Last Sunday we dove into the first twenty-nine verses of Mark 6 as we talked about “Missed Opportunities and Mission Opportunities.” We saw that Jesus went home to Nazareth, where the people missed an incredible opportunity. Mark 6:5 tells us that, because of their unbelief, Jesus “could do no mighty work there.” How often do we miss the opportunity for God to do something amazing in our lives, because we simply aren’t trusting him? A lack of faith puts limits on what God can do in and through us!

There are many areas where a lack of faith shows up. We worry about things rather than trust God. We are timid about sharing our faith because we feel we have to be super-articulate, rather than trusting the Holy Spirit to work through us. We are quick to criticize folks and slow to pray for them. We allow ourselves to feel overwhelmed at work, because we are not trusting God to empower us. We don’t take on ministry opportunities, because we feel inadequate, when we should be looking at God’s adequacy to work through us. We don’t give as generously to the work of God through the church as we should, because we really don’t believe the incredible promises that God makes to pour out his blessings on generous givers. (See Malachi 3:8-11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

As we saw on Sunday, the area of finances is a very good way to measure what we say we believe versus what we actually believe. Here is the God’s challenge to each of us: “Meditate on My promises, and then step out and trust Me. Don’t miss the opportunity to make an extraordinary impact for Me and see Me come through in extraordinary ways in your life!”

With the number of people who attend our church, there is no reason that we should struggle to make our budget. But what burdens me the most as a pastor who loves his people is not our budget, but this: I know that many people in our church are missing out on the supernatural blessings of God because of their refusal to trust him in this area. It doesn’t have to be that way! Let it not be said of your life, “He could do no mighty work…because of unbelief.”

This week we will study Mark 6:31-44, and recognize our Graduates. It’s going to be a great day. See you then!

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.