Devotionals

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Jesus was in a certain habit when it had to do with healing people. Instead of approaching someone and touching their eyes, their body, etc., He most always began with a question...something along the lines of, "Do you believe I can do this?" You see, Jesus was not only concerned with bringing health, though this was a priority for Him. Neither was He only concerned with displaying His power and showing signs of who He was, though this was necessary for Him. He also wanted faith; for people to already believe that He was powerful enough to give them a miracle. Oddly enough, Jesus also needed the faith of people to do as many miracles as He did. Mark 6:4 says that in His hometown (where people were related to Him and didn't believe He was special) He"couldn't do many miracles there because of the lack of faith." Faith then, is of such special power that it both honors God and opens the door for great things to take place. When two blind men were asked by Jesus if they believed He was able to give them sight, and the men said they did, Jesus in turn said..."according to your faith will it be done for you" (Matthew 9:29). This is merely one of many examples of the importance of faith and the reward that comes as a result.

Actually, I was amazed when I encountered how many times Jesus asked someone if they believed before He acted. It seemed case after case of His documented miracles were preceded with such a question. And the wonderful thing, is He always did what they believed He would. They were never let down by their faith.

Now, for those of you who feel your faith has not been so high lately, take heart. This is not meant to be a guilt trip or to make you feel like your failing. It is just meant to guide us in the right direction. Since we are human doubts will come; and our struggle to believe (or always believe) is more than understandable to God. What is of greatest value to Him, is simply our desire to believe. And sometimes we must start just by praying for that desire! But the smallest step in the direction of faith can be deeply appreciated and mightily grown by the Spirit of God, as we invite Him to work. When a certain man came to Jesus to help his son, he started off with, "If you can do anything..." Jesus responded with, "If you can?...everything is possible for him who believes" (Matthew 9:23). It was then that the man said with genuine honesty, "I do believe. Help my unbelief!" Perhaps he knew he should believe (and part of him did, inside) but he knew he needed more help. Thankfully, that was enough for Jesus. He did heal his son in that moment.

Therefore, let us make it our focused goal to trust God. And let us ask for His help, in all transparency, whenever we need it.

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