Hello friends and family! A Word of encouragement from ML Excellence Devotional and Books entitled: Have faith in God
Mark 11:19-22
19 And when evening was come, he went out of the city.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance said unto him, Teacher, behold, the fig tree which you cursed is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God.
One of the most profound chapters in the book of Mark is chapter 11, where Jesus teaches the disciples the power of faith.
In the text of Mark 11:11, Jesus goes to Jerusalem and enters into the temple and looks around the temple checking things out.
After that the Lord and the disciples go to Bethany, and as they return they are hungry. Jesus sees a fig tree looking for figs to eat and finds none.
After that something interesting takes place in Mark 11:12-14.
12 And on the next day, when they had come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if perhaps he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, no man eat fruit of you hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it.
He then goes back to Jerusalem, goes into the temple, sees the money changers and everything else going on in the temple besides worship, and cleanses the temple.
Mar 11:15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
Mar 11:16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.
He then leaves the temple and the following occurs:
Mar 11:19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.
Mar 11:20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Mar 11:21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
Mar 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
This story has some profound interpretation about the nation of Israel, and their lack of faith to do God’s will, but the main thing I want to share about is the faith that Jesus told his disciples about.
When Jesus went into the temple the first time and observed what was going on in the temple, (Mark 11:11) he didn’t say anything.
As they leave Bethany he curses a fig tree that wasn’t bearing fruit. He then cleanses the temple and gives them a lesson on faith.
I submit to you that Jesus saw something he did not like in the temple and his actions show us the same.
And because he did not see any fruit bearing among the people of God, spiritually and symbolically, he curses the fig tree, because it was not producing fruit and neither were the people of God.
But the greater revelation I want to share is that he spoke to the fig tree that was not producing fruit, and when Peter saw it, he was surprised and said in Mark 11:21 “And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
The LORD then said, “Mar 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. ”
I want to use this short verse to encourage everyone under the sound of my voice to have faith in God!
No matter what you are going through, or what situation is before you. Remember to have faith in God!!
If you need a healing, have faith in God.
If you need a financial blessing, have faith in God.
If you have a personal situation, have faith in God.
If you have a family situation, have faith in God.
Jesus did something so profound and he spoke to the fig tree and it withered!
I encourage you to follow the example of Christ and to speak life and have faith in God!
These are two important things you need to see the hand of God move in your life.
Which means you have to trust God, and believe God no matter what you are going through.
Remember to always speak life because your words and testimony of faith must line up with what you believe.
Sometimes we have faith, but we cancel out the blessing of God in our lives because of what we say out of our mouths!
Jesus spoke to that fig tree and it withered! The scripture says that life and death are in the power of the tongue according to the Word of God, (Proverbs 18:21), and what we believe and say, has a direct impact on what we receive and accomplish in the earth and spiritual realm.
So today, have faith in God and make sure your words line up with what you say in Jesus name!
God bless, Pastor Quinn