Sometimes it feels like we’re alone on a dirt road, dragging the weight of the world. Our faith in life and in God seems nonexistent.
JESUS NEVER FAILS
Despite my families inconsistent church attendance when I was growing up, my mother was a consistent prayer warrior.
I recall a particular time when we were facing some financial difficulties. My mother had scolded my brother and me for using too much butter on our toast stating, “that butter needs to last for a week!”
For some reason, my family decided to visit a church that Sunday even though we hadn’t in months. When the offering plate passed by my mother, she folded up a ten dollar bill and placed inside. Remembering how she’d scolded us earlier, I questioned her about the ten dollars after church. My mother’s response was, “I’m not worried about that,” she said. “Jesus never fails.”
I walked away baffled once again by the simple faith of my mother. You see this wasn’t the first time she’d done something that didn’t make sense when it came to what she believed God could and would do.
Later that evening my mother called me into her room. Her face was beaming. “Look!” She said, holding a ten dollar bill in the palm of her hand. She held her coat in the other hand.
I was confused. “Where’d that come from?”
She held out the coat. “I found it in the pocket of my coat. I don’t remember putting money there. I wanted you to see this so that you’d believe.” She had tears in her eyes. “Jesus never fails,” she whispered.
Throughout her lifetime, my mother demonstrated extraordinary faith. But nothing put that faith to the test more than what she experienced in her final years of life. Over a ten-year span, she endured two brain tumors, several surgeries and multiple medical treatments including proton radiation.
It’s been four years since my beautiful mother went home to be with her Jesus whom she put all her faith in. Since her death, I have been seeking the Lord on the issue of faith.
I have something to admit about faith: I wrestle with it. . . A LOT.
I hate admitting this. I hate it because I’m a Christian. And Christians shouldn’t struggle with faith, right?
And not only that, I’m a teacher of God’s word, a faith-based writer of devotions, studies, and a blog (this one).
In my search for more information on faith, I feel I can best identify with a father who came to Jesus for the healing of his demon-possessed son. The father says to Jesus,
“. . . But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24)
First of all, the father has some amount of faith. He said he does believe. But then in almost the same breath he says, “help me overcome my unbelief.”
Secondly faith and doubt can be present at the same time (Just like me).
Thirdly it’s okay to ask Jesus for help with our doubts.
How about you? Are you struggling with doubts and/or a lack of faith? Do you feel you been dragging a weight around all alone?
God wants to help you with that right now. All you have to do is ask, just like the father in Mark 9.
Please join me next week for more on FAITH. What is faith? Where does it come from? And why do so many struggle with a lack of faith?
This post is linked to Literacy Musing Mondays: http://www.foreverjoyful.net/?p=1007
and http://purposefulfaith.com/sell-out/ and http://www.create-with-joy.com/category/blog-hops/inspire-me-monday
What a beautiful testimony of your mom! Thank you for sharing her simple, yet powerful faith.
Thank you for sharing! This was something that I needed “JESUS NEVER FAILS” . Beautifully penned. God bless you heaps!
Beulah, God’s timing is always perfect. I’m so glad He used this message for you today.
What Pastor Tom taught on this weekend. And I wrote on last month. This Bible verse is so very powerful! Yes, Lord, we do believe! Help us with our unbelief! Beck, you’re doing fine. You’re human. God’s not. He’s bigger and He’s got you in His grip. I’ve got you in my prayers.
You are amazing. Stay strong, and keep writing.
Molly Jo, Thanks for stopping by Spotlight, commenting and most of all your prayers. I had already written this post (and some of the next) BEFORE the message from Tom. It’s pretty cool when God bring confirmation that you’re on the right track!
Amen this really blessed me & your mother sounds like she was an extraordinary woman of faith. & just like Paul told Timothy, you come from a line of a faith warrior. Faith is embedded in you 🙂
Neli, I’m so glad you were blessed by this post. Your comment blessed me! I just finished co-writing a study on the book of 2 Timothy, so what you said hit close to home. Thank you and God bless!
Oh wow !! God is so good !
Dear Becky,
Thank you for your wonderful article! I appreciate your transparency and strongly relate to everything you shared. I was also raised by a strong woman of faith and my beliefs wavered compared to hers for a long time – but she is also gone now, and God has used the trials in my life to show his faithfulness to me.
I would love you to share this and your other devotionals with us at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy.
Have an amazing week! 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by Spotlight! I’m glad you enjoyed the article and could relate it to your own experience with your mother.
I’m honored to share “Jesus Never Fails” on Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy. Please let me know what you need in order to make this happen.
Blessings,
Beckie
Powerful words for me today! The photo at the top drew me in and then I read just how Jesus never fails. Thank you for reminding me.
Thanks for stopping by Spotlight and taking the time to comment. I’m so glad the article touched you. When I found that picture with the little girl dragging her teddy bear, it spoke to me too! By the way, my mom’s (who’s with the Lord now) name is Linda and she loved birds! I enjoy your blog with all of the beautiful birds and the lessons they teach.
Blessing to you and yours!
I feel like every Christian goes through this–we just don’t always admit it. I like how you mentioned that faith and doubt go hand in hand sometimes. Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman, and I’m so glad she’s with her Jesus helping Him keep an eye on you!
I just finished reading Mark last week and that same statement jumped out at me too! I can just imagine Jesus’ head whipping backwards, one eyebrow raised in exasperation. So many times I have been like that man, but God is training me to trust every day, through every test. It really is a training process. We are all at different levels of training; we just have to stay in shape so we don’t end up having to start at the bottom again. Great post, Becky!
Elihu, Thanks for your comment and continued support, dear blogger friend in Christ! “Iron sharpens iron.” Proverbs 27:17