DAY 10...I Believe, Part 1 - Help My Unbelief.
"Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." - Mark 9:23
Read Mark 9:14-29. A parent's most desperate plea is for his or her children. In this event, Christ is physically present and the father of a boy is desperate for the health of his son. Christ asks him if he believes and the man replies in the most genuine way with a prayer and confession. "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief."
The first part of this confession/prayer is that he calls Christ, "Lord." He realizes who possesses the power to heal his son. He exclaims it. In every 12 step recovery program, it is crucial to acknowledge a higher power. Without this acknowledgement that there is something bigger than yourself, you are not properly participating in the 12 step recovery program. Acknowledging that there are some things not in your control can be a power step to recovery.
The second part of this confession/prayer is the man's acknowledgement of his own role in the healing of his son. He believes. He has a role to play in the desire for his prayer to be fulfilled and he believes something can be done to help his son.
The third part of this confession/prayer is his acknowledgement of where he lacks. The man knows that his faith is incomplete and he asks for help in completing it.
He recognizes who has the power. He recognizes his part. And he recognizes where he falls short and asks for help.
Read Mark 9:14-29. A parent's most desperate plea is for his or her children. In this event, Christ is physically present and the father of a boy is desperate for the health of his son. Christ asks him if he believes and the man replies in the most genuine way with a prayer and confession. "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief."
The first part of this confession/prayer is that he calls Christ, "Lord." He realizes who possesses the power to heal his son. He exclaims it. In every 12 step recovery program, it is crucial to acknowledge a higher power. Without this acknowledgement that there is something bigger than yourself, you are not properly participating in the 12 step recovery program. Acknowledging that there are some things not in your control can be a power step to recovery.
The second part of this confession/prayer is the man's acknowledgement of his own role in the healing of his son. He believes. He has a role to play in the desire for his prayer to be fulfilled and he believes something can be done to help his son.
The third part of this confession/prayer is his acknowledgement of where he lacks. The man knows that his faith is incomplete and he asks for help in completing it.
He recognizes who has the power. He recognizes his part. And he recognizes where he falls short and asks for help.
In order for us to overcome our desires, fears, insecurities we must acknowledge God's role and our role in that. We must recognize our shortcomings. We do our very best but we may still fall short. Do not be discouraged. Because while we fall short, we meanwhile pray for God to fill up the rest. If we can get halfway or even a quarter of the way there, we ask God to help bring us the rest of the way.
If you're standing in a pit, someone could throw you a rope. You may be able to climb part of the way up but at some point you may need to have whoever is on the other end of the rope (God) to pull up and pull you out. Turning to Christ (and others as well) to pull you out of the rut can be the deciding factor in a full recovery.
Remember if you're a child of God, and a parent's most desperate plea is for his/her child, it would only make sense that God, our Father, is ready and willing desperately to help you.
If you're standing in a pit, someone could throw you a rope. You may be able to climb part of the way up but at some point you may need to have whoever is on the other end of the rope (God) to pull up and pull you out. Turning to Christ (and others as well) to pull you out of the rut can be the deciding factor in a full recovery.
Remember if you're a child of God, and a parent's most desperate plea is for his/her child, it would only make sense that God, our Father, is ready and willing desperately to help you.
Today's Instructions:
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to Week 2. Check out, "Is your brain messed up?" and Clearing the mind."
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. What do you believe? 2. Where do you lack? 3. What do you want to ask God for specifically in your struggle?
Today's Tips: Get up. Stretch out. Walk away to somewhere else and ask God to fill up the spaces where you lack.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.