I Believe...

In our bible class last night we reviewed my second most favorite (or meaningful to me) verse. It is contained in a narrative in Mark 9:14-30 where Jesus casts a demon out of a young boy. The father is challenged concerning his faith and his response in verse 24 was, “I believe, help thou my unbelief”, or “I do believe, but help me to have a stronger faith.”

One of the reasons this is one of my most favorite passages is that I can identify with those words more than you might suspect. You see, we tend to look at people and form an opinion about them and their faith from a very limited knowledge of them. You consider what you know of me, my ministries, our mission efforts and think, “Russ has it all together, I bet he never worries about anything.” Well, if that's way you think, you would be wrong. It may be true that my wife and I have faced some challenges which you have not. It may be true that we have undertaken works that you would rather not, but that doesn't mean that my faith is unshakable. That may or may not surprise you, but I believe that God places us where he wants us to be and perhaps those places are to challenge, test or strengthen our faith.

You will never know how many times I have prayed, “Lord, I believe, but help me have a stronger faith. Help me have a faith that trusts you more and that let's me give more control of my life to you”. “I believe, help thou my unbelief!”

What this passage lets me know is that I'm no different from anyone else. That each of us face Faith Challenges from time to time. You may be struggling with health issues, job issues, personal relationship issues or with faith issues. You maybe looking at this things and thinking, “There is no way I can deal with this by myself.” If you are, then you also identify with that father of 2,000 years ago about who we read, “Straight away the father of the child gave a cry, saying, I have faith; make my feeble faith stronger.” (BBE) Is it time for you to consider your faith and perhaps give up some control, or as they say, “Let go and let God.”

Change is inevitable, but not always good.

We live in a world where change is a constant. No matter what area of life to which you look, you will see change, change is inevitable, you can't stop it, but I would suggest that you can control how it affects your life to some degree.

The thing with change is that if it is going on around you, you often don't notice it happening. Having lived in Africa for a number of years we were perhaps more aware of changes in America. These changes were more evident to us when we visited, than those who are living in the midst of them. For example: On one of our furlough trips we stopped at a restaurant while traveling. I went to pay our bill and in front of me were a family with teenage children. The daughter had thong underwear pulled up on her hips and shorts that were worn far too low. Somewhat embarrassed for them I thought, “This must be a poor family, they can't afford clothes that fit their children.” Of course later I found that this was a “fashion statement”.

I realize that I am somewhat “older” than some of you, and maybe I am “behind the times” and an “old fogie,” but I don't see this as a good change.

Not long after returning to live in America we attended a funeral (the first after returning). We dressed in a way we felt was appropriate, you know what they used to call “church clothes.” I wore dress slacks, a tie and jacket and my wife wore a dress. We walked in and were shocked because there were young women there wearing halter tops, short shorts and flip flops. Apparently the “dress with respect” aspect of our society had shifted even more. And again, I don't see this change as a good thing.

Another change I noted is how folks dress in our bible studies and worship assemblies. Now I realize that there are no “clothing guidelines” in the bible, other than to behave decently and modestly and I certainly am not suggesting that we try and mandate any. But I am suggesting that modesty be considered regarding proper attire for those who claim to be in the presence of God. I thought to myself the other day, I wonder how folks would dress if they really thought that Jesus was going to be there when they arrived? Of course we know he is, isn't he?

Now I realize that this is a very subjective and personal observation, because what I feel is modest or decent may not be the same thing you think it is. When we were in Africa I saw a man leading the song service wearing a woman's, short, sheer negligee instead of a shirt. He didn't know what it was, it came in a good will box from America and he thought it was better than the one tee shirt he had with holes in it. I saw a man wearing a pair of ladies maternity pants with the large elastic panel on the front, because again he didn't know what they were and they were nice pants with no holes. I however know better and wouldn't wear those things.

All of this is to suggest that perhaps the changes as to what is acceptable in our world may not always be good things. And, I would ask that you consider how your attire is perceived by those around you. Paul puts it this way, “We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good. Let a man give attention not only to what is good for himself, but equally to his neighbor’s good.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 - BBE)