knew that the people I worked for wouldn't understand...and they didn't (not sure they still do)...but, I obeyed. That was one of the most difficult things I've ever done...to just walk away from a very well paying job...to walk away from friendships...to walk away from what I thought was security...to relying on God for my entire security. I had to ask God...just like the father in the verse above did...I had to ask Him to help my unbelief....and still do at times. Since that time....things have not always been easy, financially, or in other ways...but I wouldn't trade this close walk with my Father for anything in the world. He turned my unbelief into being a true believer. We've faced a situation lately where I was a bit disappointed....but....the thought came to me that I will accept whatever is God's will. I truly want His will for my life...why wouldn't I??? Who else knows me as well as He does??? Who else wants what's best for me as much as He does??? Who else can work the miracles that I've seen Him do in my life, especially in the past 2.5 years???

As I'm typing this, tears are pouring down my face. Not really sad tears...but tears of submission....tears of giving it all to Him....He's so very much in control, and that's how I want it to be. Does this mean that I never make a wrong decision, or never make a mistake??? Please...I'm human, so yes, I mess up...daily!!! But....He sends His Holy Spirit to prompt me in my decision making.....to help me write this blog....to help me in trying to be a counsel to others....in just whatever it is that I'm facing.

Oh, how I love Jesus!!!!

In His Love...and with mine!!!

Weekly Recap #42 - (Part 2) Mark

Let's get right into the Book of Mark!!

Mark was also known as John Mark.

Words about John the Baptist....

Mark 1:3 

He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord's coming! Clear the road for Him"!

John the Baptist preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.  He ate locusts and wild honey.

 These were John's words....

Mark 1:8

I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"

This is sort of the verse that our church as adopted since we FINALLY got a new pastor!!  He describes our church as the "hook"....that we will cast out and create a ripple effect....and we will "fish" for people!!!

I LOVE IT!!!

Mark 1:17

Jesus called out to them, 

"Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people". 

Four friends brought their paralyzed friend on a mat to see Jesus, but couldn't bring him into the house because of the crowd.....so.....they cut a hole in the roof and lowered the man on his man right down in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus healed the man!!!

Jesus' own family thought He was crazy and only became His follower after His resurrection.

Mark 3:21

He's out of His mind!

This is what His family said of Him.

:(

Jesus was accused by the teachers of religious law to be possessed by Satan.

Mark 3:22

That's where He gets the power to cast out demons.

Remember we've already discussed parables several times.  I like this one because it reminds me of the song, "This Little Light of Mine"....

Mark 4:21

A lamp is placed on a stand where its light will shine.

Jesus cast evil spirits out of a man and sent them into a herd of about 2,000 pigs...and the pigs ran down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.

Mark 6:4

Then Jesus told them,

"A prophet is honored everywhere except in His own hometown and among his relatives and his own family."

Mark 6:6

And He was amazed at their unbelief.

Mark 7:15

"It's not what goes into your body that defiles you, you are defiled by what comes from your heart." 

Mark 7:21-22

For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

Mark 8:36-37

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark 9:23

"Anything is possible if a person believes."

Mark 9:24

I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the cold brought to Him by His disciples.  He cleared the Temple of those buying and selling animals for sacrifices.  The leading priests and teachers of religious law continued to plot how to kill Him...but they were afraid of Him because the people were so amazed at His teaching.*

(remember this statement!!!)

Mark 11:25

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

The Widow's Offering

Mark 12:44

For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on. 

Mark 13:22-23

For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.  

Watch out!

I have warned you about this ahead of time. 

Mark 13:32-33

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son himself.  

Only the Father knows.

And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard!  Stay alert!

Mark 13:36-37

Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.  I say to you what I say to everyone:  

Watch for Him!

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Jesus and His disciples observed The Lord's Supper.  

Jesus predicted Peter's betrayal.

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, an olive grove.  His disciples couldn't stay awake and pray with Him.  Judas came and betrayed Him with a kiss.  Peter pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's slave - but Jesus healed him.

Jesus was put on trial before the Jewish high council.

Mark 14:56

Many false witnesses spoke against Him, but they contradicted each other.

(they couldn't get their stories straight)

Peter denied Jesus 3 times - just as Jesus told him he would.

Jesus was put on trial before Pilate.  Jesus would not speak to answer the accusations against Him.

Now....go back up to the *....and isn't it strange that all of those people who spoke up in defense of Jesus....well, where were they now?  For one thing....Jesus had a very hasty trial....at night...which might not have even been legal in itself....so his followers....his defenders....were probably asleep!!!

Barabbas was in prison for murder, but he was released....but Jesus who had one NO WRONG....was sentenced to death.

Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but the crowd insisted that He be crucified.  Pilate asked what crime He had committed, but the mob roared even louder,

"Crucify Him".

The soldiers mocked Jesus....this part just broke my heart as to how badly they mistreated Jesus and disrespected Him....but....haven't I done the same thing myself in my own way?

:'(

Jesus was crucified at 9:00 in the morning and at noon, darkness fell across the whole land until 3:00 pm.  At 3:00, Jesus called out in a loud voice (which was a miracle itself because when crucified, lungs collapse and the one being hung on the cross can barely breathe....let alone cry out with a loud voice....but Jesus....HE SHOUTED!!!

Very early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome went to Jesus tomb with  burial spices to anoint Jesus' body.  An angel was there and told them that 

"He isn't here!  He is risen from the dead"!

AMEN!!!

He told them to go and tell his disciples, including Peter....that Jesus was going to Galilee ahead of them.

I still love that the first person that Jesus appeared to was a WOMAN....Mary Magdalene....the woman from whom He had cast out seven demons!!!  When she told the disciples, they didn't believe her.  Jesus appeared to the eleven and told them 

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone".

After He finished talking with them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand!!!

And....that's exactly where my HOPE lies....that I'll get to meet Him face to face in heaven one of these days!!!

AMEN....and AMEN!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Something to marvel about

Definition of marvel:

intense surprise or interest;
astonishment

I heard a "marvelous" sermon this past Sunday. 

I was literally on the edge of my seat listening to the amazing message this man of God brought.  He shared a bit of "Bible trivia" that I thought might interest y'all, too.

I researched the word "marveled" on Bible Gateway and it appears in the KJV twenty-three times.....
.....but.....
.....as we learned Sunday....
.....only twice was it mentioned that Jesus marveled.
(if you'll  click on the referenced scripture, it will take you to Bible Gateway so that you can read the story)

First.....
.....He was amazed at the great faith of a centurion:

Matthew 8:10 (KJV)
When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed,
"Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

Then.....
.....Jesus was again amazed.....at a lack of faith:

Mark 6:6 (KJV)
And he marveled because of their unbelief. 

So.....
.....when God thinks about me.....
.....is He amazed at my faith and trust in Him.....
.....or is it just the opposite?!?!

Blessings to you!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

With God all things are possible!!!

Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)
But Jesus looked at them and said to them,

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I mentioned on Monday that last Friday I had a bad day. I spent a lot of the day running errands getting ready for Mamaw's birthday celebration...I stayed busy, but still managed to find time for another kind of party...a pity party!!!! Don't you just love having those??? Don't they make you just feel so much better and they just solve all your problems??? Please know I'm kidding!! I feel worse after one of those bouts than I did before, because they leave me feeling drained, and also a bit guilty for not having the faith that I know I should have. I already mentioned that God answered a prayer for me that afternoon...but also something else happened. When Pappy got home from work, he had a little "thank you" gift from a fellow he works with...it was the little plaque in the picture that says "With God All Things Are Possible"!! I knew that God was speaking to me thru that little piece of stone. He knew what kind of day I was going to have even before Friday came. He spoke to Pappy's friend and prompted him and his wife to give us that little present....on the very day that God knew I needed to be reminded...that with Him all things are possible. Do you believe that? Do you understand what God can do with your faith...even when your faith is so tiny? Listen to this:

Matthew 17:20 (KJV)
And Jesus said unto them, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Do you know how tiny a mustard seed is? It's about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. In this statement made by Jesus, He is saying that if we have just that small amount of faith, that it can move a mountain. Do I think He means a real "mountain"? I think in this example it means anything that might be hindering us, or worrying us. But, yes, I do think that if God so chooses, He can move an actual mountain...if that's what it takes to get our attention and make us realize that He is God...and He is in control...and He is in charge!!!

I believe that sharing how God has gotten me thru tough times and how He continues to lead and guide me is a part of my testimony. God is so much bigger and so much more powerful that I give Him credit for. He comes thru for us...sometimes at the "eleventh hour"...but He ALWAYS provides. There are so many instances that I could name where He has taken care of us....and in ways that I would have never even imagined....only God could have done some of the miracles I've seen happen. Stepping out on faith....even if it is faith as tiny as a little speck...and leaving the rest up to God...that's all He asks of us...and then we leave the rest up to Him. Because...with me, some things are impossible...but with God...HE MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE!!!

What an awesome...powerful...all knowing...loving God we serve.

In His Love...and with mine!!!

Rejection

Rejection....

Refusal to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose, or use.

(Merriam-Webster On-Line Dictionary)

A person I used to work with told me that they felt rejection was one of the worse emotions that a person can feel. Rejection hurts. I've been rejected in my lifetime, in one way or another...from a kid being picked last to be on a sports team in school, to someone else being selected for a job position I felt I was qualified for....just to name a couple. I'm sure we all have in one way, or another, felt rejection. I had a conversation with a sweet lady just this week who is feeling rejected by a situation in her family, and she is so sad about it...feeling used, neglected...maybe even a bit unloved.

But...guess what??? Jesus was rejected, too. I told Pappy once, concerning a situation that I was in, that who did I think I was that I shouldn't suffer any kind of pain, or rejection....compared to what Jesus went thru.

Do you realize he was even rejected by His own family?

Mark 6:1-6 (NKJV)

Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

What sticks in my mind when I read these verses is "so they were offended at Him". Oh, how He must have hurt. Have you ever felt rejected because you tried to witness to somebody and they didn't want to hear what you had to say? Have you discovered that it is sometimes the hardest to witness to people in your own family? That must be just a small example of how Jesus felt!!! Sometimes you can get strangers to listen to you before your own family will. Have you ever had somebody treat you as if they were "offended" at you? About 25 - 30 years ago, I worked in an office and during lunch several of us attended a Bible study. I loved it. We took our lunch and ate in one of the conference rooms and had a very informal Bible study. I can't even remember what we discussed, but I know I enjoyed it. There were a couple of people in the office who I overheard making fun of me because I attended this study. Did it stop me from going? No. Did it hurt my feelings? Yes, it did. Because....rejection hurts!!! The wonderful thing about it though...is that because Jesus suffered the ultimate rejection....we can turn to Him when we're feeling left out, taken for granted...even unloved...because He felt all those same emotions during His time on earth!!!

Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV)

He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

In His Love...and with mine!!!

Weekly Recap #50 - (Part 1) I and II Timothy

We actually finished up I Timothy last week....but you know how I like to keep it all together as much as I can!!!  Let's talk about Timothy!!!

Paul wrote I and II Timothy to his associate in the ministry, Timothy.  He wrote the letters to guide his friend in correcting some of the behavior taking place in the church at Ephesus and also to help prevent false teachers from gaining another foothold.  He gave Timothy guidance on conduct in God's household with respect to prayer, women teaching, and leadership.  

Paul said that God had mercy on him for how he had mistreated His people "because Paul had done it in ignorance and unbelief".

 Paul was speaking of himself in this verse....but his words could be applied to me!!

I Timothy 1:15b

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners....and I am the worst of them all.

I Timothy 1:17

All honor and glory to God forever and ever!  He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God.

AMEN...and AMEN!!!

I Timothy 1:19A

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your  conscience clear.

Pray for all people.  Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

I Timothy 2:8

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

I Timothy 2:9

.....women should be modest in their appearance.  They should wear decent and appropriate clothing. 

I Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

Paul mentions in his second letter to Timothy the faith of his mother, Eunice and his grand-mother, Lois.

I LOVE these words....

"fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you"!

I Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.

I Timothy 1:8A

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

I Timothy 1:13

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

II Timothy 3:16

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

II Timothy 4:3

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear.

II Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

I so HOPE that at the end of my life, I can say those words!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Doubting Thomas.....

Do you have a lot of doubt in your life?

Do you doubt others....doubt yourself....doubt God?

I think most of my doubt....is self doubt!!!

I listened to a gentleman speak several months ago....and one of the things that he talked about was how, as we mature as Christians....we will know when it's God speaking to us about certain things.
I immediately thought to myself,
"well, I must not be a very mature Christian".  His statement made me start doubting "me"....because I'm not always sure when it's God speaking to me!!
Or...am I?
Could it be that I do know it's God....but, I just allow the self doubt....or even Satan (who brings on the self doubt)....to cloud my judgment....and make me think that it couldn't possibly be God talking to ME...of all people?!?!?
Or...sometimes I think..."what will others think" if I say this, or do that...when the One Person I need to be the most concerned about pleasing....is my Savior!!!

Looking back on the times in the past few years that I "thought" it was God speaking to me....
....turns out....
....it was Him!!! 
Makes me wonder, though....about all those times that I didn't listen....and, instead I allowed something else....or, somebody else....to interfere....what if I had "trusted and obeyed"....what would the outcome have been?

Mark 9:24 (NLT)
.....“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Weekly Recap #40 - (Part 1) Zephaniah

Can you even begin to believe that we've finished up the Old Testament this week?  

WOW!!!  

I'm hoping and praying that nothing happens to hinder us from completing our "read the Bible thru" this year.  I'm so excited to get into the New Testament so that we can read about JESUS....since all we've read so far is leading us to HIM!!!

But....let's get started by finding out a little bit about the prophet Zephaniah.

~~~His name means "the Lord has hidden"

~~~He was the author of the Book of Zephaniah

~~~He was God's spokesman to the southern kingdom of Judah

~~~He began his ministry the same year as Jeremiah (one of my favorite OT prophets!!!

~~~He was a member of the royal house of Judah

In  Chapter 1, the Lord gave His message to Zephaniah.  He prophesied that there would be judgment against "the whole earth".  The complete devastation is described in Chapter 1....including judgment against Judah and Jerusalem which included....

~~~destroy all Baal worship

~~~end to idolatrous priests who claimed to worship the Lord - but also worshiped false gods and the sun, moon and stars

~~~destroy those who used to ask for the Lord's  guidance, but no longer asked the Lord for anything

~~~leaders and princes of Judah would be destroyed

~~~punish those who participated in pagan worship ceremonies

~~~all merchants and traders would be destroyed

~~~property would be plundered and homes ransacked

In Chapter 2, Zephaniah called on the people to repent and seek the Lord....to do what is right and live humbly.

I really liked this in one of the commentaries.....

 The day of the Lord's judgment can begin at any moment.  All people in every age should trust in the Lord and wait patiently for God to fulfill His will and purpose.  As believers...just like Zephaniah and all the other prophets have done....we need to warn others of how serious unbelief is...as we live in faith and hope of God's promised future.

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!