Daily Bread – March 17, 2022 (The Third Day – Genesis 1:9-13) Mark 9:23 – But Jesus said to him, “If you are able to have faith, nothing is impossible for the one who has faith.” There are too many people who think great faith only belongs to the spiritually elite, but this is not true. God has made faith available to anyone who is willing. The father of this possessed boy was no one of importance. He was an ordinary everyday person; yet, Jesus revealed to him how he could take hold of a faith, and through faith, everything would become possible! Faith calls forth the miraculous. Faith made the woman with the issue of blood completely well (Mark 5:34). When Jairus’ heard the news of the death of His daughter, faith was demanded of him by Jesus if he was going to see his daughter alive again (Mark 5:36). It was faith that would make everything possible and provide the ability for an unknown man to do anything (Mark 9:23). The blind man’s faith caused him to regain his sight (Mark 10:52). We must understand if we are going to realize all of the promises and blessings, then we must also have the same faith that is produced by Jesus Christ. Jesus never looked at any faithless person and said “Oh, that’s alright, not everyone has faith.” Rather, when he saw people without faith, He said, “Oh, faithless and perverse generation, how long must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you?”(Mark 9:19) He rebuked His disciples for not having faith (Mark 4:40). He didn’t say “Oh, guys, it’s alright, I know it takes time to develop faith.” Rather, God expects to find faith in those who will walk with Him. The absence of faith stands in the way of God and limits the miraculous expression of His love that would heal and deliver those bound and oppressed with sickness and disease (Mark 6:5-6). We can be certain Christ Jesus demands faith from us today! If an unknown man in Israel can be expected to have faith that would empower him to do every impossible thing, how much more does God expect of us who have been both born of the Spirit and baptized in the Spirit? If the unbelief expressed in the town of Nazareth limited the power of Jesus, how much more will an unbelieving Church hinder the works of grace! Every person must realize faith only begins where human ability ends. We cannot say we are walking in faith if we are living within the limits of human ability. We must be willing to step out and believe God for what only God can do. We must be willing to live like Jesus is in charge of everything -for He is! We must be willing to see His authority is absolute, and place our confidence in Him, and allow the Spirit of Truth to lead us into the truth of believing how everything is possible to those who have faith. Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 5/17/2022
