Category: Faith of a Mustard Seed

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Trust And Obey

22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer ~ 2 Samuel 5:22-25

When David was anointed king over Israel, the Philistines heard about it and went in search of him, apparently to execute him. Remember, David was actually living with the Philistines, the enemy of the Israelites, because King Saul was hunting him in order to kill him. The Philistines even gave him and his men the city of Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:6). It is likely that they even considered him their friend and ally because when he was anointed king of Judah, the Philistines stayed where they were because Abner, along with Israel, had anointed Saul’s son king of Israel. But as soon as Ish-bosheth was assassinated and David was anointed king of Israel, they went in search of him. David then inquired of the LORD, shall I go up and fight against the Philistines? And the LORD said go, and so he went and defeated the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17-21).

The Philistines regrouped and tried again, according to 2 Samuel 5:22-25. This time, when David inquired of God whether he should go up and fight the Philistines, God answered no. Do not go up and fight, but go behind them and wait. Then, when you hear the sound of marching in the balsam trees, rouse yourself, for then you will know that your God has gone out before you to defeat your enemy, the Philistines. And David did as God instructed.

Remember that David is a warrior; his instincts are to get up and fight. Com’on men, strap on your swords; we got a fight in front of us. But God said no, not this time, don’t do what you do best, but rather, wait for me, and you will have victory. It’s difficult to just sit and wait, not knowing what is going on or how long you will have to wait. Especially right after having such a great victory as the one earlier against the same Philistines. The words, “I can do all things,” springs to attention in the mind in times like those.

You have to rest in the assurance that God can use anything and anyone. This time, He chose to have David wait, which is a lesson in trusting and obeying, even when it seems almost nonsensical. If the general of today’s army told his men that is what he was doing, waiting for a certain sound in the tops of certain trees, they would probably lose all confidence in their commanding officer. But, the Word of God says, …to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22bNIV). For David, his full confidence was in God, and for his men, their confidence was in knowing that David had a relationship with God and heard from Him.

So, the next time you feel like running on ahead with a certain project or a certain way of doing things because you’re good at it, pray, listen, and wait for the LORD. He doesn’t always do things the same way every time. He is a God of variety and color. It does not matter how silly it seems to others or even to yourself, but if you get a word from God, follow that word and trust and obey, no matter how silly or how nonsensical it may sound to others or to you.

Heavenly Father, thank You that you can use anything and everything, anyone and everyone. Nothing is too difficult or too easy, but all things are possible for You. Thank You, Father, that you work everything to the good of those who love You. Teach me to wait on You. Teach me to trust and obey. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Blind Faith

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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Have Faith In Him

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

Trust is the foundation on which all relationships are built. It is impossible to share true intimacy with someone that you do not trust. The author of the book of Hebrews tells us that we cannot please God without faith. Faith and trust go hand in hand.

Think about it, a lack of faith and a lack of trust amount to the same thing with the same results, a distrust of God. Faith believes that God can do all things, and trust believes that He will do it for us. It means that you believe that if He did it in the past, He will do it now.

This is the foundation of our relationship with God. Without faith and trust, we can never grow close to God. We have to believe it’s possible, that He is real, and that He loves us if we want Him to hear us when we call.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Have Faith In Him.

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Build Faith Over Fear

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 41:10CSB

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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Believe Regardless

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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Know How He Works

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

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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Allow God To Plant

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 18:6CSB

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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When Hard Times Come

18 And they shouted it with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them, in order that they might take the city. 19 And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands (2 Chronicles 32:18–19).

Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had sent his officials to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem to threaten him into surrendering before the Assyrian army came and lay siege to Jerusalem. The officials not only insulted the Jews on the walls but insulted the God of Israel as well. He implied that the LORD God was not able to deliver them out of the hands of Sennacherib and his army. He also slandered Hezekiah, king of Judah as well. Verses 16 and 17 say, “And his servants said still more against the LORD God and against His servant Hezekiah. 17 And he wrote letters to cast contempt on the LORD, the God of Israel, and to speak against Him.

It is like today; they say all manner of evil against the LORD God Almighty; they even call Him Mother and declare that He is a woman. It is a blatant insult to God to be called a woman, no offense to women. But it should be an insult to any man, not that God is a man, but He is male, to be called a woman. And likewise, it should be an insult to women to be called men. Because that is not who we are. We are proud to be who God created us to be because He does not make mistakes, nor does He misidentify humans. He created us to be who and what He created us to be.

Just like Sennacherib misunderstood God and did not know His great power and might, he had no fear of God. People today have no fear of God because they don’t know Him, nor do they want to get to know His loving nature. But know this: those who refuse His love will have to endure His wrath. Sooner or later, God’s patience will run out on the sinner, and He will take His revenge on the transgressor.

Then the Scriptures state that they (the Assyrian officials) shouted it to the soldiers on the walls in order to frighten and terrify them so that they would lose heart and not put up a fight but would surrender.

Same concept today. They shout God is not great! He cannot save you, nor can He deliver you, because God is not real. But as for us, we have your best interest at heart, and we are doing this for your own good. To save your life. To save the life of your grandmother. To save the life of your elderly loved ones. And they pump people full of fear until the nation is perplexed and rocked with anxiety, worry, and panic.

But our God told us that He did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. We are God’s prized possession. He loves us agelessly. There is no way that He will ever leave us nor ever forsake us. God will deliver us out of their hands, but even if He doesn’t, to be absent from the body is to be present with Him. Because for us to live is Christ, and for us to die is gain. Jesus is all we need and all we want.

Therefore, when hard times come, look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the One who purchased us with His own blood. Turn to Him, and do not be concerned with scare tactics or terror propaganda. Just put your trust and hope in Him.

Heavenly Father, please help me to put my faith, my trust, and my hope in You and You alone. Strengthen me so that nothing this old world throws at me will knock me off track, even if it connects with me. Thank You, Father, for Your Son Jesus, who delivers me out of all of my troubles; in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Hold To The Name

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” ~ Acts 4:11-12

For 2,000 years, the debate over who Jesus is has never died. Many argue that Jesus isn’t God, while others argue He may have become a god, and others hold fast that He was only a good prophet. Jesus is God, and He is the only way to salvation. Peter also spoke up during Jesus’ earthly ministry and said, “LORD, You alone have the words of eternal life …” (John 6:68).

Who has eternal life? God alone has eternal life. So, if Jesus alone has the words of eternal life, then Jesus is God.

Not only is Jesus God, but:

  • Jesus is the Holder of Salvation
  • Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith
  • Jesus is the Great I AM
  • Jesus is the Giver of Life
  • Jesus is our Healer
  • Jesus is the Supplier of our needs
  • Jesus is our everything

There is no one else, no other name except the Name of Jesus alone, that can save us. It’s only by the name of Jesus that we can be changed and make a change. It’s only by the name of Jesus that we can see mountains move and walls tumble down. Jesus is the Savior of the World and the Giver of Eternal Life. It is His name that we should cling to, for it is His name alone that can change us. Therefore, be confident in whom you serve. Be confident in who Jesus is and what He has done for you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Hold To The Name.

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Let God Plant

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

King David is one of the most well-known and beloved Bible characters of all time. He’s known for being the slayer of Goliath and the man after God’s own heart. This is how he slayed Goliath.

David didn’t put his faith in horses, swords, or any other weapons. He put his faith in God. It didn’t matter what the task was or where the task was as long as he wasn’t alone. See, David understood that it is better to be in the will of God than to be outside the will of God doing whatever he wanted.

Therefore, David flourished wherever he was planted. He flourished because he allowed God to guide him, instead of thinking he knew better. Instead of thinking he was better off doing it his way.

God’s plan may not always make sense in the moment, but God’s plan is always good. That is why we live by faith, not by sight, because he had faith in his God. He knew the Rock on which he stood.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let God Plant.

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