Daily
Ephesians
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Matthew 21:21-22 (NIV)
21 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Good evening!
Have you ever tried to move a mountain with a mustard seed? Tonight during prayer meeting, Jeff passed around a heart-shaped mustard seed necklace that he had picked up at the Bible book store several years ago. It was still seated in its original jewelry box, in mint condition. I held the container in my hand and took another long look at the tiny mustard seed inside the heart pendant. I thought that mustard seed must have shrunk in size from the last time I saw at it. Jeff asked me how my vision was doing. This week has not been good for me. I’m having trouble seeing clearly into the distance. I think it is because there is a mountain in the way, blocking my view of the Son. Mustard seeds are generally pretty small in size, but the one in the jewelry box is barely recognizable. Can you imagine trying to move anything with something not much larger than a speck of dust?
There is not one person I know who doesn’t have a mountain to move in their life. We struggle with decisions and choices, some of which have lifelong consequences. Sometimes the pressure to perform well becomes a crisis, rendering a capable person into a non-functioning state. We wonder how to move the mountains that manage to block our vision, and squash what little hope we hold inside. One five-minute phone call from the doctor can change a person’s outlook on life. A broken heart can overwhelm even the strongest soul. We lose someone we love and find we no longer have the will to live ourselves. Maybe you’ve been asked to do what seems to be impossible - at work, in school, or even at church. You feel ill-equipped; maybe you lack the skill sets or educational background to do the job you’ve been given. The mountain continues to grow. How in the world can we move it?
The truth is - we can’t move it, not on our own. There is nothing this world has to offer than can move the mountains you face in life. I know someone who can and does move mountains every day. When Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing good fruit, His disciples were amazed. They wondered what kind of authority Jesus had over all the earth. He told His followers if they had faith and DID NOT DOUBT, not only could they make the fig tree wither with one word, but they could say to that mountain, ‘Go and throw yourself into the sea,’ and it would be done. If they believed, they would receive whatever they asked for in prayer.
Do we pray mountain-moving prayers or do we hold back for fear of failure? Are you afraid to ask God for a miracle, because the situation may not play out the way you think it should? If you fail in your prayers because God did not answer the way you thought He should, would it make you feel like a praying fool? Mountain-moving miracles requires complete trust in the Lord, who is our miracle-maker. There are times when we need to have a mountain so large that the only way to deal with it is to ask God for His divine intervention.
Up front faith takes more than mere words. We can read it in the pages of our Bible; yet, it takes a bold and unbridled trust coupled with the determination not to doubt, even and especially when our prayers seemingly dissipate into thin air. Sometimes, we are like that fig tree. People are hungry; they are starving to know there is Savior who can change the direction of their life forever. Is the body of Christ so shriveled up and brittle, that we are unable to offer a mustard seed of hope for those facing fear and despair? What will it take for you to let God free your faith and bring you into a deeper, more intimate fellowship with Him? Are you willing to get out of the way, let go of your rope completely, and allow God to move the mountain that is eating you alive?
It is easy to get sidetracked by the mountains we face. We must look beyond what we see, and choose to obey the Lord, even in our fear. Up front faith says that we will trust the mustard seed God planted inside of our hearts, to do whatever it takes to move the mountain aside and wash it out to sea. The Father promises we will receive His answers, if we believe and do not doubt. Are you ready to stand on His Word? Are you willing to trust the Lord Jesus Christ completely now?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC -
Pray for: up front faith! It all begins with a simple prayer. Father, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the Word, and I know your power will move these mountains out of the way. I’m asking you for greater faith, a faith only You can give. I need Your courage not to look back, up, down, or away from Your holy face. Help me not to focus on the mountain. Help me to look at you alone. I offer this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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