Don’t get me wrong, a healthy what if person helps the team along the planning process to be prepared for anything that could happen but in positive ways that helps the team to have a back up plan or at least, be flexible for when we might not be leaning our ladder on the right wall…for we are human. When it comes to agreement on mission, focus and purpose, however, the “plan” is to focus fully on the Lord, God of Heaven and earth and go with the unforced rhythm of his mercy and grace with complete faith that God knows what He is doing. In this case, WE get out of the way and let God…this is being flexible and bendable to go with expectant faith in the One who can do ANYTHING! This is disturbing to what if people. What if people have a faith issue that needs to be addressed. Jesus addresses that for us today.

“Jesus said, IF? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen. No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, ‘Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!'”

Here’s the rest of the lesson…
Mark 9, The Message
There Are No Ifs
14-16 When they came back down the mountain to the other disciples, they saw a huge crowd around them, and the religion scholars cross-examining them. As soon as the people in the crowd saw Jesus, admiring excitement stirred them. They ran and greeted him. He asked, “What’s going on? What’s all the commotion?”

17-18 A man out of the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless by a demon, to you. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and goes stiff as a board. I told your disciples, hoping they could deliver him, but they couldn’t.”

19-20 Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the boy here.” They brought him. When the demon saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a seizure, causing him to writhe on the ground and foam at the mouth.

21-22 He asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going on?”

“Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!”

23 Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.”

24 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!”

25-27 Seeing that the crowd was forming fast, Jesus gave the vile spirit its marching orders: “Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you—Out of him, and stay out!” Screaming, and with much thrashing about, it left. The boy was pale as a corpse, so people started saying, “He’s dead.” But Jesus, taking his hand, raised him. The boy stood up.

28 After arriving back home, his disciples cornered Jesus and asked, “Why couldn’t we throw the demon out?”

29 He answered, “There is no way to get rid of this kind of demon except by prayer.”

PRAYER is at the beginning of it all. Prayer, asking for God’s marching orders for each day is vital to knowing the direction He wants us to take. Consistent communication with the Lord of lords and King of kings, keeps doubts down and gives a laser focus on God and what He wants us to do. Praying expectantly gives us the hope to keep moving forward, no matter what. Prayer is the calming agent in last minute details that can build the team. Without prayer is without Him! Missions are easily dismantled and sometimes destroyed because of doubts that God will do what He says He will do. With prayers of faith everything is possible as it aligns with God’s will.

Dear Heavenly Father, We believe. Help us with our doubts! Make Your desires for us be ours. It’s simple, really. I believe.
In Jesus Name, Amen