The Withered Fig Tree

2010-03-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Excerpt:

20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

This parable is addressing the crisis of unanswered prayers. As we can see, there are basic requirements when we can say that our prayers are close enough to be answered.

Have Faith in God

Without faith, it is really impossible to please God. How could a loving Father grants one’s prayer if the only thing that holds them together remains questionable? Even if we have faith as little as a mustard seed, it will be honored by God. However, in God’s standard the mustard seed is only a measure whether or not we do really have a faith in Him. Afterall, God is so great that even what is little for Him could be too big for us to handle. In the end, we can ask in ourselves if we do really have a 100% faith in Him or nothing at all. Everything in between comes from the evil one.

Do Not Doubt in Your Heart

Doubt is a great hindrance why God cannot possibly work out His wonders and miracles for us. Again, doubt is something that weakens our faith. It disrupts or delays the operation for the fulfilment of our prayers. Doubt makes our faith counterfeited.

Believe that You Have Received It

God is really making it easier for us. He wants us to claim whatever we have asked in prayer so doubt can no longer stand in the way for us to believe in Him. God motivates us to have that assurance of an answered prayer. Our belief that we shall have what we have asked for depends greatly on how we see God – great or small. Afterall, even God is putting His word above His Name. Whatever He said, it was so.

Forgive

A forgiving heart is what God wanted for us to inherit from Him. Afterall, we have been created according to His image. His image as a forgiving Father should also be manifested upon us. Forgive ourselves, forgive those who have hurt us, forgive those who have plotted against us. Sometimes the only reason that we feel our prayers are unanswered is that we think God may not have forgiven us. And then it bite back unto us if we have also forgive ourselves and other people who have wronged us.

God’s Answers To Our Prayers

God can answer our prayers in three ways – yes, wait, and no. Most of the time we rushed into the first and require God to grant our prayers whatever it may be. God can do everything more than we can ask or imagine. His ways transcends all understanding. The good thing is that if we cannot possibly trust God’s hands in handling our prayers, we’ve gotta trust His heart that His doings will be the best for us.

Top 10 Characteristics of a New Testament Church

2009-07-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

I'm praying this video will inspire you first on God's Great Love for you:

Built by Christ

A New Tastament Church deals with the teachings of Christ and His Ministry. A Church is not merely a material structure built in a certain place. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus called Simon as Peter through whom Christ built His Church. Any New Testament Church must draw inspiration that Jesus Christ has built His Church through His true disciple.
Built on The Rock

The rock in the Holy Scriptures is used to refer strength in the foundation. the New Testament Church is built to have a strong foundation, that despite emerging philosophies of man throughout the ages, it will stand firm on its teachings. That despite structural churches are built in every corner of the world, their teachings are the same until the ends of the earth.
Built for Christ

Every follower of Christ should live because of Christ (John 6:57). And every Church of Christ should make the Lord be at the center of their teachings. We are created for His calling and we are called to give part on the Church Christ has created through. And as we gather we should glorify His Name, bounding in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ knowing that our labor will not fall in vain.
Built to show Christlikeness

The Body of Christ as His Church is a physical manifestation of who Jesus Christ is. Therefore, every member of the Body should have that Christlike attitude inherent in Him. The Body of Christ is merely an expression of Christ as in Ephesian 1:22-23.
Built for Christ's Great Commission

(Matthew 28:19).
Built for Repentance of Sins

(Luke 24:47).
Built for Replication

(Isaiah 60:22).
Built for Unity

(I Corinthians 2:12 ; Matthew 9:16-17).
Built to Save People

(Romans 10:1-3 ; Joel 2:32).
Built to be Victorious

(Matthew 16:19).

Biblical Learnings for a Practical Life

The Withered Fig Tree

Top 10 Characteristics of a New Testament Church