2023: If Thou Canst Believe

Bobby Gums   08.05.2023

 

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

 

The Holy Spirit’s conviction and challenge to me over the past year or so (like never before), has been to examine the wonderful truths of God’s Word, not only as being specifically directed towards myself (the individual) as well as to the corporate body of Christ, but also in considering the immensity of those truths when allowed to fully manifest themselves by simple belief in and obedience to the One who stands behind those words, and apply

them to my life in the fullest extent possible. If you ask, why would someone want to do that? The answer is simple: to know Him more! To “know” Him is life. In fact, this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

 

And yes, that is a high and lofty goal, and yes, I have a long way to go, but is not The High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy worthy of such an aim? Besides that, this same Being, The Creator of all things, promises us that if we could just believe Him, take Him at His Word, then all things are possible to us. The same promise given to the sisters Mary and Martha, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God, is yet valid today to those who will put their trust and faith in Him.

 

The possession of faith in our heart makes way for an open heaven and the lack of it prevents the Lord from moving in and through our lives. Jesus said, he did not many mighty works there [in His hometown] because of their unbelief. If we can but believe, faith as a grain of mustard seed and receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he can and will do all things.

 

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Cor 2:9). Do we believe that? But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (v10). The disciples came to Jesus and asked Him why He spoke in parables. He answered, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given (Mt 13:11). For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (Ps 84:11). Do we believe that? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Mt 6:33). All of what things shall be added, you ask? Well, what do you need? Do we believe that? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Do we believe that? Jesus said in Luke chapter 11, ask, seek, and knock to see for ourselves if this be true. And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:32). Do we believe that? Have we yet concluded that God is truly sovereign, nothing catches Him “off guard”, and that if He has allowed it, there is good reason for it even if our feeble minds cannot ascend to His understanding? He [our God and Father] hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Eph 1:4). Do we believe that? We had better because the previous verse tells us this same God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (v3), one of which enables us to do just that!

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things (Rom 8:32)? If we do not believe that we are in big trouble!

 

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:3,4). [We] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [us] (Php 4:13).

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For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12)

Bobby Gums

704.619.9201