Mark 9:14-24 (ESV)

And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And some-one from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, im-mediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do any-thing, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Explanation:

We need to recognize that there are spiritual forces all around us that try to disrupt our relationship with God (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus, along with many of His followers, cast out demons. However, in the passage above, His disciples were having trouble casting out this evil spirit. In fact, the dis-ciples were unable to free the boy from the spirit, so they needed Jesus's help. Jesus, using every situation as a teaching opportunity, responded by having them bring the boy to him.

Jesus, who knew the answer but wanted to help the father’s faith, asked him a question. “How long has this been happening to him?” The boy’s father responded with a plea for help, and used the words “if you can.” These words implied the father was unsure of Jesus’s power to heal his son. The father had doubt but must have heard of Jesus’s reputation, and he showed a willingness to let Him try. Jesus wanted to increase the man’s faith in Him, along with the faith of everyone else watching the scene unfold, and said to the father, “All things are possible for one who be-lieves.”

Living on earth can be difficult, and unbelief will surely creep in at times…but in those moments, Jesus wants us to ask Him for help. His grace is bigger than our doubt. All we have to do is go to Him in prayer. Jesus can and will help us with our faith in Him.

Application:

1. In what ways have you allowed unbelief and doubt to affect your relationship with Jesus?

2. How do you think your relationship would be if you give Jesus the things you are doubt-ing?

3. What strategies work best for you when you feel your faith has been tested?

4. When you read Jesus’s words, “All things are possible for one who believes,” does that encourage you in your walk? Does it give you confidence when seeking God’s purpose in your life?

Prayer Prompt:

Heavenly Father, help me when I don’t seek You first when a problem arises in my life. Forgive me for not trusting in Your power. Examine my heart, and show me how You are working in and through my situations. When doubt starts to arise today, help me to stop, come to you, and fully give the situation to You. Thank You that You hear my prayers and know what is best for me. Help me today to feel Your presence in the middle of the hard situations. Love you, Father. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.

Devo Plus:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with con-fidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14

When I hear these words, I think about how special we really are, and about God’s desire for us to trust that He knows what is best for our lives. He created us each uniquely, and wants us to understand that we are more important than anything else in the universe. We are the reason for His ultimate sacrifice in giving us His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins. So why shouldn’t we write these words on our hearts, where we can appreciate all that God wants for us?

Unfortunately, the enemy wants nothing more than to distract us from our relationship with our Creator. He tries to make us believe that our sin is too great for God. He tries to make us believe that our fears and anxieties are too small for God to care about. He wants us to believe that our failures make us unworthy of the great love that Jesus freely and mercifully gives us.

It’s so easy to allow yourself to become vulnerable, and let doubt start permeating your thoughts. I am more susceptible to these thoughts and feelings when I haven’t had enough sleep. A project comes up for work, and because there are tight constraints on time, sleep is compromised and hours lost. If I allow this rhythm to continue for another day or two, I become completely irrational, doubting that God could ever want to use someone as pathetic as me to do His work. After all, I can barely walk up a flight of stairs without falling over my own two feet—how could I be of any use?

At this point, one of two things always happens—I keep going at this unsustainable pace because I am now doubting my value as an employee, teammate and functioning human being who has “something to prove,” and end up curled up in a ball on my bed sobbing. From there, I continue doubting every decision I’ve ever made and any possibility that God could have possibly wanted to use me to help make disciples of the world. The other extreme, however, is much better—before I snowball into a complete train wreck, I realize that I am giving the enemy authority over my life that he doesn’t deserve! That’s the time when I proclaim that God is bigger than my doubt, and all the feelings that go with doubt. That’s my “not today, satan” moment!

God wants us to learn from those times when we let doubt have too much control. He wants us to release the doubts that are weighing us down and pour them out at His feet. He understands our doubt, and wants to help us cling to Him instead of the doubts that are troubling us. This week, I challenge you to be purposed, and give it all to him!

Matthew 14:22-31 (NIV)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"LORD, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "LORD, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Explanation:

Today’s passage may be famous for Peter’s lack of faith, but there is also passionate progress and great encouragement to glean. I think if nothing else, we can learn from Peter’s desire to join Jesus in the unknown. The night our story takes place, the disciples’ boat had been beat by the wind and waves. What should have been a short trip had left them tired, scared, and still not on land. But when Jesus called Peter to join Him in the storm, Peter doesn’t jump ship for an easier ride. He followed Jesus into more tumultuous circumstances…the raging sea itself. Peter had walked with Jesus long enough to know what He was capable of, that nothing was impossible in His presence. Jesus reordered natural boundaries, and Peter wanted to be able to walk freely with Him there. Peter must have stepped onto the water knowing that the sometimes-turbulent places were often the places where He saw God break through.

Despite Peter’s faith and desire, we all know how this story “ends.” Peter takes his eyes off Jesus, and cries for Jesus’s help as he’s overtaken by his surroundings. I connect with Peter’s heart, that he believed Jesus to be capable of anything and wanted to follow Him anywhere. I also regretfully relate that when conditions became threatening, he lost his confidence, and what he set out to do was overshadowed. He was blown off course. We should take this as a serious reminder in our walk with Christ: to always be ready to follow, to be decided, to be resolute in our belief before the first step (even if fear lingers), so our steps will remain faithful to the end. This only comes with abiding in Jesus. But remember, even if our faith wavers, Jesus rescues us when we call out. Let’s decide, commit, step out, and stay the course. Our God is faithful.

Application:

1. Spend some time making a list of all the times Jesus has been faithful, and finish by thanking Him for those times by name. Let recalling those times solidify your faith in Jesus.

2. Ask God to reveal to you any way He may be leading, no matter how uncomfortable or scary that way may seem.

3. Recount the ways God is faithful to you. Take the next step of obedience, no matter how big or small, in your relationships, in your submission, in your giving, in your mind, etc. See it through to the finish.

Prayer Prompt:

Our Father, You are faithful. Your loving kindness follows after us. Your ways are true and right and good. Help us to be people who remember Your faithfulness, read Your words, listen for Your voice, and decide to keep our eyes on You alone as we walk where You lead us. May all the glory be Yours and Yours alone. We ask it in the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen.

Devo Plus:

Read all of Hebrews 11 as a faith builder…great things He has done!

Read Mark 9:14-27 for an encouraging account of a man who confessed he needed more faith.

Matthew 11:2-6 (ESV)

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Explanation:

John the Baptist was in prison, which one can safely assume was not a good place for him mentally. John had expressed his faith and belief at an earlier time, but his situation allowed his mind to go to a place where doubt could creep in. When the disciples went to Jesus with John’s message, Jesus confirmed that John was still putting his faith in the right place. Jesus was performing miracles and teaching the truth, but John was out of touch at the moment.

While it may be difficult for us to understand how John could have doubt, after he had preached the good news at the time Jesus was on earth, let’s focus on what he chose to do. He didn’t get on social media and see what other people thought about his doubt. He didn’t text everyone he knew to get their opinion. He didn’t ask others what their personal thoughts about Jesus were. He did everything he could to get to the source, Jesus, who was the only one who could answer John’s questions.

Doubt has lingered in the minds and hearts of people, even the strongest believers, all through scripture. In a weird way, this serves as encouragement to our daily walk; we are not the first humans to ever have doubt. The key piece in moving away from this doubt is to give it to Jesus. Get to the source of our faith, and pour our worries into Him. He knows the desires of our heart, and if we place our faith in Him as an act of obedience, He will transform that doubt into something beautiful!

Application:

1. What is your natural reaction in times of doubt? How can you change that reaction into something that is a faith step?

2. Examine yourself for a moment. When are you most susceptible to doubt? Is it at those times when you haven’t allowed yourself the ample rest your mind and body need? Is it when you’ve allowed your schedule to take time away from studying the Word and praying regularly?

Prayer Prompts:

Take some time today to ask God to help you turn to Him first in times of doubt. Ask Him to reveal any doubt you may be dealing with now, and give that to Him. Pray that He will give you the strength you need not to “take back” the doubts you’ve turned over to Him.

Devo Plus:

Read Luke 7:18-23 for an additional account of this story.

John 20:24-29 (NLT)

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Explanation:

Thomas previously missed a meeting where Jesus appeared, after the resurrection. When the other disciples told Thomas what had happened in the previous meeting, he refused to believe. It was there that the battle was joined with his will. His exact phrase was “I won’t believe,” followed by some stipulations if he was to believe. Even though Thomas was with his closest friends, who he surely knew would not collectively lie to him, he simply refused to believe. In this case, Jesus physically showed up to meet Thomas and his doubt. The Lord, in His mercy, gave Thomas what he wanted by giving him physical proof.

But Jesus doesn’t leave it there. He speaks of us to Thomas, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” Jesus was acknowledging in part how things would be when He returned to heaven and would not physically appear to everyone who had a doubt. He blesses those who believe in faith.

Application:

1. Why do you think this story is included in the Bible?

2. Do you find yourself surfing from great spiritual seasons to wipeouts of faithless responses to Jesus? Doubt can plague you as long as you live. The only recourse is a fresh encounter with Jesus. When you realize doubt has reared its ugly head, respond the way Thomas did, and declare your need to see Jesus, afresh and new. He is always faithful to reveal Himself through His Word, prayer, and praise if we humbly ask.

3. Thomas might have been more vocal and vehement in his expression of unbelief, but none of the disciples were in a position to criticize. None of them had believed until they saw. John 20:8 says they “saw and believed.” Doubt is the enemy of the soul. We can all succumb at some point, but this passage is clear that there is a blessing for those who choose belief over doubt. You do have a choice. The hope this passage gives is that we can choose faith over doubt.

4. The Lord bestows a special blessing on those who have not seen Jesus physically, yet choose to believe what is written in the Word. Jesus always gives us a choice, and He always rewards obedience. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Prayer Prompt:

In Mark 9:23-25, a man was struggling to believe Jesus and he cried out, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.” Let’s pray that today.

Jesus, I do believe…but I need help to always believe. Help my unbelief. Empower me with your Holy Spirit’s power to overcome unbelief and doubt. I am asking for supernatural strength to resist doubt with faith and to feel Your presence in my life today. I choose You, Jesus. I believe You died for my sins and You rose again in victory! May that be my focus today as I take steps of faith that allow You to work in my life.

Devo Plus:

John 20:19-31

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Explanation:

Timothy is experiencing continued opposition as a leader. He seems to be resisted by believers and unbelievers because of his youth. Paul is continuing to mentor his friend, encouraging Timothy to demonstrate the power of the gifts he has received from God. He wants Timothy to understand if he isn’t bold, he will lose his effectiveness.

All of us are a modern-day Timothy, learning to operate through God’s power instead of our own. The Holy Spirit gives unshakeable confidence, which is needed to fulfill our purpose. And we need to be filled with God’s power. We have many difficulties, and no human courage is enough to overcome them. It is God who equips us with the Holy Spirit’s power, pours divine love into our hearts, and fills our being with His courage. The powerful energy of the Spirit is hemmed in with love and self-discipline.

Application:

1. The effective leader has the three qualities of power, love, and self-discipline. Who are you following? Do they demonstrate these qualities?

2. A leader is anyone who influences other people. Do you desire to be able to lead others? Take inventory of your life to see if power, love, and self-discipline are pillars of your life. Are you having an impact on other people in a positive manner?

3. A changed life is the most powerful witness on earth. What in your life seems the most impossible challenge in front of you? God offers you power, love, and self-discipline through the Holy Spirit to face it and overcome.

Prayer Prompt:

Holy Spirit, I need Your power to calm my mind, to give me vision, to show me the peaceful way, and to help me live with the discipline I need to stay the course. Fill my heart with Your love, and push the doubt from me so that I may live a life full of Your power. Do what only You can do, God, and do it through me. Free me from division, fill me with purpose, and give me direction as I trust in Your power and love.

Devo Plus:

Romans 15:13

1 John 4:15-18

I pray that God…

the source of hope…

will fill you completely…

with joy…

and peace…

BECAUSE you trust in Him.

Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Explanation:

It’s human nature to put our trust in something or someone, even if it is in our own self. But God wants us to put our trust in Him instead. Our understanding of everything is limited, but God is all knowing, all powerful, and all present. God does not require perfect trust because we are imperfect beings, but we should try to trust God with all our consciousness.

By acknowledging God in everyday life and spending time in His presence, we invite Him into even the mundane things. If we don't invite Him into our lives and make time for Him, how can we trust Him? People who trust God have a heart and life that does not consciously reject or defy God with unbelief. This trust is childlike, an unwavering confidence in our Father’s well-proved wisdom, faithfulness, and love.

Today’s passage from the book of Proverbs tells us to fear the Lord. This fear does not mean we should be terrified in a way that we run away from God. But it is a recognition of God’s power, a reverence for His authority and position, and awe for who He is. When we choose to trust God over our own judgment, especially when it doesn’t make sense, then we will find the true path to life. Trusting in God gives us time for rest, supernatural peace, fun, and grace. By coming to God regularly, we naturally stay away from evil, because He shows us a path that makes time for connecting with people, pursuing our dreams, and creativity. These activities heal our mind, body, and soul…and that is part of living an abundant life.

Application:

1. What can you change in your life to lean on His understanding more?

2. What would your life look like if you trusted God with all your heart?

3. Do you acknowledge God regularly in your daily life?

Prayer Prompt:

Heavenly Father, help me make the changes I need to so I can trust you with all my heart. Soften my heart so I may follow Your ways, even when I’m in doubt. Lord, give me the strength to walk in the way You have shown us. Amen.

Devo Plus:

Psalm 37:3-6

Psalm 34:7-8

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Explanation:

There is sometimes this stigma in the Christian world that we are never supposed to fear anything. Some would say that our faith in God should leave us in a place where all our fears are subsided. This would certainly be true in a world where our minds and hearts were not inhibited by our own sinful nature, but as we know all too well, fear can become a part of our lives. Fear can affect the decisions we make, the interactions we have with others, and the steps we take in our faith. Fear can put a real damper on the joy we experience in life. God is not oblivious to this. He is well aware of our propensity for fear. He has known this throughout the history of man…that ever since sin entered the world, fear will plague us at times.

Your specific fears, although unique to you, don’t make you the only person in history to experience fear. We see throughout scripture that nearly everyone mentioned has wrestled with fear at some point in their lives. The very first thing Adam and Eve did when they sinned in the Garden of Eden was hide in fear. When we find ourselves stricken by fear, we must have a conversation with God like we read about in today’s scripture, where God reminds Israel who He is and His promise to never leave them. We need this conversation with God, but in order to receive this encouragement, we must take our fear to Him. Not wallow in it, not try and handle it on our own, not muscle through it, not isolate ourselves and let it destroy us. We must take the fear to God and let Him help us process through it. This is always available to us, and is the best route to go when fear steps in. So, go be strong and courageous in God!

Application:

1. What are common fears that you experience?

2. How do they affect your fullness of life?

3. How do you typically handle your fears?

4. How can you let God help you in your fears?

5. How does today’s reading encourage you in your fears?

Prayer Prompt:

God, thank You for helping me in my fear. The fears of my heart can keep me from the full life that You offer…and I want to experience full life. Holy Spirit, remind me to take my fears to You every time they arise.

Devo Plus:

Read Psalm 9:9-10. What is the purpose of a stronghold and why is God our stronghold?

During our staff prayer time recently, we were asked to share the ways God has changed us over the course of the past year. As I began to think about it, there were almost too many changes to list. Over the course of the past two years, I feel as though God has done some incredible changes in my heart, my spirit, and my life. For me, one of the biggest ways I have changed has been in the area of releasing fear and walking out my life in more confidence.

In the past, fear has really dictated a lot of things in my life, to the point where often times it would be crippling. It seemed like my first response was often that of fear. Fear of failure if I tried something new. Fear of what others would think if I took that step of obedience. Fear of losing relationships if I had that hard conversation with a loved one or friend. Fear that I wouldn’t be good enough if I did something outside of my comfort zone. Fear that something bad would happen if I let my guard down. But something I realized in the middle of all of this was that my fear was misplaced. I had become super focused on the world, world views, and what ifs…instead of putting my focus on Jesus and what He could accomplish.

For me, overcoming the crippling grip that fear had on my life started when I had no choice but to overcome my fears. I was in a season where I had to do hard things and take steps that were extremely scary for me. I had to have those tough conversations if I wanted a certain relationship in my life to be reconciled. I had to walk outside of my comfort zone and do things I knew God was calling me to. I had to try new things, even if I didn’t succeed perfectly every time. I couldn’t stay where I was. I had to take extremely difficult and scary steps of faith to overcome my fear. And in the process, God changed me…He changed my thinking, He increased my faith, He made me brave. It was not an easy road, by any means. It was difficult, it was scary, it was uncomfortable. But looking back, I wouldn’t change anything, because now I am brave, I have courage. I have, can, and will continue to overcome my fears. The best part is that I didn’t have to do it alone. God was by my side with every scary step I took. He was there in the thick of it with me, helping me face my fears.

I know many of you reading this today are wondering how in the world you can ever overcome living in fear. You turn your focus on God, and take it one step at a time. For me, it really was one small act of courage at a time. With every step I took, I found myself becoming more and more confident, not only in myself, but also in God and what He was wanting to accomplish. The more steps of courage and obedience I have taken, the easier it has been to continue to take those steps. Sure, I still get afraid and find myself fearing what might happen, but now when I feel that fear creeping in, I look to Jesus. I seek Him for the help I need, and with His help and a little bit of inward courage, I take that step.

What is something that fills you with fear today? Take it to God and ask Him to help you release that fear. Walk out in confidence that He will help you replace that fear with courage. He will be with you as you walk in obedience. Every scary step along the way is an opportunity to grab ahold of God and allow Him to take that step with you. And what I have discovered is that when I no longer walk in fear, I really do get to experience the abundant life God has to offer.

Devo Plus:

I encourage you to take some time to listen to the following songs. They continue to be songs I listen to whenever fear tries to creep back in.

“No Longer Slaves” and “You Make Me Brave,” both by Bethel Music

Isaiah 43:1-3a (ESV)

But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Explanation:

The people of Israel (God’s people) were captives to Babylon. They were oppressed, they were suffering. God used this opportunity to remind Israel that they had nothing to fear. They were created by God. They were His people. God was going to stand true to His promises and take care of them. The same is true for each of us. We are His creation. He knows us well because we are His workmanship. We can stand in confidence that the Creator does, in fact, take care of His creation.

We do not need to be afraid. When we walk through difficulties, when life is overwhelming and confusing, when we are in the middle of the storm, we have no need to fear. God is walking through the fire with us, God is there in the middle of the storm, God is peace in the middle of the confusion and chaos. We can walk through hard seasons and rough waters in confidence, believing God will take care of us and be there with us through it all. We can trust Him, His Word, and His promises. He won’t abandon us in our time of need…He will be there fighting right along with us. His hand, His might, His power is greater and stronger than anything we could ever face, so there is no need to fear.

Application:

1. Have you ever walked through a difficult season? What were some of the fears you had in the middle of that season?

2. How big of a hold does fear have on your life?

3. What are some ways you can release those fears, and trust God?

4. How would you walk through difficult seasons differently if you believed God was with you in the middle of it?

Prayer Prompt:

Dear God, please help me release my fears to You. I want to trust You. Help me remember that You are always with me, and I no longer need to be afraid. Remind me that You are faithful, and You will be there with me through it all. I want to replace my fear with trust. Help me rely more and more on You. Thank You for being with us in the middle of the storm, and reminding us that you will take care of us. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.

Devo Plus:

Check out these scriptures that remind us not to fear, but to trust that God is with us always: Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 56:3-4, Joshua 1:9.