06/23/2026
June 23, 2026
What Do You Mean If?
Mark 9:23-24 New Living Translation
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!
I wonder how many times this has been Jesus’ response to me. How many times has He’s asked me, “What do you mean if?” I wonder how many miracles I have left sitting on a spiritual shelf because I’m wondering if Jesus can do anything. Do you remember that hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”? There’s a stanza that says, “Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.” I wonder how much peace has been forfeited because I chose to be anxious and wonder if Jesus could do anything. I wonder how much needless pain I have gone through because I’m contemplating whether or not Jesus can heal, provide, protect, direct, rearrange, or I’ve simply left Jesus out of the situation.
I’ve learned that Jesus died to pay the price for my sin, and He rose so that I could live new life here on earth. Since I have decided to live this life, I need to know what kind of life this is and what is possible for me. The Word of God spells everything out so there are no ifs. Isaiah 45:2 says He will make the crooked places straight. Jeremiah 32:17 says that there is nothing too hard for the LORD. Matthew 6:33 tells me to seek Him first and everything else will be given to me as well. It’s time to believe the Lord. It is time to believe like Romans 3:4 and believe that God is true and everyone else and everything else is a liar. It’s time to believe God over what we see, over what we feel, over what the diagnosis is, and over the pronouncement. Let’s believe God!
Lord, please forgive me for questioning your ability. I want to live like a believer. I want to believe what You say is true regardless of the evidence that is stacked against You. Help me stand firm and trust Your Word. Thank You for the miracles that You are working suddenly on my behalf. In Jesus’ Name…
Deidra B. Johnson, PhD
Pastor