Mark 9:24 (Help My Unbelief)

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Read: Leviticus 20:22-27, Leviticus 21, Leviticus 22:1-16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalms 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18 Relate: I have always known that I serve a powerful and capable God, but understanding has not always translated to a belief that God will be…

Lazarus, Come Forth

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” (John 11:43-44) Read: Ezekiel 5:1 – 9:11 Relate: Quick little jaunt down memory lane. I remember listening to this on…

You Always Hear

So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” (John 11:41-42) Read: Jeremiah 27:1 – 28:17, Jeremiah 51:59-64,…

Believing is Seeing

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” (John 11:40) Read: Jeremiah 37:11 – 38:28, Ezekiel 1:1 – 3:15 Relate: Did you ever have one of those “aha” moments when an earlier conversation all of a sudden makes a bit more sense? Perhaps it was a joke somebody told and…

Who You Are

“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” John 11:27 Read: Jeremiah 16:1 – 18:23, 35:1-19 Relate: The economy of words is a talent that all of us cherish but few of us possess. Perhaps the greatest demonstration of…

Rise

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” (John 11:23-24) Read: Jeremiah 8:4 – 11:23 Relate: Martha was clearly not on the same page as Jesus. I wonder how often we do this. Jesus was talking about right now. Martha was thinking about…

Whatever You Ask

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:21-22) Read: Jeremiah 7:1 – 8:3, Daniel 2:1 – 3:30 Relate: Two verses come to mind when I hear Martha make this bold statement of faith.…

John 7:1-5 (Pretense)

After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous…

John 6:63-65 (Don’t Believe)

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said…