This is a serious thing to ponder but remember the mustard seed of faith....
The Father put that in us and it is because of that we came to Him in the first place. So with that we can know without always seeing.... or understanding.
Isn't the Father wonderful!!!
Love & prayers,
Judy
Reading: John 6:66
DEPARTED
To me one of the saddest incidents in the Bible is when some of the disciples went back to their old life and followed Jesus no more. Here were men that sat under Jesus’ incredible teachings, witnessed His miracles, and under His authority preached the Gospel of the kingdom of heaven. However, they came to a point of testing which caused them to come to a crossroad. The testing had to do with their faith. Jesus’ teaching did not make any sense to their intellectual understanding.
These disciples did not want to follow Jesus unless they could walk according to their own understanding. However, the truths of God can prove to be mysteries that are beyond mere man’s intelligence. This is why we walk by faith in the character of God, and not according to our personal understanding.
Obviously, the disciples were following Christ because of what they witnessed, and not for who He was. Our faith is not based on what we see, but in the unseen, mainly in the work, purpose and plan of God. Even though Jesus could be seen, His disciples had to still believe He was the Promised One, and that His words were true in spite of the challenge and confusion that they brought to their physical ears and personal understanding.
Faith will always be tested. It is not necessarily tested by the unseen, but by what is not understandable to the intellectual or comfort zone. Faith has to do with trusting the character of God when we do not understand a matter.
These disciples were not walking by faith, but by self-serving motives. When their understanding was challenged, they went into unbelief instead of choosing to cling to the Rock.
What are you walking according to? The only true disciple of Jesus must walk by faith in His character, and not by personal understanding.
Prayer: Lord, we praise Your name. We may not understand all of Your ways and words, but we choose to believe You. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for
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Questions or comments welcome. Email: ministry@gentleshepherd.com
2 comments:
Thanks for your word on faith - that tiny speck that was included in us when we were formed. And yet, when we tend it, water and feed it the Word - Shazam!!! Amazing things happen.
The Gentle Shepard dovetails nicely into your word and how we are to at times (often) walk by faith - take the step and action, not knowing where the next foot should be placed. But God in His wonder and beauty shows us just when we need to see - He alone and He only can open our understanding.
Love You Sister,
~antbrother
I just love the mustard seed.... it is so comforting to hold onto when everything looks dark....I know I can go on another mile because the Father put that mustard seed of faith in me.
Love you also my brother....
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