What To Do When Your BELIEF Needs A BOOST

Mark 9:24; Selected Scriptures
By
D.Z. Cofield, Th. M., D. Min.
May 2, 2021

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) – For this reason I bow my knees to
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family
in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you,
according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might
through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width
and length and depth and height– 19 to know the love of Christ
which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness
of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in
us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all
generations, forever and ever. Amen.

1. You need to realize it’s NORMAL in life to have your
FAITH challenged.

Mark 9:14-20 (NKJV) – And when He came to the disciples, He
saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with
them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were
greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He
asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” 17 Then
one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my
son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it
throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and
becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast
it out, but they could not.” 19 He answered him and said, “O
faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall
I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to
Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him,
and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
James 1:2-4 (ESV) – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet
trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

2. You must ACKNOWLEDGE and ADDRESS your moments
of spiritual WEAKNESS if you are going to receive God’s
blessings in your life.

Mark 9:21-24 (NKJV) – So He asked his father, “How long has this
been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And
often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to
destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us
and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are
possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child
cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Matthew 13:58 (ESV) – And he did not do many mighty works
there, because of their unbelief.

Matthew 14:31 (ESV) – Jesus immediately reached out his hand
and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did
you doubt?”

Mark 4:40 (ESV) – He said to them, “Why are you so afraid?
Have you still no faith?”

3. You need to realize your FAITH will be strengthened
only when you seek HELP from The LORD.

Mark 9:21-29 (NKJV) – So He asked his father, “How long has this
been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And
often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to
destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us
and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are
possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child
cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 25
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He
rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I
command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then
the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him.
And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him
privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them,
“This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV) – For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every
respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then
with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 103:13-14 (ESV) – As a father shows compassion to his
children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT2) – But from there you will search again
for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your
heart and soul, you will find him.

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV) – You will seek me and find me, when you
seek me with all your heart.

Proverbs 8:17 (ESV) – I love those who love me, and those who
seek me diligently find me.

Matthew 21:22 (ESV) – And whatever you ask in prayer, you will
receive, if you have faith.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) – And without faith it is impossible to please
him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he
exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

John 3:27 (NLT2) – John replied, “No one can receive anything
unless God gives it from heaven.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (ESV) – Not that we are sufficient in
ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency
is from God,

Psalm 34:18 (NLT2) – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 91:14-15 (NLT2) – The LORD says, “I will rescue those
who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When
they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will
rescue and honor them.

L.I.F.E. Group Questions

1. When was the last time you felt inadequate to do a job you
had to do?
2. In what situation have you asked God to do something that
you thought was impossible?
3. How were prayer and faith related to your situation?
4. How do you typically react when you feel inadequate? Is
there a difference between how you typically react versus how
you should respond in that same situation?
5. Do you think there are times we are an “unbelieving
generation” like the people of Jesus’ day? Explain
6. What difference does it make that “everything is possible” for
the person who believes?
7. In what area of your life do you struggle with believing God?
8. What lesson can you learn from the father’s encounter with
Jesus?
9. When was the last time you were really challenged to
believe God? Explain
10. Were you able to overcome your unbelief in that situation?
Explain
11. In what situation in your life do you think you really struggled
until you prayed more?
12. What lesson did God teach you about the relationship
between prayer, peace within and God’s power?
13. How can you become more dedicated to prayer?
14. What in your life will you pray about every day this week?
When? Why?
15. What concrete steps can you take today to show your
commitment to prayer?