Believe

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen.  Romans 10:16-18 The Message

The anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 The Message

Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. Matthew 8:13 NIV

Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, “Go. What you believed could happen has happened.” At that moment his servant became well. Matthew 8:13 The Message

As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him (Jesus) will never be put to shame. Romans 9:33 NIV

Bryce and I were praying in this week between Christmas and the New Year’s Day, and we had a revelation. We have one of our family in jail. He keeps making mistakes and taking drugs. Why? We say this over and over again. He has a good wife and children. Why does he keep repeatedly using drugs and alcohol and end up doing something that puts him back in jail? He knows we all love him as many in the family have tried to help him.

Then it hit us. Until he comes to the point of forgetting about what disappoints him. Or thinking about how he disagrees with a boss. He will have to start thinking of others or he will keep falling. Until he believes Jesus is our Savior and begins to trust in the Lord, he will keep falling as it says in 2^nd Thessalonians.  Before he can trust, he will have to listen as it says in Romans 10. Until he listens and believes Jesus came to save him, he will be banished to his chosen world of lies and illusions as it also says in 2^nd Thessalonians.

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14 NIV

He needs to become led by the Spirit of God. This can come only when he starts to love others and do for others. Have you noticed how much love the people have that work in soup kitchens and missions, that give extra to their employees, that work to help others and put others first? He must first believe, see the needs of others, and then act on those needs, spiritually or physically to be healed. He must believe to become well so he can trust enough to never be put to shame. Stumbling will stop with listening and believing.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Oh, how I wish we could believe for this relative and stop the hurting of himself and others. We need your Spirit to be so prevalent in front of him that he no longer can refuse to let you in. Help him to learn the truth and live righteously. Help him to listen, to BELIEVE. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck