The Words In Red

Can there be one scripture that stands out from all the rest?  Some may say, all of God's word is good; so no there can't be.  I ask ... why not?  Doesn't it depend on what each one of us may need a certain chosen scripture to do personally in our lives depending on the situation?  Different times bring different circumstances ... just like walking in the snow requires a different type footwear than walking in the desert. 

At times ... life is good and we're on the mountain top.  But at other times there may be problematic days where we just barely endure, looking for someone to help us hold on to our shield of faith.  There have been a time or two when I dropped my shield because I became spiritually tired of holding it.  I needed more than just faith. 

I find it is in those uncertain periods, when I just feel inadequate, and powerless to change the situation, that I feel the need to grab hold of a certain scripture ... one that brings with it a sense of peace and rest to my troubled mind.  It's usually one of the "red lettered phrases" that's found in many Bibles.

The words of Jesus.  Words that I trust.  Words I believe in.  Words that strengthen me so I can pick my shield back up.  Words that I have bet my eternal soul on.

Why do I look for the words of Jesus?  I really don't know.  I have a deep trust in His recorded expressions of faith ... even the ones I don't fully understand completely ... but believe.  I guess they left a mark on me somehow.  Perhaps they bypass my mind and go straight to my heart.

May I share a few of the words in red with you?

Mark 9:23 ... "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

There is a question that goes ahead of this statement by Jesus.  It was a father's cry for his son with a demonic spirit ... "if you can do anything, help us."  The disciples of Jesus could not, so he comes to Jesus and asks ... "if you can."

As the man put an "if" on the power of Christ, Jesus put an "if" on the faith of this father.  "If you can believe" was the answer Jesus gave, suggesting no lack of His power, but rather the father's faith. 

So this raises another question in my heart.  Why aren't we today completely healed or delivered of things like anger, pride, lust, greed and anything else Satan can deposit in our minds?  The simple answer must be ... because we do not believe.

Jesus also said ... "all things are possible" ... but, may I say, all things are not possible to be done by the believer himself, but all things are possible to be done for him by our God ... to him that believes.

The word believe that is used here is "pisteuo" in the Greek, pronounced (pist-yoo'-o) and is a good translation as is.  It means simply ... "to have faith in, (a person or thing), to trust and commit (one's spiritual well being) to God's Word and/or Christ."

We as Christians believe that the name of Jesus is just about higher than anything that can be named on earth, and that someday all men everywhere will bow at that name.  But do you know that God has placed His Word even higher than His name?

Psalm 138:2 b reads, speaking of God; "... thou hast magnified thy word above thy name."

I have been speaking about believing, trusting in the words of Jesus, the words in red.  So here I am thinking ... if God's word is the only thing regarded or exalted "higher" than God's name; and if Jesus is the Word of God made flesh ... then I have no problem believing and accepting the following exhortation from Jesus as the one ultimate scripture that I can count on and believe in ... period.   

John 15:7 ... "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

The following is a short word study on this scripture.

If ... meaning it's conditional, or provided the following condition is met.  We have something to do with it being fulfilled.

Abide in me ... continue to stay in a given relationship.  This denotes a fixed position at rest in who Jesus is to you.

Words ... an utterance by Jesus, a topic or narration, a command.

Ask ... in general, to ask or call for.

What ye will ... meaning, (1st) whatsoever you choose or prefer; and (2nd) it implies what you delight in, wish or desire.

Shall be done ... it will come into being.

Of the many recorded dissertations and promises Jesus proclaimed ... John 15:7 ... is the one I lift back up to Him when we talk and share our hearts.  I don't know if my fellowship with the Lord is even considered prayer.

What I do know though, is that I'm not reminding Him of His word, but rather ... returning it back to Him ... because He said His word ... "shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

Understand ... if there is a problem receiving from God, it's us, not God.  Do what this father did who had the son with a demonic spirit; go to Jesus and say ...

"Lord I believe, help my unbelief."

The words in red, especially John 15:7, was spoken and recorded for me.