How Can God Help Our Unbelief?

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

²⁴Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:23-24)

This father, who needed a miracle for his child, told Jesus that he believed but asked that the Lord help his unbelief. What a contradictory statement, right?

The man had heard that Jesus was traveling around and healing people. So, faith in what he had heard about Jesus motivated the father to find Jesus and to ask Him to pray for his son, who needed deliverance.

However, the man realized that he needed Jesus’ help to believe that the will of God could actually be accomplished in his and his son’s lives. Suddenly, his heart and mind were full of questions: “Will this really happen for us? Will God give us a miracle? Maybe we’re not worthy?”

The reality of being human is acknowledging that doubts and fears attack us at the most inopportune times. But we don’t have to listen to them!

Here are some ideas for living as the overcomers that Christ intends us to be. If you follow these suggestions, you will allow God to help you to defeat fear and unbelief.

Knowing the Will of God Will Squash Unbelief – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17) As we read the Bible, our faith grows and increases. Since this is the truth, read the Word of God daily. Hang on to the promises of God by faith every single day. Don’t give up and don’t get weary in reading the Word and in filling yourself with the power that resides within the Word of the Living God.
Reject Fear and Put Unbelief on the Run – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God . . . (Phil 4:6) The Bible says that fear has torment and that perfect love drives out fear. (1 Joh 4:18) The Word of God clearly says to RESIST the devil and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7) Don’t be fearful or anxious; don’t open the door of your mind to the enemy of your soul. He has no power over you because you belong to Jesus Christ.
Overcome Unbelief by Believing in God’s Love – And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (1 Joh 4:16) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 Joh 4:8) Our God IS love—He says so in His Word! Jesus loves each one of us perfectly and unconditionally. His love for each of us should drive out every fear. Don’t entertain fearful thoughts. Fill your heart and mind with the Word of God as well as the assurance of God’s love for you, and then your faith will thrive.

These are some of the things that allow God to help you to defeat fear and unbelief.

No God is Like Our God

I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, ⁶that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting
that there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other . . . (Isa 45:4-6 NKJV)

There is none like unto thee among the gods, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works. (Ps 86:8 ASV)

There is none like You, O Lord. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. (Jer 10:6 BSB)

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides Me there is no god. (Isa 44:6 ESV)

From the rising of the sun even to the place where it sets, ALL WILL KNOW that there is no God like the Lord! (Isa 45:4-6) This is a scriptural statement of truth.

There is no other God who loves mankind and has provided a clear and simple salvation for mankind—for which He has already paid! Jesus is the door to our salvation.

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Act 4:12)

Our God is the God of signs, wonders, and miracles. (Act 2:22; Heb 2:4) Our God says about Himself that He is our healer. (Ex 15:26; Lk 5:17) The Bible says that “by His stripes, we were healed.” (Isa 53:5; 1 Pet 2:24) Notice that is past tense: “we WERE healed.” Hallelujah!

Other blessings that we believers enjoy that demonstrate the uniqueness of our God:

He gives us abundant life. (Joh 10:10)
He gives us the desires of our heart. (Ps 37:4)
ALL things are possible with our God. (Mt 19:26)
He does not withhold ANY good thing from us. (Ps 34:10b; 84:11)

Let us confess, along with the Psalmist:

My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. (Ps 34:2)

The Treasure Within

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Cor 4:6-7 NKJV – underlining added)

With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, protect the good treasure that has been entrusted to you. (2 Tim 1:14 ISV – underlining added)

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. (Joh 14:23 NASB)

Our treasure (salvation, the indwelling presence of God) is in earthen vessels (our bodies)! We carry the Lord in us and with us. What a valuable treasure we carry within! It is hard to fathom—almost too much to process.

We carry a treasure within that is FAR GREATER than anything this world has to offer.

Whenever we read, study, or meditate upon the Bible, we are actually discovering and learning more about this treasure. Use the Bible as your map and your guidebook. Recognize that you carry the glory of God within you! (Col 1:27)

Appreciate the fact that because Jesus is your Savior and Lord, you are entitled to all of the blessings and benefits that He has purchased for you. In Christ, YOU are valuable—priceless. The Bible says that:

You are the head and not the tail (Deu 28:13);
You are God’s masterpiece—His work of art (Eph 2:10 NLT);
Christ has purchased the victory for you (1 Cor 15:57);
. . . with God all things are possible. (Mt 19:26)
You are the apple of His eye (Zech 2:8); and
You are chosen by God and precious to Him (1 Pet 2:4).

Make the Word of God your highest priority. Determine today that you will obey and highly value the Word of God. Cherish the truth that you are the temple of the Lord and that He is with you always. (Deu 31:8; Josh 1:5; 1 Cor 6:19)

As you do, you will inherit the blessings that God yearns to pour out upon you.

Don’t Be Deceived

And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁶For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. (Mk 13:5-6 NKJV)

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Col 2:8 ESV)

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. (Rom 16:17-18 ESV)

Do not be deceived by anything . . . especially not “new” doctrines or theological teachings.

What about deception? What do we need to understand about it?

When confronted with her sin, Eve said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Gen 3:13b). The original Hebrew word for “deceived” implies trickery and craftiness; it is sometimes translated “seduced.” Seduction is an appropriate way to think of the deception of Eve—she knew full well what God had said, but she chose to disobey because she wanted something that the serpent cleverly offered. ~ Excerpt from article “Why Does God Allow Deception?” at https://www.gotquestions.org/God-allow-deception.html.

So, according to the above excerpt, deception is a type of seduction of a person’s will by the enemy of our souls. We each know full well what God wants us to do, but because we have a certain desire, we choose to disobey the Lord. It is temptation. That is the devil’s stock-in-trade.

So, we must guard our hearts and minds against deception. Particularly in the area of so-called new doctrines or “deep” theological teachings. The Bible was written to human beings, not to theologically trained minds; so if we have to turn our brain into a pretzel to understand a teaching, something is definitely wrong with it.

Some things are mysteries that God will reveal to us when we are face-to-face with Him. But the teachings about our salvation, our benefits, and our blessings are all plain to recognize and effortless to understand. Simply read the Bible and study it.

Don’t allow yourself to be led astray by “new” or “deeper” teachings concerning salvation. Everything that you need is in the Bible, and can be studied and verified. God bless you!

The Lord Opens A Pathway for Us

I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” ¹⁶Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters . . . (Isa 43:15-16)

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isa 43:19)

The Lord makes pathways for us even in the most treacherous of circumstances . . . when it seems impossible to find a way through a jungle, a wasteland, or a forest—He will always clear a path for us. Glory to God!

The Lord Jesus knows the end from the beginning. Nothing intimidates Him nor surprises Him. He can move mountains, create fountains of pure water, and conquer any giant to catapult us to the victory for which Christ has paid. When we come to the end of ourselves—the end of our resources, ideas, or abilities, turn to Jesus and put your faith, hope, and trust in Him.

All of the paths of the Lord are paths of righteousness (Ps 23:3); and paths of mercy and truth (Ps 25:10). The Lord will direct our paths. (Pro 3:6)

As we follow the Lord Jesus Christ and walk in His footsteps, we walk in wisdom. Wisdom’s ways are pleasant and her pathways are full of peace. (Pro 3:17) Blessings upon you!

The Armor of Light

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Rom 13:12)

What is the armor of light? The armor of light is not made of physical materials but of moral and spiritual teachings and standards. We are children of light (Eph 5:8; Phil 2:15), and we are encouraged in the Word of God to walk in the light. (Ps 89:15; Isa 2:5; 1 Joh 1:7)

Fix your mind on the reality that the day of Christ’s second appearing—the sunrise—is quickly approaching because the dawn of Christ’s first appearing has already occurred. The forces of darkness have been defeated. Soon, they must submit entirely to the Sun of Righteousness. (Mal 4:2)

Practically speaking, how do we put on the armor of light and walk in the light? There are various facets to this topic, and I am only going to cover a handful. If this is a topic of interest to you, I encourage you to pursue studying it in more depth.

Walking in the light and wearing the armor of light includes:

Reflecting the image of God to the world by living holy lives (Ro 13:14);
Clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal 3:27)—corroborated by loving others as Christ does;
Recognizing that Christ is the Light of the World (Joh 8:12, 9:5), and that His Spirit lives within each one of us. (Ro 8:10-12) Therefore, we must allow Jesus to instruct and guide our every act and every plan so that we bless others and that we, ourselves, walk in blessings;
Walking in the light means maturing in our faith day by day as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and obey the Word of God.
Following God’s teachings, living in His power, and growing in His grace.

May you be a blessing as you continue to grow and to mature in faith!

Treasure

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Lk 12:34; Mt 6:21)

. . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt 6:20)

Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. (Lk 12:33)

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Cor 4:6-7)

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 that the true TREASURE to be cherished above all is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. That is the treasure that we believers carry around within us.

Do you agree with the Bible that the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ is your treasure? Or do you consider your treasure to be your physical health, physical possessions and wealth, or your earthly power and influence? I sincerely hope not. All of those things are temporary—brief and impermanent.

The “knowledge of God in Jesus Christ” means that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Redeemer. It means that you have accepted Him as your Lord. What a blessed, all-encompassing wealth Jesus imparts to all who have made Him their Savior and Lord.

Jesus is the One who:

Heals the sick: physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally (that means He heals each one of us—when we need it),
Raises the dead to life,
Surrounds each one of us with His supernatural, miraculous, indefensible, irresistible favor as with a shield,
Renews our youth like the eagle’s,
Upholds and sustains our lives,
Bestows abundant prosperity upon us,
Makes peace between us and others because He is our Peacemaker and Advocate,
Protects and defends us,
Never leaves us nor fails us,
Provides for us continuously, and
Meets literally every need that we may have now or in the future.

The treasure that we each carry within us, of the knowledge of God through Jesus, our Savior is eternal, never-ending and undying.

It means that each one of us will have endless peace, love, and joy in the presence of our Savior now and for all eternity.

That is genuine treasure.

Do You Not Care?

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mk 4:37-39)

In this passage from the Scriptures, the companions of Jesus ask Him, “Don’t You care that we’re in danger of dying?” Is it ever possible for God to NOT care about His sheep? Decidedly NO—it is not possible!

Here are just several passages from the Bible to demonstrate my point.

Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you. (Deu 3:22 NIV) God fights for you.

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. (Deu 31:8) The Lord never leaves you; don’t be fearful.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps 27:1) The Lord will light our way and give us strength.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Lk 12:7) God not only loves us but He also values us highly.

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb 13:6) We may boldly declare that “God is my helper.”

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 Joh 4:9-10) God loved us first, and gave us His salvation.

Our salvation was designed by God the Father and paid for by Jesus Christ, our Savior. What more proof do we need that God cares for us always, at all times, and in all circumstances? We are the objects of the unconditional and unending love of God. Hallelujah!

The Great Calm

When Jesus rebuked the wind, and commanded the sea to be still, the Bible says that there was a “great calm.” This great calm . . . where did it originate? [Originate means begin, commence, or come from]

You may say, “It was the elements being obedient to the command of their Creator.” And that is absolutely correct. I believe that all of the animals and even the earth, itself, recognize the voice of their Creator and Lord.

Another way to answer this question is that the great calm originated within Jesus, Himself. Jesus IS the Prince of Peace! (Isa 9:6) He has peace within Himself, and that was why He could peacefully sleep in the boat in the midst of a storm. He wasn’t frightened or threatened. He wasn’t unsure of the outcome.

Jesus is able to convey the peace that exists within Him to the people and/or the world or elements around Him!

Several Bible verses quote Jesus as saying, “Peace to you.” (Lk 24:36; Joh 20:19, 21, 26) The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of peace. (Ac 10:36) Jesus Christ came to reconcile mankind to our Father God—making peace between mankind and the Father.

We are promised that the peace of God, which is beyond all human understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)

Seek His peace now, dear friend. Jesus loves to answer our prayers and to meet every need. Most of all, He imparts His peace to our hearts and to our life circumstances if we will simply look to Him and expect Him to meet our needs. God bless you.

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You are the Deciding Vote! In your life, you can make decisions that will help you and bless you.

Month: August 2019