Matthew 17:20–21 (NKJV): So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
The disciples just failed to cast out a demon, and when they questioned Jesus as to why, this was the answer they received. These may be some of the most abused, misunderstood, mis-applied verses in all of scripture. It is usually interpreted to be saying that there is some essential lack in the disciples (and us) that they could overcome if they just worked a bit harder at it. That they could grow more faith by doing this thing... context often intimates prayer and fasting. That these actions will make you stronger by default. Like lifting weights builds muscle; like eating ice cream builds fat. But consider this, that both of those activities prayer, and fasting are designed to make us LESS. Prayer brings us to the throne room of heaven, and while all of the resources we could ever want or need are available to us from our Father's storehouse, no one who has ever been aware of the awesome majesty of God can feel that they, are more... we feel our smallness, our weakness, we feel our NEED. And knowing that need, we seek our Father for our supply. Prayer makes us know that we are dependent. Fasting also weakens us, it puts down the flesh and properly done, enhances our sense of utter dependence upon God. Jesus said this, "if you have" but then followed it up by telling them plainly that all they have is NOT enough. My dear precious child of God, they, and we, need to know in the fiber of our souls that apart from constant and utter helpless dependence upon, and expectation of, help from God, we are hopeless. But, when we learn to lean in, to cast ourselves upon the faithfulness of our God and Father, then nothing is to much to expect from His omnipotent hand!!
Matthew 5:23–24 (NKJV): Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Proverbs 14:9, 16 (NKJV): Fools mock at sin,But among the upright there is favor.A wise man fears and departs from evil,But a fool rages and is self-confident. Here are two possible fleshly responses to evil and sin. On the one hand, fools mock....[ abbreviated | read entire ]
John 14:20–21 (NKJV): At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
2 Corinthians 1:8–9 (NKJV): For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
2 Corinthians 1:5–6 (NKJV): For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NKJV): Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Psalm 100:4–5 (NKJV): Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Here is good...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Psalm 7:10–11 (NKJV): My defense is of God,Who saves the upright in heart. God is a just judge,And God is angry with the wicked every day. Consider carefully the two types of people shown here. Upright in heart or wicked.Consider carefully...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Psalm 6:1–4 (NKJV): O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled;But You, O Lord—how...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
