Pastor's Ponderings, March 13, 2017

Will You Believe God’s Words or Man’s Opinions

“Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?”  This iconic quote attributed to the comedic giant, Groucho Marx, always brings a laugh.  However, every day we are seeing and hearing news reports that would demand that we should believe whatever we are told. In the fifties, we totally believed in the Marlboro cigarette man who told us it was cool to smoke.  In the sixties, we believed the hippies that argued it felt good to get high.  In the seventies, we were told to believe that free love had no lasting consequences. History has proven these beliefs were disastrous. What will you decide to believe today? 

The Bible asks who will believe that Jesus was wounded so that we could be healed (Isaiah 53:1, 5). Jesus told a suffering father that his demon-possessed son could be delivered, but he must believe it in order for deliverance to take place.  The father replied that he believed for healing but that his belief was mixed with unbelief (Mark 9:22-24). After Peter and John had healed a man who had been lame from birth, they explained to the amazed crowd that they must believe in Jesus and not in Peter and John for healing (Acts 3:6, 16).

Alternative facts, lies, opinions, scientific studies, learned scholars, gifted speakers, and powerful leaders daily besiege our beliefs with their current speeches.  They demand that what they are saying today is correct and we can ignore what was said previously.  Let us decide that we will hold onto and believe what God says to us.  He says that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).  He says we are victorious through Him (1 Corinthians 15:57).  He says we have eternal life with Him.  Let us believe God’s word rather than man’s changing views and opinions.

Isaiah 53:1, 5
New International Version (NIV)

1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Mark 9:22-24
New International Version (NIV)

22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Acts 3:6, 16
New International Version (NIV)

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Romans 8:37
New King James Version (NKJV)

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

1 Corinthians 15:57

New International Version (NIV)

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.