Everything Is Possible for a Believer

While Jesus was on the earth, He made many bold and challenging statements. At least, many of His statements challenge human beings in this day and age. However, His disciples, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, didn’t seem to have any trouble in taking Jesus at His word.

They had listened to the Words of our Savior:

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mk 9:23 NIV) Jesus says that EVERYTHING is possible for the person who believes. But believes what, exactly? We need to place our faith in God and in His Word.

And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: 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. (Mt 17:20 ASV) We must use the faith that we have. Remember that faith is a gift from God (Eph 2:8); it’s not something that we need to TRY to have or to whip up. It is a matter of taking God at His Word, and trusting Him to fulfill His Word.

I tell all of you with certainty, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ if he doesn’t doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (Mk 11:23 ISV) Here, Jesus has given us an instruction for how to use the faith that we’ve been given.

Romans 12:3 reminds us that each one of us has been given a measure of faith.

The Lord said, “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. (Lk 17:6 MEV) A grain of mustard seed is a very tiny, round seed. It would be easy to lose and easy to miss if it was in your hand. But Jesus says that even so small an amount of faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to uproot, move and plant a mulberry tree in the sea! What an astonishing image of faith!

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. ²²And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.” (Mt 21:21-22 NASB) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus teaches us that pure, unwavering faith is able to move mountains and cast them into the sea. And He added that WHATEVER we ask for in prayer, believing that we have already received it, will be done. This demonstrates to us that pure faith that has no doubt or fear mixed into it will bring results that are unstoppable, inevitable, and unalterable. This faith is the gift of our good, loving and merciful God. Praise God!

Abide in God’s Word & Be Made Free

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

The word KNOW in verse 32, above, means to perceive; understand; recognize; or realize. This is a knowledge that has inception, a progress and an attainment, according to Strong’s concordance (#1097). It is the recognition of truth by personal experience.

This personal experience suggests a close, personal relationship. And verse 32 states that we need to abide in [accept, stand in, obey] God’s Word and thereby confirm ourselves to be Christ’s disciples.

In that context, as we personally come to experience the truth of and dependability of God’s Word, it is that same truth that shall set us free from various challenging and destructive experiences in our lives. It also sets us free from the hurts that other people have inflicted upon us.

God’s steadfast and unfailing love for you can give you such strength and stability in your emotions that you can be made emotionally whole and healthy.

The best kindness that you can do for yourself is to abide in the Scriptures and become more and more stable and secure in their truth—because you know that God does not lie. (Num 23:19)

Rest in Jesus, who has given you the grace, freedom, and strength to live your life to His glory daily!

Note: This is a reprint of our blog article dated 11/21/2016.

Servants of Christ

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, a number of things occurred in our lives. Here are just three things that took place:

We became children of the Living God. (Rom 8:16; 1 Joh 3:1-2)
We became bondservants of Jesus Christ. (Eph 6:6; 1 Pet 2:15-16)
We passed from darkness to light. (Col 1:13)

The Scriptures show a number of apostles and disciples who identify themselves as “bondservants” of Christ. Every believer should identify with this claim.

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God . . . (Rom 1:11 NKJV)

For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. (1 Cor 7:22 ESV)

. . . not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart . . . (Eph 6:6 ESV)

A bondservant is a person who willingly becomes a slave to another person. The Mosaic Law allowed an indentured servant to become a bondservant voluntarily: “If the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life” (Exodus 21:5-6). Source: GotQuestions.org.

You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. (1 Cor 7:23 ESV) The Bible warns us NOT to become bondservants of human beings.

But we do need to settle it in our hearts that we are servants of Jesus Christ and of the Kingdom of God. We need to be submitted to God’s will and plan for each one of our lives. It’s important to remember that the Lord can see the end from the beginning. He knows every possible outcome of our own, human decisions; but if we allow Him to direct our paths, we will fulfill His will for each and every believer.

Set aside some time to spend in meditation and prayer about this important concept. Determine what yielding to the Holy Spirit will mean for your life. God bless you.

A Light for the Nations

Do you realize that Jesus is the Light for all Nations, and as His disciples and followers, WE are called to shine His light into all of the earth?

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Act 13:47 NIV)

I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles . . . (Isa 42:6 NIV)

For my eyes have seen Your salvation ³¹which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, ³²a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Lk 2:30-32)

How can you shine the light of God’s love and salvation into the world?

By serving the Lord obediently and joyfully;
By sharing your testimonies of how you came to accept Christ as your Savior and about your answered prayers;
By praying for other people’s needs and asking God to bless them and to provide for them;
By testifying to the miracles, signs and wonders that God has performed for you; and
By living a holy lifestyle in obedience to the Scriptures.

Here is a passage from the Bible that gives us some answers:

Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Phil 2:14-16, emphasis added)

God bless you!

Promote Peace

As disciples of Christ we’re called to promote peace in the world. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6)

What does it mean to “promote” peace? As servants of the Living God, we are directed to:

Encourage and support,
Sponsor and further,
Advertise,
Elevate and advance peace in every circumstance and situation.

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. (Pro 12:20 NIV)

If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. (Lk 10:6 NIV)

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Ps 34:14)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Mt 5:9)

Just from this small selection of Bible passages we learn that:

Promoting peace brings joy—not only to us but to everyone involved;
People who sponsor peace will have peace rest upon them;
We should do good by seeking and pursuing peace; and
All peacemakers are blessed children of God. Hallelujah!

An invitation to promote peace is given to every believer in God’s Kingdom. Let us joyfully respond to this appeal from the heart of God.

The Kingdom of God

Jesus told us that the kingdom of God has come upon us, and that the kingdom is within each and every believer. Let’s look at the Scriptures.

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Mt 12:28 NIV)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit . . . (Rom 14:17 NIV)

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Lk 17:20-21)

He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Lk 9:2)

‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ (Lk 10:11)

The Kingdom of God arrived on earth in the person of Jesus, and was established in the hearts of all believers when Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit to His disciples. This is described for us in Acts 2:1-5.

Since then, all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord have also received the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We are told in the Word of God that we are the very temple (house, dwelling) of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 6:19) Glory to God!

The gift of the Holy Spirit is referred to in Scriptures as:

The promise of the Father (Lk 24:49; Ac 1:4)
The Helper (Joh 14:26; 16:7-16)
The Spirit of Truth (Joh 14:16-17; 15:26)
The Breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4)
Advocate (Joh 14:16 NIV; 1 Joh 2:1)
The Eternal Spirit (Heb 9:14)
Lord (2 Cor 3:17)
Intercessor (Rom 8:26-27)
Teacher (Joh 14:26)
Spirit of the Living God (2 Cor 3:3)
Spirit of Glory (1 Pet 4:14)

We are temples of the Living God. We are highly blessed and favored, and we need to meditate upon that truth more frequently. It’s almost too monumental of a concept to grasp with our human intellect. The Kingdom of God dwells within you and me! Rejoice!

We Beheld His Glory

What does the word glory mean? It means: splendor; wonder; brilliance; or exaltation.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (Joh 1:14) This verse is describing Jesus and His glory. It says that “we beheld His glory” which means that we can see it and recognize it.

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (Joh 2:11) Any time that Jesus performed signs, wonders, and miracles, He manifested His glory clearly for all to see.

When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (Joh 11:4) The only way that a sickness can be for the glory of God is when the sick person receives their complete healing by faith in Jesus Christ and they give all the glory, honor and praise to the Father God.

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. (2 Cor 4:6) The “light” that was given to man was Jesus Christ, the light of the world. (Joh 8:12) As we look into His face and accept Him as our Savior, He shares with us His own glory and relationship with the Father.

In Matthew 5:14 we are told that WE are the light of the world because we are the followers and disciples of Jesus, and we carry Him in us and with us wherever we go.

As we obediently follow Jesus, the Light of the World, we share His light and His life with others. In His name, we pray for people to be saved, delivered, and healed. We are also privileged to see miracles and wonders done in the mighty name of Jesus.

We cannot hide our light, but rather we must allow it to shine brightly in the darkness for we are merely reflecting the glory of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, to the world.

Why Did Jesus Use Parables?

But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. (Mk 4:34)

. . . that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (Mt 13:35)

Why did Jesus speak in parables so regularly? Jesus used parables frequently as a means to illuminate weighty, divine truth. He also had other reasons to use parables to communicate in public.

And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, ⁵⁴lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. (Lk 11:53-54) The scribes and Pharisees were always looking to find fault with Jesus and to discredit Jesus in the eyes of all of the people. By using parables, Jesus could thwart the plans of His enemies.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Mt 5:6) Through the use of parables, Jesus could spiritually feed those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness. Those who had a good heart, who were truly seeking God, could find what they needed in His teachings.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mt 7:13-14) This story of the two roads (one narrow, one wide) caused people to think about where their lives were headed. Using parables motivated people to stop and think about such profound topics.
Jesus’ parables brought pressure upon people to cause them to choose whether they wanted to be a sheep or a goat. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left . . .” (Mt 25:31-33, for full story see Mt 25:31-46)
Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. ²I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, ³which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. (Ps 78:1-3) As we can see by this passage, by speaking in parables, Jesus fulfilled prophecy concerning Himself. (see also Mt 13:34-35)

Jesus always had very good reasons for His actions. He listened for and obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit, and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. He has set us an excellent example, hasn’t He?

Bearing Fruit

The Scriptures remind us that, as believers, we need to bear fruit to the Lord. Let’s see what the Bible says.

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Joh 15:5)

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mt 7:17-19)

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Mt 13:23)

But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (Lk 8:15)

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (Joh 15:8)

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. (Rom 7:4)

After reading these passages, it’s clear to see that as we abide in Christ, He causes us to bear fruit. And the Christian life is intended by God to be a fruitful life. Disciples of Christ bear fruit—that’s very clear.

Good fruit is produced by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 reveals the fruit of the spirit to us. It is evidenced in a good character; by contributing to the world and the people in it; and by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. We can’t do any of this without abiding in Christ and staying closely connected to Him. He gives us eternal life, and the fruit of the spirit is eternal fruit. Glory to God!

What Did You Want to See?

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. (Mt 11:8)

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? (Lk 7:24)

Jesus talked about a “reed shaken by the wind” because in Bible days, reeds grew similar to sugar cane. The reeds bowed nearly to the ground during the hot daytime. At night, thanks to the cool breeze of the Mediterranean, the reeds would stand up again. This singularity was a crowd-gathering event. Groups of people came out to see the reeds rise in the cool breezes of the night. Then they would return home, unchanged by what they had witnessed.

Jesus was telling the people that they did not follow John’s teachings, but that all they wanted was to see a spectacle (similar to the reeds). They were not willing to repent and to be baptized.

They were also coming out to listen to Jesus in the same way—without a willingness or interest in changing their lives. Jesus was showing them how empty and frivolous they were. They simply moved through the events of their lives without ever connecting with God or His power.

We must determine that in the course of our everyday lives, we must “see Jesus” and His power come alive in our own lives and in our own experiences. How do we do that? We study the Word of God and we allow it—INVITE IT—to cleanse us, transform us, and empower us to act.

We are Christ’s disciples and we are meant to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We are called to support the spread of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to work in our own neighborhoods to be an influence for good and a witness of Jesus Christ. God bless you.

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