The Overwhelming Importance of Christians having Faith in God and Knowing how to Use It Properly!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   18 June 2026   Matthew 17:20b.

Matthew 17:20b.        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 (move);

And after a rainy, rainy night, Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, by mid-morning has blossomed into a bright and somewhat shiny day, with only a minimum of cloud cover. However it’s beset by a strong windstorm, one of those things that just magically appeared in our lives some five or six summers ago. Before that we never had so many summer windstorms, but with climate change and all the other stuff that’s happening in and around our besieged world, anything’s possible.

Now, we might not be able to change the world, but we can certainly change ourselves, so here’s some good news. I don’t remember where I got this information from, or if I’ve even shared it before, but recently I found it among the numerous pieces of paper sitting on my desk, and since we have nothing to lose, but so much to gain by trying what it suggests, I decided to share it. (smile) It’s about the healing of our body.

So please read with me: ‘Your Intelligence can guide the Life energy in your body – I began to teach my body and got marvellous results. Speaking words of Strength and Power – Praise the life in every part of your body. Pray, asking for strength to think only kind, LOVING and sincere thoughts about your body. Release all thoughts of weakness or disease. In steadfast faith, praise and bless the life energy, the cells of your body and mind. Realize Wholeness!!! See Wholeness!!!’

Wow! What a unique way to heal one’s body. But if it worked for the author, there’s no reason why it cannot work for us. However, we need to pay serious attention to these three words, ‘In steadfast faith…’ I believe that’s where the healing power comes from, and as supposed Christians we should have no difficulty in doing that, although many of us have a hard time mounting even a little faith. But remember what Jesus said to the disciples when they unsuccessfully tried to cure a child stricken with epilepsy, and they asked Him why.

‘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 (move); and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.’ (Matt. 17:20-21) Yes friends, it’s like this overview tells us: ‘It illustrates that even a tiny amount of genuine, living faith—when rooted in God—has the power to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve profound results.’ And that’s the living truth!

And the overview further breaks down the scripture into three basic parts, that allow us to better understand it. Size vs. Potential: The mustard seed was known as one of the smallest seeds in the ancient Near East. The metaphor emphasizes that you do not need perfect or giant faith to experience God’s power. Faith That Grows: A seed isn’t a static, lifeless object; it contains life and the capacity to grow. Discussions across communities like Reddit Christianity, highlight how this faith can start small and continuously deepen through action and adversity.

Moving Mountains: Jesus stated that if you have faith this size, you could say to a mountain “Move from here to there,” and it would move, symbolizing the removal of impossible life barriers rather than literally changing geography. Ultimately, the teaching is an encouragement to look past your own doubts and focus on the immense power of placing even your smallest, struggling beliefs into God’s hands.’ And do we ever need to do that in these very crucial and critical times, when life seems to be speeding along the highway, seemingly ready to crash at any time.

Ah mih people, even a little faith is better than no faith, once it’s rooted in Almighty God. And there are so many examples in the scriptures where Jesus either applauded someone for their faith or admonished them for lack thereof. Let’s look at one instances of each. First off, remember when Jesus was on His way to heal the daughter of Jewish synagogue ruler, Jairus, and this woman who had suffered with an issue of blood for twelve years, got a Zeppo that if she could only touch Jesus’ garments she would be healed. Thus she fought though the crowd surrounding Him and most likely touched the hem of His prayer shawl, and was immediately healed. (Luke 8:40-44)

Simultaneously, Jesus began enquiring who had touched Him? The disciples were amazed, that He would ask that question with the crush of people around Him. But Jesus replied, ‘Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue (power) is gone out of me.’ (Luke 8:46) Eventually the woman, being afraid, fell down before Jesus and confessed that she had touched Him. Jesus then said to her, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort (cheer): thy faith hath made thee whole (well); go in peace.’ (Luke 8:48)

So yuh see what a li’l faith can do, it can work miracles if it’s rooted in God. And right after that some of Jairus’ people came and told him his daughter was dead, but Jesus said to him, ‘Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.’ (Luke 8:50) That’s the important thing my brethren, true belief in Almighty God that drives our faith.

Now here’s an interesting scene of the opposite reaction. This one we all know about Jesus and the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat and a serious storm suddenly arising and the agitated water filling the boat. Obviously the disciples were afraid for it was possible that few if any of them could even swim. So they went looking for Jesus, who was asleep in the stern of the ship. They awakened him and said, ‘Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was great calm. And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? how is that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this (who can this be) that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’ (Mark 4:38-41)

Ah friends, it’s hard to fault the disciples, when we also have so many doubts and fears, especially when life is so uncertain these days. But the only way to conquer whatever is troubling us is by having true faith in our heavenly Father. And to show how wonderful He’s been to us, let’s declare our Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings so generously bestowed on us by God to help us do His earthly work. So, in one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

And that declaration now behooves us to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him, like we do! Much LOVE!

…life is all about hope…belief…faith…and trust in Jehovah God…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   15 May 2022 Mark 4:39.

Mark 4:39.      He arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still. And the wind  ceased, and there was a great calm.

Come one, come all friends, on this the Lord’s Day, let’s get together and worship His Holy Name in sincerity and truth! Be it physically in the sanctuary or technologically from home, our location doesn’t matter because praise and worship of Almighty God transcends time and space. And so, without further ado, on this beautiful summer Sunday, let’s get down to worship with a beautiful gospel song from down South. And I don’t care if you call me prejudiced, I will always maintain that the best gospel music comes from the West Indies. (smile) 

And to prove the point, today’s song is a reworked secular chutney soca hit of Miss Denise Plummer, once upon a time the high priestess of soca, who turned her eyes and heart to Christ and began singing gospel music. The song was originally called ‘Na Leaving,’ which celebrated all the good things of T&T, that those who were leaving would miss. From the first time I heard it, it became one of my favourite soca songs, and not only for the lyrics, but also for the beautiful meshing of the African and East Indian riddims that we call chutney soca. 

Then when a friend sent me a copy of this reworked favourite with gospel lyrics, I was blown away, and just had to sing it. So, let’s do so again right now nuh. Let’s allow the riddim to take us away, to work up in our souls, as we sincerely raise our voices in sacrificial praise and mouth the beautiful, true lyrics. 

And after the first couple of bars of rocking chutney soca music, we shout out: ‘Jesus…Yahweh…Yeshua… Jahovah! From revelry to righteousness…Cyar leave Him. From hell-bound to holiness…Cyar leave Him. From sin to salvation…Cyar leave him. A kingdom destination…Cyar leave Him. There I was, in my glee, wallowing deep in a pig pen, full of life, but so empty, on my way to a fiery end. 

But someone told me about a Saviour, who said He LOVES me and He cares. In times of storm He is my shelter, so in His arms you’ll find me there. Yuh see ah cyar live life without Him, He is my King of Kings, He’s the reason I’m still living. Ah cyar leave Him…ah cyar leave Him. Never condemn or forsaken me dread…Ah cyar leave Him…ah cyar leave Him. For God man I living, For God I go dead. 

There are so few, who made it through, and come from the darkness of this world. But I saw the light, I found the truth. I have more than silver, more than gold. I gave my life over to Jesus, the greatest decision I’ve made. Boy I recommend you try Him, Jesus is the best upgrade. He came to earth and died on the cross, rose up just like a boss, when yuh see me smiling, He’s the cause. Ah cyar leave Him…ah cyar leave Him. Never condemn or forsaken me dread…Ah cyar leave Him…ah cyar leave Him. 

For God man I living, For God I go dead. I am under the rock. The rock is higher than I. Jahovah hides me. I am under the rock. Go tell my enemies, that I am under the rock. Jahovah hides me, I am under the rock. I am under the rock. The rock is higher than I. Jahovah hides me. I am under the rock. Go tell my enemies, that I am under the rock. Jahovah hides me, I am under the rock. 

From revelry to righteousness…Cyar leave Him. From hell-bound to holiness…Cyar leave Him. From sin to salvation…Cyar leave him. A kingdom destination…Cyar leave Him. Jesus…Yahweh…Yeshua… Jahovah! (And we shout again) Jesus…Yahweh…Yeshua… Jahovah!’  

Ah mih people, that was fantastic…and all heaven was rocking with us too! Because the music was so sweet, (smile) and they know that’s the kind of difference, the amazing transformation Jesus brings about in our lives when we surrender our all to Him! And yuh better believe that Denise’s words are the gospel truth! Once we get with Jesus, we just cyar leave Him. It’s impossible to leave Him! 

How yuh go do that eh, when He takes you from ‘revelry to righteousness, from hell-bound to holiness, from sin to salvation, from wallowing in a pig pen, heading for a fiery end,’ and took you out of the darkness and showed you the bright light of His awesome LOVE and compassion? Anyone who even thinks about leaving Jesus after all of that is not only a fool, but extremely crazy. Who else could be your successful shelter in the time of storm eh? Nobody! 

Because Jesus Himself controls the wind and the waves. And He proved that out on the sea of Galilee when a storm was kicking up an unholy ruckus and the disciples were scared to death, but Jesus was quietly asleep in the stern of the boast despite all the confusion around Him. And when the disciples woke Him, ‘He arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.’ Then He chided the disciples: ‘Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?’ (Mark 4:39-40) 

And it’s certain sure that when you find Jesus, you see the light and find the truth, because He is the way, the truth, the life, the light…and everything else that’s good and wonderful! That’s why Denise says, ‘He’s the best upgrade.’ No friends, you can’t get any better than Jesus in this universe. That’s why after giving His life for us on the cross, He could also rise up ‘like a boss’ from the grave, having defeated Satan and his hellish dominion on their own turf. 

Oh my people, giving your life over to Jesus is the best decision you could ever make, because then you become a child of God, a joint heir with Christ and thus entitled to all the benefits of heaven! Wow! What more can we ask eh? Absolutely nothing! And when yuh enemies looking for you, you can boast and make style on them because they can’t touch you, since you’re hiding under the rock of Jahovah, the rock that’s higher than you. Mama Yo! 

I don’t know what else to say nuh mih bredrin, except to invite you to come and hide under the rock with me, because when you put your safety and security in Jesus hands, He most definitely won’t allow your enemies to touch you. Because He’s the boss, the rock, the mighty conqueror, and the reason we still living! Much LOVE!

…on Christ the solid rock I stand…all else is simply sinking sand… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8​     

Today’s Scrip-Bit   3 February 2022 Mark 4:40.

Mark 4:40.     Why are ye so fearful? How it is that ye have no faith? 

Once more unto the snow dear friends, once more! Yes, another beautiful snowstorm has inundated us overnight! But thank God, it’s not as bad as the last one a couple weeks ago – at least not yet, because they are calling for 10-20 cm of the darling white stuff to fall between today and tomorrow. In some places there are still high snowbanks from the previous storm, so can you imagine the mess if this one deposits much more than we already have. 

But as I keep saying, that’s why we have Jesus, our Guide and Comfort through the times of storm! Oh give Him some thanks and praise my believing brethren for His most honourable, diligent, compassionate and ever-faithful work in our less than sterling lives! 

And I guess because we are in a time of storm, both literally and figuratively, we ought to talk about that occasion when Jesus showed exactly who and what He was during one particularly rough storm. All three gospels tell the story – Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25, but we’ll use Mark’s description for our purposes today. 

Now, he describes it thus: ‘And the same day (after Jesus was finished teaching), when the even (evening) was come, he (Jesus) saith unto them, Let us pass (cross) over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there was also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full (already filling). And he (Jesus) was in the hinder part (the stern) of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How it is that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this (who can this be), that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ (Mark 4:35-41) Now that’s an easy question to answer my brethren: Jesus is the One who created the wind and the sea, therefore He is able to tell them to be peaceful and calm! 

Now many of us will make light of the concerns of the disciples, because they had seen Jesus do several miracles, but I know from personal experience out on Lake Ontario, that when the winds and the waves buffet your small boat on a large expanse of water, it’s no fun. 

Oh, on that memorable day, some years ago, I learned from first-hand experience what ‘the shivering of the timbers’ meant, having only read about it before, and at times did fear for my life, as well as the five, mostly inebriated others, who were on the boat with me. (smile) And I daresay that many of the disciples couldn’t even swim, so even though they had seen Jesus do miracles, that was a new situation for them. 

But here are a couple of interesting notes from the scholars. Re 4:40, where Jesus comments on the faith of the disciples, they say that He constantly questions in order to spur people to deeper trust. Then give examples in Mark 2:8, 19, 25, 26; 3:4, 23, 33; 4:13, 21, 30.’ And if you look at those verses, you will indeed see Jesus posing questions that cause His listeners to think seriously about whatever He was saying. 

And per 4:41, they claim: ‘The fear must have been a mixture of reverential awe and real fright – it would be chillingly eerie to witness the instantaneous dissipation of a violent storm.’ No doubt it was! But friends, that’s the kind of person; the immutable, unchangeable, omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present Being, the One and ONLY Living God, that we have as our Lord and Saviour! And right now, in these troubled and trying times of storm, He’s asking us the same questions: why is our faith so small, why are we so fearful, when we have the One who created the universe and all therein as our Guide and Protector? 

Yes, we ought to be anxious when the storms hit us suddenly, but not afraid, because He’s not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, LOVE and a strong and disciplined mind! And an article on the biblestudytools.com website puts it this way. ‘The symbolism behind the story of Jesus calming the storm should bring great encouragement and hope for anyone facing a storm in life.. The apostles were shocked and still lacked faith that Jesus was the Son of God who “Even the winds and water obey.” 

But since we know more about Jesus and His kingdom than the young disciples did, we ought not to be as afraid as we ofttimes are when the storms of life come upon us. Oh, we must be concerned and do whatever is in our power to calm them, but overall, we should know deep down that Jesus is with us, and that as He faithfully promised, will eventually work everything out for our good. What’s the purpose of having Him as Lord and Saviour if we don’t trust him to look after our welfare eh? 

And furthermore, Jesus has been so wonderful to us that He’s even given us tools to handle the storms of life and to help advance His kingdom. We call them our Thursday Blessings. And since a blessing is not a blessing until it’s declared out loud, let’s do just that nuh. Altogether now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

Oh my people, when we are so abundantly blessed, how can we still live in fear eh? No way! Now let’s go about Christ’s business with diligence and excellence, and use those blessings to care for, comfort and bless others, just as generously as He’s done to us! Much LOVE!

…ONLY Christ…can calm the storms of our lives… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8