Faith That Moves Mountains

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2017;%20Mark%209&version=NIV

"I tell you the truthy, 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."

The above scripture sounds like a strong basis for a 'Name It and Claim It' gospel. Out of context, one can easily walk away believing that if you have faith - if you just believe enough, then you can make anything happen in your life. After all - God's word says that nothing will be impossible. Which is why it is SO important to always read and understand the context of any given passage. So let's look at the context of this one.

As you've read, there was a boy who had a demon in him. The disciples tried to heal him, but they could not. Jesus could and did. Which prompts the disciples' question, "Why couldn't we drive it out." The account in Matthew records that Jesus responded with "Because you have so little faith." In the Mark account he first responds with, "Because this kind can only come out by prayer." The bottom line is that the disciples both lacked the faith and failed to access the power source. Perhaps they forgot by whose power they were able to heal and started to believe they could do it on their own. Perhaps they got so focused on trying to heal the boy that they forgot that prayer and the power accessed through it was essential to the formula. So they got a reminder and a lesson essential for their future ministry.

And then Christ continues to remind them that with faith, anything is possible. Why, then, do I say that we can't expect the 'anything' we are praying for in our life if we pray with enough faith? Let's go back to the context. Jesus is talking about prayers of faith that have to do with work in God's Kingdom. The faith and the prayers aren't about or for self. They are Kingdom prayers for Kingdom work.

So we learn - faith that moves mountains is faith that can overcome barriers - through prayer - when we are working for the will and the Kingdom of God. This type of faith remembers it's power source accessed by prayer. This type of faith knows and believes that God can and will. This type of faith seeks and speaks of the glory of God. Indeed - if you want to see God move mountains, if you want to see his power, if you want to see him rock your world, if you want to see his glory, then get involved in Kingdom work. Seek God's will, his way, his glory in every aspect of that work, and nothing will be impossible for you!

Blessings precious friends!

Today's blog was submitted by Carol Bartels