If Only You Believe
If you pray, wait and believe, you can always be on a progressive mode, and achieve your purpose/ destiny and reason for your being born.
To believe is to trust in, to hold a firm conviction about someone or something.
Do you have a firm conviction regarding what you are believing God for? If the conviction is only in your head, it is only intellect and will not bear fruit. If the conviction is in the heart, it will bear fruit.
Belief is a major key that will either lock or unlock your destiny.
John 11:1-44
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
If only we believe, our situations would turn around.
Jesus had friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus, who He dearly esteemed. Mary and Martha ran to Jesus when Lazarus fell sick. Many of us turn to Jesus as a last resort; instead of as the first option. If you are His friend, turn to Him first.
Jesus heard you already If the situation was to kill you, you'd had already died. The answer tarried for God to be glorified more. God heard, and the manifestation is on its way. Jesus took time and waited when He heard that Lazarus was sick, but it was for God's glory that He waited. Had Jesus come 2 days earlier, God would not have been glorified that much; He was when Jesus waited (verses 4, 45).
You need people. Have relationships with people. The crowd of Jews who came to comfort Martha and Mary did not cause her to arise from her mourning seat; when she heard Jesus had come, she rose up (verse 20). Does Jesus move your status quo? What does Jesus mean to you? Martha was moved by Jesus. Are you moved by the presence of Jesus? Are you too used to God that you are can not be moved by Him.
Martha was used to the friendship of Jesus, but did not allow her usefulness to hinder Jesus from moving her.
When Mary heard that Jesus was there, she was also moved (v. 29). What have you heard? Let your spirit be moved by the fact that Jesus is in our midst, in our hearts. If we have a firm conviction about what God can do, our situations will change. My belief in Jesus is what will cause what had died to resurrect.
Martha and Mary never allowed themselves to be moved by the mourning and comfort of the Jews; only Jesus moved them. Refuse to dwell in the comfort of men that cannot change your situation. It was a different perspective and conviction about Jesus that caused them to move, not the usual familiarity.
We cannot tell Jesus like Mary and Martha, "if you'd been here..." (vv. 21, 32), as Jesus could only be at one place at a time then; now we can confidently say, "because Lord you are here...," as He is Emmanuel, who promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Because Jesus is Omnipresent, things will be different.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (v. 25). Inside me I have the Resurrection and the Life. WHOSOEVER believes in Jesus, although he may die, he shall live (v. 25). Your scenario may seem dead, but shall surely live, if you believe.
Believe progressively.
What had God told and promised you, and has promised you in His word? It is time to see the glory of God (v. 40). Just believe.
In the whole text, Mary and Martha did not complain/ murmur. One of the major disasters that pull us back from progressive mode is murmuring/ complaining/ lamenting. Jesus knows very well the end from teh beginning. He said at the very beginning what will happen at the end (v. 4).
Keep on believing, even when it's against the odds. Do not have an alternative solution/ Plan B. Hang on, wait on God.
Matthew 21:21-22
So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Mark 5:21-24, 35-36
Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid, only believe."
Do not give up, even if it seems dead. The Resurrection and the Life is with you, only believe.
Acts 17:10-12
"Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
Let not what you have hinder you from believing God.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Believe that God is who He says He is: your Provider, Healer, Rescuer, Refuge, Strength, Peace, etc. Believe that He is the answer to your situation.
John 6:35b
"...He who believes in Me shall never thirst."
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
He who believes shall never perish; he who does not believe perishes.
Romans 10:8-11
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach)" 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
Abraham believed, and so did Moses, Daniel etc., and we all can tell what happened.
Only believe.
Amen.
-- Pastor Mary Mugo.
To believe is to trust in, to hold a firm conviction about someone or something.
Do you have a firm conviction regarding what you are believing God for? If the conviction is only in your head, it is only intellect and will not bear fruit. If the conviction is in the heart, it will bear fruit.
Belief is a major key that will either lock or unlock your destiny.
John 11:1-44
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
If only we believe, our situations would turn around.
Jesus had friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus, who He dearly esteemed. Mary and Martha ran to Jesus when Lazarus fell sick. Many of us turn to Jesus as a last resort; instead of as the first option. If you are His friend, turn to Him first.
Jesus heard you already If the situation was to kill you, you'd had already died. The answer tarried for God to be glorified more. God heard, and the manifestation is on its way. Jesus took time and waited when He heard that Lazarus was sick, but it was for God's glory that He waited. Had Jesus come 2 days earlier, God would not have been glorified that much; He was when Jesus waited (verses 4, 45).
You need people. Have relationships with people. The crowd of Jews who came to comfort Martha and Mary did not cause her to arise from her mourning seat; when she heard Jesus had come, she rose up (verse 20). Does Jesus move your status quo? What does Jesus mean to you? Martha was moved by Jesus. Are you moved by the presence of Jesus? Are you too used to God that you are can not be moved by Him.
Martha was used to the friendship of Jesus, but did not allow her usefulness to hinder Jesus from moving her.
When Mary heard that Jesus was there, she was also moved (v. 29). What have you heard? Let your spirit be moved by the fact that Jesus is in our midst, in our hearts. If we have a firm conviction about what God can do, our situations will change. My belief in Jesus is what will cause what had died to resurrect.
Martha and Mary never allowed themselves to be moved by the mourning and comfort of the Jews; only Jesus moved them. Refuse to dwell in the comfort of men that cannot change your situation. It was a different perspective and conviction about Jesus that caused them to move, not the usual familiarity.
We cannot tell Jesus like Mary and Martha, "if you'd been here..." (vv. 21, 32), as Jesus could only be at one place at a time then; now we can confidently say, "because Lord you are here...," as He is Emmanuel, who promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Because Jesus is Omnipresent, things will be different.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (v. 25). Inside me I have the Resurrection and the Life. WHOSOEVER believes in Jesus, although he may die, he shall live (v. 25). Your scenario may seem dead, but shall surely live, if you believe.
Believe progressively.
What had God told and promised you, and has promised you in His word? It is time to see the glory of God (v. 40). Just believe.
In the whole text, Mary and Martha did not complain/ murmur. One of the major disasters that pull us back from progressive mode is murmuring/ complaining/ lamenting. Jesus knows very well the end from teh beginning. He said at the very beginning what will happen at the end (v. 4).
Keep on believing, even when it's against the odds. Do not have an alternative solution/ Plan B. Hang on, wait on God.
Matthew 21:21-22
So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Mark 5:21-24, 35-36
Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid, only believe."
Do not give up, even if it seems dead. The Resurrection and the Life is with you, only believe.
Acts 17:10-12
"Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
Let not what you have hinder you from believing God.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Believe that God is who He says He is: your Provider, Healer, Rescuer, Refuge, Strength, Peace, etc. Believe that He is the answer to your situation.
John 6:35b
"...He who believes in Me shall never thirst."
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
He who believes shall never perish; he who does not believe perishes.
Romans 10:8-11
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach)" 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
Abraham believed, and so did Moses, Daniel etc., and we all can tell what happened.
Only believe.
Amen.
-- Pastor Mary Mugo.
(04/0813 Sunday Service Sermon, Africa Transformation Mission. Pramukh Plaza, 6th Floor)
Pastor Mary Mugo is the Administrative Pastor at Africa Transformation Mission, a ministry under Christ Harvesters Ministries.
Believing i the main key that unlocks our destiny according to our Lord's Will.
ReplyDeleteThis is the focal point of realizinng the concept of Salvation in our lives..as it is well articulated in John 3:16.
Be blessed Pst. Mary