Since many people profess to be Christians, is it at all possible that they all are? Given the vast differences in the ways that they live? If we are “believers” is it possible to have “more belief”? What happens if we experience failure in our walk with Christ? What might this mean and how should we react? Well listen in as our teacher Straight Gate Ministries’ Pastor Fisher teaches in a study he calls: “Helping Our Unbelief”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 27:1 – 14 (KJV)
Psa 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psa 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Psa 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psa 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. Psa 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psa 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Psa 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. Psa 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Psa 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psa 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Psa 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psa 27:12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. Psa 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 9:9 – 30 (KJV)
Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. Mark 9:10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. Mark 9:11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? Mark 9:12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. Mark 9:13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. Mark 9:14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. Mark 9:15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. Mark 9:16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? Mark 9:17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. Mark 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. Mark 9:21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. Mark 9:22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. Mark 9:26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. Mark 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. Mark 9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) One of the great quests of the Holy Spirit is to bring every believer to greater faith in the Word, and therefore to better know Jesus, and God in general; even against all our internal oppositions which are exacerbated by the world and the schemes of the devil. This is a continuation of the labor of love sent by God through Jesus for all believers of the Gospel. (Listen to our message online called: “The Quest of the Holy Spirit” for more details.) #2) Let us be aware that since the spiritual realm is invisible, we must rely on the Word to set the parameters of our thinking as we are led of the Spirit when dealing with spiritual matters in our lives and the lives of others. #3) The entire course of Christian development is a gracious work of the very builder and maker of all things Who has promised to get us home with great joy; therefore let us learn to enjoy the journey from day to day.
