"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief." Mark 9:24

 

That was the cry of a desperate father whose son was tormented with demonic possession for years. Jesus' disciples were unable to deliver the young man so the father went straight to their leader, to Jesus, for help. The father said to Him, "If You are able to do something, anything - have compassion on us and help us!" Jesus replied, "What do you mean 'if'?" If you are able to believe, all things are possible to the believer."

 

There are two "Ifs" in this event.

 

The first "IF" was spoken by the father doubting the ability of Jesus or His desire to help on behalf of the horrific trial affecting their entire family. They had lived with these circumstances beyond their ability for years. They  wanted to see their son set free. "Can You, will You, would You make it stop?" In essence that was what the distraught father was saying out of fear for his son's life. He was desperately clutching at straws.

 

The second "IF" was spoken by Jesus to that father, putting the burden onto him. "If you are able to believe, all things are possible to the believer." There are times in our lives where the circumstances surrounding us are similar to what this family had endured. Things are chaotic, out of our hands, painful and exhausting. Over time it wears us down and where we might have once found it easy to believe, now it seems to be beyond our ability. We speak faith from the springboard of hope.

There are no shortcuts to faith.

 

Faith is a living spiritual life force activated by speaking the word of God to a situation. Mark 12 shares a dangerous faith buster so we don't mess up and deactivate the release of God's power to save, heal, deliver and set free.

"And whenever you stand praying (speaking God's word), IF (there's that word again...IF) IF YOU find that YOU carry something in your heart against another person, release him and forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also release you and forgive you of your faults."

 

God is serious about this. Faith does not function in an unforgiving heart. You can speak the word of God all day long and into the night, but IF

unforgiveness is lurking or lodged in your heart; it's a faith buster. "But IF you will not release forgiveness, don't expect your Father in heaven to release you from your misdeed."

 

While you're reading the Bible, talking with God, speaking the word of the Lord to the impossible situation in front of you...the criteria is...examine your heart. Make sure you are not harboring a grudge or ought against anyone because it deactivates faith from fulfilling it's intended purpose. In our story, the father had to forgive Jesus' disciples.

 

He was upset with them because they couldn't deliver his son. His faith was misguided. He was looking to people to be the solution to his dilemma.

 

How about you today? Are there people in your life that you deem worthy of your anger or judgement? The disciples did the best they could. They gave it their best shot but they weren't strong enough, the Bible said. Sometimes people can't be the answer or the solution. God wants us to look to Him, alone. He is the answer. Forgive others. Keep your heart clean. Humble yourself before the Lord. Read His word, speak His word. Believe. You are an EPIC Conqueror in Him