My Pastor had a most timely sermon on Sunday. We are still studying Jesus' sermon on the mount. Oh my goodness, this is a great in depth study to take on. So many spiritually nutritious goodies in there!
We focused on Matthew 6:30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? Little faith. How many of us walk around with "little faith?" My Pastor explained it this way, little faith is the faith we use to get saved. It's the faith that makes us say, "Yes, I am a sinner in need of a Savior and Jesus is the Savior I need. I trust Him to get me into heaven." Big faith is the faith that gets us through life. That carries us when the going gets tough, and boy does it get tough sometimes down here on earth. Big faith is what keeps us believing God when everything around us is crashing down in a big chaotic heap. Big faith knows God is good and only has good plans for us when we feel buffeted from every direction. It brings us through the storms because we know the One who is in the boat with us.
Mark 4:35-40 35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
All night before listening to this sermon, I tossed and turned, worrying over all the details of getting my house ready for sale. The tenants apartment is an especially difficult area and I fretted most of the night about it. So when I heard this sermon Sunday morning I knew God was bringing correction...why was I worrying. He has this all worked out....before I even came into being! Is my Father not the one who said, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
Big faith seeks after God not after worldly concerns. Look in Matthew 6:31-33 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Big faith focuses on God and His Kingdom and lets God take care of the rest. We do our part in a godly way, shining His light as we go and leave the "working out" part to Him. Pray, believe, give thanks, obey, and rest in His care. The little faith we had when we were saved needs to be exercised to grow and become big faith. Use it or lose it!
And the second part of this God visit was yesterday's devotional verse Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Jesus told us in John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. We have peace when we have faith.
Thank You Lord, for another timely and much needed lesson. I confess my faith is often tiny, often lacking. Please forgive me. I know You are growing me in this area, and it's been a long road to get here. I thank You for progress, I thank You for the care You give to my life. I will trust Your way of working out my days and situations. You never do anything unkind or unwise. Lord help us all grow some big faith in our hearts! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Start working on Your faith. Take God's promises that speak to your situations (look them up!) and write them down, memorizing and believing them.
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