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by Matt Anderson

 

Batman and Bruce Wayne - The Incredible Hulk and Dr. Bruce Banner - and lately, Iron Man and Tony Stark. Two definitive sides of the same person. The one can do battle with the forces of evil and come out on top every time. The other, without the benefit of their superhuman powers, would be just another victim on the villain's path to world domination.

I have a superhero within me. I call him Faith Man. He arrives on the scene whenever I encounter someone in need of prayer. Whether friend, family member, or colleague, anyone can summon Faith Man. No large searchlight in the sky is necessary. I don't even have to be made angry for his presence to become known. I need only to see another in need and hear those magical words, "Matt could you pray for...?" Faster than a speeding bullet, "he" arrives on the scene. Armed with a study Bible, toothy grin, and twinkle of the eye, Faith Man makes his eminence known, places his hands on his hips, straightens his back, sticks out his chest, and (in his best baritone with just a hint of reverb) announces to the petitioner, "Here I am, unfortunate mortal! It is I. I'll handle this." He then commences praying heaven down for this person, passionately interceding for the intervention of a holy God. He quotes scriptures as if his life depended on it. When finished, he looks into their eyes or earnestly speaks over the phone that he knows God has heard their plea. By the time Faith Man departs, the rescued can only utter, "And I didn't even get a chance to thank him."

I love Faith Man. He's the best. He makes the whole world feel better. But my question is, where is he when I'm the one in need? When I'm the one who needs a financial miracle or healing for my body or a relationship restored, I can't seem to find this caped crusader anywhere. I don't get it. When it's for someone else, I'll believe God to provide seven-figure sums and heal them of AIDS. For me, the common cold seems to be beyond the reach of His ability. One moment, I'm a world changer, the next, a complete weasel. Two definitive sides of the same person.

Fortunately, this is nothing new to the Lord. In Mark chapter 9, he encounters a nameless man whose son is demon possessed. In his desperation, he seeks out Jesus. "As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him...[a] man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But 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!" (Mark 9:14-24)

Two definitive sides of the same person. "I do believe (Faith Man); help me overcome my unbelief (us in need)!" What a fascinating yet honest statement. We believe yet simultaneously do not. We believe in God's power academically but not realistically. We broadcast it publicly yet don't believe it personally. When we are the ones who have been blind-sighted by life, it's hard to remember where we put our utility belt.

But the Lord reminds this troubled father and us that, "Everything is possible for him who believes." Belief is just about the most powerful thing we have. It's what we believe that determines our future. Too often, we allow emotions to be our guide, and when we don't feel victorious we tend to believe we are not. It is our belief that must rise first. Before we allow emotion to overwhelm our spiritual intellect, our "faith man" must be heard. We must return to what we know is scripturally and eternally true. Then our emotions can come alongside and cement the knowledge to our hearts. 

What do you need in your life right now? Can you believe for yourself as well as you do for others? Jesus is the same for you; the Word is just as true and applicable to you; God's track record is just as good with you. I dare you to ask Him, believe Him for it, and watch a true superhero at work.

Matt Anderson serves as youth director for the Ohio District of the Assemblies of God.

 

     Watchmen on the Wall

Isaiah 21:6 (NLT) “Put a watchman on the city wall.
      Let him shout out what he sees."

Exciting News! Due to the growth of our CBC Watchmen's Ministry we are going from a monthly meeting format to a weekly format.  Now join us every Friday night at 7:30pm. Henry Camphor, director of the Luke Fifteen Ministries is our featured speaker. 

The Adventures of Faith Man

 

by Matt Anderson

 

Batman and Bruce Wayne - The Incredible Hulk and Dr. Bruce Banner - and lately, Iron Man and Tony Stark. Two definitive sides of the same person. The one can do battle with the forces of evil and come out on top every time. The other, without the benefit of their superhuman powers, would be just another victim on the villain's path to world domination.

I have a superhero within me. I call him Faith Man. He arrives on the scene whenever I encounter someone in need of prayer. Whether friend, family member, or colleague, anyone can summon Faith Man. No large searchlight in the sky is necessary. I don't even have to be made angry for his presence to become known. I need only to see another in need and hear those magical words, "Matt could you pray for...?" Faster than a speeding bullet, "he" arrives on the scene. Armed with a study Bible, toothy grin, and twinkle of the eye, Faith Man makes his eminence known, places his hands on his hips, straightens his back, sticks out his chest, and (in his best baritone with just a hint of reverb) announces to the petitioner, "Here I am, unfortunate mortal! It is I. I'll handle this." He then commences praying heaven down for this person, passionately interceding for the intervention of a holy God. He quotes scriptures as if his life depended on it. When finished, he looks into their eyes or earnestly speaks over the phone that he knows God has heard their plea. By the time Faith Man departs, the rescued can only utter, "And I didn't even get a chance to thank him."

I love Faith Man. He's the best. He makes the whole world feel better. But my question is, where is he when I'm the one in need? When I'm the one who needs a financial miracle or healing for my body or a relationship restored, I can't seem to find this caped crusader anywhere. I don't get it. When it's for someone else, I'll believe God to provide seven-figure sums and heal them of AIDS. For me, the common cold seems to be beyond the reach of His ability. One moment, I'm a world changer, the next, a complete weasel. Two definitive sides of the same person.

Fortunately, this is nothing new to the Lord. In Mark chapter 9, he encounters a nameless man whose son is demon possessed. In his desperation, he seeks out Jesus. "As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him...[a] man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But 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!" (Mark 9:14-24)

Two definitive sides of the same person. "I do believe (Faith Man); help me overcome my unbelief (us in need)!" What a fascinating yet honest statement. We believe yet simultaneously do not. We believe in God's power academically but not realistically. We broadcast it publicly yet don't believe it personally. When we are the ones who have been blind-sighted by life, it's hard to remember where we put our utility belt.

But the Lord reminds this troubled father and us that, "Everything is possible for him who believes." Belief is just about the most powerful thing we have. It's what we believe that determines our future. Too often, we allow emotions to be our guide, and when we don't feel victorious we tend to believe we are not. It is our belief that must rise first. Before we allow emotion to overwhelm our spiritual intellect, our "faith man" must be heard. We must return to what we know is scripturally and eternally true. Then our emotions can come alongside and cement the knowledge to our hearts. 

What do you need in your life right now? Can you believe for yourself as well as you do for others? Jesus is the same for you; the Word is just as true and applicable to you; God's track record is just as good with you. I dare you to ask Him, believe Him for it, and watch a true superhero at work.

Matt Anderson serves as youth director for the Ohio District of the Assemblies of God.