A father with a big need approached Jesus with a question, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mark 9:22). This man’s son was in trouble. Big trouble! So he came to the Lord wondering in his heart if Jesus could help, and if so, would he? Jesus turned the issue around by answering the man’s question with a question, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:22). It wasn’t a matter of Jesus’ ability to help but of the father’s ability to believe.
God’s ability and desire to help are never in question. That God would not care to help is unthinkable for 1 Peter 5:7 states, “He cares for you.” That He would want to help but lack the ability is equally unimaginable for Ephesians 3:20 declares that God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
God’s concern and ability are not on trial. The question always comes back to us and our willingness to exercise faith, “If you can believe.”
Over the past several weeks we have talked about the financial needs facing RLA concerning the mortgage debt. Like the father in the story we have looked to Jesus saying, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” It is certainly understood that we need the Lord’s help! But I believe He turns the issue around and says to us, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
As we approach this Palm Sunday and our commitment to the IT’S TIME initiative, what are you willing to believe God for? What are you willing to believe that He can do through you? This past Sunday night our leadership team of about forty people took the first step of faith by pledging over $140,000! Remember, our goal is at least $500,000 raised over the next twelve months. We are already 28% of the way there! If 10% of RLA has already committed 28% of the amount needed, imagine what the remaining 90% of the church can do this week!
Jesus said, “If you can believe.” The “if” in the statement says we have a choice. As we approach this commitment Sunday, choose to exercise faith. Choose to believe for, ”all things are possible to him who believes.”
Pastor Todd Weston
God’s ability and desire to help are never in question. That God would not care to help is unthinkable for 1 Peter 5:7 states, “He cares for you.” That He would want to help but lack the ability is equally unimaginable for Ephesians 3:20 declares that God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
God’s concern and ability are not on trial. The question always comes back to us and our willingness to exercise faith, “If you can believe.”
Over the past several weeks we have talked about the financial needs facing RLA concerning the mortgage debt. Like the father in the story we have looked to Jesus saying, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” It is certainly understood that we need the Lord’s help! But I believe He turns the issue around and says to us, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
As we approach this Palm Sunday and our commitment to the IT’S TIME initiative, what are you willing to believe God for? What are you willing to believe that He can do through you? This past Sunday night our leadership team of about forty people took the first step of faith by pledging over $140,000! Remember, our goal is at least $500,000 raised over the next twelve months. We are already 28% of the way there! If 10% of RLA has already committed 28% of the amount needed, imagine what the remaining 90% of the church can do this week!
Jesus said, “If you can believe.” The “if” in the statement says we have a choice. As we approach this commitment Sunday, choose to exercise faith. Choose to believe for, ”all things are possible to him who believes.”
Pastor Todd Weston
