Faith as a Mustard Seed - Do you have it?

In Luke 7:2-10 we find the story of the Roman centurion.  A parallel passage is found in Matthew 8:5-13 with a slight variation in the details.  Nonetheless, both biblical accounts give us great insight into extraordinary "faith in action."

In biblical times, a centurion was the commander of one-hundred soldiers in the occupying army.  This particular centurion lived in Capernaum, a thriving town on the Sea of Galilee, and he had been instrumental in building a synagogue for the Jews there. Though he was a gentile, he had a great affinity for the people of Capernaum, and was a godly man, well respected by all.

The centurion was endeared to his servant, who was sick with the palsy (paralysis). The local physicians were unable to help him. This particular servant was very valuable, which is perhaps why he was compelled to seek out the infamous “Great Physician” to heal him. He even had the elders of the Jews intercede for his servant – recognizing that he was unworthy to approach Jesus with his request in person.

As Jesus neared the centurion’s household, his friends relayed his message to Him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

He showed the Lord great respect, recognizing His authority was from God. He assumed a position of humility as he voiced his concerns and request. Haughtiness never earned favor with anyone. He trusted the Lord to perform all that was necessary for his servant’s healing. He recognized that Jesus, in His physical form, wasn’t needed to heal his beloved servant.

Verse 9 is the key verse in this story. Jesus marveled at the centurion’s great faith! He admonished the crowd as He said, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”  Lastly, we see the centurion’s servant healed, by the Word of the Lord, at the very hour it was proclaimed.

Below is an excerpt from my book  MISSION POSSIBLE 
Chapter 3   “Faith as a Mustard Seed”.   

Mission Possible is a book for women living in an unequally-yoked marriage. 
It offers the reader hope and encouragement using God's Word and applying Biblical truths.

Jesus said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on the earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade” (Mark 4:30-32). 

When we have faith so small it seems insignificant, God can grow it into something sturdy and supportive that even others can “nest in”. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus again said, “… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed , you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” All things are possible with God!

One of my daily devotionals, “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman, has an entry by an unknown author named C.H.P. He talks about a passage written by Paul in the book of Galatians: “Before this faith came, we were held prisoners …locked up until faith should be revealed” (Gal. 3:23 NIV). We are set aside for a time to learn a more excellent way of faith. 

Moses, Joseph, Paul, Silas, and even John all learned about being “put aside” for a season to be locked-up to faith. Commit your circumstances to God. praise Him, and claim Romans 8:28 that “He will work all things to good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.” Isaiah 64:4 promises that God “acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.” Others will receive insight and blessings because you were “locked-up” to learn the way of faith.

So - where has your faith been challenged lately?  Did your faith start out "small as a mustard seed?"  Are your faith muscles growing as you continue to walk this path called life?

Hebrews 11 has been called the “Faith Chapter”. Paul writes, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). We can frame our husband with the Word of God by speaking into existence his salvation. God’s Word will not return void.  Isaiah 46:11states, “Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.”  II Corinthians 1:20 states “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” 

Amen means so be it! God's promises are trustworthy!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  
Visit http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Faith as a Mustard Seed - Do you have it?

Your Provision Is Right Behind You

God's  provision often comes in unique ways, from odd sources and always at just the right time. 

Are you yearning for something from God just now?  Perhaps you’re waiting for an answer to prayer… a job, a marriage, a prodigal.  You might be hoping for a miracle… a healing, a pregnancy, or maybe a new beginning.

Jehovah~Jireh  [The Lord Will Provide]  - 

The text in Chapter 22 of Genesis begins with God testing Abraham using the very thing He promised to give him years earlier.  Abraham’s only son – flesh of his flesh – was to be offered up as a burnt offering on a mountain in the land of Moriah.  Isaac was precious to him and Sarah, and that made the request all the more heart-wrenching for the aging father. 

After Abraham and Isaac left the young men and donkey behind, they traveled to the place God had shown him.  Isaac carried the wood on his back and Abraham carried the fire and a knife for the sacrifice.  As they journeyed, Isaac voiced his concern over the fact that there was no lamb for the burnt offering.  That is when Abraham told his son, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”

As Isaac lay bound on the crude altar upon the wood, Abraham lifted his weapon to slay his son.  The Angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven saying, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

Verse 13 says, “Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns.  So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.  And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day."  Abraham knew God would provide what was required.  Faith told him to believe God for the provision, but he did not know how it would come.

We often look ahead to see what God will do on our behalf when we have a need.  We rehearse in our mind just how it all might come together. But I began to think about how Abraham’s provision was behind him.  

As he was concentrating on being obedient to God, he was totally unaware of how God was orchestrating his circumstances.  God would position exactly what was needed at precisely the right time in exactly the right place.

This is a great quote by one of my favorite Bible study teachers and mentors:

"Not only has Jehovah-Jireh foreseen your need for eternal salvation, 

He also sees your day-by-day needs."   

(Kay Arthur – To Know Him by Name)

Remember, God’s great vault contains all of the gold, silver and precious metals this earth contains.  His treasure chest is overflowing with diamonds, rubies, and all kinds of precious stones.  He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He is the keeper of all living creatures.  

God has no lack – He simply cannot run out of provision for you and me.

In Matthew 17:27 Jesus provided what was needed in dramatic fashion.  Peter was confronted by the temple tax collector and assured him that his Teacher paid lawful taxes. The One whom the wind and waves obeyed instructed Peter to go out and cast a hook into the sea. He was told to take the first fish that came up and retrieve a coin from its mouth, sufficient to pay the exact temple tax for two as was required.

Whatever you are in need of – your Heavenly Father can and will supply.  Do not recoil from asking, nor despair while you wait… 

He is already moving mountains and placing  your ram in the thicket - right behind you.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Your Provision Is Right Behind You