If Only You Had More Faith

 “He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree,  Be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey you.”

Luke 17:6 (NIV)

   For months, I had looked forward to hearing the speaker at the conference. We all had. None of the ladies in my group - including me - had heard her speak before but her name was well-known throughout the country so we were very excited to listen and learn from her. 

    She first shared a bit of her life: husband, three children, 4 dogs. Then she began to address the audience. “I want to speak to all of you about one  important truth,” she continued. “If  your life is not going the way you want it to, it is because you do not have enough faith.” 

    Total silence in the audience. It occurred to me that she thought at that moment that she had our complete attention and, believe me, she did. Then she added “Do you have a husband who says he doesn’t love you any more? Prodigal children? Less money in the bank than bills on your kitchen table? Are you sick? Do you need a bigger home or maybe a new car? Where. Is. Your. Faith?”

    I was stunned! I could not help but look  at the ladies sitting around me after she shared her “truth.”  Eyes turned downward. Struggling with the shame the speaker had accused them of. Tears in the eyes of several. She had hit on situations several had either struggled with at one time or were struggling with now. But at the same time, she gave the impression that all of those situations were our fault because we didn’t have enough faith in God. That the amount of faith we have determines if God will help us or not. Nothing could be further from the truth!

    I will confess to you that it took everything in me not to jump up and demand “Where is your truth found in the Bible that agrees with what you just said? How could you make an untrue declaration like that? Look at these ladies in your audience that you put down with your opinion!” But I stayed silent, unable to focus on her, my heart on the ladies with me.

    One in my group had cancer. She was taking treatments and still trying to work. We had prayed together many times about her illness. Her trust in God and faith in Him to take care of her, no matter the outcome, always amazed me.  Another woman had not one but two prodigal children who turned their backs on their faith. She continued to trust the Lord and have faith that He was in control of her prodigals. Did these ladies feel like they were barely hanging on at times? Yes.  But did they have “enough faith” in the Lord. Absolutely.

    The speaker that day may have been trying to encourage her audience but to us, she completely misunderstood the love and compassion of Jesus. It doesn’t mean the more faith we have, the more God will give us what we want. It’s about  trusting Him with all our problems because He knows what we truly need and He hears us when we call - even when our faith is as tiny as a mustard seed.

  

     Father, please forgive me when I share my opinion instead of your word. Your Truth is what matters and my faith and trust are in you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

R.A.P. it up . . .   

 

Reflect

• Have you ever felt that if you had more faith, everything would work out for you in your life?

• Is that feeling backed up with Scripture?

Apply

• Look up information about a mustard seed and why Jesus used it as an example.

• Thank the Lord for hearing us when we call and for helping our faith to grow in Him.

Power

• Luke 17:6 (NIV) “He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey you.”

• Matthew 17:20 (NIV) “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

• Psalm 28:7 (NIV) “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”

Name Calling

                       “But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed  you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” 

Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) 

    Even though the names were spoken quietly, they were intentionally spoken in a stage whisper so that I could hear them: “Olive Oil – that’s who she looks like! Nancy is Popeye’s girlfriend!” they said, and the giggling followed me as I hung my head and hurried down the hall and away from the name-calling.  

    No one was more aware than I that my 5’-8”, 80-pound frame as an 8th-grade student stood out in a crowd. But I also knew that I was built like my parents, so there wasn’t much that I could do to change how I looked. That didn’t cancel out the hurt from the names I was called; it just made me wish that my tall, slender parents were, well, shorter and heavier.

   How about you? Have you ever been called names? Let’s see…geek, nerd, fatty, ugly, worthless. Sure, who hasn’t been labeled with a hurtful name…but here’s the question: did you believe the name you were called? Do you believe it now?

   Can I share my thinking on this with you? I refuse to let someone else’s attitude determine mine. People can call me names all they want, but I know what my Jesus calls me.

   I am God’s child. (John 1:12)

   I am a friend of Jesus. (John 15:15)

   I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)

   I am adopted as His child. (Ephesians 1:5) 

   I am an heir with Christ. (Galatians 4:7)

And if that’s not enough, let me share one more Scripture. Isaiah 49:16 says this: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Somehow, I do not see “Nancy aka Olive Oil” engraved on the hands of the Creator of the Universe. And I am quite certain that you won’t find “Lori Loser” or “Frances Fatty” or “Wendy Worthless” there either. 

   The only name-calling that I care about – the only name-calling that matters – is the name my Father calls me, as His child. 

   Father, I love that I am your child, created in your image. Thank you for loving me and for calling me by name as your princess. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

R.A.P. it up . . . 

Reflect

• What are some of the hurtful names that you have been called?

• Did you take them to heart and believe that they fit who you were?

Apply

• Make a list of the hurtful names that you have been called.

• Beside each one, write down a name that the Lord has called you, along with the Scripture reference. 

Power 

• Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) “But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

• Romans 8:17 (NIV) “Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…” 

• Isaiah 49:16 (NIV) “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” 

 

What I Truly Deserve

                   “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities . . . “

Psalm 103:10 (NIV)

   I  was looking through the pages of a magazine at the dentist’s office a few weeks ago when a picture of a very well-known singer and actress caught my attention. Her physical beauty was breathtaking. She was facing the camera, her perfect teeth and perfect smile were…well, perfect. Not a hair out of place, not a blemish on satin smooth skin, not a wrinkle in her very expensive slacks and shirt.

    I’ve seen some of her movies and read articles about her before, but this particular interview caught my eye because of her statement in bold letters: “I deserve something great. That’s what I want and that’s what I’m gonna have.”

    I read both sentences again, but my eyes kept settling on the first one. “I deserve something great.” And silently, I asked the question that needed to be asked.  Why? What had she done that caused her to believe that she was deserving of greatness?

   According to the article, she has been married several times. That can’t be it. She has children that she adores. So do many, many other people. She has more money than she can ever possibly spend in a lifetime. Well, that one might not apply to very many of us, but deserving greatness because of wealth? I don’t think so.

    Her determination to be successful was evident, even though life had not been fair. That is commendable, but I firmly believe that if life WERE fair, we would get what we deserved…and it wouldn’t be greatness!

    Consider Psalm 103:10. Jesus truly could have declared: “Look at me! I am the Savior of the world, and I deserve something great!” Instead, He reached out with mercy and forgiveness by humbling Himself and dying for every single one of us. Because we deserved it? Because we are somehow worthy of such an action?

    Absolutely not. Romans 5:8 says it all: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did not treat us as we deserved, but, because of the cross, gently wrapped us in the greatness of His forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love.

    When I have the attitude that everything I have in life is because of what I have done, I ignore what Jesus did for me. And my attitude of pride in myself will only end in a life that will never be satisfied being “great enough.” I don’t know about you, but I am forever thankful for NOT getting… what I truly deserve.

    Father, thank you for not giving me what I rightfully deserve but for covering my sin with mercy, grace, and forgiveness. I love you so much. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . . 

Reflect

• Have you ever felt that you truly accomplished something on your own and that you deserved something great?

• If so, how does that thinking fall in line with Psalm 103:10?

Apply

• Journal Scriptures that describe what you, as a sinner, truly deserve.

• Beside each entry, write Scripture that tells you what the Lord has given you instead.

Power 

• Psalm 103:10 (NIV) He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities…”

• Obadiah 1:3 (NIV) “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’”

• Romans 5:8 (NIV) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Longing For the Old Days

    “Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.”

 Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)

    I was not prepared for everything that came with being a mom. I remember one evening after a particularly stressful day. As my husband tucked our three little ones into bed, I found myself walking slowly around the neighborhood in a carrot-stained shirt with a rip on the shoulder, dirty jeans, and hair and teeth that had not been brushed for two days. 

    “Why didn’t somebody tell me how hard this would be and how much my life would change when we had children?” I thought. I loved them with all my heart, but at the same time, I found myself more than a little upset with God.

    I remember praying, “Father, when LeRoy and I decided to have kids, you never told me about stretch marks and varicose veins. I didn’t see any Scripture about developing a muffin top that has now become an inner tube top, or about clothes that no longer fit, and if they do fit, they have permanent stains of poop, puke, or a combination thereof. 

    “You didn’t tell me that I would never ever get more than 2 or 3 continuous hours of sleep a night. And you definitely never told me that after feeding and burping my baby every two hours all night long, my husband would wake up the next morning and say, ‘Wow! He slept all night long. Isn’t that great?’ and I would have to fight the urge to kick him to the curb. You never told me, God.” 

   One evening, my Bible fell open to Ecclesiastes 7:10, and it pierced my heart immediately. It was a reminder to use caution when comparing my former life with what I have now. Yes, before children, I slept throughout the night, I was in better shape physically, and my clothes didn’t always look like I had slept in them. 

   But now I have three blessings in my home that were not there before. And, according to Psalm 139:13-14, they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and entrusted to my husband and me by the Lord to raise each one to desire a personal relationship with Him.

   Nothing is more important than sharing and living my faith with my children. There will be days in the future when my clothes are no longer covered with baby food. I will have plenty of opportunities to brush my hair and my teeth, and more nights than I can count when I can sleep without interruption. But as parents, we have been given the opportunity right now to influence our children in their faith and to help them grow to love the Lord. When you think about that honor, the old days no longer matter.

   Father, thank you for my precious blessings. Please help me to appreciate what you have given me and to help them grow in their faith. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever longed for your life before you had children?

• Have you truly considered the influence that you have on your children to teach them about a relationship with the Lord?

Apply

• Journal a page for each of your children with your hopes and dreams for them as a Christian; include Scripture to encourage them.

• Share with each of your children what you have written.

Power 

• Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV) “Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.” 

• Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

• Psalm 127:3-4 (NIV) “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.”

 

On the Outside

 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

     “In just a few moments, we will talk with three members of the sexiest congregation in NYC,” the morning talk show host shared with the viewing audience. Huh?

    The young men and women interviewed were very polite, well-dressed, personable and attractive as they explained that the New York City church they attended – the “sexy church” as it was called – was being promoted to appeal to good looking young professionals who want to worship with those who are just like they are: similar careers, good looking, dressed in the very latest styles, with “like-minded values.”

    They shared that the sermons were tailored to their age group (18 to 34) and fit into their lifestyle as young professionals. And it was evidently working because the Sunday evening service was always packed, they smiled.

    They did not share their faith during the interview, but I found myself wondering if I would be welcome at their church. I don’t fit any of the criteria that seem to be encouraged to be a part of that congregation.

    In I Samuel 16:7, the prophet Samuel is told by the Lord to select a man from among the sons of Jesse to replace Saul as king over Israel. I suspect that Samuel had a “king must have” list: tall, good-looking, stands out in a crowd, dressed in the latest style of tunic, a professional warrior.

     But every time Samuel saw one of Jesse’s sons and thought he looked the part, God said no. Seven sons came before Samuel, and each time God’s answer remained the same. Samuel was looking at their physical appearance, but God was not. Samuel was gently reminded, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

    And with that statement, David came in from tending the sheep, and Samuel received a tap on the shoulder and confirmation from God that “he is the one.” (vs. 12) Samuel probably thought, “Are you sure, God?” but he immediately anointed David as the next king, not because of how he looked or his profession, but because God knew his heart.

    How thankful I am that Jesus does not use the criteria of physical attractiveness or career choice, or clothing style to determine if we can live with Him eternally. He simply looks at our hearts to see if we really want to be His. He is looking for a repentant heart and a longing for forgiveness and mercy, along with a desire to live for Him and share Him with everyone we meet.

    Man’s acceptance – even at church – may be determined by how we look on the outside. But God’s acceptance – the only one that really counts – is a matter of the heart.

    Father, thank you for loving me and knowing my desire to live for you. I praise you for not choosing me based on the world’s standards. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 Reflect

• Have you ever believed that someone would be just right for a job/position simply based on how they looked?

• What were you basing your opinion on?

 Apply

• Make two columns in your journal and title them “world” and “Christ.” List everything the world says is important in the first column and Scriptures that describe what is important to God in the second column.

• Now, journal which column is most important to you and why. If you need to change the importance of one over the other, go to the Lord in prayer and share your heart.

 Power

• I Samuel 16:7 (NIV) “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

• Isaiah 53:2 (NIV) “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

• Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”