Restoring Faith | crustybread

The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:1-17 There are times when our faith in God’s desire to restore us wanes. Yet, remembering Paul’s understanding of faith as the confidence in what we hope for and assurance of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1 – NIV), this passage in Matthew helped me to understand three things. First, the power in the Word spoken faithfully and confidently is always heard by God. Second, God responds to such faith and confidence. Third, regardless of where we are in life, our own authority only has power as it relates to our faith in God and our humility in knowing and walking in true authority. “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ John 21:1-14 Just another work day for Peter and the disciples as they are still perhaps pondering the recent events of Christ appearing before them and wondering how they should move forward. They fish all night and nothing. Yet unbeknown, in the midst of them is Christ watching from the shore. Seeing their struggle, Christ suggests they try the other side of the boat. I think, under normal times the disciples would have known to be more thorough. As it were they are simply going through the motions of tossing out the net and expecting to find fish. At times it’s easy to find our selves just going through the motions and what we need is a change in perspective. We’re not asked to stop doing what we know. But when all we need is a change in perspective, Christ encourages us to help one another to rethink, renew and restore our selves in the Spirit. The Lord is risen indeed!