The New Testament story in the Book of Mark is remarkable!
A crowd quickly gathers around Jesus when father and his son approaches calling out “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” Matthew 9:17-18
Did you notice the immediate illustration of faith the father of the child had in Jesus? It's the way he addressed Him... “Teacher!” If the father didn’t believe Jesus could heal his son, he would never address Him as Teacher. The Scripture further explains what happens to the man’s son when a spirit strikes him.
Today, in 2009, we might refer to such medical illnesses based on his symptoms as a seizure disorder. But do you wonder why can we don't see miracles in our present day as in what some refer to as "Biblical" days? I have witnessed miraculous healings through prayer. I have seen God’s mighty power heal several individuals afflicted with health problems and emotional issues. I believe deep seeded faith had everything to do with it.
Why don’t we don't see more miracle healings today? Jesus answers the question thousands of years ago which is applicable today...
“And He answered them, ‘O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring Him to Me!’” Mark 9:19
Jesus speaks to those standing around as they call Him “Teacher” as the crowd continues to grow so eager to hear more of His knowledge on how to live their lives. Yet, they are an “unbelieving generation!” Is that not the same eagerness many of us have, yet the ones who believe, how deep is your faith? How far are you willing to shed your old ways of "unbelief" or barriers that may be blocking God's work in you or another you pray for?
Why do you suppose people do not relate to the Bible in today?
Many of us are a non-believing generation, which seems to be spreading down through the generations at a rampant pace. That's the sad part. The Bible is on target with today's problems and issues as it was WAY back then. Personally, I did not read the Bible as I should before I was mentored. I was draw to learn the Bible. It became passionate resource for when I needed guidance from God.
As a world that is becoming smaller with satellite communications, most would think our technology would help advance spreading the Word of the Gospel, witnessing unprecedented miracles of God. Instead, it seems to permeate the message versus enforcing it.
By not seeing grand miracles such as healings from cancer or seizures as a result of casting out bad spirits as in the times Jesus walked this earth, then we might ask ourselves if we have faith... a deep seeded faith... enough to pray with someone and believe with all your heart and soul they will be healed in Jesus Christ's name?
If we had deeper faith, walked the way the Lord would have us in each of our lives, I believe we would see the news headlines talk about more miracles and less mediocrity!
Could it be the media is a distraction to guide us as a nation into a trance, keeping our attention on the latest chaos? That is pure and simply the devil creating a distraction to keep us velcroed to our chairs. There is nothing wrong with watching the TV or listening to the radio, etc. But we need to balance our time wisely.
Do any of us give God as much time as you watch TV, or do any other hobby?
Miracles are happening all around in simple ways all the time. But when God lays it on any of our hearts to pray with someone or to pray for someone... are we sincere?
Do we really pray for one another with faith like it was our own life is at stake?
In the story... it was a father's child who needed healing. God bless all the little ones who suffer from such atrocities.
I had to examine my own faith and it was far from where it is currently, and I still have a long ways to go in learning more about God in every way!
If you have faith in Jesus with God's Word in your heart and believe HE will heal you from physical or emotional problems, He will!
But is it His will?
It's God’s decision if you are healed on earth or in heaven in you believe in Jesus, but God tells us He searches our hearts all the time. God makes that call as He sees the big picture, but I also believe God can change things if we ask, earnestly. Pray for God to heal someone if you believe and have faith. You doubt in your mind someone may not be healed then pray that they would be comforted by God as they struggle or their family struggles.
God answers prayers but what if we don't ask... how can He answer?
It may be a health or emotional problem you're facing is a mission for God to work through you as demonstrate strong unwavering faith in Him. Max Lucado's devotion was in a similar topic this week. It is faith that makes or breaks your belief. Lack of faith dwindles or diminishes your belief.
Every day, we should awake refreshed with greater faith in our Father in Heaven! Believe and watch miracles unfold all around as you pray to the Father. Ask Him to open up your spiritual eyes! Ask God to show you how to deepen your faith in Him.
Jesus cast out the demon in the boy because the child's father believed Jesus could heal him. The last verse... Jesus answering His disciples when they asked “Why could we not drive it out?” Jesus replied “This kind of cannot come out by anything but prayer!”
Pray to God for your faith to be strengthened by Him!
Believe when others doubt!
Rejoice over the smallest of miracles. God will place bigger miracles in your life as you pray to Him, praise Him, and please Him by showing others you have unwavering faith in God!
Be a believer from the tip of your toes to the top of your head and everything in between. Then and only then will you be able to experience faith in God in a new and deeper way!
If You can?
Do you doubt healing by Jesus thinking “if He can?” Then perhaps all of our prayer to Jesus should be “Yes, You can… through me!”
Believers cannot be believers if they don’t fully believe.
It’s all or nothing for God.
Believe, pray for faith, and the possible will happen!
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*Scripture references are NASB
