Faith

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Mark 11:22-26, “And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God.
23-For verily, I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall ‘have’ whatsoever he saith.
24-Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall ‘have’ them.
25-And when you stand praying, forgive if you have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26-But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

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THE GOD KIND OF FAITH:
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The Greek rendering of Mark 11:22 is more correct when it says, “Have the God kind of faith.” We know from Romans 12:3 that God has “dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Therefore, when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a “seed” of God’s faith is imparted into our spirits. Up until then, we operated in a natural faith which can have results but at best is limited. When we’re re-connected to God, the Father through the new birth, we begin operating in a faith that is supernatural and limitless. A faith just like God’s faith that calls those things that be not as though they already are (Rom.4:17).

This is what Jesus did when He cursed the fig tree in front of the disciples on His way to Jerusalem. As soon as Jesus spoke to the tree, He ‘had’ what He said. When did He have it? Right then, the moment the words were spoken out of His mouth. How could that be when the tree looked just the same after Jesus spoke, as it did before He spoke to it. Things were working supernaturally in a realm that they couldn’t see, but nevertheless, Jesus ‘had’ what He said right then. They saw the evidence of it for themselves the next day as they left Jerusalem and came by the tree that was now withered up and dead. It had died inward from the roots first before they saw the outward results. Jesus always goes for the ‘heart’ of the matter in whatever He does or says.

There are other meanings to get out of this particular passage of Scripture in Mark chapter eleven but the thing I want to bring out here is how Jesus used the tree as an object lesson in faith. How He demonstrated faith for His disciples (and us) who were being required to walk in it as well, calling forth those things that be not as though they were. He told them that they had the faith to do the same thing He did if they would simply believe it and put it into action. God hasn‘t changed and we‘re still required today to walk in the God kind of faith as Jesus did.

Based on Mark 11:22-24, we ‘have’ what we say the moment we speak it forth, whether we’ve spoken forth words of faith or words of unbelief. But if we won’t doubt and speak forth unbelief just because we don’t see immediate change, we will see the manifestation of our words of faith. Don’t forget that you will also see the manifestation of your words of fear and unbelief you‘ve spoken forth into your life and in some particular situation. You’re either going to speak one of two things--faith based on God’s Word or unbelief based on fear.

Fear motivates satan to move on your behalf to bring to pass your words, just as faith motivates God to move on your behalf to bring your faith words to pass for good. Our words and actions of faith pleases God, our heavenly Father (Heb.11:6). Our words of fear and unbelief pleases satan because it gives him a legal opening to come in and do harm to us and our families in some way or another. If we will shut our mouths from speaking forth fear and unbelief, we will shut the door on satan and his demons being able to interfere and bring harm. Satan moves by the words we speak in fear, just as God moves by the words we speak in faith.

Gal.6:7 says, we will “reap what we sow.” How do we sow? We sow with “words” of faith or “words” of fear and unbelief, releasing it into the atmosphere. Mark 4:14 says, “the sower sowed the word.” Again, Jesus was teaching the disciples that the Kingdom of God is likened unto a farmer who goes out to sow seed for a good harvest. So, like the farmer, if we sow words of faith, having the God kind of supernatural faith in operation, then we can expect a good harvest. Proverbs 18:21 says, the “power of life and death is in the tongue...” Duet.30:19, God said, “I’m setting before you this day life and blessing, death and cursing, choose life that it may go well with you, AND your seed.”

Is what we SAY that important? This planet is a “word” planet. Everything about it is governed by words if you just take a few moments to think about it. The very fact that God created the whole universe and everything in it by His “words” of faith. “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Read Genesis 1 & 2 and count the many times in creation where it records, “And God SAID---and God SAID---and God SAID. Anytime God repeats a thing more than once, we need to pay attention and find out what He’s trying to get across to us. We can be assured that it‘s something important.

In the beginning, as we know it, God Himself set the pattern and showed us exactly how to release our faith by the words we speak and thereby, create. Everything on the planet was created by words and the release of God’s faith. Since this is true and we’re created in God’s image and made in His likeness, then we too have the same creative power with words that God does. That means, we can either create, by our words of faith or by our words of fear and belief, situations in our lives that will either bring life and blessing or death and cursing.

Yes, I’ve repeated myself in a few things that I believe are important to get hold of, and I’m even going to say one more time, this whole planet is governed by ‘words.’ So, remember that the kind of words you speak is very important because regardless of whether you’re using words of faith, or words of fear and unbelief, you are creating. You’re either creating situations in your life and your families with words of life and blessing or death and cursing. With either one, you HAVE what you say (Mark 11:23). When? Right now! Therefore, I think it would be wise to take a few minutes and think about what you are SAYING, pertaining to yourself, your family and every aspect of your life. Are you speaking faith words that are in line with God’s Word? Or, are you speaking fear and unbelief that satan whispers in your ear?

Example:
First Person---“Well, it’s getting close to fall season. Guess I’d better get ready because as soon as the flu comes around, I always get it. It never fails.”(I know some people who have actually said this).

Second Person---“You certainly are right about that. With me, it just seems like I can’t win for losing in this either,” Neither person has spoken an ounce of faith, natural or supernatural. They have spoken perverted faith in the form of fear and unbelief.

Matthew 18:19, “Again, I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.”

Hebrews 11:1 says, “NOW faith is the substance of things hoped (intense, earnest expectation) for and the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is NOW! Faith creates NOW! You ‘have’ what you say right now, even if you don‘t see the manifestation yet. Just hold on, it will come. Jesus promised in Matt.18:19 that if you set yourself in agreement with someone, He said, its going to come to pass. It’s a fixed law of God that works for the Just and the unjust, the same as gravity does. The same as the rain does that falls from heaven to water the earth.

Whatever the agreement you make with another person, whether you or they are saved or unsaved, you’re going to receive the manifestation of that agreement. By the statements these two persons in the example made, each one opened wide the door and said, “Hello flu, come right on in. I’ve been EXPECTING you. Make yourself at home.” And guess what? It will. Instead of putting your faith in the flu, or some other thing the devil is trying to pawn off on you, what would happen if you did an about face in faith?

What would happen when Mr. Flu came knocking at your door and you said, “No! You’re not putting flu on me or my family this time devil! The blood covers us and we are healed by the stripes of Jesus. So, take your flu and leave in Jesus name!”

What you SAID with faith words like God, the door to the devil and his bag of junk stayed shut. Therefore, he would have no other choice but to leave. No doubt he would come and try knocking on your door again with flu symptoms to see if you were really serious about the “no” you said before. And no matter how bothersome that would be, now is not the time to SAY out of your mouth, “I guess it’s just not working.” Just because the devil is checking you out to see if you will stand firm or give in like always before so he can keep you sickly all winter, its not time to weaken. It’s stand to stand strong in the power of the Holy Spirit and hold your ground against the devil trespassing on it. Those words of fear and unbelief, “it’s not working” would open the door for him to come in again.

Eph.6:13-14 says, Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand,
14-Stand therefore, having your loins girt (girded) about you with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”

You might wonder how long will you have to stand? You stand as long as it takes for the devil to get it straight that you’re not backing off your faith-stand against sickness one inch. If anybody has to move, it will be him! Therefore, say unto that “mountain” of sickness; be removed from me and my family in Jesus name! Praise God and thank Him for the mountain being moved regardless of whether you see immediate manifestation right away. Remember the example Jesus did for the disciples and for us of the fig tree.

I want to encourage you today to think about what things you’ve been saying in fear and unbelief that won’t be bringing in a good harvest of life and blessing for you and your family. If you‘ve been going around planting the wrong kind of “seed,” now would be a real good time to repent and declare “crop failure!” Then, dig up those bad seeds and plant anew with words (seeds) of faith, based on God’s word for a bountiful harvest of heath, good relationships, financial increase, business, peace, etc. You have the God kind of faith, so put it into practice and pretty soon, it will become a good habit. Using the God kind of faith that is mountain moving faith will become as natural to you as breathing.

To operate in the “God kind of faith” you have to push fear out the door and not tolerate it for one second. Fear to faith is like throwing cold water on a hot fire. To tolerate fear is in fact to tolerate the devil because we’ve not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind (II Tim.1:7). The Lord says, “Don’t tolerate the devil. Put him in his place,” He says, “Just as I did. I didn‘t tolerate the devil.” How did Jesus put the devil in his place? By using the Sword of the Spirit, the word of God and saying, “It is written...” 1 John 4:18 says, “Perfected love (the love of God in us) casts out fear...” The more we have of God’s love filling us, Love will rise up and boot fear right on out the door of our hearts and lives. But don’t wait to get to that place of perfected (mature) love, operate in it now and by the grace of God, you will grow more and more in it.

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SETTING YOUR EXPECTATION:
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In studying on the subject of faith one day, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and He said, “When you pray, expect the results NOW!” Mark 11:24 was quickened to me. It made sense to me. Why bother praying if we’re not expecting to receive an answer? If we’re not “expecting” to see the results (manifestation) of what we’re sticking our faith out there to believe for? Remember, Heb.11:1 says, “NOW faith is...” So, what do we need to do if we want to see the “results” of what we’re praying and believing for?

We’re going to have to make a quality “decision” to change three areas if they have been somewhat out of balance and not controlled by the Holy Spirit.

1-Our thoughts (what do you spend your time thinking about?)
2-Our speech (what are you saying?)
3-Our actions (are they in faith and obedience?)

If we’ve made the quality decision, then next we’re going to need to exercise “discipline” if our flesh has been used to ruling instead of our spirit. And the first thing we want to do is to get into God’s Word on a daily basis so that we can grow in spiritual strength, which is faith
(Romans.10:17). No word = no faith = no fruit. We want this equation to be, a lot of word = a lot of faith = a lot of abundant fruit. To get here takes being diligent. Reading and meditating on the word, letting it dwell richly in us in all wisdom. Amen!

We want to become so full of God’s Word and become strong in faith so we’re able to believe and EXPECT answers and manifestations of the seemingly impossible into our lives. At the same time we’re beginning to eat the word regularly, we want to begin taking control over our thought-life. I’ve had people tell me that I’ve counseled with that they just couldn’t control their thoughts. This is a lie of the enemy because he can only do what we allow him to do. He can’t force any child of Almighty God to think any kind of thought that we “choose” not to. That we “choose” to cast down and resist. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and we’ve been given this kind of control in order to rule, as a spirit being, over our soul and body.

Thoughts that are ungodly, over a period of time can become a stronghold in a person’s mind, but even at that, you’re still going to have to make a choice of whether you want to be free of the stronghold or remain in bondage to it. II Cor.10:5 says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high think that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every “thought” to the obedience of Christ (the Anointed One & His Anointing).” The burdens of satan are removed and his yokes of bondage are DESTROYED by the ANOINTING (Isaiah 10:27).

So, when you have a thought that does not line up with what Phil.4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things,” then you need to capture those thoughts and allow the Anointing to destroy them. Then, repent and think on things that are praise worthy and good. Think on things that are faith-filled. Let your thoughts be of God’s goodness and all He’s done for you. Yes, we can choose to control our thoughts and not let them wander wherever they want to. It’s a choice that God gives each of us and only we can make. Think about this, not only do our words resound in heaven but our thoughts are heard in heaven by the ears of God as well. That's a sobering thought isn’t it?

Plain As Day Ministries

Shirley Williams
8-9-04

(to be continued)

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