Subscription Lists

Only those who have been enabled can believe in Jesus Christ. We who believe in Jesus Christ, and in all that He has said and done, usually remember when we first began to believe.

For some, it happen almost instantly when they walked into a Christian congregation and was struck by the love and friendliness of those around them. For others, it took years of trying experiences, failures, or loss of loved ones. The list of the "how" many who through endless lists if circumstances could go on and on.

Perhaps it is not really important how. The how of our conversion is always overshadowed by Who enabled them to believe. None of us could have believed unless we had been enabled by the Holy Spirit to believe.

This is attested to by Christ Himself: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him [giving him the desire to come to Me]; and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day." (John 6:44). Therefore, it was never our idea to believe in Him. It was God the Father who enabled us and called each of us to believe in His Son.

There is a puzzling incident when Jesus was encountered by a very distraught father who ask Him to heal His demon possessed son. In this incident there is much we can learn about human faith and belief. Where faith exists, it is belief that has matured. Belief can grow into faith - even so strong that it can move mountains.

Notice carefully the honesty and desperation of a father who pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his son: " Jesus said unto him, If thou cans't believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. and straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." - Mark 9:23-24.

Notice the father's honesty to Jesus that his belief was partial, and weak, which caused him to panic. He was afraid that Jesus would not heal his son due to his weak faith. He could believe only up to a point; he had an undeveloped belief that had not grown into an abiding faith.

However, Jesus had compassion on him, and realized his desire to grow in belief unto mature faith. He asked Jesus to forgive his weak belief. Jesus saw his sincerity in desiring more belief. He therefore came and healed his son.

Jesus is merciful, compassionate, and patient. Therefore, many times he reaches down to answers our hearts petition before we have developed a belief that has grown into a strong faith and trust in Jesus' answer, knowing that His decisions are always right.

We can also learn not to give up and cease to ask Jesus to "help our unbelief" He will often of honor our request before we have developed a mature faith.

"But when Jesus noticed that a crowd [of people] came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, You dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you to come out of him and never go into him again." - Mark 9:25

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A Satisfied Princess