IF

...Everything is possible for

the one who believes.

Mark 9:23

Having taught ladies for over 60 years, there are things I had to learn along the way about what I was or wasn't doing right. In this process, one of my biggest lessons learned was that the lesson I was preparing had to start with my own personal lessons learned ahead of teaching others. Such was with my most recent lesson.

Jesus could do anything. He was a Powerhouse in so many ways especially in meeting the needs in the lives of others. In the Gospels we find His ability to drive out demons from tortured individuals, such was the case with a particular father. He came to Jesus for help and it would seem he really believed Jesus could heal his son. In talking with Jesus one on one, he plead for help from Jesus saying: “If you can do anything......” He continued asking for Jesus' compassion on their .behalf.

There was something in the man's plea that Jesus noticed right away, because He replied, “If You can?” He then gave that wise counsel in the words we see above. It would seem that the key word in question was the word IF.

IF is a word that is very iffy if you know what I mean. We use it all the time in our common everyday language without thinking about it. I'm not going to try to try to list those instances as they are too many. For that father, his situation, however, was not an everyday event. He was desperate. IF is almost a word not just of begging but a word that can cause a situation to go in most any direction.

Spiritually speaking, IF cancels out confidence. We want to be people of strong faith but IF often gets in the way. How often have we prayed, “Father, IF it be your will....” It's like giving God an out. He is going to work His will in our lives for our good and His glory and it will never come about as a result of an IF. There are times and places for the use of that word, but certainly not in our spiritual walk. We can still come boldly to the throne of grace with no if's, and's or buts and aren't we glad.

Thank You Father, for Your patience with us. Help us to increase our faith so that we never question any of Your abilities but rest in Your strength and love. We are so grateful for Your loving care and seeing to our good with no IFs. In Jesus name...Amen