and...
Everything that Jesus said and taught is true. We, however, fail to see and follow all of the instructions. Is there a reason why we don't move mountains? Is it because we don't sometimes ask (sincerely ask and beg?) No, it is because there are other lessons to be learned. "IF ye have faith, AND doubt not...." That's a big 'IF' and and big 'AND.' God is showing us that we DON'T have the faith necessary to move mountains (or even ant hills). Notice the wording of Jesus:
Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matt. 21:22).
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses (Matt. 11:23-26).
This same teaching with the big 'IF' is found again in Matt. 17:20-21 ....
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, IF ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
So maybe by now you as thinking: "Okay, if I lack faith, I'll ask for more faith." The Apostles immediately saw the problem, that
they did not have the faith of Jesus nor could they do the miracles of Jesus, so they asked for MORE FAITH:
Luke 17:5--"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith." Now for Jesus' amazing and esoteric answer:
Jesus now reduces the necessary faith to move a sycamore tree into the sea, down to the size of a mustard seed:
Luke 17:6--And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
Okay, so mustard size faith will accomplish miracles. But, big question: Just HOW do we get faith "as a grain of mustard seed?" I'll be everyone reading this would give me a hundred dollars for the answer, wouldn't you? I know I would. Well, here's Jesus' answer:
But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17:7-10).
Whad-e-say? What in the world does Jesus' explanation have to do with increasing our faith? Everything.
We are the servants doing the plowing and feeding calttle in this parable. Jesus is the Lord, and we will not be honored with
miracles producing powers before our Lord. Jesus was tried and tested. Jesus passed all tests (See His trials in the
wilderness against Satan). Jesus went way way above and beyond in His service to humanity, and therefore His Father
always heard Him and always answered Him and always performed miracles for him. Most of God's servants today are merely doing the minimum of what is expected of them, and therefore, are not in a position to receive the miracle power of our Lord. We are all yet being tried and tested, but the day will come when we too will perform miracles. We too will be "saviours" to the world (Obadiah 1:21). Being a saviour to humanity requires many great miracles which God will provide THROUGH US!
Those apostles who went way above and beyond in their call to duty in Christ's service have already performed many such great miracles: Imagine healing something of a terminal disease by merely having your shadow pass over him? Jesus granted Peter just such miracle power:
"Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one" (Acts 5:15-16). Notice that Peter's shadow only actually passed over some of these sick people, but: "...they were healed EVERY ONED"!
Which is the greater miracle: Uprooting a sycamore tree or healing multitudes of diseased people by merely having your shadow pass over them? And Paul and others also performed just such marvelous miracles. Does anyone who is really familiar with our ministry and work doubt that the spiritually DEAD are being raised back to a life of faith and obedience? Here's an email that I received just yesterday:
Husband n I only known about you a couple of months. Many, many thanks, regards, and encouragement. My husband and I talked and would give you some of our years if we could so you could continue your work. Long and short of it is we both were raised in WCG. For me, I then moved on to Garner Ted. By the mid 90’s that was over. Spent 7 years in hell after falling away until I met my husband. We first ended up with John Rightenbaugh (freaky!) then (Merridith (nightmare!), then John Pinkston (same ole, same ole fluff), then Fred Coulter (ok but something underlying his whole paradigm doesn’t feel right), almost said “the hell with it,” then ran across you. A weary traveler found comfort. Thanks so much. I truly, truly hope God grants you overflowing mercy, kindness, and comfort. Thank you Ray.
Sincerely and God bless you,
April and Ken
So April says they, "almost said 'THE HELL WITH IT' then ran across you (bible-truths.com). God is working miracles through His servants, but we need to have the eyes to see it.
Well, I could go on and on with this answer to your "short question," but I better leave it at that for now. Most short questions do not, unfortunately, have short answers.
God be with you and my prayers are with you,
Ray