THE RIGHTEOUS BELIEVE WITHOUT DOUBTING

MARK 11:22-24

Jesus did something in the eyes of his disciples to help them understand the importance of having solid faith in God without doubting.

-Jesus cursed a fig tree in their hearing and the following day it had withered.
-Doubt is a killer of faith, hence it denies us the power and intervention that come from God.

-Q. Do you always believe that what you ask God will happen as he promised?
-Q. Do you always believe that things will happen as God promises?

-God wants us to get down on our knees in prayer having the conviction that we have already received our requests.
-For this to become our conviction, we need to understand the following principles:

1. OBSTACLES NURTURE TRUE FAITH

Luke 8:49-53
Jairus was a synagogue ruler (a VIP!) and so could afford the best medical cover, yet he decided to come to Jesus and not go to doctors. He fell at Jesus' feet. What humility! Great humility breeds great faith!

The report from Jairus' house was vey discouraging - "the child is dead" - but despite this Jairus still decided to believe the promise that Jesus gave him.

Q. What are the desperate and frightening situations that you are facing today - finances, family, career, relationships? God wants us to believe and to not be afraid. He will fix things.

Matthew 15:21-28
The Canaanite woman's cries seem to fall on deaf ears. The disciples attitude towards her is not endearing. But these did not put her off. Not even the "tribal card" could sway her. Instead these challenges made her plead her case more passionately, and because of her stubborn refusal to quit, Jesus noticed and rewarded her great faith.

True faith grows as the obstacles come along the way. True faith reasons confidently even in the most impossible-looking situations. Challenges do not mean that God has abandoned us, but God desires us to see them as opportunities to draw very close to him. To the faithful, obstacles are opportunities to grow more and more in their faith. (Further reading, Luke 5:17-20)


2. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL PURSUE GOD'S STANDARDS

Philippians 3:7-11
Paul had a burning desire to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. He had to give up a lot for the sake of Christ. He was eager to attain the righteousness that comes from God which is by faith, not a righteousness of his own standards.

For us to know Christ and be like him in righteousness, the Bible must be the standard for us all.

Parents - Ephesians 6:4 God's standards for parenting: Be gentle and self-controlled when you handle even delicate matters.
Q. Are you applying these standards in your parenting?

Marrieds - Ephesians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Q. Are you applying the standards of submitting to each other, bearing with one another and loving each other? Love never fails.

Singles/students - Psalm 119:9 The word of God is enough to equip us for a righteous life.
Proverbs 21:21 Pursue righteousness and love and you will find honour.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Let us run in such a way as to get the prize, by running according to the rules laid down. The righteous will pursue God's standards. The righteous will live by faith.