Category: Faith of a Mustard Seed

“Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2).Th

ese wise men were not Christians. They were not Jewish people; they came from a pagan society. They were star gazers. Yet they were seeking the Messiah, and therefore, saw and recognized His star when it rose.

For the ancients, they actually believed in the literalness and the reliability of Scripture. They believed that stars are what we call planets and what we call stars are actually lights in the heavens (Genesis 1:14–19). Just like God declared in Genesis chapter one.

These were pagans but they believed in the promised Messiah. We’re not told whether they converted to Christianity after seeing and worshiping baby Jesus or not, but they set out to seek and to find Him.

Today, if only we had an ounce of faith as these pagan men did, I can only imagine what we would see in our lifetimes. This Christmas, take the time to truly search the Scriptures for Truth and have faith that it is intact, true. Let the LORD build your faith through the hearing and reading of His Word.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek Til Faith.

Luke 2:25-32 CSB

[25] There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. [26] It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. [27] Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, [28] Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, [29] Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. [30] For my eyes have seen your salvation. [31] You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples — [32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

The Scripture calls this Simeon a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel.

In other words, Simeon was on a Christmas quest. Which is amazing when you consider this. This period of time that both Simeon and Anna lived in is known theologically as the Silent Years.

But wait, what are the Silent Years?

The Silent Years refers to the period of time between the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is also known as the Intertestamental Period.

During this period of time there is no recorded message from God. It seems like He did not speak to the prophets, nor give messages through them. Nevertheless, Simeon remained seeking the Messiah, as he clung hopeful to God’s promise to him.

How many of us can say we’ve remained faithful, hoping in anticipation for the fulfillment of a promise made to us by God during a time of silence? So many of us allow the time we’re in to directly impact our faith. Therefore, this Christmas, whether it is a season of communication or silence, cling to the Words of the LORD. Cling to His promises, so that you might see them in your lifetime, just as Simeon did. So that you might not miss out on what the LORD has for you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Believe As Simeon.

²⁴ When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” ²⁵ He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” ²⁶ And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. ²⁷ However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” ~ Matthew 17:24-27

Isn’t it kind of peculiar that the collectors of the two-drachma tax did not address Jesus Himself at all, but rather, they went to Peter as if Peter might say, “No, He doesn’t,” and then they would have something to accuse Jesus of? Also, it seemed as if Peter was due for tax as well since Jesus said to take the shekel and pay His tax and Peter’s tax as well. But the collectors did not seem to be bothered at all about Peter not paying. Their only concern was Jesus not paying the tax.

That is how accusers work. They are only concerned with the one they have targeted. The one they have decided to persecute. They don’t care how wrong someone else is as long as they point out your faults and bring attention to what you are not doing. Have you ever noticed that when someone wants to do something and they are told that they cannot do that certain thing, they sing out, “Well, so and so did it?”

That is exactly what these collectors were doing. They were watching and waiting for Jesus to slip up or to do something wrong. But Jesus’ question to Peter was a subtle way of saying, “I am exempt from paying the Temple tax because I am the Son of the Living God.” But obviously, they would be offended by that and become furious. So, to avoid the drama, Jesus tells Peter to go fishing.

He said, “Go and cast a hook into the sea, and the first fish you catch, open up its mouth, and a shekel will be in it. Use it to pay the Temple tax for both of us.” And what does Peter do? He goes fishing. Where he got a hook and a line from, I have no idea, but he got one. There is no record of Peter resisting or questioning Jesus about the absurdity of the command. Go catch a fish and open its mouth, and you will find money. He doesn’t think about how far-fetched it is; he just obeys and goes.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in precarious situations, and the LORD tells us to do something that, to us, sounds insane. So, we think to ourselves, this cannot be God; this does not make sense. And we do not do it because we do not want to look stupid. But here is the thing. When the Spirit tells us to do something, no matter how silly or how ridiculous it may seem to us, God’s word will never fail. We must follow God with blind faith, without questioning, without thought of how ditzy it makes us look. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Heavenly Father, please help me to trust You and be obedient to Your every command, no matter how ludicrous it may sound to me. Increase my faith, O LORD, that I might trust you even more. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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¹⁰ Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10^CSB

A lack of faith and a lack of trust amount to the same thing with the same results. Faith believes that God can do all things, and trust believes that He will do it for us. Lack of faith produces fear, worries, anxieties, doubt, etc.

Over and over again, the Scriptures warn, teach, and proclaim, “Fear not! Fear not!” But we reply, “It is easier said than done.” This may be a true statement, but it doesn’t have to be an excusing statement.

So often, we make excuses to justify not getting close to the LORD. To justify not building up your spirit man, while allowing your forest to lead and run rampant. We are to crucify our flesh every day so that we might not let anything keep us from God.

If we want to see our faith restored, then we need to spend time in the Word of God and in prayer and worship. If we want to see our fears vanish, our faith needs to be built up into at least a faith of a Mustard Seed. Faith that has the potential to grow and produce fruit. Faith that has the potential to see God move on your behalf. Faith in the love God has for us.

If we would just build up this kind of faith through seeking Him; therefore, if we continue dwelling in His love, fear wouldn’t stand a chance.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Build Faith Over Fear.

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²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” ²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:24-29

Thomas had stayed with Jesus for three and half years. He walked with Him and talked with Him. He saw miracle after miracle. He himself performed miracles, healings, and casting out of demons in the powerful name of Jesus. He believed in Jesus, but he couldn’t understand how God could be killed by man.

His faith had been put to the test just as many others had. The majority of people believe Jesus was a good man, a prophet, even the Son of God, but not God Himself. They can’t grasp how God, who flooded the whole world, could have come in the form of man and allowed His creation to kill Him. This is the same boat Thomas found himself in.

He refused to believe Jesus even rose from the dead because his faith had been so destroyed. He even went as far as to say he would never believe without being able to physically put his hand in Jesus’ wounds. It’s not until Jesus physically shows Himself to Thomas that Thomas truly believes that Jesus is God.
Jesus even responds to Thomas with these words:

Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

He didn’t deny that He was God. He didn’t tell Thomas he got it wrong. Jesus asked do you only believe because you have seen me? Then He says blessed are those who haven’t seen but yet believe.

We are to live by faith, not by sight. We are to believe regardless of what our eyes see. Jesus never blatantly comes out and says, “I Am God.” No. Jesus tells us through the Scriptures He fulfills and through the names He has. Why? Because He refuses to testify about Himself but allows others, such as the Father and His apostles, to do such things.

Today, you have the option to either walk by faith or by sight. To either believe that Jesus is God or just a good man and prophet. The choice of salvation is yours. So seize it today, for tomorrow is promised to no one.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Believe Regardless.

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²³ Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’? Everything is possible for the one who believes.” ~ Mark 9:23^CSB

I saw a short the other day making a joke about having anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Someone commented on the short, stating that Jesus can heal you of all ailments. This single comment upset hundreds of people. The majority of people triggered claimed to be Christians.

They claimed, “That’s not how Jesus works” or “That’s not how anxiety, depression, or ADHD works.” Their claim was then followed by a statement claiming to be a Christian with those afflictions.

What a sad state of the Church we are in. If Jesus can’t heal something as simple as depression, anxiety, or ADHD, how can He save my eternal soul from the pits of Hell? Or redeem me from my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness? If Jesus can no longer heal, then what’s the point of following Him? If you’re just as oppressed following Jesus as the world is rejecting Him, then does that not make Him a liar?

He promised life and life more abundantly. He promised us His peace. He promised whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Peter said cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Scripture after Scripture promises freedom from all oppression in Jesus, yet today’s Church is triggered by even the thought of such a thing.

God’s plans for us are good. They are for our welfare, not for our harm. Today, we no longer see healing and miracles because we firmly and wholeheartedly believe that that’s not how Jesus works.

Paul said we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. If we want freedom, our mindset has to change. Our thought pattern has to change. Our mind has to change if we are ever going to see God intervene in our lives. As someone who struggled with very bad anxiety and depression from childhood, I can confidently say that is how Jesus works. He still heals. He still renews. He still tears down strongholds. He is still God.

It’s not that God changed, but that our mindsets changed. God is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. No ailment is too permanent for God to free you of, but you have to first have the faith to believe it’s at least possible.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Know How He Works.

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⁶ Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went. ~ 1 Chronicles 18:6^CSB

The LORD described David as a man after His own heart. In other words, a man seeking the heart of God above all else. David knew that the LORD knew what was best. That God’s ways were above his own. So the LORD blessed David.

David flourished where he was planted. He didn’t argue. He didn’t try to do it a different way. No. He put all of his trust and faith in the LORD and the LORD turned around and blessed him and gave him victory over his enemies.

Today is no different. If you want the LORD to bless you and fight on your behalf giving you victory over your enemies, you have to allow Him to plant you in good soul where you flourish. It may not always make sense at the time, but it is always for your good.

Peace. Love. Forth and Allow God To Plant.

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