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believe

Breaking Discouragement

by GOD TV June 17, 2022

written by GOD TV

Deuteronomy 1:21 says this, “See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it, as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” This is a word from God, encouraging His people so that they would actually go and take possession of what was promised to them.

The two things that He warned them of that would cause them to stay back instead of moving ahead, were fear and discouragement. And today I want to give you three quick keys to help you overcome fear and discouragement in your life, so that you possess all that God has for you. The first thing I want to say before any key is that, I believe that discouragement of fear are opportunities rather than setbacks. You have an opportunity right now, if you’re facing these things, to grow in courage and to grow in boldness. That is exciting. I would encourage you to smile and even laugh and jump up and down, because you are about to grow.

The first key I want to give you is, to take a risk. Go and take a risk today. Often when I am riddled and locked up with fear and discouragement, I will make myself go and share the gospel, pray for the sick, and do something outside of my comfort zone, so that I step into God’s comfort zone, which is where the believer was always meant to live. So take a risk today. Do something that gets you out of your head and into your heart.

The second thing is, I want to encourage you to focus on what’s ahead instead of what’s behind. Discouragement and fear are locked up in what our past experience was, while courage and boldness are focused on what God has promised. And this is true in the story of the Israelites. Joshua and Caleb were compelled to go, because they didn’t give in to discouragement and fear.

And the third key I want to give you is, don’t wait for the right feeling. Believe the right belief. So many people are locked up in discouragement and fear because of what they are feeling. They’re so focused on their feelings that they, “I feel discouragement so close to me, I feel so afraid,” that it’s transformed their beliefs to serve those things instead of transform those things.

So here’s what I want to challenge you to do today. Change your belief instead of trying to change what you feel, because when you change what you believe, your feelings will always follow. So to wrap up those three keys, to overcome discouragement and fear, take a risk, focus on what’s ahead instead of what’s behind, and don’t focus on changing how you feel, focus on changing what you believe. God bless you.

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Be Not Afraid, Only Believe

by Seun Odumbo May 9, 2022

written by Seun Odumbo

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe (Mark 5:36)

We are not to live in fear or be afraid in any situation or circumstances, and this is why God did not give us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (see 2 Timothy 1:7).

God did not give us the spirit of fear because fear has torment, but God is love. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love”

In John 10:10, Jesus revealed what the devil (the thief) comes to do: “The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” One of the devil’s destructive weapons is fear, to torment and victimize the children of God. When he attacks with fear, the person will be tormented to the extent of forgetting who they are in the Lord and the powerful weapon of our warfare (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). So, once the devil sees that you are afraid, he will ensure that the very thing you are afraid of finally comes upon you. And once you choose to be afraid, you have surrendered all to the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy. What Job was afraid of finally came upon him. See Job 3:25-26.

John 10:10B declares what Jesus came to do for us, which He finished on the cross “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” So when you believe what Jesus did for us and what He said in Mark 5:36, it means you surrender to Him, and He will keep His side of the partnership. He will also ensure that what you believe Him for (could be healing, direction, strength) finally come to manifestation in your life. He is not a man that He should lie, see Number 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hebrews 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

Jesus said to Jairus in Mark chapter 5:36 not to be afraid but to only believe. Even though Jairus’s daughter was lying down dead, he chose to believe that Jesus could raise her from death, and Jesus did, see Mark 5:36-43.

What is your situation right now that makes you afraid? No matter how hopeless it might look to you, Jesus can still change things. You only need to believe. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

It is your choice to believe or to be afraid. Look at it this way, don’t you think you can use the same strength invested in fear to believe rather than be afraid?

The short video below will take you into prayer against fear and be strong and believe. I pray the video will bless you in Jesus’ name.

Seun Odumbo::Be Not Afraid, Only Believe

Watch this video on YouTube

Believe The Lord And You Shall Be Established…

by Seun Odumbo December 7, 2020

written by Seun Odumbo

In 2 Chronicles Chapter 20, the Moabites, the Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came against Jehoshaphat, Judah’s king. Jehoshaphat believes in the Lord, and he seeks the face of the Lord with the people of Judah, and God spoke through His prophet Jahaziel (son of Zechariah). Verse 14-15 says, “Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.'” All we must do is believe the Lord.

The prophet further said to them in verse 17, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” (also see Exodus 14:13). Jehoshaphat believed the word of the prophet (Jahaziel) spoke as led by the Spirit of God, and Jehoshaphat was at peace, and so his people.

Believe The Lord, The Battle Is His

In verse 20, Jehoshaphat stood before the people and said, “believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established, believe His prophets, so shall you prosper.” The people agreed with Jehoshaphat, and they all began to praise God. They were at peace and able to sing praises unto God instead of running helter-skelter only because they believed the battle is not theirs but the Lord’s.

If Jehoshaphat had reacted to the enemy’s invasion with fear, he would not have even probably remembered to consult the Lord. But instead of been fearful, he chose to have faith in God, and a word came from the prophet to him, “the battle is not yours but the Lord’s.” So, fear is a reaction, and faith is a decision. What are your choices based upon in times of challenges, faith, or fear? Our victory in all circumstances is anchor to our faith in God, without faith it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6).

The Widow’s Olive Oil

One of the wives of the sons of prophets cried to Elisha that her late husband’s creditor is coming to take her two sons for slaves because she doesn’t have anything to pay the debt. The prophet asked her what she has in her house, and she replied, nothing but a jar of olive oil. Why did the prophet ask what she has in the house? Because the solution is within, and so are you, the King of kings’ dead raising power lives inside you – the Holy Ghost.

The prophet replied with specific instructions. 1) Go and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. It doesn’t matter whether your neighbors like you or not. Ask all of them and don’t be afraid to ask. 2) Don’t ask for just a few: that is. She should collect as many as possible. “Ask, and it will be given” to you 3) Then go inside and shut your door behind you and your sons, why? The solution is in the secret place of the Lord ). Pour oil into all jars and fill each of the jars: that is, make full use of God’s given potentials and do not underestimate the mighty power of God (See 2 Kings 4:1-7).

Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7)

Believe The Lord & Receive

The widow believed the prophet’s word, she did as instructed, and she was able to pay the debt and prospered. But note, the oil only stopped when they had no more jar to pour the oil. You can only receive from the Lord according to your ability. Remember, the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (see Romans 8:11).

Your challenge might be different from this widow, but the answer to all desires remains the same. Spiritual growth, grace to work with Christ daily in truth, health, finance, family, marriage, career, promotion, peace, joy, etc. are all in one source. The Word of God the power of God. You only need to do what the widow did, she believes in the Lord, and she was established; she believed His prophet, and she prospered (See Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Thessalonian 5:24).

2020 has been a challenging year, But I pray that 2020 shall end in praise for you and your family. In Jesus’ mighty name.

December 7, 2020 0 comment

Articles

Believe: How To Have Faith In What We Cannot See!

by Nina Keegan March 31, 2020

written by Nina Keegan

Matthew 13:58 says, “And so Jesus did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.” Do you believe? We all know the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead… But, as I was reading the story again ..in John 11, I became aware that in the supernatural, there definitely is an order to things. Jesus did receive word that Lazarus, his good friend, was very ill… yet, Jesus chose to not immediately go to his friend’s side, He waited a couple more days. Note that Jesus’s timing is not our timing. We are always in a hurry, we want God to answer our prayers expeditiously and logically. We want Jesus to do things according to our logical, natural, inside the box, thinking. But in all things, God will be glorified! His ways are so much higher than our ways. There are reasons for things we simply will not understand but are called to believe, and have faith that God knows things we do not!

Take Away The Stone

When Jesus came to the area where His good friends Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus were, He was deeply troubled by their sadness, Jesus wept. They could not foresee or supernaturally understand what was about to happen… They were looking at the situation logically, in the natural… Their brother was dead, and Jesus was too late to do anything about it. The Bible says in John 11:38, That Jesus was groaning in himself as he came to the tomb. He loved these three friends so much… He felt their pain deeply. But, when Jesus said in verse 39, “‘TAKE AWAY THE STONE.’ Martha said,” Lord, by this time there is a stench for he has been dead four days.'”

How many of us miss the “Take away the stone,” moments that Jesus is trying to do in our lives because we cannot logically understand his ways? Jesus himself said to take away the stone and Martha told him it was not a good idea! How many times have we ignored God’s promptings because to us, it makes no sense? Faith, again, is in what we cannot see! Martha was basically telling Jesus, who was about to supernaturally and miraculously raise her brother from the dead, that this was a situation that could not be resurrected, that this was a dead and stinky, situation, and that it was too late…Jesus said, “Did I not say to you that if you would BELIEVE you would SEE the glory of God?”

Believe Then See

Did you notice the order in the scripture? We need to believe first then we will see! What will we see? The glory of God! This means we will see things that will be outside the natural realm of possibility, we will see miracles, we will see the supernatural. While Jesus was talking to Martha, at the exact same time, the stone was being rolled away by the others that were there…

It says in verse 41, “THEN they took the stone away…” So right in the midst of her unbelief, Jesus had sent others to work on her behalf… God sends us all the help we need to help roll the stones away from our lives. What happens next is amazing Jesus THANKS his own Father…Jesus could only do what his Father in heaven allowed him to do and in verse 42, Jesus says, “Thank you that you have heard me, and I know that you always hear me.”

It’s All For God’s Glory

THEN, after giving thanks to his Father, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth!” Verse 44, it goes on to say that when Lazarus came forth, He was bound hand and foot with grave clothes and his face was completely wrapped… But Jesus again said to the others, “Loose him and let him Go!” Lazarus was resurrected but he was not yet FREE. Jesus invited others to be part of the supernatural miracle…Jesus wants us free indeed. And Jesus does not do anything halfway, not only will we come out of bondage but we will be completely free! There’s no halfway breakthrough with Jesus it’s always so much more than we could ever imagine…We all need others to help us when we are bound…Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Just Believe

It doesn’t matter what we are looking at, it doesn’t matter that our facts are correct…Lazarus was dead, that’s a fact! It only matters that we believe that God can do anything and that his truth can override our emotions, our feelings, and our logic… He’s just asking us to believe and yes, if we believe, we will see the glory of God!

Too many of us are praying and praising the Lord but we’re not touching the stone! Let’s not miss our miracle because of unbelief or because we cannot logically see an answer. Let’s ask Jesus to send the help we need to get our stones rolling, let’s let faith activate what needs to be resurrected in our lives… it’s time to be free and unbound! ROLL THE STONE AWAY! It’s time to stop delaying God’s power!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 says, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says,“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

March 31, 2020 0 comment

Articles Faith

Your Promise Shall Live, God Is Here

by Margaret Green January 20, 2020

written by Margaret Green

God’s promise will come to pass.

Mark 9:17-24 reads, “Then one of the crowds answered and said, ‘Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples that they should cast it out, but they could not.’ Immediately the father of the child with tears cried out, ‘Lord, I believe, but help mine unbelief.'”

Claiming it, but not Seeing it

We have entered into the decade of the mouth, and you are saying to yourself, “What God revealed, I must speak, and what I speak concerning the will of God will come to pass.” And we have progressed into the New Year, but what God said concerning your life is already being attacked, and the situation is looking dead. Now what?

Desperately Seeking Answers

Let’s set the scene. Here you have a father and mother happily blessed with this beautiful child. Imagine the excitement of the blessing. Excited to plan the baby shower, gender reveal parties, and then the hardness of the labor and feeling a final sigh of relief because he or she, has finally made it to the world. The boy probably looked just like the father, had his features, but then something happened. The boy became possessed with a devil that closed his ears and his mouth.

The Enemy Silenced My Promise

The enemy silenced one of the most potent weapons the boy possessed. The Bible says the power of life and death is in the tongue (see Proverbs 18 and 21). So nothing went in, and nothing came out. Isn’t it like some of us too? We are excited about what God has given us or even shown us. And boom. It undergoes a demonic attack and stops speaking.

The Bible says to write the vision, make it understandable. It shall speak and not faint though the vision it’s only for a while; it shall speak and not lie (see Habakkuk 2:2-3). We must understand that if the vision can talk, it can be silenced by an invasion of the enemy. There are promises, God gave you but seemingly there has been no traction or action in that area. And what you been praying for has gone silent.

The father stayed with the blessing. He did not let it go, or give up asking. He said, “Lord, I believe but help my unbelief.” Jesus asked the man, how long has he been like this? And the man answered since he was a child. Jesus understood that anything our Father in Heaven gives; it’s considered good. Jesus knew that our Father in Heaven did not curse the blessing; something happened along the way.

The Bible said that the spirit threw his son in the fire and into the water, trying to kill him. These are known as failed attempts. The Enemy tried to kill, the man’s promise. But the enemy can’t kill what God has ordained to live!

The Bystanders

Have you ever heard someone say, “Girrrrrrl or Mannnn that situation is dead? You might as well do something else.” They make an evaluation based on what they see and not what the Lord has determined.

I love how Jesus waited until an audience was present. I am reminded of the Bible verse, “preparest a table in the presence of thine enemies.” (Psalm 23:5)

Situations will arise in our lives. We must believe that Jesus has already visited them. To the bystander, and those on the outside looking in, it will appear dead.

But let me encourage you. The Bible says, “Jesus took him by the hand lifted him, and he arose.” Where the spirit of the Lord is life is present (see 2 Corinthians 3:17). So it may look dead and appear as if there is no hope, but be encouraged, Jesus is present and already working it out!

Promise: Final Words

God is already in the situation! The Lord revealed that sometimes the promise, and the prophetic word, undergo an attack and will seem to stop talking and responding to you even though you’ve been decreeing, and declaring it, and seeking manifestation. The Lord said IT’S NOT DEAD; it only rested for an appointed time. It’s about to SUDDENLY AND DRASTICALLY RISE! This is the decade of the mouth and what God has shown you, and what you have decreed and declared concerning the promise will surely come to pass!

Connect with Margaret Green on FB @ Prophetess Margaret Green “I Am Kingdom Created” and IG @prophetessmargaretgreen

January 20, 2020 0 comment

Articles

Jeremy Camp Tells His Story: I Still Believe

by Emily Wheelock September 21, 2019

written by Emily Wheelock

Inspired by a true story, Lionsgate, I Still Believe follows the life of a 20-year-old Jeremy Camp and his first wife, Melissa Henning-Camp. The film features country star Shania Twain and Gary Sinise who will play the parents of Jeremy Camp.

The film tells the story of Camp’s journey through love and loss. The movie is centered around the discovery of Melissa’s cancer and the love story between Jeremy and Melissa. It also provides a message of hope implying that no matter the heartache, no matter what you are going through, there is something more and greater than this.

I Still Believe is set to be released in March of 2020 and is the latest faith-based film to be released. The faith-based film genre is growing every year and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

Lead actor, KJ Apa said he was “terrified” to sing Camps song in the movie saying,”I’m super uncomfortable when I sing,” he admits. “I went into the studio in Nashville and I think that really gave me perspective on the film. Luckily, it couldn’t have gone better. I think people are going to love it.” He also said he was “drawn” to the movie through the love story between Jeremy and Melissa. Apa told PEOPLE, “Their love is seriously put to the test in this movie. I hope after seeing the love between Jeremy and Melissa the audience can sit there and think, ‘Wow, I hope that I can one day be in love like that.’”

Reflecting on the film

After the box office smash I Can Only Imagine, and the inspirational true story Breakthrough, christian music lovers and those who love true story movies have something new to anticipate. In a Facebook post, Camp said the movie “tells my story and shares what God has done amidst all the hard things I went through. It shows hope in the midst of pain.”

In the trailer, Robertson, as a very frail Melissa, is heard saying, “I keep thinking if one person’s life is changed by what I go through, it will all be worth it.”

Camp testified, in a promotional clip for the film, “It comes out 3/20/20 and what’s amazing about that is that scripture in Ephesians 3:20 says that ‘He’s done exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or even imagine,’ and I’m telling you, He’s done exceedingly, abundantly, above all that I could have asked or even imagined.”

Image Source: Jeremy Camp Music

September 21, 2019 0 comment

Faith

A Simple Guide To Finding Peace In The Middle Of Life’s Storms

by Karen Schatzline July 11, 2019

written by Karen Schatzline

You can find peace!

Have you ever longed for peace? Searched for joy? As I sit here on our balcony, during our family beach vacation, I am mesmerized by the ocean crashing against the shore. I have said on numerous occasions that this is my happy place. As I look across the beautiful methodical movements in this massive body of water, I know that the seas are not always so calm. Storms WILL come and disrupt the peaceful scenery before me.

In the middle of the storm…

My devotions today have taken me to Mark 4:35-5:20, when Jesus and His disciples got in a boat to cross over to the other side of the shore. Once in the boat and on their way, Jesus laid down to rest while a storm arose and began to rock the boat. His disciples became afraid and worried for their safety and their lives.

I have to admit, I find some comfort in knowing I’m not the only one who, on occasion, worries and frets in the midst of the storm. However, this time as I read over this scripture, the response from Jesus, took on a whole new meaning to me, as if the light just came on. It occurred to me that, we as Christians, walk with Jesus on a daily basis. We talk with Him, experience His power and might and love and grace and freedom.

However, when storms come or the boat gets rocked a bit, our first response is to fret and worry and doubt. Jesus was in the boat. Just like the disciples, we immediately move into panic mode as if we have to WAKE Jesus up in our lives in order to be rescued. We proclaim, “Don’t you care if we perish?” All the while Jesus is with us and hasn’t changed.

A lesson in authority

He was showing the disciples that they have been given authority over the storms in their lives.

I love what Jesus did in response to the disciples question. He got up, turned to the storm and rebuked it and said, “Quiet! Be Still!” And it obeyed and calmed. Then, He turned to the disciples and asked, “why are you afraid?” “Do you still have no faith?”. This seems so odd because our natural response is to be afraid in the storm, but Jesus has authority over the storm!

I believe Jesus was showing us something so powerful at that moment. I believe He was showing the disciples that they have been given authority over the storms in their lives. That even in the midst of chaos, turmoil, fear, and disaster, there is a place called peace that we can reside when we understand that Jesus is in our boat.

Storms can be many things

When Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves, there was a bigger picture at play that He wanted the disciples to see. Romans 14:17 reminds us, “The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. So here’s what He did. He declared “peace!” and “calm!” Not only to the wind and waves but across the waters all the way to the shore, where there was a man who was demon possessed and living in utter torment.

A man who had no righteousness, peace or joy. He lived in inner turmoil and chaos day and night. Jesus wanted to demonstrate that His very presence in our lives can bring that order and unity in our lives. The peace that was declared caused a chain reaction to where it demanded a response. Not only did the elements of nature come into submission to the voice of the one who created it, but on the other side of the storm there was freedom in progress.

Our response to the storm will determine what happens on the other side.

Jesus didn’t just rebuke the wind and the waves but rather the outcome of the storm. So many times we get so focused on the storm, we don’t see that there will be an aftermath to that storm. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The very declaration of peace caused the storm in the demon possessed mans life to submit and fall at the feet of Jesus when He arrived on the other side of the storm. Are you seeing this?!

Jesus’ very presence in the storm stirred up the desire for righteousness in that man’s life and as a result he was set free and he was brought into a place of PEACE and JOY. We know this because the Bible says that when the people came out to see what had happened, they saw the man who HAD BEEN demon possessed, sitting there dressed and in his right mind (peace). Then Jesus told the man to go and share what had happen to him with his family so that his family would be restored (Joy).

You can walk in peace

What I have learned is that, while storms are inevitable, and circumstances are at times out of my control, I can walk in peace and joy at all times when I understand true righteousness and faith in Jesus being in my life. The dictionary describes faith as this, “complete trust or confidence in someone or something”.

The question we have to ask ourselves is this, “do we completely trust God in all things?” I know I trust Him when life is going great, or am I really just trusting myself? To fully trust God is to submit and walk in obedience during the great and during the not so great. Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and peace and joy will be your constant companion.

Peace is not an emotion but rather a place in Jesus that our spirits reside.

On the boat with His disciples, Jesus was speaking peace to the very spirit of man. He clarified this again when He said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Our response to fear needs to change, and as a result, the aftermath will be one that brings freedom. We are called to walk in daily peace no matter the circumstances or situation. Peace is not an emotion but rather a place in Jesus that our spirits reside.

Today if you are walking through a storm, then I encourage you to get up and see Jesus in the storm with you and speak God’s truth and His words and declare “Peace!, Be still!” Allow the authority that Christ has given you to defeat the plans of the enemy in your life and cross over to the other side into freedom! Learn how to worship where you should have died to get to the other side!

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” The storm is not the problem. It stirs our faith to then respond and activate our faith and trust in the almighty God to experience peace and joy like we’ve never seen before. What you call a tombstone, God calls a mile marker! Life is a great big adventure with God, embrace the journey!

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July 11, 2019 5 comments

Faith

Believing In The Waiting

by Destiny Image July 6, 2019

written by Destiny Image

One morning, during my prayer time I asked the Lord what He would like to say to me. Immediately He said, “Believe.” My first thought was, “Well, I’m talking to You and praying to You, of course I believe You!” The Holy Spirit then dropped Mark 11 into my heart.

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:22-24)

Wow. This is what He wanted me to read about and believe?

Mark 11:22 says “….Have faith in God.” The word, have, is the word “echo.” It means to have, hold and keep it, take possession of it. It also means if you had it and lost it, recover it. The word, faith, is the word “pistis.” It means trust, reliance, assurance, or conviction.

In other words, verse 22 says, “Grab hold of the assurance and conviction of your faith in God.” Then, in verse 23 the word, say, is the word, “epo.” It means to speak, say, call or command.

Mountain (Greek: oros ) – things reared up, thing that has arisen or a thing that has lifted itself over you.
Remove (Greek: airo) – to be lifted up, suspended or to be put away.
Cast into (Greek: ball) – to be thrown violently, cast out or thrust down in.
Not doubt (Greek: diakrino) – it means judge, discern, pick apart, hesitate, doubt, stagger or waver.
Believe (Greek: pisteuo) – means trust, reliance, assurance, confidence or conviction.

Mountain-sized big

In other words, verse 23 says, “Command the thing that has arisen, the thing that has lifted itself over you to be put away, thrown violently into the sea. And do not hesitate, doubt, stagger or waver, but have trust, reliance, assurance and conviction that those things He says will be done.”

Obviously, God was encouraging me not only to believe, but to believe mountain-sized big.

After our daughter Lily’s surgery, she was promised she would live a fairly normal life. “Fairly normal” is not what God promised. He promised life and life abundantly! Lily’s condition to this day is that she receives a treatment every four hours and she gets extra things added to this treatment each night.

I am still believing for BIG miracles! I have no doubt there will be a day when I can give amazing details of the creative miracle God has done in her. But until then, what do I do while I’m waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled? God told me to believe and part of believing is to wait expectantly.

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (Romans 8:22-25)

Verse 24 uses the word hope. The word, hope, in this text is “elpis.” It means a desire for some future good with the expectation of obtaining it. Biblical hope is looking forward to something with absolute confidence, expecting fulfillment.

Trust and hope

When we’re tempted to be downcast by our circumstances, we can gain Heaven’s perspective by looking up to God and being filled with the kind of hope that can only come from Him. W.E. Vine writes that “It is not merely a trust in God, but it’s a hope that rests upon Him.”

We have a certain hope that rests in God. That even though we don’t yet see what we’re hoping for, we have a certainty and it should prompt a specific attitude and behavior within us. An attitude that says, “I know in Whom I believe and my hope rests in Him.”

It’s this kind of Biblical hope that allows me to say to Lily, “I don’t know when your healing is coming; I just know that it is.” (see Phillipians 1:6) “There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you, would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish.”

Another part of waiting is being willing to persevere. Perseverance in this text means abiding under. It’s a picture of steadfastly and unflinchingly bearing up under a heavy load. It’s a triumphant facing of difficult circumstances knowing that even out of evil, God guarantees good. “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing. So that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

What happens when you believe? The God of hope fills you with joy and He fills you with peace. You may still be waiting for your circumstance to change, for a relationship to be mended, for healing in your or a loved one’s body. Or you may be waiting for a breakthrough in finances or a job situation.

I am continuing to believe for BIG miracles and it’s so easy for doubt to creep in and for human reasoning to get in the way. But God says,Believe.” Speak God’s truth to whatever situation you may be facing. I love that I serve a God who not only encourages me to believe but to believe mountain-sized big!

This teaching is taken from Rachel Shafer’s book “Expect God.” (Foreword by Dutch and Cici Sheets). For further reading and information go to www.rachelshafer.com.

July 6, 2019 0 comment

Faith

Do You Really Believe Everything the Bible Says? Here’s Why You Should…

by Daphne Delay April 13, 2017

written by Daphne Delay

You Actually Believe This Stuff?

A few years ago I was invited to speak at a women’s conference hosted by a church in a retirement community. The first thing I noticed was the average age of the attendees was quite a bit older than the typical women’s conferences I’d been a part of before. And I loved it. I was one of the youngest there and every face reminded me of my grandmother. But another interesting thing about my time with these ladies was the fact that they had recently become “non-denominational” in their words — and they were excited about that.

My assignment was to speak on righteousness and who we are in Christ, which happens to be my favorite subject. I get very excited when I share how God set me free from guilt and condemnation and helped me to see myself the way He’s always seen me (and you). After two or three sessions, a lady came up to me and caught me off-guard when she said, “You know what makes you so good…?” (Pause with me and think, how do you answer that? —especially when you’re not trying to toot your own horn.)

I laughed it off and said, “I don’t know.” To which she responded, “Because you believe this stuff!”
“Of course I do!” I said. She went on to explain she had been raised in church her entire life, and sat under many denominational (and now non-denominational) pastors and preachers who taught the Word of God, but she didn’t always think they believed it themselves.

How sad is that?

It reminds me of the time Jesus went into the temple and taught. The Bible says, “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). A scribe was someone who had the task of writing scripture over and over (basically making copies of it for others). And as you can imagine, if that’s your job, then you’re going to “know” the scriptures. The people in the temple however, saw something different in Jesus. He taught with authority because He wasn’t mindlessly quoting scripture. He knew it to be truth and it was obvious to everyone He “believed this stuff.”

And here’s the irony: God can’t confirm the Word you and I don’t believe.

After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples “went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20). Another translation says God “validated the Message with indisputable evidence” (MSG). In other words, the disciples excitedly preached the Word and God proved it.

But the reason I said there’s an irony here is because if the devil can get us to doubt God’s Word, how can God prove His Word? The woman I spoke with at the conference didn’t realize she had become kind of mindless to the scriptures until she was motivated by someone who believed it!

In the front of all my Bibles, I have this written: The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.

I chose a long time ago to believe God’s Word, even if I don’t understand it. There’s a difference. God told us to ask for wisdom when we don’t understand. He is not bothered by that at all. What is a problem is when we’ve chosen not to believe something just because we don’t understand it. BUT, when you and I set our heart to believe God’s Word, it’s amazing how much revelation will open up to us!
If you continue reading about Jesus in the temple, it says there was a man there with an evil spirit who was agitated by Jesus’ preaching (Mark 1:23-24). I find it funny that this evil spirit was never agitated by the scribes reading the scriptures. But when someone spoke with belief, the demons didn’t like it. And this is why the devil goes to great lengths to get people to doubt God’s Word. He knows that as soon as they “believe this stuff,” power and authority are going to shake his world!

So I’m challenging you today to believe God’s Word! When you do, the power WILL show up!

This article was written by Daphne Delay who is an author, speaker, and podcaster with a passion to help this generation discover who they are in Christ. She is the author of Facing the Mirror, Facing the Enemy, and Facing God. Daphne also blogs nuggets of spiritual growth and encouragement regularly at daphnedelay.com

April 13, 2017 0 comment