There are two things that made Jesus marvel. Let’s see what they are.

     Mark 6:1-6 reads, “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he MARVELLED because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

Jude 1:3 reads, “...it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith….” In telling us to “earnestly contend for the faith,” that lets us know that there are enemies to faith that will try to rob us of our faith – fear, doubt, unbelief, false doctrine, etc.

     How active are these words that surround faith – earnestly – contend. These are not passive words. “Earnestly” speaks of our interest level. How interested are we? It takes real interest to press past opposition and to see a thing through to the end. Without being interested, people won’t continue – they’ll give up. “Contend” shows us that there will be opposition. Faith has to be CONTENDED for. The deeper things of God don’t come to the casual observer; they have to be contended for, believed for, and pressed into.

“Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and THROUGH THE LENGTH OF MY DAYS the house of the Lord [and HIS PRESENCE] SHALL BE MY DWELLING PLACE” (Ps. 23:6, AMPC).

     Every believer is “in the Presence of God” in the sense that the Greater One is within – He’s in us through His Spirit. But we are to learn to live mindful of Him Who is within. It makes all the difference in life when our attention is fixed on the One within. We rob ourselves of the highest flow when we don’t give proper attention to Him Who