Mark 6:3 – Is this not the Carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here among us? And they took offense at Him and were hurt [that is, they disapproved of Him, and it hindered them from acknowledging His authority] and they were caused to stumble and fall. (AMP)

When a world-famous cookbook author's name came up in conversation, I mentioned how much I used and enjoyed her recipes. "Oh, posh," said one lady sarcastically. "She only lives over on the third line." The implication was clear. To that woman, living locally cancelled out every other positive credential. What a faulty belief system!

Jesus' neighbours apparently felt the same way. In their eyes, Jesus lived "on the third line"! They refused to accept Him as more than the neighbour they knew.

Are we any different? We beg God for freedom, healing, or comfort and then hesitate to accept His answers when they have come from only "the third line".

In Beth Moore's life-changing book, Believing God, she calls believers to live by these five principles:

1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He will do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's Word is alive and active in me right now.

Is that how we believe God?

Prayer: Lord, hear our cry. Like the man in Mark 9:24, we cry out, "I do believe; help my unbelief." In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Brenda Wood <brenda.w@nextcom.ca>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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