Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Increasing People's Faith - Pushing People to Understand What More They Can Do

Jesus was also a great leader. A great leader helps people to understand what they can accomplish and helps them believe that greater things are possible than they currently realize. He spent a lot of time teaching his disciples. At times, he also let them know how much more they were capable of.

At the end of his life there's one clear example of this. Jesus made a fig tree wither away, and the disciples were amazed at his power. He let them know that they could do more impressive things than that. Here's the account in Matthew 21:

17 ¶And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree ain the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let nobfruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And cpresently the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have afaith, and bdoubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this cmountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all athings, whatsoever ye shall bask in cprayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Finding ways to let people know how much they can accomplish is critical. Jesus let his disciples know what more they could do. Matthew likely included this because it helped him understand what more he would do with his faith in the Savior.

As an aside, the biggest mountains I've seen moved are the mountainous bad habits and hard feelings I've seen people have that have been melted away through coming to the Savior.

Have a great day.

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