
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!
Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.
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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!
No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!
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