Devotions

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’” (Luke 17:5). The men who comprised Christ’s close circle were asking something important of their Master. Desiring a greater understanding of the meaning and working of faith, they were saying, in essence, “Lord, what sort of faith do you desire from us? Give us a revelation of what pleases you so that we may grasp faith in its fullest meaning.”

On the surface, this request seems commendable. Yet the disciples asked this of Jesus because they were confused. In the previous chapter, Christ had baffled them, saying, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much … Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (16:10-11).

Jesus knew his followers’ flesh wanted to avoid what they considered to be the lesser matters of faith, so he told them, “If you’re faithful in the little things, the foundational matters of faith, you’ll be faithful in the greater things, too. So, prove yourself trustworthy in the basic requirements of faith. Otherwise, how can you be trusted with a deeper measure?”

If we’re honest, we will admit to being much like Jesus’s disciples. We would prefer to proceed straight to the larger matters of faith, to obtain the kind of faith that moves mountains. And, like the disciples, we often judge faith by visible results — grand buildings, large crowds, impressive book sales. Brilliant, clever people have accomplished great things for God but they do not necessarily represent God’s definition of faith. Indeed, no work, no matter how great, is of any value to the Lord unless the lesser, hidden matters of faith are being attended to.

Do you believe the Lord has given you a dream that requires a miracle? Have you been challenged to step out in a new direction that demands supernatural faith? It’s important to understand that God often does years of preparation before he fulfills the vision he has planted in us. God may be saying, “Set aside your dreams and visions for a season and get to know me intimately. Forsake any hidden sin, submit to the Holy Spirit, and then you’ll see my holy vision come to pass in your life.”  

“I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:29-30). Jesus’ followers had to be ecstatic at hearing this. Their future was totally secure and the Lord himself said they were headed for heaven to rule and reign with him throughout eternity.

Jesus then spoke directly to the apostle Peter: “‘Simon, listen to me! Satan has demanded the right to test each one of you, as a farmer does when he separates wheat from the husks. But, Simon, I have prayed that your faith will be strong. And when you have come back to me, help the others.’  Peter said, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to jail and even to die with you.’  Jesus replied, ‘Peter, I tell you that before a rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will say three times that you don’t know me’” (Luke 22:31-34, [CEV] Contemporary English Version).

Overconfident, Peter had no idea what he was about to face. Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, at Jesus’ arrest, he impetuously cut off the right ear of the high priest’s servant (see John 18:10). This act of bravado typified much of Peter’s approach to life. And before the night was over he had fulfilled Jesus’ words that he would deny three times that he even knew him. And “Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).

From ecstasy to desolation within the span of a few hours because of overconfidence and self-reliance! Many Christians are allowed to come to a place of near-falling so that the Lord can lift them and set them on firmer ground. Jesus had told Peter, “You’re going to deny me, but you’re going to be restored. Afterward, you’re going to be blessed by what you’ve learned and you’ll have something vital to give to others.”

God loves you unconditionally and has an eternal purpose for you. Even though you may go through times of failure, Satan cannot rob you of Christ’s love. “We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).

When you first came to know Jesus, your heart was probably filled with sharp, clear purpose. You experienced God's healing love and, like many new Christians, you longed to share it with others, evangelizing and serving. As you moved forward in this new life, you began to better discern your role in God’s kingdom and your gifts for serving him.

But then something peculiar began to happen. Almost daily, your singular focus on Jesus got crowded out by other demands. Little things popped up that captured your attention and distracted you to the point that you slowly lost your single-mindedness. Sadly, Christ began to fade into the background of your attention.

The Flying Wallendas, a family best known for performing high-wire acts without a safety net, demonstrate this need for laser-like focus. In June of 2013, Nik Wallenda added to his family’s legend by walking on a wire across a gorge in the Grand Canyon. With balance pole in hand and a gritty determination, he battled a fierce wind as he strode forward — and walked all the way across the chasm, never distracted for a moment. His focus was literally a matter of life and death!

As Christians, we have an even higher calling and we must not become distracted to the point of meandering and mediocrity. John the Baptist would not allow himself to become distracted. When a theological dispute arose and several disciples tried to draw him into it, he would not allow it. He told them, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent from Him.’ … He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:28, 30). His focus in life was clear; his holy calling was centered completely on Jesus.

Today, our success-driven culture causes us to seek things for ourselves. But our overriding passion must be for Christ and proclaiming the kingdom of God, just as John did. You can have God’s own Spirit without measure, to guide you in the purposes he has planned for you. Be sure that you keep your sights trained on Jesus and the fact that he is your primary reason for living!

“Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances” (Proverbs 11:14, The Message).

The Word of God is very clear about the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to your close associates. We all like to have friends with common interests and hobbies but we should choose to associate with people who possess high moral standards and lofty principles. Bad friends often will try to get something from you or use you for their own selfish gains. They will tell you what you want to hear, even though it’s not good for you; in fact, foolish counsel can have tragic consequences.

An example of the result of depending on the wrong people is recorded in the Word of God. King Rehoboam ascended to the throne after his father Solomon had died. Imagine following the wisest man who ever lived! In time, a civil war began brewing between King Rehoboam and King Jereboam, a situation that required great wisdom for resolution.

The wise elders who had advised King Solomon were ready to step in with good counsel for Rehoboam. The advice they had to offer was centuries old but very relevant. However, Rehoboam also was listening to the voices of his young, inexperienced, immature friends. He had the option of choosing truth but he chose to listen to his peers.

The elders spoke to Rehoboam with good advice, but he made a foolish decision: “He rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him” (1 Kings 12:8). This was a catastrophic mistake which resulted in exile, lost lives, destruction, and captivity. All because a young king listened to his buddies instead of his elders.   

Who do you have in your life who will speak truth to you? Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment in choosing your close friends.

^{After pastoring an inner-city congregation in Detroit for thirty years, Pastor Tim served at Brooklyn Tabernacle in NYC for five years and pastored in Lafayette, Louisiana, for five years. He became Senior Pastor of Times Square Church in May of 2020.}

By the time the godly prophet Daniel reached eighty years of age, he had outlived two Babylonian kings, Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar, and then served under King Darius. Daniel had always been a praying man and he had no thoughts of slowing down in his old age.

King Darius had promoted Daniel to the highest office in the land, putting him in charge of forming government policy and teaching all the court appointees and intellectuals: “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:3).

Obviously, Daniel was one busy prophet. But nothing could take this man of God away from his times of prayer. Three times a day, he stole away from all his obligations, burdens and demands as a leader to spend time with the Lord.

Daniel is an example to us of how important it is to have praying leaders. Remember, he had been appointed over every other leader in the land. Consider the immense effort it took for Daniel to devote himself to prayer. After all, he lived in the New York City of his time — great, majestic, wealthy Babylon. And he lived in a time of spiritual apathy — of drunkenness, pleasure-seeking and greed among God’s people.

Prayer does not come naturally to anyone, including Daniel. A disciplined prayer time is easy to start yet hard to maintain — both our flesh and the devil conspire against it. Prayer that is effectual comes from the faithful, diligent servant who sees his nation and the church falling deeper into sin and falls on his knees and cries out to God on their behalf. God strongly desires to bless his people but if our minds are polluted with the spirit of this world, we are in no position to receive his blessings.

Will you be a part of God’s praying people today? If so, cry out to him, “Oh, Lord, whatever it takes, keep me on my knees. I long to see your Spirit moving in the hearts of men and women!”