Speak Boldly, in Faith

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Matthew 21:21-22

As we enter this Holy Week in between Palm Sunday and Easter I want to focus on Jesus, what he was doing and what he was teaching during those last few days prior to the crucifixion. In Matthew it says that he after he entered Jerusalem on Sunday he went to the temple. Being greatly disappointed by what he saw there, moneychangers and peddlers, he overturned tables and benches declaring that his house would be 'a house of prayer'. He healed people of blindness and lame limbs. He was extolled by the children proclaiming "Hosanna to the son of David". The chief priests and teachers were enraged and questioned his authority and position. After this, Jesus left Jerusalem for the night and stayed in Bethany.

The next morning, Monday, he returned and on his way he got hungry. He approached a fig tree on the side of the road and finding no figs he spoke to it, cursing it for bearing no fruit and it withered. The disciples were amazed and begged to know how Jesus did this. Here, in this simple statement above from verses 21-22 we find a great truth delivered straight from the mouth of Jesus to our hearts.

This statement of fact, this promise from He who is the author and perfector of our faith, confirms the power we are given through him. We must have faith when we ask something in His name and we must not doubt. We cannot doubt His existence, His power, His grace, or His mercy nor can we ever doubt that He loves us and wants us to live in His abundance. We must believe in Him and trust Him. Knowing, as a human man walking this earth, that He had this kind of power and yet He chose not to save himself from the certainty of his fate, the torture of scourging and the suffering of crucifixion. Since He did not use His power to save himself He bore our shame, guilt and sin on the cross, but instead He chose to endure the immense pain so he could show us that he has defeated death. His resurrection is testimony to the power we have access to through faith in Him. That same victorious power is ours and by faith we can move the mountains that stand in our way.

God thank you for being the power and truth in my life. I am standing by faith at the foot of a mountain that I know I can move by your power!
I am humbled as I am reminded of the great sacrifice you made for me. I pray I live a life that brings honor to you!



I love you girls! Stand tall in faith today and speak boldly and with power to whatever mountain or molehill is blocking your view of Jesus today!

Building The Foundation, One Prayer at a Time

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

Hebrews 5:7-8

It is impressed on my heart this morning how important our response to suffering in difficult times actually is. Jesus, the One and Only Son of God, spent much of his time in private prayer. He performed great miracles. He had a servants heart in all situations. Yet, he was not saved from suffering.

As He ministered to the disciples he was ridiculed at times and mocked. Even in his public ministry he was questioned and shunned by the people of his own home town. As I think on these things I can't help but imagine what my own reaction would have been. What feelings course through me when I meet with vocal opposition and critical opinion in my daily life. It is a human reaction for sure for our feelings to be hurt when our efforts are rejected by those we are trying to come along side offering assistance to. My heart is broken and I become unsure of my abilities and may even question my motives or my calling.

Jesus, although fully God was also fully human so I believe it to be reasonable to think he too felt the sting of rejection. He felt the sharp pain in his spirit when his good intentions were spurned. As I read and study his life in ministry up to and including the cross, I realize it is about how he used and communicated those emotions. He cried out to God in prayer as he learned and modeled obedience and submission to his Heavenly Father. He took what was meant for evil and used it for good.

Through each challenge, each struggle, each hurt He received lessons of faith. He became able to trust God with growing understanding and a deeper love. As his relationship grew and his experiences varied he was being prepared for the ultimate test of submission and obedience. We may not all be asked to offer up our physical lives for God, but we are asked to give up something in our lives. And, we may even have to say goodbye to some we love in the process. We are not expected to comprehend the why of all situations, just to trust that God knows best and be willing to focus on Him through our circumstances.

I'm certainly not saying that all suffering is the result of evil, sometimes it is necessary for us to grow in our faith. The grand plan of God is too much for any of us to even begin to fathom let alone understand, but I do believe God uses the bumps in the road or the mountains in our path to give us opportunities to learn, to share and to grow. In all circumstances, he wants us to communicate with him in prayer, just as Jesus did. Sometimes as a group, but most often on our own in private quiet times with Him so we can be open and honest, listening for His reply. Following Jesus' model this communication needs to be consistent and faithful. Through discipline in prayer and study, we can learn obedience and submission particularly in times of struggle, because we have built a solid foundation for communication with God.

Let's start building our foundation on the Rock!

God I thank your for sending Jesus to be the author of my faith. Through studying your Word and communicating with you I can learn just as Jesus did to trust you completely and to live in obedient submission. There is nothing too big, too hard or too trivial in my life that you would not want me to share with you in prayer. I praise you today God and ask for your guidance and wisdom.

I pray each of you have a moment of private time with God today. He is waiting patiently for you to start the conversation and if you still your minds and hearts, he will finish it with a word just for you!