Tuesday, March 7, 2017

THE POWER OF FAITH

THE POWER OF FAITH
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Mark 11: 20-24
King James Version (KJV)

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith 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 ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.



Taking Authority and Victorious Warfare.  FAITH’S WARFARE. 

Our Savior’s action in cursing the fig tree indicates a passion in prayer and faith that we need to learn.  When the disciples later noticed with surprise that the tree had withered completely (v. 20), Jesus responded with a sharp command, “Have faith in God.” Then, calling His followers to “speak to mountains,” He led them to prepare for situation in which they would find it necessary to take direct authority in the spiritual realm to impact things in the natural realm.  (Rev. 12:7-11/Num.10:1-10)
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.


KINGDOM DYNAMICS
Jesus on “Faith’s Confession.”


FAITH’S CONFESSION.

From Jesus’ own lips we receive the most direct and practical instruction concerning our exercise of faith.  Consider three points:

1)   It is to be in ″God.″ Faith that speaks is first faith that seeks.  The Almighty One is the Source and Grounds of our faith and being.  Faith only flows to Him because of the faithfulness that flows from Him.
2)   Faith is not a trick performed with our lips, but a spoken expression that springs from the conviction of our hearts.  The idea that faith’s confession is a ″formula″ for getting things from God is unbiblical.  But the fact that the faith in our heart is to be spoken, and thereby becomes active and effective toward specific results, is taught here by the Lord Jesus.
3)   Jesus’ words ″whatever things″ apply this principle to every aspect of our lives.  The only restrictions are (a) that our faith be ″in God″ our living Father and in alignment with His will and word: and (b) that we ″believe″ - not doubting in our hearts.  Thus, ″say unto this mountain″ is not a vain or superstitious exercise or indulgence in humanistic mind-science, but instead becomes an applied release of God’s creative word of promise.


Our Faith in God Is the Key to Our Receiving
SEED FAITH

Believing can take opposite forms.  It can be faith or it can be doubt.  When we believe that God exists and that He loves us and wants to meet our needs, then our believing creates faith in our heart.

On the other hand, doubt is just as real.  The reverse of faith, doubt tells us that God does not exist or that He is unloving and uncaring about our needs.  Doubt gives rise to fear, which brings torment, not peace.  Fear actually keeps  one from receiving t he good things God desires to send our way.  Capture this truth: Doubt and do without; with faith believe, and receive. 
EXPECT A MIRACLE!″
Expectancy opens our lives to God and puts us in a position to receive salvation, joy, health, financial supply, or peace of mind-everything good our heart longs for, and more!



D
ear Friends, The positive lesson to be learned from the cursing of fig tree is the power of believing prayer.  A mountain is symbolic of an obstacle, hindrance, or insurmountable problem.  Faith is the key that releases the resources of heaven into our situation (v.24).


Janet Irene Thomas
Director, Playwright, Gospel Lyricist, Screenwriter
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of Fine & Performing Arts



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