Trusting God

Trusting in the Power of God (Mark 9:14-29) In whom or what have you placed your trust? (1 Cor. 2:1-5) God has given to all people some measure of faith (Rom. 12:3) Our faith is not “blind”, it is based on genuine evidence. Is ours an “unbelieving generation”? (Mark 9:19) Our unbelief frustrates God (Mark 9:19, 16:14, Matt. 14:31, 17:17, Luke 9:41, 24:25, Num. 14:11, John 4:48, 20:27, Heb. 11:6) Our unbelief is a roadblock to our achievement (Num. 20:12, 32:13) Conversely, truly believing can bring us prosperity (2 Chron. 20:20) Our unbelief causes to God withhold miracles (Matt. 13:58, James 1:6-8, Deut. 32:20) Conversely, acting on our faith can unlock miraculous things (Matt. 8:2-3, 9:20-22, 28-30, 15:21-28, 20:30-34, Isa. 50:2, Acts 6:8) Our unbelief can discourage others (Num. 13:31) In addition, non believers will zero in on the failures of believers to try and undermine faith in Jesus (Mark 9:14) So we need to watch how we walk (2 Cor. 6:3) Our unbelief leaves us open to Satan’s attack (Eph. 6:16, Matt. 26:42) Our unbelief leaves us anxious (Mark 4:36-40) Conversely, God’s Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome our fears (2 Tim. 1:7-8, Isa. 40:29, Micah 3:8) God’s Holy Spirit gives us the power to proclaim the Gospel (Acts 1:8, 4:33, Rom. 15:19, 2 Cor. 13:10, Eph. 3:7, 1 Thes. 1:5) God’s Holy Spirit enables us to have hope (Rom. 15:13) How would your life be different if you really lived it as though you trusted in God’s promises? (John 14:12-14) Everything is possible for him who believes (Mark 9:23, 11:23, Matt. 17:20-21, 21:21, Luke 17:6, Jer. 32:17, Eph. 3:20) God is the source of all power (2 Sam. 22:33, 1 Chron. 29:11-12, 2 Chron. 20:6, Ps. 66:7, 147:5, Matt. 6:13, Rom. 13:1, 2 Cor. 4:7, 12:9, Jude 1:25)

God has the power to raise up or to cast down (2 Chron. 25:8) The power of God is revealed in His creations (Isa. 40:26, Rom. 1:20) Jesus was given all power (Matt. 28:18) God can give power to men (Matt.10:1, Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1, 10:19, John 1:12) God’s power is only accessible by maintaining a relationship with Him, through prayer, in the name of Jesus (Mark 9:29, John 15:5, 2 Cor. 10:3-4)) J. K. Johnston tells a story of a small town that prided itself in being a "dry" community. But an out of town businessman comes in and decides to open a tavern. He goes through all the proper channels and gets it ready to open. Then the church gathers together to pray that the Lord would not let this bar open. One day before the tavern was to open, while the church was at prayer, a violent thunderstorm arose, and lightening struck the bar burning it to the ground. The businessman sued the church. The church hired a lawyer to argue they had nothing to do with it. After reviewing the case the judge made a preliminary statement, "What ever the out come of this case is, one thing has been established. The tavern owner believes that prayer works. The church doesn’t." In the courts of Alexander the Great there was a philosopher who had outstanding ability but little money. He went to Alexander and asked for financial help and the emperor told him that he could go directly to the treasury and withdraw whatever amount he needed. When he requested from the treasurer an amount that would equal $50,000 toady, the treasurer refused - he would first have to verify that such a large amount had been authorized. When he went to Alexander with the request he was told, "Give him the money. This man has done me a great honor. By the largeness of the request he has shown that he understands both my wealth and my generosity." (Today in the Word, August, 91) God can empower us to touch and change the hearts of others (Luke 1:17) Even if our faith is weak, God will respond to a heartfelt prayer (e.g. Help us overcome our unbelief, Mark 9:24) Our failures should serve to remind us of our need to rely on the power of God (Deut. 8:18, 2 Chron. 14:11)