The Power of Faith in God through Prayer

Jesus Cursed the Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14)

            The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the seasons for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. 

The Withered Fig Tree (Mark 11:20-25) NIV

“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Jesus showed his disciples that there is no such thing as impossible when we ask God in faith and proclaim our faith in prayer. In this passage Jesus demonstrated the key elements of an answered prayer:

1. Have Faith in God

a. Faith - “Have faith…”

We need to have faith when we pray. We need to believe and hope that our prayer will be answered. We need to believe that it will be done.

b. God - “…in God”

 Notice that Jesus specifically said to pray in God. Not to any saints or anyone else but God. Because it is only God who can answer our prayers. He is the only one who can see our hearts and hear our prayers even when we pray in silence. Therefore, we must have faith in God alone.

2. Believe and not doubt

a. Believe- “believes what he says will happen” This is very important. Now that we know that we need to have faith in God, we must believe that God can do it and that our prayers will happen. That is why Jesus says it again by saying “believe that you have received it”. We must know who our God is. God is not just anybody, God owns the universe and everything we see. There is nothing impossible for him. So, whatever you need, believe that God is able to give it to you. “and it will be yours.” How wonderful it is to know that someone like our God would give extra special attention to our needs even the things that we want. God made us special and he wants us to know that as a Father, we can call on him through prayers and tell him what we need in our lives and believe that he can provide everything to us, even the most impossible things we can ever think of.

b. Doubt - “Does not doubt in his heart” Aside from our sins and wrong motives, this is one of the main reasons why so many of our prayers get hindered or delayed. This is because we are playing hide and seek with God. Sometimes we believe but sometimes we doubt our prayers. Doubting God is a sin and we must ask for his forgiveness every time we think that God is not able. For doubt is the absence of faith and without faith how are we able to believe that God can help. Therefore, doubt must be eliminated. We can do this, by counting our blessing, by giving thanks to God and by sharing our faith and blessing with others. So, when times comes that you feel like not doubting, there will be more things to remind you of God’s faithfulness.                

3. Forgive – “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Forgiveness is not easy, we need more than courage to forgive. We need to be selfless and humble. Moreover, we must lay it all to Jesus. We may think that a lot of people do not deserve forgiveness especially when they have done terrible things we cannot even imagine. But God said, we must forgive so that our sins must also be forgiven. We must pray for those who have wronged us, for Jesus will be our reconciliation.

If we go back to the story of the fig tree and the example of Jesus of the mountain throwing itself to the sea. We may wonder why he would use these kinds of examples. The mountain throwing itself to the sea seems so silly and humorous. But with wisdom, Jesus is just trying to imply that there is nothing impossible for God. That God has no boundaries and that even the mountain will obey him. Therefore, pray in faith in God. 

SOMETHING TO DO:

If there’s anything today that you would like to ask God, come to him in prayer and tell him everything that is in your heart. Tell God everything that you are longing for. It could be about a job, a broken relationship that you would want to be fixed, a dying marriage that you would want to be revived, or a tragedy that you want to move forward from. However big or small it is, God is always there to listen and yes! He would love to help you, just pray with faith in God, believe and not doubt, believe that you receive it and it will be yours. And when you pray, remember also to forgive. These are the words of Jesus. Pray and receive his answers today.

Church Goers: Physically present but mentally absent?!?

Question: Have you ever experience being in the church but your mind is wandering away? If yes, how often? once in while? or every Sunday? Today I would like to point out something really important for us Christians and believers of God.  

God: "I was with you but you were not with me."

I remember one time going to the church with my mind completely thinking about something else and is so far away from where I am. But then suddenly I felt this ache in my heart, like someone literally pinch it, I look around trying to observe all the people in the congregation on that Sunday morning and wonder, if everyone aside from me is actually listening to the sermon, and if everyone aside from me is really praising God while singing, and if everyone is actually praying when they close their eyes. What if everyone's mind is also somewhere else not here. Then with all these in mind, this one big question strike my heart like a punch... WHO IS WORSHIPPING GOD AT THIS MOMENT THEN? WHO AMONG THIS PEOPLE IS ACTUALLY LISTENING? I feel so bad, knowing that my mind was wondering around. Then God put his Words in my heart, reminding me that godliness is a so personal. Even though you go to the church every Sundays of your life, it will not count unless you truly worship him in the sanctuary and not missing the point of being in the church. Today, I would like to point out the main purposes of going to church:

First is to worship and be with God. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." Exodus 20:8 Sundays is not the only day to worship God, we can worship him daily and anytime. However, God also set aside a day for us to rest with him. And this day should be specifically dedicated to him for worship.

Second is that we may find rest with God. 

"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." Genesis 2:1-3

Most of us, work from weekdays to weekend and most of the time having difficulty finding time to pray and worship God. That is why God himself designated a day for us to rest and worship. Some worship on Saturdays, some on Sundays but whatever day it is, we must solely dedicate our time, heart and mind to God that we may find rest in him. God wants us to find rest in him.

Third is to fellowship with believers.

Another is that we may find encouragement and fellowship with believers. How sad to know that the world is not getting better and most would prefer to go to the mall, a party or even a coffee shop than to go to the church. They would rather sit and talk about an upcoming movie than to sit with believers.

How to be physically, mentally and spiritually present?

1. As much as possible, sleep early on Saturday so you will not be sleeping in the church.

2. If you need to do something, do it early on Saturday or set a schedule so that it will not be on your mind while you are in the church.

3. Before going to the church, confess your sins to God and pray that God will help you focus.

4. Concentrate on God's Word. To help you follow through the sermon, you can jot down notes to keep your mind from wandering. Avoid writing and drawing unnecessary things on the paper. This will also help you remember the sermons, in case you will forget.    

5. Wear something decent but comfortable.

PRAYER:

Dear God,

     Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your unfailing love. I know that most of the time, I find myself thinking about something else and not focusing on your Words. I am sorry. Please help me that I may truly worship you and focus only on you while I am in the church. Please teach me how to set my heart and mind on you while listening to your Word. Help me be physically, mentally and spiritually present while I am in the church. I need you to help me in this area of my Christian life. Help me to become faithful. Thank you Lord. This is what I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.  

SOMETHING TO DO: BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY PRESENT THIS COMING SUNDAY.

Success: There is Nothing Impossible with God.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."  Proverbs 16:3

Question: As of this moment, can you consider yourself successful? Yes/No

Answer:  You can use the comment box for your answer.

Question: In which area of your life do you think you succeed?

Answer: You can use the comment box for your answer.

Question: Which area do you think you failed?

Answer: You can use the comment box for your answer.

Question: Which area are you still working on?

Answer: You can use the comment box for your answer.

As we all know "Success" is the accomplishment of something that you have been working on, for example a goal of losing 20 lbs. or a dream to become a professional in your line of work. Whatever it is, it is natural for us to aim success in our lives. However, success does not come easy. Many have spent much time even a life-time before they actually can say that they are successful. Some succeed at work but fail in marriage. And sadly even though they tried the hardest, some don't achieve it at all. Why? What is wrong? In this topic, we will see what God says about how to be successful and not only for just one aspect of our lives but in everything:  

• First is we need to "Commit" or have a sense of commitment to succeed. Have you ever known someone who does not have a sense of commitment? You can tell that there is something wrong with his/her life. It is like driving a car without knowing where to go.
• Second is to succeed in all aspects of life our commitment should be"to the Lord" our creator.  We need to seek him and his Words. We need to know what he thinks about our decisions. Whether it is small or big, the decision that we are gonna make should not only be decided by us or by our family, but we must also consider God's opinion. God can always help. His wisdom is supreme.

Why we should commit to the Lord?

• Because he is the Alpha and Omega and he knows everything, the past and even the future and he knows what will be the ending of everything. He knows if it will be good or not.

Just imagine God as the driver who knows the road so well that he will never accidentally drive you to a cliff and fall.

That is why..

• Third, we must commit to the Lord "whatever we do" meaning "all", no restriction, no reservation. Whether it is financial, family or even in our daily decision makings because God knows best.  Sometimes, some part of our lives are not doing good because we never ask God to help us with it, or even if we pray for it, we still do it our way not God's way. If we commit everything to the Lord, then the next word says..
• Fourth, "And your plans will succeed". "And" (used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences that are to be taken jointly) so success is always a part of obedience to his Word that is why the scripture joined the phrase "your plans will succeed" with committing or trusting God.  

Committing to Lord can change and better our lives. God does not want us to waste our lives to something that is not even good for us. If we commit ourselves to him, he will give us hope and open our eyes to what he thinks is best. If we commit to him, we must totally rely on his capability. We need faith in order to do this, we must believe and trust him.

Remember, God will never put to shame those who trust in him.

Therefore... "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Amen.

SOMETHING TO DO:

Now, remember the last question,  "Which area you are still working on?" Whatever area that is, commit this to the Lord and see how God works.   

PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for everything that you have done for me at the cross. Thank you for saving me. Today, I want to commit myself to you, I know that you are my God and that you care for me, but I haven't committed myself to you lately. Please help me that you will be the center of my life. Please take over and help me succeed, not only in one part but in all aspects especially those that are not pleasing  unto you. Oh God, I cannot do this alone. Help me with everything. This is what I pray in Jesus name, Amen.  

Beginner's Guide to the Bible

Introduction to the Bible

This page is for new Christians and for people who are interested in studying the Bible. This is just the basic but is very important in navigating from cover to cover. To make it simpler and less complicated, I have enumerated the following for you:

1. Protestant: There are 66 (Canonized) books in the Bible.

2. The Bible is divided into two. First is called "The Old Testament" and the second part is called "The New Testament".

3. The Old Testament consists of 39 books.  

     A. (5) The Pentateuch /The Laws.

• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy

    B. (12) History

• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth
• 1 Samuel
• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings
• 2 Kings
• 1 Chronicles
• 2 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther

    C. (5) Poetry

• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon

     D.  (5) Major Prophets

• Isaiah
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel
• Daniel

     E. Minor Prophets.

• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Micah
• Nahum
• Habakkuk
• Zephaniah
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malachi

4. The New Testament consists of 27 books.

    A. (4) Synoptic Gospel

• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John

   B. (1) History

• Acts

   C. (9)Pauline Epistles' (To the Church)

• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians

    D. (4)Pauline Epistles' (To his Friends)

• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon

    E. (9)General Epistles'

• Hebrews
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Jude
• Revelation

How to Read/ Find the Scripture within the Bible:

When the pastor asks to turn your Bible to "Genesis 1:1" this is how to find it.

"Genesis 1:1" The word in red is the name of book where you can find the scripture.

"Genesis 1:1" The first number after the name of the book is the Chapter.

                         This number is bigger and can be seen usually at the beginning.

"Genesis 1:1" The number after the colon is the verse. This number is smaller than the Chapter.

                         This is usually found at the beginning of every sentence or paragraph.

Please see the illustration below: