A Simple Way to Strengthen Your Faith in the Lord
Jesus and His inner circle had just descended from the mountain of Transfiguration.
And talk about a mountain top experience!
Can you imagine witnessing Jesus in His GLORY standing and talking with Moses and Elijah? It’s hard to envision, isn’t it?
The next verses are easier to for me to get my brain around as many of us have experienced that feeling of crashing into life’s realities after a great spiritual high.
Really, can’t we all relate to arguing and feeling overwhelmed and desperately needing healing and falling short?
AND can’t we relate to the pleading father’s words:
“Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him . . . I asked your disciples but they couldn’t do it. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
Mark 9:17–18, 22b (paraphrase mine)
I picture Jesus with a twinkle in His eye as He said:
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’? Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23
But it’s the father’s next words that have been indelibly imprinted on my heart:
“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
Haven’t we all had times when life is overwhelming—when our circumstances are painful and we filled with fear? Times when we, like the father, cry out, “I do believe…”
♥ Help me when I doubt!
♥ Help me when I’m anxious and afraid!
♥ Help me when I’m overwhelmed!
♥ Help me when I need to simply trust You!
♥ Help me and strengthen my faith!
The Life Application Bible Notes for the father’s plea say:
No matter how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Faith is not stored away like money in the bank. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus.
A friend and I spent some time talking this past week about what an exceptionally hard year 2020 has as been for everyone. The kind of year when many of us are crying out for more faith and hope . . . for a stronger relationship with the Lord.
Like the father, we’re pleading…
“Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!”
And that’s my prayer! Lord, help me stand strong on the firm foundation of faith found in Jesus.
So, I’d really like to tell you about something that has helped me and I believe will help to strengthen your faith.
A Simple Way to Strengthen Your Faith in the Lord
I started reading through the Bible at a time when life’s circumstances knocked me into a pit of despair and I desparately needed God’s help.
Over the past 15 years, God has gently and lovingly pulled me out of that pit and proven to me that:
The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12
The more I sought the Lord through His living and active Word and the more time I spent with Him in prayer His Spirit slowly and steadily strengthened my faith.
One of my favorite promises became:
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
Psalm 73:26
Asaph, a musical leader in David’s courts, wrote those words thousands of years ago; and yet, they sound like they were written for 2020, don’t they?
This year it seems we all know someone or several someones with failing health and weak spirits.
My constant prayer has been that it’s the next words . . . the “but God” part of the verse that will become the focus of our hearts and minds.
But God…
- is the strength of my heart (Psalm 73:26)
- will be with you. (Genesis 48:21)
- is my helper. (Psalms 54:4)
- is strong. (Jeremiah 50:34)
- showed His great love and faithfulness. (Romans 5:8)
- encourages those who are discouraged. (2 Corinthians 7:6)
- is so rich in mercy. (Ephesians 2:4)
Because it is the “but God” promises that are our faith strengtheners.
We are so blessed to have God’s promises to uplift our hearts and strengthen our faith every time we read them.
That’s why I started journaling my thoughts and prayers a couple of years ago. I wanted to have a place where I could write the promises God used to touch me and inspire my faith. I wanted to keep a record of the thoughts that God imprinted on my heart. And I wanted to use those promises and thoughts as prompts to write my prayers and talk with the Lord about the things He was teaching me.
So, when I was invited to write a Women’s Devotional Journal . . . I have to tell you, I was thrilled! You see, there is nothing I love more than telling people about the way God has patiently worked in my life. How He transformed my fear into faith and gave me hope. And I love helping and encouraging everyone and reminding them that they can trust Him to work beautiful blessings in their lives as well.
So, I am beyond excited to tell you about my new book.
I believe it will help to inspire you and strengthen your faith in the Lord!
52-Week Devotional Journal for Women!
PROMPTS AND PRAYERS TO REFLECT AND CONNECT WITH GOD
A little bit about this book:
No matter what your busy week may throw your way, God is with you every moment. So, allow yourself to take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional with scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts written just for women. You will strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith throughout the coming year.
Every weekly devotion begins with a scripture passage and an original reflection, followed by four succinct but stirring prompts to give you an opportunity to journal on your life, faith, and relationship with God.
The last prompt in each devotion inspires you to connect with the Lord through prayer surrendering your burdens . . . opening yourself to His wisdom and grace.
Together we will look at topics like – creating balance in daily life, learning to live guilt-free, help for finding peace in moments of pain, ways to seek Him and experience joy, and so much more.
I am so thrilled to be able to take this faith strengthening journey with you!
Please let me know how I can pray for you throughout the year ahead. What are your greatest hopes and prayers as you ask God to strengthen your faith?
May God bless you and your journey of faith.
Grab your copy of the
52-WEEK DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL FOR WOMEN
here!
Thanks so much for the ways you bless
and encourage me! God bless you!
As I mentioned in your previous post, Deb, I am so looking forward to using your book to guide me through my devotional time with God. You are such a wonderful writer, inspired by the Lord, that I know I absolutely have to get this!
Blessings!
Thanks so much, Martha! Your encouragement truly blesses me.
Ditto to the words from Martha. I look so forward to using your devotional! I have journaled since I was about 16. Long before journaling was ever recommended, before journaling was “cool.” I just always had “this need” to write it all down. Journaling has been such a help, such a comfort, and has brought me so much closer to God along the way. I would encourage everyone to journal and Deb’s new devotional would be a most wonderful way to get started! Thank you, Deb, for your service to God…you are a blessing to so many of us that want to grow and mature in knowledge and faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Blessings to you, our dear friend.
Thank you so much, Kathy! I love writing what I’m learning . . . I do wish I’d started at a younger age. It would be fascinating to go back and see the ways God has worked in my life and taught me the truths of His love. I am thankful to have these past couple of years to be reminded of the continuous work He is doing in and around me. God blessings to you as well.
I love the way you captured Jesus’ compassionate response to the pleading father, Deb. Gave me a more gentle view of that encounter. And I’m so excited for you and your book! It sounds wonderful! I’ll be sharing all over the place, my friend!
Thanks, Beth! I think many of us have been taught to think of Jesus as serious and correcting. But with all the crowds of people wanting to be around Him, I believe He had to have been full of joy and fun to be around . . . in a positive and uplifting way. I love to read Scripture seeing Him with a loving twinkle in His eye. Thanks so much for your encouragement and for sharing! God bless you!
Deb, I love this statement that you wrote above. It ministered to me:
“No matter how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Faith is not stored away like money in the bank. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus.”
Congratulations on your devotional! I will have a look if it can be purchased on Amazon.co.uk.
Thanks for visiting, Mysses! Thank you for your kindness as well. I loved that reminder from the Life Application Bible as well. I want to faithfully spend time with Him each day . . . He is the one who gives me the courage and strength I need moment by moment. We are blessed! God be with you!
Hi Deb
Thank you so much for this message which has blessed me.
I found it encouraging and a reminder that we never have to face any problems or concerns we may have on our own. We have the Lord Jesus who promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He also invites us to take His yoke which is easy and His burden which is light upon us.
May the Lord continue to bless you and use you to bless others with.
Regards
Trudie
Thank you, Trudie! We are so blessed to know and love the Lord and to have the truth of His promises to hold close every moment of our lives. God bless you!
Hi Deb, i thank God for this blessed encouragement. i would like to say that the God of Abraham ,isaac and jacob is present to us all who call on him in truth.i have found a sounding blessings from your encouragement and i pray that may you be there for our encouragement.please, how will i get the devotional journal for women? am in Kenya Turkana County.
Thank you, Catherine! I am so blessed by your kindness. I will check with my publisher and find out how it might be possible for you to get a copy of my book in Kenya. Thanks so much for asking! God bless you!!