Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Jesus was in the temple when HE saw a widow put in her last two mites. Jesus pointed out how the widow had placed more into the offering than the rich who contributed greatly. However, even though Jesus had drawn our attention to the widow’s two mites, there were some who were still focused upon the riches of the temple.

Jesus understood that HE needed to teach us an important lesson on how the things of this world are temporal while the things of God last forever. Jesus then stated that there was coming a day when not one stone of the temple would be left. The disciples then asked Jesus when this would occur. It was in response to the question as to when the temple would be destroyed that Jesus taught about wars, earthquakes, famines and other things that would occur in the last days.

Jesus also teaches about how those who are called by his name will be betrayed, and would be hated by the world. However, even though the world would desire to do harm to those who are called by HIS name, God would protect them. It is then that Jesus teaches that it is in our patience that we possess our souls.

It does not matter what is going on around you, God is able to protect you. When the enemies of Daniel desired to kill him, even the hungry mouths of lions could not touch Daniel. When Daniel’s three friends refused to bow down to idols, God was able to protect them from the fire. On multiple occasions when Ahab or Jezebel desired to kill Elijah, God made sure that they were unable to find him. We serve a God who can do the impossible and protect us from the hands of evil men.

There is a saying that kids often sing about how sticks and stones may break one’s bones, but how words will never hurt them. While it is true that a word can never break a bone, a word can destroy the emotions of even the strongest individuals. Saul became very jealous of David when he heard the Israelites singing the praises of David and giving David more credit than he was given.

God allows us to go through trials for a purpose. It is in these trials that we must with patience endure for the cause of Christ. It is as we demonstrate our faithfulness during difficult times that we reveal to the world just how much God has changed our lives. Those who are patient to endure the trials that God sets before them are living a life that brings glory to God. It is by our patience that we resist sin and thus ensure that we live a life pleasing to God.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We cannot have a false impression that if we obey all the rules and generally live a good life, then we will be saved from hell. It is not by our works that we earn the right to live for eternity in heaven. Patience is a gift from God, given to those who desire to put HIM first in their lives. Those who accept the gift of patience will not live a sinless life but they will sin less.

What sins have you committed that are preventing you from living in the power of God. Remember, God is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. God has promised to protect, provide, and direct you. God has promised that HE will not give you a trial that you are not able to bear. Listen and believe the promises of God and watch as you trust God how you start living in the power of HIS might.

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples who have asked him the interpretation of the parable of the sower. In the parable of the sower, seed is planted on four types of soil – the way side, the rocks, the thorns, and the good ground. The seed that landed on the good ground brought forth an abundant harvest. The seed that did not land on the good ground was destroyed.

What type of soil is your heart? When you hear the words of God, are you receptive to what God is trying to show you, or are you one of those who pretends he hears those things that are spiritual but as soon as possible, you do what you want? There are many different types of people. There are those who allow themselves to think that they are spiritual, but when the trials of life comes their direction, they quickly wilt away.

In order for a seed to bring forth new fruit, it must first die to itself so that it can be transformed into a plant. It is not easy for the plant to endure the trial of breaking through the soil, but with time, that is what happens and it is only after it springs forth that it can fulfill its true purpose.

Jesus tells us that the seed planted on good soil will bring forth fruit with patience. The seed planted on good soil does not produce right away. If we desire to be used of God and to bring forth much fruit, then we must first endure some trials given to us by God which HE uses for the furtherance of HIS glory. It is not until we learn to trust God through our difficult times that we will be ready to be used of HIM.

Just as a plant must be ready to die to itself, so also, we must be ready to die to ourselves. Yes, we have plans of what we want to do, but if we continue to insist on doing things our own way, then we are no different than the wayside, the rocks, and the thorns.

What many people miss in the parable of the sower is that the sower is none other than God himself. Remember that the seed is the word of God. It is God who makes sure we all hear the word of God, but it is up to us to determine if we are going to be good soil or not. If we chose not to be good soil, then when the word of God reaches our life, we will fail to properly respond.

We must learn to be receptive to the word of God. We must allow God to prepare our lives so that when HE speaks to us, we are ready to use HIS words for the furtherance of HIS glory. If we chose to reject what God is telling us, then we are going to be the ones who ultimately suffer.

The nation of Israel had heard the command of God to go into the Promise Land. However, they chose to ignore the voice of God and as a result, they found themselves wondering in the wilderness for forty years. God was faithful to continue to work on the hearts of HIS nation so when HE told them to go into the Promise Land the second time, they were ready to receive HIS commands. How much easier would it have been if they just obeyed the first time?

As long as we are not hearing the voice of God and obeying HIM, the productivity of our life will be limited. It is not easy to experience God breaking up our life so we will be ready to be called good soil, but that is exactly what must happen if we are going to be all that HE desires us to be. The trials of our life are never easy, but they are necessary so that when God speaks into our life, God can use HIS words in us to touch those whom HE has brought into our lives.

Luke 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Jesus was just approached by a man who desired to follow Jesus wherever he went. Jesus did not respond by saying come and follow me, instead, Jesus warned the man about the sacrifice that would be made if the man chose to follow HIM. Jesus as the Son of God knew the weaknesses of this man. Most likely, this man loved his security of a home. Jesus was instructing this man that if he desired to follow, that there would be some personal sacrifice.

Are you willing to serve God regardless of where HE will take you? Are you willing to commit 100% to God? God is not a nasty slave master who requires you to do what HE wants when HE wants. God has given you the option to serve HIM. However, when you chose to serve HIM, you must be in or your must be out, you cannot serve HIM some days and not on others.

In Revelation 3:16 we are told that those who are lukewarm are spit out of the mouth of God. God would rather see us hot (completely dedicated to the things of God) or cold (living for the things of this world). When we try to serve two masters, we destroy the reputation of God. People who are not saved see our duplicitous life and they do not see the lasting change that God desires to make in those who make the sacrifices to fully serve HIM.

God probably is not telling you in this verse that you must sell your house and move to Africa and serve HIM there. What we are being taught in this passage is that God must be first in our life. Abraham loved his son but God made Abraham take his son up onto the mountain to sacrifice him so that Abraham could prove to God that God was first in his life. While your home may be the center of your ministry, if God were to tell you to give it up in order to follow HIM, could you obey?

God needs to be number one in your life. If you are going to have a close relationship with God, it means that nothing can come between you and God. God is not saying that you cannot have a home; it is just that God must be first in your life.

Too many of try to serve God and the things of this world. We see how close we can get to the line so that we can claim we still serve God but so that we can still enjoy the things of this world. Rather than seeing how close to the line we can get, we need to see how close to God we can get. When we get up, God should be first in our minds. When we go to sleep, the things of God should be in the center of our thinking. As we go about the day, we should be praising HIM for the good things that HE has done.

In the Mosaic Law servants were permitted to be released after they served their time. However, a servant could choose to remain a servant for the rest of their life. The servant could see how well his master was taking care of him and how his master had provided him a wife and the servant could choose to serve the master the rest of his life. This is a picture of our relationship with God. We should see all that God has done for us and we should chose to serve God.

You need to diligently add temperance to your life. The world is going to try to distract you and cause you to focus upon all the things that you will be giving up in order to serve God. However, rather than focus upon what you are going to give up, you need to focus upon what God has given you. Stop focusing upon the world and start focusing upon God.

Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Jesus just shared a parable about a widow who desired the judge to avenge her of her adversary. The judge would not hear the widow’s request but because the widow was persistent, eventually, the judge avenged her lest her continual coming would weary him. Jesus then took that parable and told us that God will avenge those who are called by HIS name. Jesus then asked an important question, upon HIS return, would there be found individuals who are persistent in their prayers. Are there Christians who have the faith to continue to seek God even though God at first says no?

Daniel was a man of prayer. We see that when Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and insisted that his wise men not only tell him the interpretation of the dream but also the dream itself, Daniel turned to the Lord in prayer and it was by his prayers that God revealed to Daniel the dream. We know that Daniel was faithful in his prayers to his God and this was the only thing that the enemies of Daniel could use to try to trip him up. When Daniel heard that he might die if he continued to pray, Daniel chose to pray and trust God to protect him from the lions.

In Daniel chapter nine and ten, we see a couple of different prayers by Daniel. In chapter nine, Daniel is asking God to forgive the sins of the people. We learn that the angel Gabriel came to speak to Daniel. In chapter ten, Daniel saw a great vision and he was in prayer over this vision for 21 days. Daniel had to remain in persistent prayer for 21 days while the angels fought with the devil over getting the message that God had to Daniel. Have you ever wondered what would have happened had Daniel simply given up after 10 days? Daniel understood the power of prayer and he remained persistent until the Lord gave him an answer to his vision.

Hezekiah was king of Israel. However, Hezekiah was sick and the prophet came to tell him God had told him he was going to die. Hezekiah did not hear the will of God and do nothing. Instead, Hezekiah cried out to God and God decided to give him 15 more years. Hezekiah understood that God could change his mind so he was bold in his prayers and he saw a tremendous answer to his prayers.

Have you ever seen a three year old whose mother tells him no? Does the three year old simply hear what his mother says and go away and never ask again? Probably not. The three year old will ask why so many times until his mother is frustrated. If the three year old really wants it, he is going to continue to ask hoping that he will wear his mother down until she gives it to him.

This is the attitude that God desires to see from us when it comes to our prayers. God knows that we are going to face trials and the question is how will you respond. Will you demonstrate faith and cry out to God day and night for deliverance from your trials? Just because God says no, it does not mean that HE will not change HIS will if you are persistent in your prayers. The lesson from Daniel, Hezekiah and this parable of Jesus is that we need to learn and understand the power of prayer.

God desires to see us to pray without ceasing. This means that we need to change our mindset from focusing upon the things of this world to focusing upon the things of God. We need to add temperance to our life so that we can focus for long periods of time upon the things of God.

Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

John the Baptist was still in his mother’s womb but when the voice of Mary, he leaped for joy. We understand that Jesus is the truth. In 1 Corinthians 13:6 we are told that love rejoices in the truth. In this passage we see how John demonstrated an important concept that we need to understand and implement in our own lives.

Do we really love God? I know that we claim to love God, but does our actions really conform with our words? In the case of John the Baptist, the answer is yes. Even from an early stage of life, John the Baptist understood who God was and just being in the presence gave him great joy. In Psalms 122:1, David said that he “was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

It should give you great joy every day to set aside time to read the word of God and to have a time of prayer where you may speak with HIM. It should give you great joy every time you hear HIS still small voice directing you in the way you should go. It does not matter what is going on in your life, your life should be filled with joy because of the relationship you have with God. If you really love God, then you will learn to have joy in your life every time you find yourself in the presence of God.

Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Jesus spoke in a parable about two men who went out to pray. The first man was a Pharisee and he spent his time in prayer bragging about all the good things he had done. The second man was a publican and he spent his time in prayer asking God for HIS mercy and confessing his sins. Jesus commended the publican because he had a humble heart and condemned the Pharisee because he exalted himself.

It is easy to brag about all the things that you have done for God. You naturally think up the sacrifices that you have made on behalf of God and you think that you should be rewarded. However, while the Pharisee knew who God was and did all these things for God, he did not have the right attitude and thus he did not enjoy the rewards for those who follow God.

We need to learn to love God for who HE is. When you understand that you are a sinner and do not deserve HIS mercy, then you can approach God with a proper attitude. You need to have a grateful heart to God for what HE has done for you. You need to love HIM with all your heart. This means that you do not do what HE says just so that you can be rewarded by HIM, but you do it because you love HIM. Do not brag about all you have done for God, God knows every word, thought, and action. When you brag about the things that you have done, you only demonstrate a lack of humility and thus further magnify your faults.

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Jesus is interpreting to HIS disciples the meaning of his parable about the sower. During the parable, Jesus described the seed that fell on good ground, sprang up and bore fruit a hundredfold. Jesus described the seed as the word of God. HE described the good ground as an individual with a good and honest heart. Paul has told us that one of the elements of virtue is honesty, thus a person with an honest heart is a virtuous individual.

Jesus stresses the importance of being a light. HE encourages you not to hide your light but to let it shine so that the world that sees you will see your Creator Father. If you are going to please God and be a light unto the world to draw many unto HIM, then you must first make a conscious effort to diligently strive to change your life to apply virtue. Until you learn to have honest thoughts and apply honesty in your heart, you will not be in a spiritual position where you can receive the word of God and bare much fruit for HIM.

According to the parable of the sower, it does not matter how much you appreciate hearing the word of God, if your heart is not prepared with virtue, then the seed will not bare much fruit. The seed that fell on the path was carried away, the seed that fell upon the rock withered away, and the seed that fell among the thorns was chocked out. The only seed that bare fruit occurred when the word of God was heard by an individual who had applied their heart to virtue.

You have been commanded to apply virtue in your life. By applying virtue, you create in your heart a fertile environment whereby you are more aptly prepared to hear God’s word and have a greater ministry for HIM. Until you learn to incorporate honest and good thoughts in your heart, your heart will not be ready to receive the word of God and to use it to bare much fruit for God.

In the parable of the sower, the same seed was sowed, the only difference was where the seed landed. If the seed landed on good soil, it did what it was supposed to do, whereas the seed that did not fall on prepared soil was worthless. However, just because you have the word of God, it does not mean that your life will automatically be productive for God. The one ingredient that must be in your life is that you must have first learned to apply virtue in your heart. Until your heart is prepared to hear the word of God, you will not be prepared to take the word of God and do what you are called to do and that is to bare much fruit for God. It is the purpose of the seed to bare much fruit, so it is the purpose of a Christian to bare much fruit. Just as the seed must have good soil in order to be productive, so too must the word of God have a virtuous heart in order to be productive.

Have you learned to think upon good and honest thoughts? Have you diligently thought to put away from your heart anything that could hinder your ability to fulfill God’s purpose for your life? If you desire to be used of God it is important that you spend time in the word of God. However, all the time in the word of God will not help you bare much fruit if you have not first made the conscience choice to apply your heart to learn to think on good and honest things. In order to fulfill God’s purpose for your life, you must apply virtue in your heart by thinking of good and honest things.

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, and he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Jesus is foretelling of Peter’s denial of HIMSELF. However, while Jesus knew that Peter would deny HIM, Jesus prayed for Peter that this would not cause him to lose faith. Jesus thus prayed for Peter’s conversion from sin. Jesus could have prayed that Peter have the strength to not to sin. However, Jesus understood the will of God and as such, HE did not pray for the stopping of the denial but instead prayed for the changed heart after the sin.

We know that at the garden of Gethsemane Jesus told Peter that prayer would give him the strength to avoid temptation. Jesus told Peter what he needed to do in order to avoid temptation. Peter was human and was not able to pray with Jesus and as such, he did not have the strength to resist the temptation. After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus took Peter on a walk were he instructed Peter to feed the HIS’ sheep. On the day of Pentecost, Peter was able to preach the gospel so that 3,000 came to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Jesus could have prayed that Satan not tempt Peter. Jesus could have prayed that Peter would have the strength to pray. However understood the sin nature of man and that Peter needed to be broken before HE could be used. Jesus’ prayer is very insightful to us as believers who pray for those who are weaker in the faith and those who do not believe at all. Like Jesus, we must understand that every man has a choice to accept Jesus and they have a choice to prepare for temptation, and they have the choice whether to sin.

When you see someone is violating the law of the Lord, you should pray that they will have the strength to rise from their sin to once again live a life productive for the Lord. Solomon tells us that the righteous may fall seven times but they continue to rise. So likewise, we are sinful beings and we will fall short of the glory of God. Jesus knows that we will sin and that we cause HIM great disappointment when we fail to obey HIM.

Pray for those who you know are struggling with a sin. Pray that the Lord will give them the strength to be converted from their sin and be used of God. Jesus knew of the trouble Peter would face and HE prayed a blessing that Peter would strengthen the brethren.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There are two results that can follow when someone sins. One can either be like Judas who sins, is convicted of his sin, and does not allow that conviction to change him and instead, is driven further from God. However, one can follow the path of Peter who on the same night sinned, was convicted of his sin, but he allowed that conviction of sin to deepen his love for the Lord and to strengthen him so that he could fulfill the Master’s calling. Jesus prayed for Peter’s response of faith after his sin and this prayer was answered. So too, we need to pray for our brethren that their sins will not cause them to stumble further.

Pray that God will break an individual of their sin and use that brokenness for the furtherance of HIS purpose for their life. Pray that those who are in the faith will rise from their sin to be used of God and serve HIM with all their heart. Pray for your brethren that they will go and do great things for God. Pray that they do not lose the faith.

Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Jesus is telling a parable in which he started by saying that men ought always to pray and to not faint. HE illustrates this point by telling of a judge who feared not God and a widow who constantly came before the judge seeking the judge to assist her by avenging her of her adversary. In verse seven, Jesus reminds that that “God [shall] avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him.”

This parable is a lesson in faith by reminding us that persistent prayer has a direct correlation with our faith. This widow would not take no for an answer. She was persistent in her petition and eventually she was given her request. So too must we learn to be persistent in prayer, especially when we know what the will of the Lord is in the manner. In verse seven, Jesus also informs us that while the Lord will avenge his own, he will bear long with us. The Hebrew word for bear long means patient. Thus, the Lord will give us our petition, yet HE will often wait a long time before HE gives it to us in order to see how long we will be persistent in our prayers.

In Romans, we are told that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. When we understand what God would have us to do, then we must do it. Just because the results are not what you desire them to be, this does not give you the grounds to reject what you have been told by the Lord to do. When things are not going according to plan, this is the time that you need to fall on your knees and be persistent in prayer.

When was the last time that you really were persistent in prayer before God? Were you praying day and night, waiting on God to give you the desires of your heart? There are some petitions that the Lord will answer immediately. However, while quick answers to prayer will increase your faith, there are times were God desires that you be persistent in pray for a long period of time so that your trust and reliance in God will be firmly placed.

As we study the Bible, we see that God put his people in bondage when they did that what was right in their own eyes. However, after so many years of bondage, God would send a deliverer in order to free HIS people. God did not send the deliverer immediately upon the request of the people. Instead, HE stretched their faith in HIM by causing them to constantly pray so that it was their desire to serve the Lord with all their heart. When the people’s hearts were ready, the Lord would raise up someone to destroy the enemy.

Persistent prayer needs to be part of your life. Just because you do not see God answer immediately, this does not mean that your prayer is not being heard or that God does not intend to answer it. It is important that one engrosses themselves in the word of God so as to ensure that they know what the will of God. When one knows the will of God, then they need to be prepared to be persistent in prayer. They must be willing to hold fast onto the promises that the Lord has given them. Satan will bring many a storm to try to get the believer to doubt. Satan desires to cause you to grow faint in your request at prayer. God knows just how far HE can stretch you. God desires to grow your faith, as such, do not faint, do not grow weary, do not allow Satan to throw doubt into your path. Instead, be persistent in prayer and watch God answer your petition as you are persistent in prayer.

Luke 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

This is the story of ten lepers who came to Jesus and while standing afar off asked Jesus to heal them. Jesus did not tell these men that they were healed, instead he instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests. It is interesting to note that it appears that the men were not healed immediately. It appears by a careful look at the text that these men went a distance prior to their realizing that they were healed. One can surmise this based upon the fact that Jesus asked where the other nine were who had been healed. If this one had immediately been healed and came straight over to Jesus, the other nine still would be in eyesight. The fact that one of them had to turn back indicates that they had to take more then just a few steps.

One can imagine the conversation these 10 men had as they left Jesus. They probably looked at themselves and were mumbling about Jesus not showing mercy upon them and healing them. However, as lepers, they probably were very familiar with the story of Naaman the leper and how he was not healed until he obeyed Elisha. As they obeyed Jesus and walked along the way, one of them probably saw that they were healed and they shouted that fact. As they all realized they had all been healed, they picked up their pace and ran full speed into town to show the priest. However, one of them desired to give glory to God and he instead made haste back to the ONE who had healed him.

All ten men where healed. However, only one of them was willing to postpone the triumphal pronouncement of his healing by the priest in order to give glory to God. Because this man took the time to come back to God, he actually was informed as to the reason why he was healed. All ten men were healed as a result of their faith in obeying Jesus promptly in going to see the priest. However, only this one man ever understood why he was healed. These men had all asked for mercy. The other nine probably lived the rest of their lives thinking Jesus just showed them mercy and thus they were healed. However, this one man understood that because he and the other nine had faith to obey Jesus’ command to go show themselves to the priests, they were all made whole.

We can never take it for granted when God does something for us. We need to take the time to humble ourselves and thank the Lord for what HE has done. As we learn to put the Lord first, we may learn the reason why the Lord put us through the trial that HE did. God often brings trials into our lives. These trials are put in our life for a reason. When the Lord brings us out of the trial, we should not go running helter skelter from the trial, but instead, we need to ensure we spend a little time with Christ in order to understand why the Lord brought us through the trial.

This one man most likely lived his life a lot different then the other nine after this miracle simply because he took the time to come back to Jesus and thank HIM for the deliverance. So too, when we take the time to come back to God, we may learn something about our trial and about our deliverance that will enable us to more fully fulfill HIS purpose for our life. The lessons we learn may be just what we needed in order to have a powerful ministry for the Lord. The nine men could only preach a message on God�s mercy on their life, whereas the one who came back was prepared to preach a message on how faith and obedience in God can change your life.

Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

The disciples had just been instructed by Jesus to forgive those who did them wrong and sought forgiveness, even if it was seven times in one day. As long as they came and repented, we are to forgive. The disciples did not think they were spiritually ready to be able to constantly forgive one who offended them so many times in one day and as such, they asked Jesus to increase their faith so that way they could obey Jesus’ commandment.

Jesus responded to their request for more faith with two object lessons. In the first object lesson, Jesus stated that how even a little faith can do great things. In the very next verse, Jesus tells them if they had the faith the size of a mustard seed, they could say to a sycamine tree to be plucked out by the roots and be planted in the see.

The second object lesson is a story of duty. Jesus tells about a servant who worked all day in the field, and then comes into the house and prepares a meal for his master. The master does not thank the servant, but after the master eats, then the servant is permitted to go into the other room and eat. Jesus ends the story in Luke 17:10 by saying “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

If all we did was that which was commanded us to do, we are unprofitable servants in the eyes of God. The disciples thought they needed more faith just to obey Jesus’ commandments. However, Jesus was trying to tell them, as servants of God, you are expected to do what HE has commanded you to do, and HE has only commanded you to do those things that HE has already equipped you to do. Thus, you do not need more faith to simply obey. God has equipped us with enough faith to obey HIM. We do not need to be asking HIM for more faith since God would not have commanded us to do something that was beyond our current level of faith. God is not like Pharaoh who gave a task to be completed but did not give the proper supplies to complete the task.

Instead, God as the loving Master who watches our every move desires to see us be profitable servants by taking the little bit of faith that we do have and go out and do the impossible so that HE is glorified. With just a small amount of faith, we have the power to move nature. God has already equipped us beyond just the simple ability to obey. HE has equipped us to go out and do great things for HIM. Our faith in HIM grows as we obey HIM and watch HIM work all things together for good. However, to really cause the Lord to be proud of us, we must be willing to step outside our comfort zone. We must be willing to allow HIM to stretch us beyond that which we think we are able to bear. As HE does the impossible through us, we will see our faith increase.

While the disciples made what appears to be a good request for more faith, Jesus informed them that they did not need more faith in order to do that which HE commanded them to do. A request to increase our faith would be more proper in asking the Lord to do something above and beyond what HE has commanded us to do. Make sure the next time you ask the Lord to increase your faith that you are not doing it like the disciples were here when they asked the Lord to give them the tools to do the job that the Lord had already given them the tools to complete.

Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

This verse is from the story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. This woman kissed the feet of Jesus and anointed HIS feet with ointment. Why did this woman behave in this manner? This woman understood that she was a sinner and that Jesus had the authority to forgive her of her sins.

It takes a decent amount of water in order to wash someone’s dirty feet. Yet this woman was so repentant that she was able to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears. This woman understood that she needed forgiveness from God and as such, she humbled herself to enter someone else�s house, cry uncontrollably, kiss Jesus’ feet, and anoint Jesus’ feet.

Jesus recognized this woman’s repentant heart, and HE forgave her of her sins. While those around Jesus wondered about HIS authority to forgive sins, this woman had realized who Jesus was and was able to seek forgiveness from the one who could pardon her iniquity. This woman’s faith was demonstrated in that she recognized Jesus’ authority to forgive her sins when others who were around HIM more had not yet grasped this truth. This woman had a need, and she sought the only One who could meet her need.

By faith, she was saved. By faith, she sought forgiveness of her sins. By faith sought Jesus. By faith she recognize who Jesus was and that she was a sinner. It was because of her faith that she was told by Jesus to go home in peace.

To help us understand the concept of salvation and faith, we are given the analogy of Christ being the bridegroom and the church being the bride. Just as a groom demonstrates his love for his bride by pursuing her and by giving her a gift of the ring so that they might be united as one, so too, has Jesus demonstrated HIS love for us by coming to this earth and by laying down HIS life so that we can receive HIS gift and be united as one with our savior. Just as the bride takes the name of her husband to demonstrate her yielding of her personal ambitions to take up the calling of her husband, so too, we take the name of our Savior and call ourselves Christians to demonstrate that we have yielded up our burden to take up the yoke of Christ.

Faith is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus. It takes faith for us to accept that we have been living in sin and that there is a better life that God has for us. However, God desires that our faith does not stop at salvation. Instead, HE desires that we continue to grow in faith and continue to fulfill HIS purpose for our life by living a life that brings glory and honor to HIM. Just as a virtuous woman brings honor to her husband and enables him to sit in the gates, so too, when we live a life of faith seeking to please the Lord, we bring glory and honor to HIS name and cause HIS name to spread across the land.

By faith we are saved, and by faith we shall continue to live our lives in such a manor that we bring glory and honor unto HIM. If you could see faith and understand it, then it would not be faith. However, God has given us stories like this one to demonstrate to us that if we humble ourselves before the Lord, HE will forgive us of our sins and will enable us to go in peace, seeking to live the rest of our lives serving HIM in faith.