Posts
“Stained-Glass
Saints”
By Susanne
Scheppmann
Key Verse:
Luke
17:5, “The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
(NIV)
Devotion:
I
strolled through the old church cemetery in England. The church dated back to
the 1200’s. Although the headstones were weather-beaten and worn, I could still
read a few of the inscriptions:
“She Walked with God.”
“He Lived Faithful.”
“Rest as You Lived, in God’s Peace”
I gazed up at the stone church. The evening sun
danced off the stained-glass windows. I studied the pious and serene
expressions on the saints’ faces silhouetted within the windows. Wondering to
myself, “Did any of these people experience a shrinking of their faith?” My own
inadequate faith seems to expand and deflate with various life experiences.
Perhaps you feel the same way I do? Does your
faith ever waiver? Do you feel at times that your faith might be shrinking
instead of growing? If your answer is yes, “Welcome to the crowd!” In our Key
Verse today we see that even the apostles knew they needed more faith. They
implored, “Increase our faith!”
What triggered the disciples’ realization of
their need of increased faith? Oh, it was just the simply matter of needing to
forgive someone—over and over again. In the verses prior to their request Jesus
said, “If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back
to you and says, ‘I repent’,” forgive him.” Can you just imagine their bearded
faces, wide-eyed with shock? Just forgiving once is hard enough!
Yes, that makes me cry out for more faith, too.
I might be able to forgive someone once, but to keep forgiving for a repeated
offense is difficult. The phrase, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice,
shame on me!” rings through my head. I struggle with forgiveness at times. My faith falters on
occasion. So what can I do?
I can ask Him to increase my faith and my
ability to forgive. 1 John 5:14-15 states, “This is the confidence we have in
approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we
asked of him (NIV)”. I know that it is His will for me to possess more faith.
The Bible gives me another clue on how to enhance my faith. Romans 10:17
states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”
(NASB). As I read, listen and apply
God’s Word to my life, my faith will increase. And so will my ability to
forgive others just as Jesus commands.
Gratitude floods my soul that the people closest
to Christ didn’t possess super faith or flawless behavior. They were not
picture perfect stained-glass saints. They recognized their need for help and
didn’t hesitate to ask for it. I want to be like them too, don’t you? Maybe
someday, somewhere our epitaph might read:
“Her Faith Increased.”
Prayer:
Dear
Lord, I ask you to increase my faith! Stretch my faith. Teach me to study Your
Word so that when asked to forgive, forgiveness flows freely from my heart. In
Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application steps:
Read
Psalm 119. Underline the verses that
state the benefits of reading God’s word.
Refection points:
In
what areas did the disciples display their weaknesses?
Do
I have strong or weak faith?
How
does possessing faith increase my ability to forgive?
What
would I like my epitaph to read?
Power verses:
2
Corinthians 5:7, “We live by faith, not by sight.” (NIV)
2
Peter 1:5, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith
goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.” (NIV)
Romans
3:3, “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's
faithfulness? ” (NIV)
Jude
1:3, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the
salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith
that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (NIV)
© 2007 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
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