BELIEVE

BELIEVE

-Mark 9:22-24, Psalms 34:8

A man brought his boy to Jesus to deliver him from demon possession. Jesus asked the father how long his son had been like this. The father replied that he had been afflicted since childhood. “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.”
“‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’ ” (Mark 9:22 – 24).
Right now, Jesus invites you to believe — to believe in him and to believe the truths taught in the pages of Scripture that guide our lives daily and into eternity. Be honest like the man who spoke with Jesus and tell Jesus about your doubts and invite him to help you with your unbelief. He will. He doesn’t want you to believe these truths are the right answer. He wants you to take them in your heart where they will affect how you will live.
Here is the promise: what you once thought was impossible will now be possible. The more you believe, the more you see and discover the power of God. The more you believe, the more he changes you from the inside out to become the kind of person you have only dreamed about — filled with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These virtues are displayed in your life like fruit on a tree for others to taste and enjoy.
When we think and act like Jesus, empowered by his presence within us, little by little we become like Jesus. This is not only the most truthful and abundant way to live, but it is truly the best gift we can give to our family and others God places sovereignly into our lives.
So, spiritual pilgrim, BELIEVE.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

- Randy Frazee
www.bible.com

GRATEFUL FOR GRACE

Grateful For Grace
Luke 7:47

One of life’s bitterest ironies from God’s point of view is that the lowlifes of Jewish society, the tax collectors and prostitutes and “sinners,” were more likely to listen to Jesus and welcome his message of grace and forgiveness. The church people, the Pharisees and teachers, didn’t need him and didn’t want him.
It’s because they weren’t aware of their many sins and because they rated themselves proficient and advanced in personal holiness by comparison with the lowlifes that they were uninterested in the message of a Savior. “Saved from what?” they thought. “I’m fine!” Then there were people like the woman who had lived a sinful life, who wet Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and then anointed him with some of her perfume. Criticism broke out like water from a ruptured dam, but Jesus shushed them: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).
People on the margins of society know their failures. They are painfully aware of their failures. Their thirst for hope and a rescue makes the gospel sound sweet in their ears. They are grateful for grace. People whose pride keeps them unaware of their own need, not so much. Jesus’ observation back then is still true today--people who know they’ve been forgiven much will love much.



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