“For
Answers In The Heaven! (F.A.I.T.H)”
By Ramesh
C.Reddy Pittsburgh Standard
May
14,
2008
Editors Note: The devotional has a background song which can be heard if you use Internet
Explorer.
SCRIPTURE:
“Jesus said
to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house
is a prophet without honor.
He could not do any
miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
And he was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:4-6, NIV)
Observations:
I asked
myself what we can learn about Jesus here?
-
Jesus could not do any miracles in His
hometown of Nazareth except lay his hands on a few sick people and
heal them.
-
Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith.
Interpretations:
I asked
myself what is the significance of the phrase ‘could not do any
miracles?’.
It is very interesting that the
phrase does not say ‘did not do any miracles’ but ‘could not do any
miracles’. This is very significant because it tells us a lot about the
character of Jesus. For Jesus to have done miracles there, it would have
gone against His nature so that was not possible. Jesus wanted them to
believe based on the miracles He had already done but they were not
believing.
The majority of His hometown
could have been saturated with unbelievers who did not want to believe
in Jesus because they thought of Him as one of them so how could He be
different. This created a chain-reaction.
If they were not going to
believe even after all they saw and heard, Jesus would not force them to
believe by doing miracles just to prove who He was to them. Jesus never
wants converts to come to Him by force or manipulation.
Jesus has emphasized the
importance of having faith and believing. Jesus’ miracles are grounded
on people’s faith and belief. Even if they had lack of faith but wanted
to believe or chose to believe, then Jesus would have still been able to
do the miracles. Instead, those in His hometown did not want to even try
to believe.
Why would Jesus even bother to
do miracles there then! It would be like buying people who did not
believe. Jesus was not about that and that is why Jesus could not do
miracles.
It is important to realize here
that ‘could not’ does not mean Jesus did not have the ability to do the
miracles. He has the ability and capability to do miracles as has been
shown time after time through the chapters I looked at. Just recently, I
studied about Jairus’ daughter being raised from the dead. Jesus had the
capability alright but also was obedient to the Father.
By doing miracles to those that
did not believe would have messed up His ministry. He could have done it
if people chose to believe and asked Jesus to help their unbelief. When
the storm came on the waters, the disciples were afraid but at least
they had a sense of belief that Jesus could do something.
I believe ‘could not’ can be the
same as ‘did not want to’. We can think of examples where ‘could not’
does not mean ‘no capability’ but ‘have the capability but did not want
to’. Jesus laying His hands on a few people and healing them shows Jesus
had the power if He chose to do miracles.
I asked
myself why Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith?
Jesus grew up in Nazareth and
had done miracles and teachings in different places before coming back
to His hometown. Here Jesus teaches with wisdom and people have come to
know that Jesus does miracles but people continue to have lack of faith
in Jesus. This bothered Jesus because of everything that He has done and
yet He does not see their faith blossoming instead it is lacking.
Implications:
I saw important implications for
my own life. There has been a lot going on in my life right now. I wish
the answers would come quickly one way or the other. The hardest thing
is waiting and waiting and waiting. At times I feel like I am lacking in
faith in the situation but I choose to believe and fight to believe. I
see the Lord reaching out to me through His Word because even if we have
faith as small as a mustard seed, He does work in our lives.
I need to
wait on the Lord but waiting
has been so hard for me and am really tested in my faith but there is
hope in Jesus and I am going to stand on the promise of God’s Word for
His Help.
Jesus wants me to hold on to
this promise He has given me from Psalm 42:
"Oh my
soul, don’t be discouraged! Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I
shall again praise Him for all that He will do for me. He is my Help! He
is my God!” (Psalm 42:11, TLB)
In my doubts not knowing the
answer to what I am waiting for, I continue to wait and wait knowing and
believing God will act. He will act in His timing. I need to hold on to
the promise Jesus has given me, “Do not be afraid!
Just believe”. If what I am hoping for and praying for is
according to the will of God, no matter how long I have to wait, He will
allow it to happen!
I ask you
now dear friend, how is your faith?
Dear friend, if you are growing
strong in your faith that is so awesome and a blessing. Sadly, that is
not always the case even among Christians. Things can happen in our
lives that sometimes make our faith fragile. At other times it seems
like it has shattered or fallen.
I do not know where you are
right now in your own faith but this I know, Jesus loves you and wants
you to seek Him! Jesus went to the cross for you and you so that we
could have new life in Christ. Jesus wants us to find our identity in
Him and be accepted by Him but that does take faith on our part too. We
need to believe what Jesus did on the cross when He shed His blood for
us to forgive us of all our sins. Now in Him we can have redemption.
Yes, friend because of what Jesus already did for us, we can have the
victory. He forgives us as we are when we turn to Him. Let not the cross
of Christ be in vain for it is for you and me Jesus went to the cross.
Come and accept Jesus as you are confessing and repenting of your sin.
If it ended with the cross, there will be no hope but Jesus came back to
life on the 3rd day to save all who received Him.
No matter how downcast you are, how hopeless a
situation might seem, you can choose to have faith and remain in faith!
It will not be easy always but holding on to what Jesus has already
accomplished in your life and knowing that He can continue to work in
your life can give you that peace to continue. Having faith no matter
how small that faith is, even the size of a mustard seed, has the
potential to move mountains!
We cannot always understand why
things happen the way they do. Sometimes what happens gives so much
pain. This does not change Jesus’ love for us. When we are in pain I
believe He is in pain with us. When we are in sorrow, He is in sorrow
with us. I do know whatever we go through if we are in the Lord, we are
not alone and He will get us through. He does not want us to be afraid
but to believe.
I speak from experience friend. I remember how much the Lord Jesus
has brought us through especially when our beloved dad went into cardiac
arrest on the 8th of October. Those were turbulent times but we have
seen the miracles of the Lord even in those times till the 17th of
December when our dad went to be with the Lord which is the greatest
miracle of all since he was not a believer in Christ for a long time. It
is God's Word that sustained me and our family and it is God's Word that
needs to sustain us always no matter where we are. Turn to Jesus and you
will find hope!
Won’t you
do that friend?
I do not know what you are faced
with right now but Jesus knows what you are going through and what you
have been waiting for. There are many times He gives us what we wait for
as we seek Him. At other times, He tells us ‘No’ because He loves us and
has a plan we cannot understand in the present situation.
Will there
be pain and will a person’s faith be shaken?
Yes, that is very possible but
also it is important to remember whatever the Lord allows in our lives,
when we are His, He will not let us go through it alone. He will provide
the support and strength to get through. The important thing is not to
give up on the Lord and what you have been waiting for. Even if the
present situation does not work out, He will open another door of
blessing for you friend.
When you are tempted to give up
on what you have been waiting, you need to saturate yourself with the
Word of God. You see His Word will comfort you and give you promises you
can hold on to. As you wait on the Lord in faith, no matter how long you
wait, it will not be a waste of time because you are depending on the
Lord. Do not look at the days that have gone by but look to the bright
days the Lord will bring your way and will give you an answer for what
you wait for.
He has His perfect will for your
life and His timing for your life. Wait on the Lord friend and let Him
guide you and lead you. There were a married couple who were praying to
have a child but she could not get pregnant. They continued in prayer
and prayer and prayer, waiting on the Lord. Five years later, they had
their own child as his wife became pregnant. When the answer comes after
prayer and waiting and when we see the Hand of the Lord on the
situation, the result and outcome is that much more sweet and savoring.
Miracles are available friend so
wait on the Lord and in His timing. I intend to wait on the Lord for the
answer I am seeking whether the answer is a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for the Lord
knows what it should be in my life. He knows the answers for your life
too.
Few years ago, it was put upon
my heart to write a poem to help the fallen find faith. I hope it
ministers to you if you are struggling in your faith. I hope you can
share it with those who you believe would benefit from it. It is taken
from a counseling book I wrote for students faced with different
situations in their lives.
Finding Fallen Faith
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Nothing is going your way?
At each new day
On bed, you just want to lay?
Whether it be Jan, Feb, Mar, etc or May
Don’t know if with Christ you want to stay?
There is so much pain?
Nothing to gain?
Your faith seems to be in vain?
Filled with problematic stain?
You feel Christ does not care?
But He wants to your burdens bear.
(Matt 11:28-30)
And you He will from the pain soon spare.
Please in Christ, have faith.
(Psalm 37:5)
To backslide from Jesus, problems Satan uses as bait.
Whoever loves the Lord, the devil will hate.
Please do not lose hope but upon the Lord wait.
(Isaiah 41:10)
Jesus knows how you feel
(1 John 3:20)
And your wounds Jesus will heal. (Isaiah 53:4-5)
And help you with your problems deal (1 Cor 10:13)
Purchasing you by His precious blood, the New Covenant He does seal!
Amen!
May you rest in the Lord for
answers in the Heaven!
“For
Answers In The Heaven!” (F.A.I.T.H)/”How is
your faith?”
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus I love you so much. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much. I
praise you and worship you Lord. I am sorry for my sin. Please forgive
me Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus you hear me. I pray for those that are
backsliding and are struggling in their faith. I pray OH Lord that you
would restore them. Lord Jesus they maybe facing circumstances in their
life that's hindering their faith. They need you Lord. I need you Lord!
Sadly, we rely on ourselves many times. When the devil tempts us, we
forget you are there to help us. When we are faced with trials and
tribulations, we forget you are with us through it all. Sorry Lord for
forgetting so easily. Please Lord change circumstances in people's lives
and please Lord help them feel your love. You brought me back when I
backslid years ago. Thank you so much Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus, you
can do the same now too. I turn each one who is struggling to find you
over to you Lord. I trust in you Lord Jesus with everything. Thank you
Jesus, when we wait upon you, you will rescue us and mount us up with
wings like eagles. Thank you that even if our faith is so small, you
still work in our lives. We need your help to build our faith. Help us
Jesus please. No matter how many years have gone by, we need your help
to continue to grow in you Lord. Thank you Jesus, we can expect you to
act in our lives. You are our help and our God! Thank you Jesus, you
hear and answer. You have washed us clean and look after us. We trust in
you and wait upon you with all our concerns and problems. Thank you for
cleansing us with your precious blood. Thank you Jesus for the New
Covenant. We give our life to thee and renounce any idols or gods that
have crept up in our lives that go against your Word. Forgive us and
help us! We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you
for being our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you that you have heard
our prayers and answered us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
If
you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a
daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be
alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them
come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to
wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as
you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart and finding your new
identity in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for
my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have
done and the times I messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the
years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you
can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me
unconditionally for who I am. I thank you Jesus. Thank you for going to
the cross for me, for dying for my sins, shedding your precious blood
for me, so I can me made whole. I am covered by your blood Lord! I come
as I am and accept you Jesus into
my heart. Please come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your
home. Please live in me Jesus. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart and
living in me. Thank you for forgiving me
of all my sins. Thank you for giving me a new identity in you. I
acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart
that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give
myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus
through the days, we can do things together. Thanks for being my
Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and
answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's
storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!
Spend time in His word and let the Lord
speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out
the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.
Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church
fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be
part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the
Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in
Bible Live Eternally!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
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' I AM ' Series
Archives:
What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13,
07, 10:09 a.m.)
"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08,
07, 10:10 a.m.)
"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?"
(June 30,
06)
Gospel of Mark Archives:
Mark 1:1:
"What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan
15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)
Mark 1:1-4: "How
seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan
12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)
Mark 1:5-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08,
8:48 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08,
11:21 a.m.)
Mark 1:9-11:
"How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08,
8:53 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13: "How
do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19,
08, 12:27 p.m.)
Mark 1:14-15:
How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan
21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)
Mark 1:16-18:
"What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan
26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)
Mark
1:19-20:
"Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?"
(Jan 29, 08,
10:44 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan
30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan
31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)
Mark
1:23-28:
"What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb
01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:3-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 1:29-31:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05,
08, 11:44 a.m.)
Mark 1:32-34:
"Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06,
08, 11:16 a.m.)
Mark 1:35-39:
"Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb
07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)
Mark 1:40-42:
"Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09,
08, 11:00 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-45:
"What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08,
9:23 a.m.)
MARK CHAPTER 2:
Mark 2:1-2:
"What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb
12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)
Mark 2:2-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb
13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb
15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb
16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb
18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)
Mark 2:13-15:
"Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb
19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)
Mark
2:15-17:
"Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20,
08, 9:57 a.m.)
Mark
2:18-20:
"When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08,
9:32 a.m.)
Mark 2:21-22:
"How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08,
9:56 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb
23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb
25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
CHAPTER 3:
Mark 3:1-6:"Whose
N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08,
9:54 a.m.)
Mark 3:7-8:
"What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08,
8:17 a.m.)
Mark 3:9-11:
"What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb
28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)
Mark 3:11-12:
"How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08,
9:11 a.m.)
Mark 3:13-16:
"What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?"
(March 01, 08, 9:29
a.m.)
Mark 3:17-19:
"Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March
03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)
Mark 3:20:
"Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08,
12:07 p.m.)
Mark 3:21:
"How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March
05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)
Mark 3:22-27:
"How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06,
08, 7:57 a.m.)
Mark 3:28-30:
"What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08,
8:18 a.m.)
Mark 3:31-34:
"What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08,
08, 8:45 a.m.)
CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20:
"What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March
10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)
Audio:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)
Mark 4:21-23:
"What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12,
08, 9:40 a.m.)
Audio:
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
10:11 a.m.)
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
8:52 a.m.)
John 12:12-15:
"How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17,
08, 1:25 a.m.)
Philippians 2:8:
"What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March
20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)
"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March
25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)
Mark 4:24-25:
"What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March
31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)
Mark 4:26-29:
"What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April
05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)
Mark 4:30-34:
"What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08,
11:48 a.m.)
Mark 4:35-41:
"What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08,
11:52 a.m.)
CHAPTER 5:
Mark 5:1-13:
"Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08,
11:50 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08,
11:46 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08,
11:00 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?" (April 14, 08,
10:40 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"Will you T.E.L.L others about Jesus?" (April 15, 08,
11:32 a.m.)
Mark 5:20:
"What do you do with your T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y?" (April
16, 08,
12:03 p.m.)
Proverbs 17:4:
"What does G.O.S.S.I.P do to you?" (April 17, 08,
6:52 p.m.)
Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14:
"How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R you?" (April
24, 08,
9:26 a.m.)
Mark 5:21:
"Why will you G.A.T.H.E.R before Jesus?" (April
28, 08,
9:36 a.m.)
Mark 5:22-24:
"What place do you give P.R.A.Y.E.R in your life?" (April
29, 08,
7:51 a.m.)
Mark 5:24b-29:
“Unclean
Now? Christ’s Leading Everyday Always Nurtures! (U.N.C.L.E.A.N)"
(May 05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:30-34:
“Forever,
Redeemer Everyday Excitingly Delivers Omnipotent Message!(F.R.E.E.D.O.M)”
(May
05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-37:
“Timing Is Messiah’s Involvement Nurturing Graciously!
(T.I.M.I.N.G)”
(May 07, 08, 10:07 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-42:
"What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?"
(May 08, 08, 9:33 a.m.)
CHAPTER 6:
Mark 6:1-2:"Where
do you seek W.I.S.D.O.M for your life?"
(May 09, 08, 10:31 a.m.)
Mark 6:2-3:"What do you do with your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?"
(May 10, 08, 9:43 a.m.)
Mark 6:2-3:
"Who/Where is your
I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y found in?"
(May 12, 08, 8:45 a.m.)
Mark 6:4:
"When do you feel
A.C.C.E.P.T.E.D in your life"
(May 13, 08, 8:21 a.m.)
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