Category: Healing

Appreciative To God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Appreciation, Healing, ThankfulnessLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 17:14–17
Today’s Bible Text: 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: We are a very needy people. It seems like there would never be a shortage of things to ask for whenever we go before God in prayer, for He is so worthy, so powerful and so loving in wanting to supply our every need. But this scripture today is a reminder that we are to be a people of thanksgiving and praise even more than a people who constantly ask/plead/beg for God’s grace and favor. Think about it friend, God provides so much more than what we ask for, and His responses to our requests are so much more than we could ever imagine. There is no other God like our God! As I look outside my window this morning I can see sunshine; a beautiful lake with fish jumping from the water; greenery; birds and the accompanying chirping from them. So far I’ve listed several things that I never asked God for this morning, but for which I can give Him thanks. Unfortunately I believe many of our prayer lives are much like the lepers in this story. We are probably quick to run to God with our needs and our wants, but how often do we return to thank Him for His attention and answers? Let’s never forget that there are times that we ask God, but we tend to think that He never heard us if He answers differently to what we told Him. There is much to thank God  for in the ‘no’ responses as well! Friends, may I encourage you today to try and follow in the footsteps of the one leper who gave thanks to Jesus, and not the other nine who took the healing for granted, and were ungrateful in returning to give thanks! God deserves our praise and our thanksgiving!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You bless us so powerfully every day in so many wonderful ways. Please help us to always, always return to give thanks to You for not only hearing our prayers, but responding to them in such divine ways. Please help our times of prayer to always be deeper in praise and thanksgiving than any of the needs that we have to pray about, no matter how severe those needs may appear to us. Leprosy was pretty serious, yet when healed, only one returned to give thanks. May we be a part of that group that will remember, and will return to give thanks, for we are so appreciative of all that You bless us with each and every day. In thanksgiving, I ask these things, all for Your ultimate glory, AMEN!

Footnote: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

2016

How to Avoid Relapses

On By Ed AlgreenIn Cleansing, Healing, Persistence, SinLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (The New Living Translation – John 5:11-14): 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. 13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.”

THOUGHTS: The casual reader of this passage of scripture might cringe at the thought that Jesus would threaten the healed man that if he didn’t ‘stand up and fly right’ that something worse would come to him. The way that God spoke to me in this is that I was once healed from the awful disease of sin. However, if I keep playing with sin and giving in to temptation, then I will quickly relapse back into the world of sinful things. Often when this happens, the individual will sink deeper into sin than they ever were before. I feel compelled to challenge myself and my readers with this question: Who in their right minds would want to stand idly by and see a relapse of a decease such as cancer or aids (for example) and not want to do everything possible to hinder the relapse? Often a relapse will result into a deepening of the decease and could often lead to death, unless the individual takes the situation in hand and makes every effort to once again contain the decease. In the case of the man in this Bible story, he had been sick for almost 40 years. Although Jesus knew his need, he asked him what kind of help he needed. Jesus healed him of the effects of sin on his life, but He wanted to make sure that the man’s heart was right, so that his life would not become re-infected again. I believe it is evident from this story that doctors may treat us, and Jesus could even cure us of our deceases, but unless we do our part in obeying the same command Jesus gave to the man who was healed in this story, then we are subject to seeing even worse things happen to us. Let us therefore invite Jesus into our hearts and lives, so that by His power, we might be overcomers of sin. Perhaps then we might be healthy enough to actually help those who were once in ‘our shoe’, impacted by sin and seeing no hope of a cure to this world’s burden of sin and its effects on their lives.

PRAYER: ‘Jesus Messiah, name above all name, blessed Redeemer, Emanuel, the rescue for sinners…‘ Thank You Lord for rescuing me from my sin. Thank You for touching the lives of many who will read this devotional today in a very similar way. Thank You for caring about those who are careless and have no desire to invite You into their lives. May this be a day that each reader may examine themselves closely. May they be made aware of the impact of sin on their lives, and may they develop a desire to allow You into their lives and help them overcome the sin and temptations that this old world will quickly impose upon them. Lord, may eyes be opened today as to the effects of sin and the overwhelming impact that it has on our lives. May this prompt us to draw close to You, the only One with power to help us be overcomers. None of us would opt to live a life of sin, or return to a life of sin that we had recovered from. Please fill us with so much of Yourself that Your thoughts might become our thoughts, may Your desire for the lost of this world be our burden so that we might dedicate ourselves to drawing all men unto You. In appreciation, love and concern for my spiritual welfare and that of my readers, I ask all this in the powerful and strong name of Jesus, with thanksgiving, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak… with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or read through Biblical truths on How To Know Jesus, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

The Desire and faith for Healing

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Healing, Humility, Obedience, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Mark 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 1:40-42 (NLT)

40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

On our first reading of this we may feel sorry for the man with leprosy because we know that it is such an awful disease. We need to look at a few other factors in this story though, and apply them to our lives today:

  1. The man had a desire to be healed of the disease that had a grip on him. He was tired of people rejecting him and scorning him. He wanted to be useful in his society, but had very real limitations because of his disease.
  2. He had heard about the miracles being performed by Jesus, and he was convinced that he too could be healed.
  3. He was in need so he didn’t demand anything of Jesus, but he wanted to make Jesus aware of his faith.
  4. He didn’t feel so sorry for himself so as to exclude himself from the presence of, and possible healing from, Jesus.
  5. Jesus had compassion on the man. I believe that he was touched by his boldness, his desire and his faith.
  6. Jesus was willing to oblige. This sounds to me like Jesus may have meant: now that I see you are willing and ready for a miracle, I am willing to perform it.
  7. Jesus has the power to do ALL things. This leper may have never heard about another leper being healed, but he had heard enough that he placed his faith and trust in Jesus and that He would fulfill His (Jesus) will for his life.

Friends, I believe that you will see that this story has many similarities to what we face today. We may have separated ourselves from God, from the church and perhaps even from the general populace. It’s not until we want to do something about that, and stop feeling sorry for ourselves that we can truly move forward. It is also important for us to stop and recognize the source of all power, all healing, all perfection. Then we must be willing to give up the old life, humble ourselves before a righteous, yet powerful God, and allow Him to heal us of our imperfections and provide the strength, boldness and direction for a new life in Him. What are you waiting for? Jesus is waiting for your decision, your wish, and your desire to see change in your life. Let it be today, friend. You may not be around for another opportunity tomorrow.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, what a powerful reminder this morning. Please help me to surrender my weaknesses and imperfections to You today knowing that as I am willing to receive a touch from You, and give up the illness/sin that hold me back, then You will answer my call for help. Like Mark in the very first verse of this chapter, I am excited about the ‘Great News’ of Jesus Christ, and I seek to allow You to have Your will and way in my life today, dear Jesus! Praise be to God!

Forgive as Christ Forgave Us

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Draw Me Close to You, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Getting Along, God’s Word, Healing, Helper, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Peace, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, RepentanceLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” Matt 18:35 (NLT)

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

One day when we were deep in sin, in fact even to the degree that we protested before the king that Jesus should die just because He ‘rubbed’ us the wrong way, just because He showed us up with all of His humbleness and good works, yet His Father allowed Him to die on a cruel cross at Calvary just to ease the path to heaven for us. If we, as Christians, are then to be like Jesus, who are we to turn our noses up, harden our hearts and be unwilling to forgive our brother or sister, just because they may have hurt our little feelings? God is a God of love, so as His followers we are to be a people of that kind of love. God is a forgiving God, so as followers of His we too are to be a forgiving people. God sent His Son to display the attitudes we should have here on this earth. Unless we read the Book of Instructions (the Bible), we may often think that WE have everything under control and may even think that we have no sin in our lives. Friends, we have a lot to be desired, should we try to compare ourselves to the King of all times, the Creator of this universe. We have a long way to go, compared to the love, forgiveness, humility and understanding we read about in Jesus. But let’s not wait any longer to start our journey, let’s recommit ourselves today to try and parallel our lives to the one exampled by Jesus, the only perfect One that ever walked this earth. Others need your forgiveness so that they can go on to be victorious in Jesus. You may need forgiveness so that you can go on to victory in Jesus, this same chapter gives guidance on how to go about seeking forgiveness when your offender may feel no guilt at all. Live daily in the Word, so that you can live daily for Jesus!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father this has been an eye-opening chapter today, for it is filled with Your instructions on how we are to live our lives worthy of, and following Your example. Please give me grace, power and a humble heart to forgive others just as You have forgiven me. Help me to live a daily life being an example of You and sharing Your love with everyone that I come in contact with. Oh that others will see Jesus walking this earth through the lives of Your believers, and especially in me, what a difference this would make towards fulfilling the Kingdom message!

Reach Out and Touch Him In Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Faith, Follow Jesus, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, Healing, Hope, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Power of Prayer, RighteousnessLeave a comment

Scripture: Matthew 9

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him.20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe,21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.  Matt 9:19-22 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Like the woman with the issue of blood who followed Jesus and knew that if she could only touch Him she would be healed, today we too reach out to Jesus with all we have in us, knowing that He can heal us or mend our brokenness. Jesus looked at the lady in this story and told her that because of her faith, she was healed. Friends, this is the same Jesus that we serve today, and He is still looking for our faith and sincerity so that He can say the same thing to us. We know that many of our problems are well beyond our abilities. We know that all things are possible with, and through Jesus. Let us then place our faith and trust in the one with all the answers, with all the power to bring about the miracles that we need in our lives. Let’s let go and let God have His way with us. Let’s surrender to His power so that His miracle hand can begin a great work in us! Like the woman reached out to touch Jesus for her healing, let’s reach out and touch Him today.

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father thank You for this reminder today, that I must reach out to the one with all the answers, the only One with all the power to heal and/or change things in and around me. You are in control and can be counted on to heal me as I reach out in faith to You. Please help me daily to walk in faith, help me to keep my eyes so focused on You that I will always surrender my concerns to You and allow Your power to work miracles in my life and in all walks of life that affect me. Speak the word today dear God and heal my concerns, may my walk with You become richer today as a result of my faith. Thank You for loving me so much to hear my prayer and work in and through me.

May the God of Peace be evident in Us!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Discerning, Faith, Faith, Forgiveness, Fruit of the Spirit, Getting Along, Healing, Honesty, Hope, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Peace, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, Righteousness, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

26 One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander.27 “Why have you come here?” Isaac asked. “You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.”28 They replied, “We can plainly see that the Lord is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let’s make a covenant.29 Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the Lord has blessed you!”30 So Isaac prepared a covenant feast to celebrate the treaty, and they ate and drank together.31 Early the next morning, they each took a solemn oath not to interfere with each other. Then Isaac sent them home again, and they left him in peace. Gen 26:26-31 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I’m sure that sometimes God must look at us in dismay and say, why are you being such a brat and acting this way, refusing to accept this person in love through faith in Me? After all didn’t I give you what you have to use for my glory, and isn’t this person approaching you with a peaceful intention? So often I’m afraid that we tend to feel like we are especially blessed by God and since our little feelings were hurt, why should we then share our blessings with the same person that forced us into a challenging corner in the first place. This lesson from Isaac shows me that even the same king that kicked him off his property and out of his town, which I’m sure must have created quite a stir for Isaac’s camp, yet Isaac accepted the king with open arms and in peace, agreeing to a treaty proposed by the king. What a lesson to learn here! Hopefully we will be called into a situation where we could make the difference between peace and separation; showing God’s love through our actions, rather than allowing Satan to take credit for the way that we respond to such peace offerings. May this be a year filled with God’s love expressed through us in ways that will shock Satan and his cohorts. May God win the battles though His people and may He receive glory for all that is accomplished in His name!

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, there are situations and scenarios in our lives that require Your power in our lives to help us make right and peaceful decisions. I believe that You are the same God today that You were when You helped Isaac overcome the challenging decisions he had to make when approached by the king. I believe that You can, and will honor our call for peaceful resolutions and treaties so that You may be honored and receive glory for the miraculous decisions that we make. Please help me to always think primarily like You would and then depend wholeheartedly on You for power to overcome the forces of this world and Satan. May the victories and/or peaceful resolutions that occur this year through my life, and those for which I may influence through my church, bring You glory and be a visible display of Your power to a lost world.

Be a Godly Example and receive His Blessings

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Getting Along, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, Healing, Helper, Honesty, Hope, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, Righteousness, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 13

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west.15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord.  Gen 13:14-18 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In an earlier chapter we saw where Noah pleased God when he created an altar and gave a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God. In turn, he was blessed with a lot more than he thought he would have just coming out of the ark. In this passage we see where Abram was very open in being a peace maker. He was the key leader in this whole journey with Lot, yet when strife broke out, Abram was the one willing to step back and give Lot first preference in whichever land he wanted to settle on with his family, herds and belongings, and Abram settled for whatever was left. Although not specifically said in the passage, it is evident that this peaceful act, this display of family love and devotion, pleased God very much. In fact, so much so, that He met with Abram and showed him everything that would really belong to him. Abram, being the Godly man that he was, settled in and immediately built an altar to the Lord. Today it almost seems to be more important that we strive to be the revenger, the better man, the victor, the winner, to look bigger in the eyes of onlookers or those we try to impress, instead of being the peacemaker like Abram. I don’t believe that it ever hurts to eat ‘humble pie’ and always please God with our actions. This helps us be a much ‘bigger’ person in the eyes of our beholders, as they will realize that it must have been the power of God working in and through us, to face possible condemnation, possible defeat in the eyes of those looking for a fight, but to look and act more like God in what He would do in the same circumstance. In our passage today God has shown yet another example of what it means to represent Him and act in a Christian manner in our everyday lives. As we study His Word we will find more and more ways to look more like Him in all that we do and say instead of jumping in with both feet and doing what self, or the world promotes. Let’s be God-followers, even if it means eating the ‘humble pie’ like Abram did! In all circumstances let us be good examples of God in word and deed.

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Your Word is filled with examples of how we should act and what it really means to represent You well while blessed to be here on this earth. Thank You for the example of Abram in this passage today. Today we are faced with equally as important decisions and/or challenges. May I not act in haste and respond in a manner outside of Your will or Your character. May I continue to represent You well in the good times, but may I also learn to represent You even more when old Satan rears his ugly head and tries to bring out the worst in me. May the worst in me be cleansed by You and replaced with qualities pleasing to You so that I may respond to life’s circumstances in a Godly fashion. It’s You I live for and You that I desire to please in all that I say or do, but I need Your constant touch on my life. Please continue to teach me Your ways and give me strength each day to be victorious in being Your representative in all things and in all ways.

Dt 11:22: (The Blessings of Obedience) – 22 “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.

What do you want me to do for you?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, Healing, Power of Prayer, Thank You Jesus, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Mark 10 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Mark 10:49-52 ~ When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

We attend church and expect to see God answer prayer and/or move in our midst because of all that we read in His Word and have heard about Him. In this scripture, Bartimeus was the same way, only I get the impression that he would not have been considered a very religious person that perhaps many of us may consider ourselves, for he was a beggar along the roadside, and because of the reaction of the crowd, he may have made a pest of himself. However, like in the story of the children coming to Jesus, Bartimeus was calling out to Jesus for specific help/healing and in sincere faith. Too often we come to Jesus in such general terms and in such a way that we give the impression that yes it would be nice if Jesus would do this or that, but if not – well, we understand, and we will try again later on. This blind man had a very specific need that he didn’t have to think very hard about when asked by Jesus what He could do for him. In other words, I believe that Bartimeus was there at that time for the specific reason of having Jesus restore his sight, not because he thought that his begging to such a large crowd passing, may be financially beneficial to him. Jesus knows our most intimate thoughts and desires, so we could cut the chase and verbalize to Him specifically what it is that we desire in our hearts. It’s ok to share this with a friend so that they could join us in prayer and share our burden, but it is much more important that we stop, acknowledge Jesus for who He is, share our deepest thoughts with Him and ask Him for help and/or healing in specific terms, and in faith expecting His hand to be outreached to respond in a way that He knows is best for us. Let’s remember, we are His children, and He desires His very best for His kids. We just need to have the faith and ask for it!

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Wow, what a lesson this is today! A time when it seems like more and more of us attend church out of tradition and because of habit. A time when we come to Jesus in prayer asking in such general terms about our group, our family or our friends. This scripture has reminded me that when I come to pray, I need to come prepared with the very thing that bears on my mind, ask specifically for that need, and ask with such assurance knowing that I am asking the Master of this universe, the Healer of the blind, the restorer of life, the King of all kings, the only one that has the power to respond to my requests. With that kind of faith and assurance, I can come boldly to the cross expecting God to respond in bold and marvelous ways. Thank you Jesus for being my healer, defender, provider and my salvation!

Anything is possible for someone who has faith!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, HealingLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Mark 9; Mark 10 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Mark 9:22-24 ~ The demon has often tried to kill him by throwing him into a fire or into water. Please have pity and help us if you can!” Jesus replied, “Why do you say `if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” Right away the boy’s father shouted, “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.”

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Although a familiar story about Jesus casting out the demon from the little boy brought to Him by his father, yet I found two nuggets that spoke to me:

  1. Jesus’ disciples were unsuccessful in casting out the demon from the little boy, and when they questioned Jesus later about why this may have been the case, Jesus said that “Only prayer can force out that kind of demon”. I believe that too often in these days we see so much being said and done on television and in some of our churches that tend to lean on the abilities of man. I believe that healing comes from God alone, and until we humble ourselves and give God full reign over His people and their circumstances, then anything we do will be powerless. The power of healing comes from God, and in turn the glory of such healing must be given to God. We should never lose sight of that.
  2. Too often we approach God like this father did. We know what we want God to do, but we are filled with so much doubt that God must ask sometime, well why are you here then? I believe that deep inside this dad wanted to have faith, because as soon as Jesus told him about how doubtful he sounded, he shouted out about the faith that was deep indie of him and rightfully so, he asked for even more faith. It is too bad, and really too sad that today we find ourselves in the same position as this dad, we want to have faith, but our relationship with God is so weak that we are really not sure about the whole thing. Knowing the awesome power of our God, and knowing how much He loves us and would bless us in multiple ways beyond anything we could ever ask of Him, we should approach His throne in confidence knowing that God can do it, and having the faith to believe that He will do it. Without this kind of faith, are we coming to Him to just ‘test the waters’?

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord I believe, please help my unbelief. Please help me to be so in tuned with You, Your Word, and Your will for my life that I can come boldly to the cross and seek Your face, knowing that as my father You will answer my prayers in very bold and responsive ways so that You may receive glory from everything accomplished, but also in ways that will best fit Your will for my life, not for the selfish desires for which I may pray. Please direct our paths today as we vote, may Your will be accomplished at the polls so that Your men and women who should have charges over Your people during this time will be elected today. Thank You for being my guide today, for always being my deliverer and friend, my healer and all powerful God to whom I can approach when decisions must be made and when healing is requested.