Category: How To Increase Faith

Mark 9:21-27 NRSVUE – Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.  It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, help us! Have compassion on us!”  Jesus said to him, “If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”  When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”  After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.”  But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! This is one of the most important theological descriptions of true discipleship in Scripture. Every one of us should have it inscribed on a plaque and hung on the wall over our desk, for it describes us all. The father admits that he has some faith, yet also a huge area where he lacks faith. He knows Jesus’s reputation and has heard the stories, but he has experienced firsthand the ineptitude of Jesus’s disciples. He has a ‘grain-of-mustard-seed’ faith, so he says in effect, ‘I have a little faith; help me in the great areas where I cannot as yet have faith.'” (Grant R. Osborne, Teach the Text Commentary Series: Mark)

Prayer: Lord, as I come to you today, I pray, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” I surrender all the areas where I struggle and yet have faith. Help me, Lord Jesus.  Help my unbelief.  I believe in you.  I trust you and surrender my heart to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In humble confession to the Lord, let’s sing in worship to the Lord with the song, “Believe For It,” by Cece Winans (click here).

– EK

 

May our faith increase, as we pray this Psalm in commitment and trust in the Lord.

Let’s proclaim it out loud in prayer together.

Psalm 25:1-15 NIV –  
¹ In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.
² I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
⁴ Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
⁶ Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, LORD, are good.
⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
¹¹ For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
¹² Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
¹³ They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

As we place our trust in the Lord, let’s worship him with all our hearts as we sing this song, “Holy Forever,” sung by Cece Winans (click here).

– EK

Luke 17:5-6 NIV – The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!

Perhaps, we can reflect on two aspects about the Lord’s answer to the disciples’ request “to increase our faith.”  It is not about the quantity, but…

1 – The object of our faith:
“The crucial issue in accomplishing great things to advance the kingdom of God is not the quantity of our faith, but the power of God. He says, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” By referring to the tiny mustard seed after being asked about increased faith, he deflects attention away from the quantity of faith to the object of faith.” (John Piper, “How Jesus Helped His Disciples Increase Their Faith,” desiringGod.org)

2 – The ability to exercise our faith:
“The contrast is between the tiny mustard seed and the large mulberry tree known for its deep roots. A little bit of faith can accomplish much, even the impossible feat of uprooting a solidly grounded tree and replanting it in the sea, where the sand is constantly sloshed around by the water. The issue is not the quantity of faith the disciples need to fulfill their responsibilities, but the ability to exercise whatever faith they have for God’s redemptive purposes.” (Diane G. Chen, Luke: A New Covenant Commentary)

Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, would you “show us how to increase our faith?” Help us to take our eyes off ourselves and keep our focus on you “who is more than able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph.3:20).  Enable us today to exercise faith whether we are at home, at school, at work, on our campuses or in our communities – for the advancement of your kingdom and for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s place our hope and faith in the Lord as we worship with this song, “Mighty God (Another Hallelujah),” by Elevation Worship (click here).

– EK

Mark 9:14-18 NRSVUE – When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them and some scribes arguing with them. When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”  Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak, and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid, and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” 

The scribes are arguing with the disciples.  The man from the crowd is also arguing because the disciples could not cast the demon out from his son.  Then, there are the disciples who are arguing back perhaps in their prideful defense.  You can sense the frustration all around.

“Why does frustration happen or what is the logic of responding with frustration? The feeling of being stuck with no answer is what causes frustration.  It is a senseless thing which usually leads nowhere.  It also, most often results in others becoming a target to blame who are usually our loved ones.  This is very frustrating indeed…But the frustration stops when Jesus enters the scene.” (Adapted from Pastor Mark’s Message)

May the frustrations stop.  Let’s ask for Jesus to enter our moments of frustration.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when I feel stuck and cannot seem to resolve what is upsetting my heart, may I seek you and your presence.  You, Lord Jesus, are the answer for my heart’s resolve.  May my eyes be open to see you. May my ears be open to hear your voice assuring me that I am your child. May my heart be open to be filled by you more and more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s continue to seek the Lord’s overcoming presence as we worship to this song, “Pray,” by Worship Central (click here).

– EK

Hebrews 11:1 NIV – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

“This verse introduces one of the Bible’s great chapters—what someone has called ‘The Bible’s Hall of Fame.’ Beginning in Genesis—with Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham—and continuing through the Old Testament, the author spotlights spiritual heroes who stayed faithful to God in the face of almost overwhelming odds.

Why did they remain faithful? One reason is because their faith was in God and His promises, not in their feelings. These great men and women of faith faced discouragement and doubt just as we do. But they trusted God, not their emotions—and we should do the same.

Emotions aren’t wrong; God gave them to us, and they are an important part of life. But our feelings go up and down—and if our faith is based merely on our feelings, it, too, will go up and down. Only when we build our lives on Christ will our faith be stable and strong. Don’t let your feelings mislead you, but base your faith solely on Christ and what He did for us through His death and resurrection.” (Billy Graham, “Faith Versus Feelings”, Hope for Each Day: Morning & Evening Devotions)

“But biblical faith is about assurance, certainty and real hope on the faithfulness of God. It does not come from within us but comes from God’s faithfulness and his love.” (From Pastor Mark’s Message)

May faith increase as we build our lives on the firm foundation of the love of Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I turn away from my self-focused thoughts and emotions and instead, I turn to you today and confess, “I believe in You, Jesus!” I put my hope and trust “solely” on you Jesus for all my needs and concerns for today, that I may continue to build my life on your love.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s continue to prayerfully depend on the love of Christ as we worship to this song, “Build My Life,” by Housefires (click here).

– EK