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"And
on the next day as they were departing from Bethany, he was hungry. And when he
saw from a distance a fig tree that had leaves, he went to see if perhaps he
would find anything on it. And when he came up to it he found nothing except
leaves, because it was not the season for figs. And he responded and said to
it, “Let no one eat fruit from you any more forever!” And his disciples heard
it. … [next day] And as they passed by early in the morning, they saw the fig
tree withered from the roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi,
look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered!” And Jesus answered and said
to them, “Have faith in God! Truly I say to you that whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart, but
believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this
reason I say to you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have
received it, and it will be done for you. And whenever you stand praying, if
you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father who is in
heaven will also forgive you your sins.”" (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25 LEB)
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Some key words in this exchange between Peter and Jesus about life on earth in
non-emergency moments: faith in God, whoever says, done for you, forgive.
·
Faith in God isn't something we're supposed to pump up when
desperate circumstances befall us; it's how we are to live day by day all day
long. The kingdom that is near is wide open to all, to whosoever for whatsoever
… anything is possible for the one who believes.
·
The not doubting part is NOT about us trying to squeeze out
every last flicker of doubt. It is about letting faith in and believing God,
the person not the concept. Faith is a gift not a mindset!
·
This asking, saying, believing is not something the one
believing/saying then scurries off to try and make happen 'with God's help'.
When engaging God as Jesus instructs and demonstrates (even though he never
mentioned him in his fig tree curse nor really appeared to be praying when he
said it) God takes the lead. "It will be done for him" is very
different than humans trying to work it out for God. We're supposed to do the
work of believing and then if God has a part for us to do, he'll let us know.
·
The one thing we are supposed to take the lead in as we live
faith day by day is forgiving. The terms anyone and anything aren't just
applied to us asking God. They are directly connected to our assignment to
forgive. "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against
anyone, forgive him, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you
your sins."
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Religion taught me to try and get and keep doubt out … to squeeze and
concentrate and hold my breath. Jesus is
teaching me to stop thinking that way.
Nobody gets darkness out of a room, everyone brings light in. When light
comes in darkness leaves automatically.
When faith is brought in doubt leaves the same way. Faith is the gift of God; it's not by works …
no boasting (Ephesians 2:8-9). I will be
bringing, accepting and asking for the gift which he already wants to give …
faith. I will refuse to work my requests
out for him and stand ready to do everything he asks me to do. The very first of his assignments in the
completing of my requests is that I would take the lead in forgiving, no
exceptions. I accept both the gift and
the assignment to forgive … unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and
that which is too wonderful for me.
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Lord and Friend who is near,
Thank
you for calling me to yourself and to the work of believing … of working with
you and never for you. I accept your
assignment and taking the lead in forgiveness … I forgive any and all! I am
asking for faith to come in, for your irrepressible life to come in, light,
hope, compassion, love, mercy to come in unto all you intend in me and through
me. I will be asking big, staying little and following no matter what.
All
my love,
Steve
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