So, little Faith!

Matthew 17:18-21

18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, 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.” 

18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

This verse reminded me of my 4 year old Nephew,unafraid to show his feelings, emotions, easily forgives in an instant and so humble. Children have a way of believing everything we (adults) say and believing it as a fact. It's only when we grow up that we tend to question everything. Thus, the boy from verse 18 was healed at the moment, because of his Humility and full dependency on Jesus!

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

Why it didn't work out? Why was I not able to do it? Often times these are the questions troubling my mind when faced with a challenging situation, especially in the office, when working on a project or will handle a meeting or whatsoever... These questions turned into frustration and doubt and made me upset but God in his holiness would always remind me the same answer He had given to the disciples " Because you have so little faith..." I feel like He talks to me directly telling me why putting my faith on myself, and I would immediately be reminded of God's Holiness, Glory, Power, Mighty Hand, That He is the God my God that can do far more than what I can do or imagine.

Be like children full of Humility putting their 100% dependency, Faith to the Holy One and Trust in his word as Jesus said "Nothing is impossible for you".

Whenever you feel doubting don't focus on yourself, Focus on God! As He will never fail us nor forsake us, that's what He promises, If you don't believe that God is telling you "You so little faith" Trust me, put your Faith in me and "Nothing is impossible for you".

Gracious God when mind's in trouble

1 John 4:17-18

17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

When I woke up this morning I had a feeling of being worried, discouraged, doubt and fear and even as I was making my tea, it still is bothering me, the thoughts of failing to a certain project I'm part of and my ongoing application for a certain promotion, These kinds of thoughts are difficult to resist, it's tempting not to worry, not to be discouraged, not to doubt and not to fear, But Jesus did! He resists the temptation when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus wasted no time in meeting each thought (Matthew 4).

When we let these thoughts to contain us, it disturbs us, it is true that we can never stop thinking, but we can control what thoughts occupy our minds, Martin Luther once said "You can't keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair", I learned to take it from Jesus, disarm the thought by allowing Him to come in. Pray about it with no filters, telling Him everything what bothers me!, Pray each time the thought comes back to mind.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Jesus is our Confidence knowing that He is walking with us no matter what circumstances we are facing in this world, He Perfectly loves us, so, Instead of thinking the 'What if's....' In our minds change it into, 'Who am I that you are thinking of me', 'Why do you love me so much'!

Gracious God through Psalm

Psalm 138:7-8

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

    you preserve my life.

You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;

    with your right hand you save me.

8 The Lord will vindicate me;

    your love, Lord, endures forever—

    do not abandon the works of your hands.

I remember when colleagues are persecuting me because of mine since I was the youngest officer that time, all my works are being questioned and being analyzed pieces by pieces as though its a fault finding act and when they do, I sure am dead - Back then the only way for me to breath is to talk to God and Pray for them- I realized that when I enter the office its going to be a trouble every day.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life."

Life is a "Walk" it is a journey, a constant action, it's always on the move, its never stationary. 

All of us have life experiences to share where God showed His Unfailing Love amidst difficult circumstances.  

"You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me."

In time of Big need when it seems there is no hope, God stretches out HIS arms and save us against our enemies or difficult situations but we need to Trust Him. I remember when I faced a hopeless situation, the first thing I did was to shut everything off, I closed the door, and stayed my room for hours and all I did was Cry to Him and reminded myself how Big my God, is that can do what seems Impossible to human is Possible to Him and Immediately I felt the peace that only comes from the Father.

"The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands."

I looked up the meaning of 'vindicate' on a dictionary and I was astonished with its meaning, it says to "clear (someone) of blame or suspicion." A lot of times even though I know that Jesus died for my sin to save me, Lots of times I am still being tempted to fall to my sinful nature - and when this taunt me down. God in his magnificent power reminded me that He vindicates me, His love endures forever.

What about you, how God walked with you amidst trouble?

How did He stretched His hand?