Faith as a Mustard Seed

Greetings to all,

This weeks thoughts have to do with faith. Hope you enjoy them!

For the one struggling with doubts, remember:

"Faith is not belief without doubt, but trusting God in spite of our doubts."

Unknown

For the one struggling with hardships, remember:

" Faith is not a shelter against difficulties, but belief in the face of all contradictions."

R. A. Torrey

For the one who desires to believe but doesn't know how they ever could, remember:

"He that draws near to God one step through doubtings dim, God will advance a mile in blazing light toward him."

Unknown

The last thought is a word of encouragement taken from a sermon on faith by the Puritan John Rogers. The language has been updated, but remains true to the author's intentions. It's based on the text of Matthew 17:20:

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain

'Move from here to there' and it will be done for you."

"Little faith is just as much true faith as great faith. A little man is just as much a man as a big man; a little water is just as truly water as an ocean full. The disciples had true faith, though weak and small. It was weak in knowledge, for although they believed the Messiah would save the world, they could not understand how. They were ignorant of His death, for when He told them of His sufferings, it is said that they didn't understand a word (Luke 18:34). Peter took Jesus aside and counseled Him not to go to Jerusalem to die.

They were also ignorant of His resurrection. For when Mary told them of it, they did not believe her. Nor did they understand when He spoke to them of the ascension. For when He said He would go and prepare a place for them and return, they said they knew not where He was going or the way to get there. Their faith was obviously weak if it was ignorant of such primary articles....

But weak faith may prove strong in time. The most learned English professor once studied his basic grammar book. The largest man was once in diapers. The tallest oak was once a twig. Faith grows from a grain of mustard seed to a tall tree, just as a child grows to an adult, and corn grows from a seed to a stalk with ears of ripe corn.

The disciples, so weak in faith before Pentecost, were exceedingly strong after the Holy Spirit was sent upon them, and fearlessly faced the wrath of tyrants."

With prayers that God would strengthen in you the grace of faith, Jeff

Dr. Jeffrey F. Evans

Pastor - Christ Community Bible Church

Perkasie, PA 18944

www.christcommunitybiblechurch.org

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