Text: Mark 5:25-33
Memory verse:
“Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Mark 9:23 NKJV
No matter how big the promise of God, believing makes it a reality in your life. God gives us what we desire of Him when we believe.
There are many secrets of answered prayers, yet none of them can actually make it happen without believing. For example, one can pray long prayers, fast for several days, and live holy without faith. All these can be based on self-effort, which makes you to be deserving of the miracles you have desired of God. No, none of us can qualify for anything from God based on our merits. The only reason God answers our prayer today is the finished work of Jesus and not because of our works or sacrifices. Some people have made God a debtor by their attitude in prayer, fasting, and sacrifice. God is never a debtor to anyone.
If you take time to study all the people who experienced Jesus’ miracle-working power in the scriptures, you will discover that none of them actually deserved it or got it by their self-efforts. For example, what did Peter do to receive that net-breaking catch? Was it his effort? His all-night efforts could not catch a single fish. Now, his belief did what his effort couldn’t achieve. (Luke 5:5-6).
What about the woman with the issue of blood? In fact, according to the law of Moses, she was not expected to be found in public as she was regarded unclean. What on earth gave her the courage to break out of the bondage of the law to seek after Jesus in the public place? Hear it, “She had heard [reports] about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His outer robe” (Mark 5:27 AMP). She would have heard the report of how Jesus had been showing compassion, mercy, and grace on people who didn’t deserve it. So, it was this report that triggered faith in her to take that bold step to come out, to touch His garment, and to receive her miracle. That’s why you need to pay attention to hearing the words of faith (Rom 10:17). Even though she had never attended a seminar on faith, yet Jesus, the Master Assessor qualified her as a woman of faith! What was the secret? She saw grace in Jesus, and Jesus saw faith in her. “And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
(Mark 5:34).
Friends, your prayer, fasting, and holy living will avail nothing if it is devoid of faith. Don’t force faith to come. Rather, keep focusing, considering, and meditating on what Jesus has done for you. When you see His grace, faith will naturally spring up in you to receive your miracle.
Prayer points
1. Father, please purge me of any attitude of being self-deserving or receiving from you based on my self-effort in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, help me to always focus on Jesus’ finished work as the basis for my miracles in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. My prayers, fasting, and sacrifices will not move God if it lacks faith.
2. As I focus on God’s grace through Jesus, faith to receive miracles is triggered in me.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng