Word of Encouragement

A Word of Encouragement

August 22, 2026

Acrylic-010 - circa 1976

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

When Jesus' disciples when they asked Him to increase their faith. He said, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could..." (Luke 17:5-6) Microsoft's AI 'Grammar checker' tries to 'correct' that to, "If you had faith IN the size of a mustard seed, you could..." But it is not the SIZE of our faith that matters! What matters is, WHO is our faith in.

As Paul was talking with the elders from Ephesus - not expecting to see them again in this life - He said,

	You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, ... solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
		Acts 20:18 & 21

"Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ"

On another occasion, when the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn't cast out a particular demon,

	He said to them, "Because ¹of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
	¹or you do not trust God very much (EASY)	Matthew 17:20

Faith can move mountains if we trust God.

But that does not mean we can do anything we want! Jesus also said, "I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Is what I want in keeping with what 'the vine' wants - what God wants?

That is why our faith MUST be in Jesus - in God. So, James tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5-6)

Ask God what He want'syou to do and trust in His answer. And, as Mary said to the servants at the wedding, "Whatever He tells you, do it." (John 2:5)

HaShem my Madrikh - Lord my Guide - Help me do what You want me to do.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Philippians 4:13 &

1 John 4:4

Trust His plan,