Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 59

Easter Praise from the Mouths of Babes

"But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 

"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. 


"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?" (Mat. 21:15) 

This poignant, beautiful version of "Gethsemane," by 3-year old Claire Ryann will make your heart soar and your eyes weep. 

Rejoice, and happy Easter.






 If you're reading by email and can't see Claire Ryan's version of Gethsemane, click HERE.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Are You Suffering from Spiritual Affluenza?

There’s a new disease in town.

Like many illnesses that have mutated from their original nasty strains, this sickness puts a 21st century spin on a centuries-old malady. Some victims contract it and are cured. Others struggle with it all their lives. Only the hyper-vigilant manage to completely avoid its destructive effects.

The disease is called Affluenza. Merriam Webster loosely defines it as “the unhealthy and unwelcome psychological and social effects of affluence.” Although the online dictionary doesn’t address the spiritual component of affluenza, it’s very real. And regardless of our bank accounts, all Christians are at risk.

The first documented case of spiritual affluenza occurred in Israel, even before the Israelites had inherited the Promised Land. On the eve of their entrance into the land “flowing with milk and honey” (an Old Testament description of wealth and prosperity), God, through Moses, warned his people:

“Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Deut. 8:11-14). God knew the Israelites’ vulnerability to affluenza. Sadly, 21st century Christians are no different.

When money is tight or our marriage is struggling, we pray often and fervently. When we’re seeking insight into how to help our wayward children or addicted family member, we make church attendance a priority. When we’re lonely or sick, we welcome the support of God and his family. 

Affluence, however, can derail healthy Christians faster than a stomach virus in a daycare. When money is plentiful and our jobs are secure, we don’t often ask God for our daily bread. When family relationships are strong and our kids are making wise life decisions, we don’t spend as much time in prayer. When we’re surrounded by friends and enjoying good health, we spend more Sundays traveling and sleeping in than going to church. Like the Israelites, we often sideline God when he blesses us.

How lame is that? God fills our lives with good things, and like spoiled, ungrateful brats, we grab the gifts and gallop off with nary a backward glance.

God saw it coming and tried to warn his people: Don’t forget me. And certainly, “don’t say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me’” (Deut. 8:16).

If you recognize some of the symptoms of spiritual affluenza, you’ve taken the first step toward healing—admitting you’re sick.

The second step is to avail yourself of the cure. God, the Great Physician, wrote a three-part prescription on the pages of Scripture. Thankfully, there’s no expiration date on this tonic, and the refills are unlimited.

First: Remember. “Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deut. 8:17). Every day we should acknowledge that it is God who provides the opportunity, ability, and means to live the life he’s placed before us. He gives us the breath in our lungs, the strength in our bodies, and the creativity and perseverance to make a living for ourselves. Without God’s sustaining touch, every heartbeat could be our last.

Second: Praise. “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you” (Deu. 8:10). We should also glorify God whenever and wherever we can for his provision. As we enjoy the blessings of food, fellowship, friends, and family, we should be quick to acknowledge the bountiful hand that provided them.

Third: Pray. “ . . . give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Pro. 30:8-9).


The psalmist recognized the danger that exists on both ends of the wealth spectrum. Jesus said it would be difficult for the rich (and we are all rich compared to much of the world) to admit their need for a Savior. He also acknowledged that while extreme poverty can prompt people to cry out to God as their only hope, it can also push them to commit desperate and godless crimes. The psalmist eloquently prays for a healthy balance between the two extremes. Asking God to provide our needs without giving us more than we can physically, emotionally, or spiritually handle is wise and biblical.

I don’t know if you’re struggling with spiritual affluenza. I know I sometimes do. I don’t want to be a greedy recipient of God’s goodness. Instead, I want to be a grateful one who never forgets that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (Jas. 1:17).

Now it’s your turn. Has affluence drawn you closer to or farther from the Lord? What do you do to combat it? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Father, I don’t want to be an ungrateful recipient of your goodness. Help me recognize how everything good in my life comes from you. Let gratitude bubble up in my heart and express itself in praise and thanksgiving. Help me pursue a healthy balance between poverty and wealth and honor you in everything I do. In the strong name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Faith Isn't a Blind Leap in the Dark

The first dentist I worked for was Jewish by birth and agnostic by practice. Early in our professional relationship he told me he didn’t have a problem with my belief in God. 

“Everybody needs some kind of crutch,” he said. “If believing in God makes you feel better, I don’t have a problem with that.” 

I thought of Dr. B. this morning when I read about how Jesus called his disciples to follow him. 

Time after time in the Gospel accounts, Jesus gave ample proof that he was who he said he was—God in the flesh. “. . . even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father" (John 10:38).

Faith has never been just believing in “something to make you feel better. Nor is it a blind leap in the dark. God never calls anyone to believe in him without giving ample proof that he is worthy of our trust. 

The way Jesus called his disciples is a perfect example of this. In Luke 5, Jesus was visiting Capernaum. He taught in the synagogue. He freed a man possessed by an evil spirit. He healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. That evening when multitudes flocked to him with physical ailments, he cured them all. Demons came shrieking out of people, testifying that Jesus was “the Son of God” (4:38-41).  
And if that wasn’t proof enough, the next day when Simon, James, and John were out fishing, he commandeered their boat and used it as a platform from which to teach to the crowds on the shore. Afterward he told Simon, "'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.' 

“Simon answered, ‘Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ 

“When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break” (Mat. 5:4-6). 

Simon couldn’t take it any longer. Overwhelmed with what he had seen Jesus do and realizing that only God in the flesh could do such things, he cried out, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"  

"Don't be afraid;” he reassured Simon, James, and John, “from now on you will catch men." 

“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” 

Before Jesus called his disciples to himself, he gave them ample proof of his power, and thus, his deity. 

We haven’t had the opportunity to walk and talk with Jesus Christ in the flesh, but we, too, have ample proof of his faith-worthiness. 

*We have the historical record of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, including biblical and extra-biblical sources. 

*We have evidence of God’s creative and sustaining hand in the world around us (Psa. 19:1). 

*We have the faith record of believers down through the ages (Hebrews 11). 

*We have the testimonies of contemporary believers attesting to the transforming power of the Gospel. 

*We have the evidence of God’s work in our own lives. 

Like Peter, my coming to faith experience happened in stages. First I heard about and read the biblical account of God’s work in ancient history. Then I listened to person after person tell how Christ had transformed their lives. Next I admitted my need for Someone greater and wiser than I to direct my life. Finally, I placed my faith in Jesus Christ and watched him begin to transform me from the person I was to the person I hoped to be. 

Little by little, God revealed himself to me and drew me to himself. Instead of taking a blind leap in the dark, I placed my trust in a God who has shown himself faithful to thousands of generations. 

Now it’s your turn. How has God revealed himself to you in your faith journey? Which evidences have you found most convincing? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Hope for the Brokenhearted

I was 20 years old, and my heart was broken. Someone I trusted had betrayed me, and the wound pierced deeply. 

Aching and feeling incredibly alone, I curled up on my bed and sobbed—rather loudly apparently, because shortly after I began, I heard a knock on my door.

 “Lori?” my dad called. “Are you OK? What’s wrong?”

It took a lot of courage for my dad to knock on the door of a hysterically sobbing woman, even if the woman was his daughter. Dad doesn’t do emotion. That’s Mom’s job. 

His love and concern for me, however, was stronger than his desire to avoid messy, slobbery exchanges, so he knocked.

And I answered.

“What’s wrong, Lor?” he asked again, and the tender concern on his face raised the gate on my emotional spillway.

Blubbery and nearly incoherent, I told him my sad tale. When I was finished, he handed me a Kleenex and waited while I blew my nose. Then he said all the right things. He expressed anger on my behalf and shared his wisest counsel. He even offered to call the person and give him a piece of his mind.

Even though nothing about my situation had changed, somehow, sitting on the side of the bed with my dad’s strong arm around me, I knew I was going to be OK.


Unfortunately, my heart’s been broken several times since then, and my father hasn’t always been there to dry my tears. 

But my heavenly Father has. Psalm 34:18 reminds me:

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Although heartache can make us feel incredibly alone, God’s Word says otherwise. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted . . .” 

IS is a statement of fact, not feeling. Just like we say, “The sun is in the sky, even though the clouds obscure it” or “Help is on the way, even though we can’t see it,” the truth that God is near when we are sad is a promise we can lay our weeping heads upon.

Even better, God isn’t just a sympathetic listener. He is a mighty warrior with the power to save. "He does not forsake his saints" (Psa. 37:28), and he brings “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isa. 61:3).

Some of you are brokenhearted today. A wayward child has crushed your hopes and dreams. A distant spouse has wrapped you in a shroud of icy neglect. Grief has sucked the air from your lungs and the joy from your heart.

Don’t try to bear your burden alone. Cry out to Jesus. He doesn’t run from messy, slobbery exchanges, nor does he head the other way when the emotion train roars by. Instead, he knocks on the door of our hearts, wraps his big strong arms around us, and holds us when we cry. Then he goes to work on our behalf, gluing every piece of our shattered hearts back together for our good and his glory.

“You’re going to be OK,” he tells us. “I promise.”

Now it's your turn. How have you seen the Lord's faithfulness during a time of brokenheartedness? Leave a comment below and share your story.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

The Amazing, Frightening Jesus

Sometimes Jesus amazes me. 

When I come to him frantic, blubbery, and afraid, I open his Word. I read promises perfectly suited to my need, and I am overwhelmed. The thought that God, the one who holds the stars in place and set the world in motion, penned words to sooth my troubled heart is humbling and awe inspiring. 

When I see evidence of his gentle hand shaping, guiding, and refining those I love, I bow my heart in gratitude. I watch how gently and subtly he woos them. Like he does with me, inch by inch he cinches the cords of loving kindness that bring them ever closer to him. 

Sometimes he steps back and lets them suffer the consequences of their spiritual independence. Yet when they humbly turn toward him, he wraps his tender around them and welcomes them home. 

I want my dear ones to love and follow Jesus more than life itself, but I am impotent to make it happen. Only God can. 

But God can. 


When the line of loved ones stretches like a strand of pearls around my heart, I understand Paul’s agonizing cry in Romans 9:3, “For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers . . .” 

But I cannot exchange my own salvation for theirs. Thankfully, there is saving grace enough for all. Refining grace, too, and so I labor in love and prayer. Lord, make me an instrument, not a stumbling block. Give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent, when to act, and when to pray.

He answers me, works through me, and amazes me. 

Other times Jesus frightens me—more than the highest roller coaster or the interstate at night in the rain. I feel his power in a thunderstorm. I see his mighty hand in the wide ocean and tall mountains. At night, when all is still, and I can feel my heart thumping in my chest, I know only his mercy keeps it beating. 

Mark 10:32 tells me I am not alone in my amazed fear of Jesus. His early disciples felt it too. 

“Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid.” 

Every day with Jesus gives me new reasons to be amazed. His ability to meet my needs. His still small voice that speaks to my heart. His desire for an intimate and personal relationship with me and those I love—wretched souls that we are. 

And every day with Jesus gives me new reasons to be afraid. His power to build up and to tear down. His holiness that reduces my works to filthy rags. His perfect justice that sees every sinful thought, word, and action. Were it not for Christ, I would be utterly condemned. Hopeless to stand before him. 

"Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath” (Eph. 2:3). 

But God. 

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-7) 

Amazing. 

Frightening. 

Glorious. 

Now it’s your turn. What aspects of God’s character amaze you? What parts frighten you? How has Christ brought a healthy balance? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the box below and share your insight.

If you're reading by email and can't see the video, click HERE to worship with Kari Jobe and "Let Your Glory Fall."




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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Relationship Advice from a Donkey -- What Balaam's Burro Can Teach Us All

Relationship advice shows up in the strangest places. I’ve come to expect it from a pastor or a friend. I’ve found good tips online, and in Bible studies, but I never expected to learn something helpful from an animal.

Buried in the Old Testament book of Numbers, however, is a valuable lesson that comes from the lips of a donkey. You may remember the story. The children of Israel are headed toward the Promised Land. They’ve already conquered the Amorites, and now they’ve trained their sights on the land of Moab. Moab’s King, Balak, is getting a wee bit nervous. He decides to call in the resident prophet, Balaam, to curse Israel, hoping to tip the battle odds in his favor.

God tells Balaam not to go with the princes of Moab, but he goes anyway. This makes God angry (disobedience usually does), so he sends the Angel of the Lord, complete with drawn sword, to stop him.

Balaam, oblivious to the danger ahead of him, rides blithely toward his own destruction. His donkey apparently has more spiritual discernment than her master, because she sees the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand and turns aside into a field. Balaam, angry and oblivious to what’s going on in the spiritual realm, strikes the donkey. This happens three times, with Balaam becoming increasingly angry and abusive.

Finally God opens the donkey’s mouth, and she speaks. "’What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’

“Balaam answered the donkey, ‘You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.’”

Listen to the donkey’s wise reply (and the point of this whole devotion): “’Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?’"

Sometimes I’m a lot like Balaam. I get angry because someone does something to hinder my progress or upset my plans. Maybe they’re uncooperative or slow. They may even seem to be working against me.

When I focus too much on my own agenda, I fail to consider that there might be a good reason for a person’s uncharacteristic behavior. Instead of giving him or her the benefit of the doubt or asking a few diagnostic questions, I say things I regret later and act like a spoiled child.

Sometimes, in my enthusiasm for a project or idea, I forget that others might have an opinion,  preference, or helpful knowledge. Instead of seeking others’ input, I plow on with my agenda without stopping to consider them.

Balaam’s donkey’s wise response provides a model we can use in a situation like this: 

1. If someone is acting uncharacteristically, give them the benefit of the doubt. There may be a good reason for their actions. It might not be an angel with a big sword, but they could have wisdom from the Lord.

2. Ask gentle questions. “You seem a little hesitant/ defensive/ ________. Is there something you’re concerned about?”

3. Ask, “Do you have any information I may be unaware of that might be helpful?”

4. If their behavior is unusual, and there’s no discernible reason for it, you could have just caught them at a bad time. Or in a bad mood. Or PMSing. This is a good time to breathe grace.

When the Lord finally revealed himself to Balaam, he took him to task for the cruel way he treated his donkey. Balaam responded appropriately.

“I have sinned,” he said.

We, too, can respond humbly when we act impulsively or are quick to judge. As soon as we realize something’s amiss, or someone’s acting out of character, we should take the necessary steps to address it. Oftentimes a sincere apology is all that’s needed to reopen the lines of communication and get the relationship back on track. 

Now it’s your turn. Has there ever been a time when you misjudged someone and later found out the whole story? What happened? Leave a comment in the box below and join the conversation.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

I'll Take Narnia's Aslan Over The Shack's Papa Any Day - What William P. Young Is Missing (A Guest Post)

It's my pleasure to welcome my friend and fellow author, Lael Arrington, as guest blogger on Hungry for God today.

This week The Shack is (still) #1 on the New York Times Best-Seller list and, after three weeks, still in the top five at the movie box office. With unforgettable images Young draws a picture of God’s compassion for a bruised reed of a man who has lost his little girl in a crime of unspeakable violence and murder. 

The God of all comfort prepares Mack’s favorite food in the kitchen. Skips rocks across the lake with him. Wears old flannel shirts. Young’s story takes us inside Mack’s grief and shows how God’s tender, creative soul-care heals and restores.

Throughout almost thirty years of rheumatoid arthritis, the wanderings of a prodigal, and the inevitable conflicts and rejections of the pastorate, Jesus has lavished me with his tenderness and mercy. Yet in times of deepest sorrow I find the portrait of God that CS Lewis has drawn in Aslan, the lion-King in his fictional world of Narnia, even more comforting than Papa in The Shack. 


We see Aslan’s playful, gentle, tenderness, romping with the children who ride on his back and nestle in his fur. We see him weep and groan over Narnia’s agonies. 

But we are continually reminded…”Aslan is not a tame lion.” He is wildly unpredictable. His fury destroys the White Witch’s minions. His claws rip Eustace’s dragon-skin clean off. His fearful growls in the dark spur Bree to gallop faster and carry Shasta to safety. His humiliating, horrific sacrifice for Edward’s selfish indulgence-turned-nightmare takes our breath away. 

Lewis invites us to think about the wildness of God in a way that enlarges our understanding of his compassion. When I or someone I care about is unjustly wronged or even oppressed, or when the Church is maligned or marginalized, I want a strong, fearful God to fight for us. Fight for his Church.  

I’m not as eager for God to fight for my heart and my redemption when it involves hurting me. Yet I am learning (again) that ultimately the most compassionate thing God can do for me is to expose the contours of my weakness, selfishness or indifference so that I might change and grow. 

In Mere Christianity Lewis writes, “God is the only comfort. He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most need to hide from. He is our only possible ally and we have made ourselves His enemies. Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again.” 

One day we will stand before him, overwhelmed by that goodness. Instead of condemning, he welcomes us. Invites us to share his throne and his reign—an act of compassion and nobility that staggers our dim imaginations. 

Compared to Aslan, Papa’s therapeutic breakfast-making sovereign looks pretty one-dimensional. All mercy and compassion all the time. By contrast, the wrath of Aslan against oppressors and injustice makes his mercy shine more brightly—like the diamond displayed on the jewelers black velvet. 

His bloody sacrifice for sinners like me infuses his compassion with a transcendence hard to wrap words or images around. A soaring magnificence sadly missing from Papa’s folksy humor and hugs. 

In his poem “The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God,” John Piper describes the compassion of God to his little girl: “”Beware Jemimah, God is kind in ways that will not fit your mind.” 

And that is the greatest deficit of the Papa of The Shack—his/her kindness fits too easily into our minds conditioned by today’s New Agey, marshmallowy, overwrought compassion. Tender feeling-with but without holiness or righteousness or accountability or sacrifice or hard-earned wisdom from a man like Job who lost far more than Mack. 

God comes to Job like Papa comes to Mack in his pain and suffering and gives the most important gift—the gift of his I-AM-enough presence. The fulfillment of our deepest longing when we are in the deepest pit. When we need an Answerer far more than an answer. 

But interestingly, he comes without comfort food or Neil Diamond music. He comes to Job and says, “Brace yourself like a man and I will question you.” Words I can imagine coming from the mouth of Aslan, but not Papa. 

The prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus is so tender that “a bruised reed he will not break.” Still, when we are hurting, we need God to be fully God. 

This review points out some of the merits and the Biblical problems with The Shack. For a more theological evaluation, this from Al Mohler. 

How do you respond to the portrait of God drawn in The Shack? Please respond kindly in the comments below…




Lael Arrington is the author of four books, most recently Faithand Culture (Zondervan). A former talk radio host in Houston and Dallas, she now lives in Columbia where she speaks and blogs on faith and culture at LaelArrington.com.





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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Following God Even When He Isn't Moving

There’s nothing worse than being stuck.


We’ve all been there.You’re tooling along in traffic, making good progress toward your destination, when all of a sudden the cars in front of you grind to a halt. All you see is the Red Sea of taillights. Zero to 60 becomes zero to nothing, and the timely arrival you planned vanishes like snow in the South. 

Stuck in traffic is one example of being stuck, but sometimes “stuck” looks like more than a minor traffic delay. Sometimes stuck looks like a major train derailment.

Some of us are stuck in a relationship that’s going nowhere. The press of apathy, selfishness, or conflict hinders us from moving forward. Others are stuck in more noble ways—by caring for an aging parent, a sick spouse, or a needy child. Your lives is on hold, and everyone but you seems to be accomplishing something noteworthy or fulfilling. Or maybe you’re stuck professionally in a job where you don’t feel challenged, and no one appreciates you.

Sometimes we’re stuck because of our own poor decisions, but other times we know the hand of God has placed us where we are. No amount of effort, ingenuity, or prayer seems to change things. We’re stuck because the Lord has hemmed us in.

The children of Israel knew what it meant to be stuck. They had escaped Egypt in a blaze of glory, marching boldly away from their captors with God as their rear guard. Through the Red Sea they went, triumphant and heady with victory. Six hundred thousand fighting men strong in addition to women and children. Bible scholars estimate between 2-3 million people may have been following Moses’ leadership. 

Then came the wilderness wanderings.

“At the command of the Lord the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp. As long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not journey” (Num. 9:18-19).

Some seasons of “stuck” lasted only a few days. Then the cloud would lift, and they’d be on their way. Other seasons lasted longer—a month sometimes. Or a year.

The Israelites made many mistakes on their journey, but, with one exception, they did one thing right—they never moved until God said, “Go.”

I wish I could be more like them. Oh, how I chafe at delays that seem to hinder my progress. I grow impatient with taillights and detours. I see the exit on the horizon, and I want off. Sometimes I go rogue and drive down the emergency lane, only to find myself not only stuck, but lost as well.

Stuck is hard. Lack of forward motion is counter-intuitive and appears fruitless and pointless.

Thankfully God provides a wise example for us to follow in the man Moses. Moses understood what we often forget—that God works equally well in the pauses.

One day, overwhelmed by the task of leading two million people, he talked with God, "If your Presence does not go with us,” he said, “do not send us up from here” (Ex. 33:15). Moses knew wherever God was—in the going or in the staying—that’s where he wanted to be.

When God advanced, he would follow. When God stopped, he would trust. “At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses” (Num. 9:23).

It’s during the stuck times that we must ask ourselves, am I willing to follow God, even when he isn’t moving? 

Are you?

Father, help me see your hand in the stopping and in the going. Help me trust that you are accomplishing your perfect will for me, even when I cannot see it. I know you can use every circumstance to make me more like Jesus. Help me not get ahead of your good plan for my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.














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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Does It Matter How Much Faith You Have?

Have you ever wondered if your lack of unwavering faith has hindered your prayers? I have.


Especially when I’ve prayed really hard about something. I read verses like Matthew 21:22, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer,” and it's easy to assume that because I haven’t received what I asked for, I must not have believed enough.

A little story in Mark 9 addresses this question.

Here’s the scene: a man has brought his epileptic, demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples for healing. When Jesus arrives, he discovers that the disciples have been unable to heal the boy. Seeing Jesus, the father asks, “'. . . if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’

"'If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’

“Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "’ I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” With that response, Jesus commanded the demon to leave and healed the man’s son.

Jesus’ miraculous answer despite the father’s wobbly faith reminds me that I don’t have to have unshakable faith for God to answer my prayers. Here’s why:

The father did several things “right.” Here are two of them:

1. He brought his son to Jesus. This demonstrates he believed Jesus was able to heal him. That his faith wasn’t perfect and unshakable is evident by his words, “If you can do anything.” He’s not 100 percent sure, maybe he’s even grasping at straws, but he has some faith in Jesus.

2. He moved from less faith to more. When Jesus challenged his “If” clause with truth, “Everything is possible for him who believes,” he moved into an even greater faith decision:

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He declared his desire to trust Jesus wholeheartedly while honestly acknowledging that he still doubts.

We know Jesus was OK with his hopeful but afraid-to-be-disappointed faith because of his response—he healed the man’s son.


We can learn a few things from this man:

1. When we have a need, the only place to run is to Jesus.

2. We don’t have to know the outcome to be able to trust God with it.

3. We can be honest with him about our struggle to believe. (He knows anyway.)

4. We can ask God to give us more faith and help our unbelief.

5. We can trust God, regardless of the outcome.

The faith life is a long journey of small steps. Every time I trust God with something, my faith grows, and it becomes easier to trust him with the next thing. I don’t know if I’ll ever reach the point where I can trust God without even a smidgen of doubt, but every faith step I take in his direction brings me closer to that ideal. One day, like the centurion in Luke 9, I hope to amaze Jesus with my faith.

Now it’s your turn. What stands out most to you in the Luke 9 story? Of the five lessons listed above, which is the most challenging for you? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.


If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.



Delivered by FeedBurner

If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Does It Matter How Much Faith I Have?

Have you ever wondered if your lack of unwavering faith has hindered your prayers? I have.


Especially when I’ve prayed really hard about something. I read verses like Matthew 21:22, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer,” and it's easy to assume that because I haven’t received what I asked for, I must not have believed enough.

A little story in Mark 9 addresses this question.

Here’s the scene: a man has brought his epileptic, demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples for healing. When Jesus arrives, he discovers that the disciples have been unable to heal the boy. Seeing Jesus, the father asks, “'. . . if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’

"'If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’

“Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "’ I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” With that response, Jesus commanded the demon to leave and healed the man’s son.

Jesus’ miraculous answer despite the father’s wobbly faith reminds me that I don’t have to have unshakable faith for God to answer my prayers. Here’s why:

The father did several things “right.” Here are two of them:

1. He brought his son to Jesus. This demonstrates he believed Jesus was able to heal him. That his faith wasn’t perfect and unshakable is evident by his words, “If you can do anything.” He’s not 100 percent sure, maybe he’s even grasping at straws, but he has some faith in Jesus.

2. He moved from less faith to more. When Jesus challenged his “If” clause with truth, “Everything is possible for him who believes,” he moved into an even greater faith decision:

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He declared his desire to trust Jesus wholeheartedly while honestly acknowledging that he still doubts.

We know Jesus was OK with his hopeful but afraid-to-be-disappointed faith because of his response—he healed the man’s son.


We can learn a few things from this man:

1. When we have a need, the only place to run is to Jesus.

2. We don’t have to know the outcome to be able to trust God with it.

3. We can be honest with him about our struggle to believe. (He knows anyway.)

4. We can ask God to give us more faith and help our unbelief.

5. We can trust God, regardless of the outcome.

The faith life is a long journey of small steps. Every time I trust God with something, my faith grows, and it becomes easier to trust him with the next thing. I don’t know if I’ll ever reach the point where I can trust God without even a smidgen of doubt, but every faith step I take in his direction brings me closer to that ideal. One day, like the centurion in Luke 9, I hope to amaze Jesus with my faith.

Now it’s your turn. What stands out most to you in the Luke 9 story? Of the five lessons listed above, which is the most challenging for you? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.


If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.



Delivered by FeedBurner

If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher