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| Does Having Faith To Move Mountains, Make a Difference? |
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11:22 And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. 11:23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
This verse leads me to believe that I can ask God for something and all I have to do is believe, and I will receive it...and I know from experience, it doesn't work this way.
I’ve watched family and friends and church members suffer with illness, most often it is cancer. I’ve seen them go through horrible treatments of chemo and radiation to kill the cancer, only to end up dying in the end. I’ve prayed the prayers that people pray for those who are sick and dying, prayers of healing, prayers of remission, many times those prayers seem futile. A waste of time because those people end up dying anyway.
I even had a Christian friend who had breast cancer, who had so much faith that God would heal her, that she refused medical treatment that might have saved her life. Instead, she suffered horribly and died.
Does having more faith really make a difference? I have faith there is a God. I have faith He can do anything. But if something is not in His will, my faith in His abilities makes no difference. If it is His will, healing will occur, despite the odds against it. But if it is not His will, no amount of prayer, or fasting, or pleading, will make a difference. The bible verse from Luke should have an addendum to it...making it plain that whatever you ask for in prayer, and believing that you have received it, as long as it is according to His will, it will be yours.
It is times like this that I question how to believe, how to pray. If I had more faith, was more focused in my prayers, believed beyond all doubt that God would heal someone in this life, would it make it happen? Is my faith just not strong enough? Or is the faith of all those praying not strong enough either?
I have seen miracles occur. My mom was a perfect example of miracles. She should have died many times, but by the miracle of modern medicine, and God’s healing, she lived quite a while longer that she might have without it.
But still, the question remains, Does my level of faith make a difference? Do my prayers uttered in faith make a difference? Or should my prayers always be for God’s will, and the hope that His will, might give someone healing?
The requests I make to God, will be answered in the way that is most in tune to His will. I have to have faith that He knows what is best. That is not always the easiest thing to do.
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| To add a comment to "Does Having Faith To Move Mountains, Make a Difference?" |
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| March 03, 2008 |
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Deb, you ask some tough questions. I am so sorry to hear about your friend who died of breast cancer. Reading that made me feeling as though someone punched me in the stomach. Praying according to God's will means considering what God's will is not only here and now, but for the next few/many years as well. Is it God's will that I survive cancer only to be hit by a car a year later, or is it God's will that I survive all those only to fall victim to Alzheimers as an elderly man... we all have to die physically at some point, of something! Is it really God's will that we die at all? Well, the answer is probably in the fact that the physical will all pass away and is temporary. My skin and bones are filled with the evidence of my past sins, so it has to pass away! Am I too far off topic yet? I have resolved that my God is a really big God who knows far far far more than I do, so whenever I pray to him for some healing, I'm going to pray for the homerun and if he wants to deliver a triple instead, that's his call. I have faith in the homerun and will never again settle for a bunt single if I don't have to! (i.e. I now pray for the miracle every time!) Great blog, Deb!! |
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| March 03, 2008 |
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| Mike, excellent thoughts...my friend has been gone a long time...but it was not easy to watch her die, and it still comes to mind every so often. Yes, we all must die at some point. And I do pray for miracles, but if I truly expect them to happen, I will be disappointed at some point. There is always room for a miracle, and I will always welcome it! Everything is in His hands, but I am not always going to get my way. I am resolved to that, and I know that God will make all things work together for good. That has been my experience, even in my darkest times, something good always follows. |
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| March 03, 2008 |
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Deb, First I would like to say that I love you and I look forward to your blogs. I am sorry that you are hurting now and I will pray for you.
I would like to share some experience that I have had in regard to prayer, miracles and not understanding.
When there was a suspicious spot found on my breast in 2000 my doctor felt that it was nothing but we did a biopsy to be sure. The day I went for my biopsy was the first miracle. I was saved walking into the hospital very privately between God and me. At this point I can only say that I knew no matter the outcome God was with me.
The biopsy came back cancerous. My doctor was shocked, he had even told my family that he did not believe it was cancer. I still knew God was with me no matter what. We discussed in detail should we just remove the cancerous area or do a mastectomy. After much discussion we elected to do a mastectomy. The test results came back that the cancer was throughout the tissue but contained. Another miracle of God. I have to continue have my right breast checked some reports have come back suspicious but a miracle of God and it would turn out to be nothing.
Enough on that.
At the time I was going through the cancer war a good friend of mine was also going through the same battle. She had to go through a lot more than I did but she had her faith in God and we all were praying for healing. Long story short. Her cancer had spread and was in the brain and she eventually died. There were still miracles, as I speak for her, she had family brought back together through her battle, she had the privilege of seeing family members saved.
I went through a period of deep sadness and questions. Why did God take her home and yet allowed me to be healed. I don't have an answer that words can express but I know with all my heart and soul that Our Father knows things that we don't know and I believe with all my heart that she went home for a reason.
I have prayed for healing and though the healing I prayed for was not received I saw healing in different ways.
I had prayed for sometime for God to take my mother home (alzheimer's) before I had to place her in a nursing home. Well, I had to place her in a nursing home. It still breaks my heart but I have seen the Glory of God come through this tribulation and I have grown in my love for my mother and my family has grown closer. God is still in the miracle business but it's God's miracles not ours.
Bless you and I hope this helps in some small way. |
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| March 03, 2008 |
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Deb, I was paralysed from the chest down 23 years ago, at first I prayed for a complete healing and never got it! during the 23 years people have found it easier to approach me in the wheelchair than if I was able bodied...many people have been introduced to the gospel due to this fact. Through Gods will I have helped to bring the lost home, I know my old personality would never have reached them..therefore God knows me better than I know myself Psalm 139 confirms this. I prayed for healing BELIEVING but He chose His will, I am so glad that He DIDN"T heal me, love Stu.
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| March 03, 2008 |
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I find that in a lot of cases, prayer and seeking God is more about us learning to get closer to God than it is about getting handouts from Him. Like Stu says, in each condition, God can work to bring about miracles that we would never have thought about. But if we hadn't prayed for His will and asked in utter acceptance, then we wouldn't be in the position to receive the blessings He had in store for us.
God can do anything. He just may have a different idea about what needs to happen than we do (imagine that!). Adapting our minds to His will allows us to be open to what He brings for us. Just wait and see! |
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| March 03, 2008 |
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| btw: Great blog! |
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| March 04, 2008 |
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| of course when God in play..ANYTHING CAN happen! |
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| March 04, 2008 |
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Lara, interesting thoughts! From what you said, you have struggled with this as much as I have. I agree that it is sometimes God's will for us to be sick...and that is where we run into trouble, whn what we want does not line up with what He wants. Even though I have seen people die after many prayers for their healing, I have also seen those same people through their illnesses, touch someone else with the love of Christ. Sometimes I think I just think about it too much!
Cheryl, thank you for sharing those thoughts with me. I do believe that good comes out of all things for those that love Christ...like the bible tells us. God sees the big picture, and we only see the small one. His reasons are not understood in this life, and may never be until we see Him in the next. We have to trust and have faith, and if He sends a miracle our way, give Him all the praise and Glory...but we need to also praise Him and give Him glory if he chooses not to send us a miracle.
restore, my heart breaks for you and your family. I wish I had answers for you. Like I said above, all I know is that God knows what He is doing, and we have to have faith in that. I am keeping you in my prayers.
jairah20, maybe that is what we have to do, make a resolution to have faith in God and that He acts in our best interest. It is a simple choice of believing in Him.
Stu, what an amazing perspective you have on your situation. You are truly a believer and an example of how God works all things out for good. Look at the lives you have touched that would not have been touched had you not gone through what you did? Amazing way of looking at things. I appreciate your thoughts.
Gene, You wrote...God can do anything. He just may have a different idea about what needs to happen than we do (imagine that!). Adapting our minds to His will allows us to be open to what He brings for us. Just wait and see! Adapting our minds...and being open to what he brings to us. That is amazing advice, so much wisdom!!!
Cyn, I think we always have to be ready for God's miracles. He can do anything, and sometimes does!
Thanks everyone for your great comments! |
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| March 04, 2008 |
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| Thanks, Deb. You call it wisdom. I call it experience. After you hit your head enough you realize that the wall isn't going to move. |
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| March 05, 2008 |
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restore, I know exactly what you are saying as well. I have known so many people who have had cancer, and I prayed for them, lots of people prayed for them, and nothing changed. That is why I wrote this blog. You don't have to say your sorry dear. I totally understand where you are coming from!
Gene, I have hit my head against that wall many times. It still won't move. |
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| March 06, 2008 |
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| Deb, I KNOW what you mean. I have struggled with this, too. I certainly agree with your statement, "The requests I make to God, will be answered in the way that is most in tune to His will. I have to have faith that He knows what is best. That is not always the easiest thing to do." |
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| March 06, 2008 |
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ok this has stirred my emotions. I prayed for my dad daily asking God to protect him and then next thing I know he committed suicide. Knowing what I know and all still makes it rough to accept this and free will and all. breaks my heart  . I just keep on praying and trudging along this journey. |
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| March 06, 2008 |
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Yahschild, I don't think that I have found anyone yet who has said that they haven't struggled with this. Nice to know I am not alone.
Tina, you are doing the right thing...you are continuing to pray. Some people become discouraged when their prayers seem a waste of time, and they stop communicating with God. I think a big part of prayer is to keep the lines of communication open to God. My heart breaks for you and what you are going through with the loss of your dad. To have him take his own life had to be horrible. I once considered suicide, and I am so thankful to the Lord for saving me from myself.
Pastor Tim, Amen...couldn't have said it better. |
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| March 07, 2008 |
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Yes, Pastor Tim, that's just what I was going to say. Faith in God is faith in who He is, not what He does, (or doesn't), do. I would just change one word in your last sentence: "it is important to trust Him with the results". He can be trusted! |
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| March 08, 2008 |
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| Jen, Yes, He can be trusted...even if we don't think He is making the right decision...He knows what is best for us, and He is always right, but it might take some time for us to figure that out! |
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| March 09, 2008 |
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I was going to add the same as Jen and Pastor Tim. As you know I am struggling with cancer right now. I have prayed every prayer possible but in the end it is as Stu said (above) God is the one who descides if I get well or not~look at everything Jesus went through~if this is what God wants or allows in my life for His glory then Amen!!~
Always love your sweet blogs, thanks Deb~ |
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| March 09, 2008 |
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| Cheryl, my heart aches for you in your struggle with cancer. I pray that the Lord will heal you from it...and you know what? He will...someone told me once that even when someone dies from an illness, he is then healed and whole and in the presence of Jesus. I never looked at it that way. Sure, we would rather stay with our families and friends in this life as long as God lets us, but no matter what, He does heal us, either in this life or the next. |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| Miss Deb, Life can be can be baffling at times, however, having faith to move mountains is always a good thing, cause, without it, I believe life would be even more complicated. Faith is believing in something that you cannot see or physically touch, only making it that much harder to understand. I can only say that life plus scripture equals answers. only we don't get the answers we want on our time schedule but when He deems appropiate. I was having lunch with a friend yesterday and was talking about a ministry he wanted to begin and he asked me for advice. I sensed he was a little impatient with the way things were going, so I tried to explain to him the best way I could to him How God helps to mature in our walk with Him. So as he left to go get his salad I asked the Good Lord to show me something, and this is what I got. I explained to him that I had just made a career move, so that I would be able to work on dayshift and hopefully be able to spend more time ministering. Within the first 2 months I was given the position of multi-line leader, and now there talking to me about being a supervisor, and I,ve only been there 4 months, I really struggled the first 2 months because I had to learn all the equipment, 5 different machines, Each week I asked to work on a different machine, and I was getting alot of static from the employees there, no help, shrude remarks, no respect, the whole nine yards, but I treated them nice anyways like scpriture says and although a very tough challenge, I persevered. Deb, I didn't get the to the positions I am in because of these four short months. I explained to Mike that I had to work at teledyne casting service for 6 years in Indiana, 2 years, at cleavor brooks boiler company in GA, 5 years at US Filter, 2 years with Humanetics. Which all of these companies were either # 1 or # 2 in the world. Along with all this I particiapted with Total quality manaement classes, Quality control, Headed some of the safety meetings, Learned how to weld and operate several Machines run by computers CNC. With all this I was able to get to where I am at now. Just hold on I am getting to the point very soon, thanks. Now, with all that being said, it was not a very easy road to travel down. It had its ups and downs, mainly because of some of the decisions I made. Well, anyways, just like our life experiences come to pass, so does our growth with Christ. In my 18 years of marriage Ived learned that the things that God allows to happen are all part of His well laid out plan for us, as hard as it may seem or how difficult it can be sometimes, we need to be open to his plans for us and ask what it is he wants us to get out all the bumps that come along in life. With this kind of faith in Him I can look back at times in my life when I did'nt have the faith, why he did some of the things the way He did. Un fortunately, I had to wait a few years before He could reveal it to me. As life goes on and I learn to lean more on Him the shorter the time span is for Him to reveal things to me. We will never understand All of His mysterious ways, but if we ask Him to teach us what He is taking us through and open up to Him so that we can become teachable, it helps get through some of the growing pains of maturity. And I can say with these experiences I am able to minister to others on Him timing. And its that faith ,to believe in Him, that allow us to make it one step further. I hope I've been an encouragement, and did not mean to offend in any way. I too, am a work in progress. God bless you and your family. |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| Larry, thank you for taking the time to write all of that out! Yes, I did take it as an encouragement. I have learned that each difficult time I go through in life does teach me something. I know God has a plan for my life, and that He answers in His timing, not in mine. It is hard though, sometimes to keep faith in Him, when it seems as though He isn't answering, or doesn't hear us. I guess I think of it more when someone is ill and I pray for healing, and sometimes that doesn't happen. I know it is all to His purpose, and I should not question it. But it just makes you wonder if having faith is enough? We have to have faith, and I do believe that God can do anything, but He doesn't always answer in the way I would like Him to, even though I know He can...I just have to learn to trust Him more for the answers He gives. I really do appreicate all that you said. |
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| April 17, 2008 |
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I say The Lord's Prayer.... "thy will be done". I believe with all of my heart, and have faith and hope. I trust in God. |
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| April 17, 2008 |
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But yes, having faith to move mountains DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. It truly does!
Thanks be to God! |
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| April 18, 2008 |
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| Joey, thank you for your comments. I do think that having faith does make a difference, but sometimes it is also just having faith in God's will being done and Him knowing what is best. Not so much in having faith in what I want God to do for me, but trusting in Him. That's the hard part. |
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| April 24, 2008 |
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I am alittle slow at finding some posts, maybe becasue I wasn't suppose to see this till today! Ahhh God's Time not mine.
So many good things were said here. My husband and i were just talking bout this. I am reading in Exodus and it talks about 'FAITH' and 'TRUST' n God and God alone! I Pray for Hid Will not mine. I have had a few experiences that are true miracles . Like it was said we are going Hime to Him, in His time. Why? I can't answer that. We are doing the study of Prayer in sunday school, and I have learned that Pray with out Ceasing is what i should be doing. Am I? NO . is my faith in Him strong? Yes and do I trust Him? Yes .....
It is what hubby and I were talking bout as I said, he has a law suit pending since 1999 and it is UGLY right now and he is feeling hopeless, useless ( he has severe nerve & disk damage in his back and neck, which effects his arms also) They are staing he is fine. Like i said I am in the book of Exodus and It just talked bout TRUST & FAITH.
well I hope I didnt stay off of what was being said here.
I Do know I have no control over what happens. I just know today I have to have faith & Trust in Him and know it is His will not mine.
Yes I might not like it, but I trust the process, today!
Love ya Deb Prayers & Blessings |
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| April 24, 2008 |
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| Donna, it sounds to me like you are on the right track. It is not easy to wait on the Lord to act, but He will...the more I go through and the more I have to wait on Him, the more I learn that it will happen, and everything will work out in the end. Sometimes it feels like eternity, but in God's eyes, it is a blink of time. He knows what is best for us, and He will not let us down. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers that things will work themselves out and quickly. |
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