Edition 6 of the NO ANSWER Study

Thursday, November 10th

Edition 6 of the NO ANSWER Study

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,… nothing will be impossible for you.”

Questions that come to my mind are this (possible answers I have found below them):

• How long should I pray?

1) Continually.

• How should I pray?

1) I should pray with action.
2) As many times as it takes to be content in MY heart.
3) Silently or by speaking is irrelevant, it’s the attitude of the heart.

• How long should I fast?




• What accounts for a “mustard seed” of faith?

1) We have seen that a mustard seed is a very small thing. It takes very little faith to do the impossible.
2) The mustard seed would need to grow, so this is a growing faith. This faith is, in a sense, to be harvested, or as I see it, to become useful.
3) I should test my faith.

In regards to silent prayer (last time I address this issue? I hope so.):
Dogmatic (adj.):

1. Relating to, characteristic of, or resulting from dogma.




2. Characterized by an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or un-provable principles.




3. Characterized by arrogant assertion of unproved or un-provable principles.

Hebrews 5:7
7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Reverent (adj.):

1. Feeling or showing profound respect or veneration.

Matthew 6:5-7
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

(Notes from a friend): In context, this is in correction of those who pray out loud to be heard by men, and it does no more to restrict us to silent prayer than the other passages restrict us to audible. However, to address God not "hopping" inside our head (and why couldn't he--if our thoughts can be detestable to God, that means he knows what they are), it's interesting that Mt 6:6 says "your Father who sees in secret". The Greek for this, blepo, per the dictionary, can mean not only "to see" in the literal sense but also "to discern mentally", "to see with the mind's eye", or "to have (the power of) understanding". He "sees" our prayer, or "mentally understands" our prayer rather than "hears" (Gk akouo, to hear, which can also mean to understand aurally). The use of blepo rather than akouo would make sense if the prayer referred to were silent.

1 Chronicles 28:9
9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

Note: So, I was wrong. God knows our thoughts. And this puts me back to square one on this study. Not a bad thing, but it can be a bit frustrating at times. Even though he knows my thoughts and definitely my actions, he still gives me free-will. Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. And in accordance to this, I did a bit of a study last night, which ties into this study that I am doing right now. It’s amazing how everything ties together.

John the Baptist:
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Note: John was to prepare the way for Jesus and was one of the first to proclaim him as Christ. But, check this out:

Matthew 11:2-3
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

Note: John the Baptist doubts. He’s in prison, day in and day out, he can do nothing and it seeps in. I would be a liar to say that this study has raised doubts in my heart. I’m bi-polar and have had a rough time lately. I don’t just see myself like that moon, but really everyone. We all wax and wan throughout our life. In all aspects, job, marriage, faith, and the list can go on. Some days, I am more full of zeal than others. Peter was all fired up to be with Christ and then denied him three times before repenting. John was encouraged by Jesus while in prison and doubt left him. Elijah fled for his life after an amazing victory before God comforted him.

1 Corinthians 14:36-38
36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

Note: I am grateful that the word did not originate in me. One last scripture,

Psalm 119:137-140
137 Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. 138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. 139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

Note: Zeal comes and goes (hand in hand with stamina, I guess), but God’s promises have already been tested. The answers are here, I just have to look for them. I love you all, have a great Veteran’s Day and Remembrance Day tomorrow.