Don't Limit God!

Psalm 78:41(NKJV) - Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.
Today is a continuation of yesterday's blog, "Where is your faith?" A few years ago I received a free sticker at a convention with the image posted above. I stuck it at the top of my bedroom mirror so that everyday I would see the simple reminder; "Don't limit God!" In some respects, that statement sounds like an oxymoron. How can a human being put limits on God? Isn't God limitless? On the surface it just doesn't make any sense. Nonetheless, human beings have been limiting God since He created the first one of us in The Garden of Eden. If we could have done it back then we can surely do it now. That's right. The omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God has run into limits over the years and they were not self-imposed. They came from us. So how is that even possible? Here's a simple example.
Mark 6:1-6(NKJV) - Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
Nothing brings the power of God to a screeching halt like unbelief. Jesus had a coming home party that didn't quite turn out the way it was supposed to. After revolutionizing the lives of people in other areas He decided to return to his own country and minister there. With that visit, they would get the opportunity to also benefit from His anointing. However, there was just one minor issue. They didn't believe. They were so familiar with Jesus that they just could not bring themselves to believe in Him. That totally blew Jesus' mind. The Bible says He marveled because of their unbelief. Instantly, Jesus could not do any mighty works there. He was like Superman in the presence of Kryptonite. They had the power to limit God and they used it.
James 1:5-8(NKJV) - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
If you're going to ask God for something you have to ask in faith. Romans 10:19 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by The Word of God. So, asking in faith is asking based on The Word of God that you heard. If something didn't come from God's mouth you can't have faith in it. Thankfully, 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is God-breathed. So if you need a Word from The Lord upon which to base your faith your first step is to find it in The Bible. Everything in God's Kingdom works by faith. If you don't have faith you can't get anything done. The truth is that you really don't have the ability to stop God's power from existing but unbelief puts a cap on its expression in your life. That's why some people can benefit from the power of God while others don't.
One person can access supernatural healing while another person does not. One person might benefit from supernatural protection while another person does not. Even though God is no respecter of persons He is a respecter of faith. That was demonstrated clearly during the life of Jesus on the earth. When people approached Him in faith for help they received it but when there was no faith He could do nothing to help them. As Apostle James put it, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from The Lord. If you don't believe, don't expect to receive.
Hebrews 11:6(NKJV) - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
One of the easiest ways to please God is to believe Him. Outside of that it's impossible to please Him. He doesn't need anything from us but He desires that we believe Him. It really matters to Him. When He talks He wants to know that His words matter to us. The Bible says in Jeremiah 1:12 (NKJV); "Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” When God says something He backs it up. It's not our job to figure out how He will do what He has said we just have to believe Him. If we do our part He will do His part.
Isaiah 55:10-11(KJV) - For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Have you ever heard someone say something like; "I know that's what The Bible says but that doesn't mean God's really going to do that? Let's be realistic here." Why not? He said He would do it so who says He can't? Why do we allow our lack of faith to cause us to rewrite the scriptures and edit out the parts we struggle to believe? Yes, we agree that God can save us and give us eternal life but why can't He heal us too? Why can't He provide all of our needs? Why can't He answer our other prayers that line up with the scriptures? We don't question that He answers our salvation prayer but what about the others? How can we be so sure about salvation? Where do we get our confidence? The Bible! Aren't all of God's other promises in The Bible also? Why is it easy to believe one promise that's supposed to last for eternity but difficult to believe others that are for our short time on the earth? It's time to take the limits off of God.
Mark 9:23(KJV) - Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Impossible is nothing for someone who believes. Our faith opens the door wide to the supernatural power of God. I've received some wild promises from God that are beyond human explanation and you know what? I BELIEVE! He is God! This universe is nothing but a Word in His mouth. He can do anything. In fact, if He says something, the moment the words leave His mouth it's already done. My faith is the key that opens the portal which acts as a conduit to bring what's been done in the spirit into the natural. I'm not making anything happen with my faith.
God's Word makes things happen. My faith just ensures that I see what's already happened manifest in my life. It works for me and can work for you too. If you can believe, all things are possible for you. Don't worry about how God will do anything He promised. How did He create the universe? Do you know? No you don't but you know He did it. How He does what He does doesn't matter. We just need Him to do it. I'm ready to believe God. Are you? That's all He wants from His people. He's not asking us for much. He just wants us to believe His Word and act on what we believe. Don't limit God! Only believe! He's ready to move so let's get out of His way so He can do what He does best.
Mark 5:36(KJV) - As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.