Jesus teaches how faith is practical and effective (Matthew 21:18-22)

 Matthew 21:18-22:14

Want to "cut out (Matt 5:29-30)" what is not working, want to learn how to die to self? Jesus shows us how it happens immediately. Faith with God, spoken word prayer without a doubt. 

A) Jesus teaches how desire can prompt us towards prayer of deliverance

18-19) Jesus hungry, sees fig tree without figs, "May you never bear fruit again" it immediately withered

 - Thinking of this in terms of addiction, which tricks us into being "hungry" for it, in faith we can say NO, NEVER AGAIN, and receive immediate deliverance. 

 - He saw the figs didn't have fruit, we must know the truth for the truth can set us free. Addictive substances offer no real relief or support, rather they only pacify the withdrawal (feeling of hunger). 

 - Sometimes we need prayer and fasting to gain deliverance. (Mark 9:29)

20-22) Disciples asked how, Jesus "Fatih without doubt, believe = receive whatever you ask for in prayer"

 - 20th of 31 "truly I tell you" in Matthew, 6 are about faith, and words Matthew 8:9,10;17:20;18:18,19;21:21,22;26:13 But rest are about judgment and fulfillment of the law at the end of all things.

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Doubt searches for light; unbelief is content with the darkness

tweet - Tim Gustafson

• When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. (Psalm 94:19)
• “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’... (Malachi 1:2)
•  “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” (Matthew 14:31)
• Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. (Matthew 21:21
• “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?  (Luke 24:38)

Luke 24:44-49 Jesus revealed everything written about himself in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He explained what was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations
‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’  The promised Holy Spirit comes and fills us with power from heaven.

https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=doubt&qs_version=NLT%3BNIV

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"Success" where failure would have been better

In software development we often see "success" where failure would have been a better outcome. For instance a user interface that allows a person to save data in an inappropriate state may show "success" but in reality it's a total failure that will be realized later on. An inappropriate state may be a date in the past or credit card number is not valid or an address is not valid. Worse yet, without being alerted to the inappropriate state with instructions to correct it - a person may never understand what went wrong and never see true success. 

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? ...our prayer is that you may be fully restored... building you up, not for tearing you down. - 2 Cor 13:5-10

Examples of False Positives abound and keep people mediocre

• Golf: You hit the ball forward but the mechanics of a good swing results in a good hit every time ( a computer can hit a ball better than people to show this is true). 
• Typing: You type pretty quick with "hunt and peck" but you'll never hit 80 words per minute that way. 
• Software: Development team codes for the "happy path" might not realize that failure would be possible - so we don't code for it and don't test for it. (Mature software systems have thousands of tests to ensure integrity every step of the way)

In business and in life it's best to find a problem and head it off before it causes major issues downstream.

So it is in life, we often see success where failure would have been better. Ask any older person for an example and they should be able to give you some juicy big ones. These examples start with "If I could do it over I would have..." and generally speaking the longer something goes on the more consequential it is and the harder it is to see past the "false positives" and make change happen. Speaking for myself, when I started a business that was immediately profitable - I would have hired Wells Fargo to handle my payroll and file my quarterly taxes, thereby avoiding gigantic fines from IRS. I had the "false positives" of having all the paper work done, an accountant and money in the bank but I was blind to the looming failure until a year later when an IRS agent came to visit. The smaller things in life also have "false positives" but eventually lead us into ruin, we see this in our health, relationships and work.

I would define "False Positives" in life as something that feels good momentarily but result in long lasting negatives

 - Detrimental to our health

• Sitting around/doing nothing/procrastination. My friend has a saying "motion is lotion and rest is rust"
• Eating something that "tastes good" rather than eating what your body needs. A coach once said "listen to your body, thirst for water, hunger for protein"

 - Detrimental to our relationships

• Telling someone "off" in the heat of moment, instead of waiting when we are more level headed
• Not sharing how you feel in order to "keep the peace", when inside you lack peace

 - Detrimental to our work

• Showing up to a meeting without objectives, agenda or engaged participants
• Going to class, getting the diploma without actively learning
• "Completing a task" that doesn't satisfy the requirements
• Occupation/Job/Paycheck that lacks Vocation/Calling/Reward in itself

Often times we older people get stuck in our ways and just give up on moving into change because we keep receiving "false positives".

I call it "going through the motions"

God answers the challenges of life with one word: Grace

• Let God's love comfort you and guide you. Let his daily grace happen to you - a grace that will change you, shape you and lead you to a life that is eternally altered. - Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year

Grace of God is:

• Sufficient for us, God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9)
• Saves us, when accessed through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• For the humble who submit themselves to God (James 4:6-7)
• The reason we work hard (1 Cor 15:10)
• God's love in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8)
• Available to everyone who trusts Jesus (Titus 2:11-14) our redeemer (Romans 3:24)

It is God's Grace that alerts us to these False Positives and gives the correct path

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

• He's looking to strongly support those whose heart is completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9)
• He sees all of us (Psalm 33:13) and knows our thoughts and desires (Psalm 139:4), he sees the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3)
• He sees every path (Proverbs 5:21) and guides us
• He sees our iniquity [immoral, grossly unfair behavior, wickedness, sinfulness](Jeremiah 16:17)
• We have nowhere to hide from God (Jeremiah 23:24)

Take Corrective Action

The Holy Scriptures are the word of God. When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It makes a soul that has long been proud, to be humble; and a perverse spirit, to be meek and obedient. Sinful habits, that are become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It will discover to men their thoughts and purposes, the vileness of many, the bad principles they are moved by, the sinful ends they act to. The word will show the sinner all that is in his heart. - Matthew Henry Commentary (Hebrews 4:11-16)

It only takes a moment to reach God in prayer in Jesus' name.

http://biblehub.com/hebrews/4-16.htm

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Faith in Jesus is a spiritual issue not simply intellectual

I enjoy talking with people about Jesus. Hearing what they believe and why. I especially love seeing how the Holy Spirit works between people. I call these divine appointments and I've notice they happen more frequently than I used to think. These moments require spiritual discernment, like Ananias had in confirming what the Lord told to Saul (Paul) Acts 9:10-12,17-19. Later Paul wrote with inspiration from the Holy Spirit about the reality of spiritual discernment, confirming Jesus teaching and James would write how believers come to together in fellowship as part of God's plan for us. Prophets said we would be taught by God (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:10-11; 10:15-16) and this happened when Jesus Christ came into the world and after his ascension when he gave us the Holy Spirit to teach and to guide us (John 16:12-13; 1 Cor 2:10, 14; 1 John 2:20,27)
Acts 9:10-12,17-19;1 Cor 2:8,11-14;John 5:38,44;7:17;James 3:13-18;5:13-20

MaryKateMcDevitt

Why is intellectual belief not spiritual faith?

(The people that crucified Jesus didn't understand)...For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:8,11-14 NIV

Does his word dwell in you?
Jesus said plainly, "...nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent...how can you believe if you don't seek glory that only comes from God...Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God (John 5:38,44;7:17)

Spiritual wisdom verses earthly wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. - James 3:13-18 NIV

Getting right with God in fellowship with believers
God who sent Jesus to us, also draws us to Him. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. we see this in Paul's conversion in Acts 9.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:13-20 NIV

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Jesus Feeds 5,000+ and Promise we will do more

Only two miracles are noted in all four gospels, the resurrection of Jesus and the feeding of the 5,000. We partake in the abundance of God's grace when we ask in faith, in Jesus name - we will experience even greater things (John 14:12-14). The disciples were like many ministry teams, filled with doubt and troubled by the cost of success. They would say, "We don't make money therefore we don't operate in terms of profitability of our programs and processes." Taking a look at the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus promise that we will  do more brings a fresh perspective, enriching our understanding of the reality of God's grace when connected to our child like faith.

Read the accounts:
Matthew 14:17-21; Mark 6:37-44; Luke 9:13-17; John 6:7-13;John 14:12-14

The Problem: Herod killed John the Baptist, knowing that this might cause a riot because people believed he was a prophet (Matthew 14:1-12). Huge crowds of people were following Jesus from many towns convinced Jesus was the Christ (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:34; 1:49; 11:27; Matthew 27:54; John 10:36; John 11:4; Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41; Mark 3:11; John 20:31) , with compassion Jesus healed their sick. When evening came, disciples said "This is a desolate place, the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves" (Matthew 14:13-15).

Jesus Command: Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16)

Disciples Attitude:

• That's not our job: Mark 6:37 NLT highlights this attitude, as they said "With what?" Luke 9:13-14 shows the disciples meager resources of 5 loaves and 2 fish and the huge task of feeding 5,000 men plus woman and children. Serving people food at the end of an already stressful day was not in their job description. In this ministry I do these things, during normal working hours. This is both overtime and someone else's problem. Their response to Jesus was faithless.

Disciples Plans:
We can but it will take so long that everyone would be dead by the time we completed the task. Here's the highlights of our research;

• We can't, no one can, it's impossible: The disciples calculated it would take 200 days of labor, minus the Sabbath and PTO, sure Jesus we could certainly get it done but by the time we did all this plus shipping and handling, the people would be dead from starvation. So maybe we should do it our way and send them home. What do you think Jesus? Besides, research shows that people like these prefer going into nearby villages and buy their own food.

God's Plan:

Jesus essentially says, "Have faith, bring me your resources, follow my instructions and I'll bring a super natural increase, let start and finish this task today"

• You, take an assessment of what we have (Mark 6:38), bring it to God (Matthew 14:18)
• You take a look at the problem with a fresh perspective, it's not one huge crowd - it's manageable groups of 50s or 100s. 
• You organize them, not in sand but on the green grass (Mark 6:39). This is where harmonizing the gospel accounts get's interesting. While Matthew says Jesus ordered the crowds to sit on the grass (Matthew 16:19), Luke's account clarifies the disciples role in fulfilling the command (Luke 9:14-15)
• God always blesses the resource brought to him, 
• AND 
• You (the disciple) faithfully redistribute for solving problems and fulfilling needs. (Mark 6:41; Luke 9:16; John 6:11; Matthew 14:19). Notice Matthew's passage points out that resource given to Jesus and received from Jesus are given to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. And the John passage points out that everyone had their fill.

God's Promise for his Disciples today:

God's grace is immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, yet he wants us to ask for it.

• Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
• “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! (John 14:12-14)

Feeding of the 5,000 and promise that we will do more.
Does Jesus in fact say that He is God’s Son, not just infer it?

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"Chuck-it list", 12 things to stop doing before I die

I came across a humor book called the chuck-it list, it's got funny captions for journal pages like, "monuments I'll never visit, road trips I'll never go on, events I'll never compete in" it's meant to inspire like writing a bucket list but with a lot less pressure to follow through on the ideas. I was disappointed because I thought it was brilliant to actively think about attitudes, behaviors and habits that we should strive to "chuck" out of our lives. So I've made my list of 12 things to stop doing before I die. The Bible calls this "putting off the old man"

12. Independence - The is one of life's grand illusions. No matter how much success I experience or what I have above and beyond my needs - I'm not independent from God and people. My goal in life is to live and breath acknowledging God who gives life and can take it away and people he's brings into my life to help me (that I might help them too).

• We all depend on God for life (Job 33:4;10:12;12:10;27:3;32:8; Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 42:5) our life is sustained by God (John 15:5) and our spirit returns to God when we die (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
• We depend on each other by God's design (Romans 12:4-5)

11. Lying - This is a problem for most people have because it seems like an effective coping mechanism for areas that we fall short in. It's even worse for Christians because when we are dishonest in any way we are knowingly sinning against God and he hates it (Proverbs 6:16-19). I need to be truthful to God, myself and others.

• Lying comes from the devil (John 8:44) and exposes what is in our heart (Matthew 15:18-20
• Don't lie to one another, see you've put off the old self and put on the new self - being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3:9-10). 
• Lying never pays off, only hurts myself and others (Luke 8:17, Exodus 20:16)

10. Insensitivity - Insensitivity really shows itself in the lives of people around me. I'm reminded of my kindergarten fish, my good intention of feeding him (with a months worth of food while I went to school) didn't matter. The fish was dead. I need to be sensitive to God, his call and to people around me (loved ones, friends, neighbors and strangers).

9. Brashness -By this I mean arrogance, cockiness, self-assurance, self-confidence to the point of being disrespectful, insolent and rude. I would do well to slow down sometimes and take on modesty leading to civility, courtesy, graciousness and good manners. Being brash is like being the unrighteous "revilers" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, I need to chuck it.

8. Nearsightedness - as long as I can remember I've been nearsighted. The good thing is that if I was interested in something I'd have to get closer, but corrective lenses fixed that issue. I like the idea of outliving enemies in that after a while they can come around and be friends. The best way to live is beyond our own lives. I want to think about my legacies, legacy. I want to spend my moments with eternity in mind.

7. Powerlessness - I won't walk by a person in need when I have the ability and means to help and I won't hold back a friendly smile. I will live in the truth of Christ in me and be filled with gracious power of God. I will view problems and opportunities with the attitude of what can I do.

• I can give freely of my time, treasure and talent with peace and blessing of God (Proverbs 11:24; 1 Peter 4:7-11)

6. Greed - By this I mean wearing "golden hand cuffs" that may keep me away from the calling that would better utilize the skills, abilities and desires received from God. Greed can also show itself in holding back parts of my life from God.

• Preoccupation with riches leads to temptations/cravings and strife (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Proverbs 28:25)
• Contentment with God, being heavenly minded is key (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:24; )
• Greed is a sin like sexual perversion found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

5. Lust - This is covetousness, wanting what others have and wanting more of everything for myself (Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15), "Build a bigger barn for all my stuff" is the wrong way (Luke 12:16-21). Put to death these desires that lead to sin and death (Colossians 3:5; James 1:14; 2 Timothy 3:6). Regarding 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Matthew Henry says, "God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure...All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus."

• She who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive (1 Timothy 5:6)
• We've all been enslaved by all sorts of desires, yet God in loving-kindness saves us with grace and mercy (Titus 3:3-15)

4. Doubt - The opposite of doubt is faith, meaning trust in the Lord with all my heart and not my own understanding. Chucking doubt will show itself when in all my ways I acknowledge him and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:5-8). Trusting in the Lord means asking him in faith with no doubting (James 1:6; Matthew 21:21). While I'm chucking doubt, I need to have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 1:22) - serve others as Jesus commanded, in the way he commanded.

3. Guilt - Guilt can take the form of anxiety. The bible says that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." and There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1). The way to chuck guilt is to confess sin to God, submitting myself to him in fear and true repentance (James 4:7; Psalm 103:11-12). I need to cast my cares onto him knowing that he cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), I need to patient with myself and others believing in God (2 Peter 3:9)

2. Disobedience - Could be the hardest thing of all. I was raised in a "grace" focused church, where it was drilled into me that we don't earn our way into heaven but that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). I'm enticed by my own desires and lured into sin (James 1:14-15), Jesus said plainly if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). We live in times of difficulty and the Bible warned us about this (2 Timothy 3:1-7). I need to listen to Jesus and not my culture and put my action where my heart is. So I'm chucking disobedience and obeying God (Acts 5:29).

1. Blasphemy - There is one unpardonable sin in the whole of the Bible. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:10; Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:29). My friend brought up the meaning of the unpardonable sin. Hebrews 10:29 that says, "How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?" This shows itself when we hear the word of the Lord and are convicted - yet refuse to receive the gift of salvation. This is the reason that at the end of time those not listed in the book of life will be throne into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-11,12-15), they worship the beast who blasphemies God (Revelation 13:1-18). Definitely on the "chuck it" list.

Putting Off The Old Man
Job 33:4
31 Bible Verses about Dependence
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Lying, Greed, Covetousness, Lust (2 timothy 3:6) Commentary, Doubt,Commandments of Jesus, Guilt, Disobedience, Blasphemy
brashness

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