Foundational Scripture: (Pro 18:21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
God’s Formula for Success:
(Jos 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
You can go to seminars, buy tapes, order catalogues, and every other “get rich quick scheme” you see on infomercials and you will never get a better formula than this one. You can even go to Bible Conferences and large spiritual gatherings, but it will always come down this — Your prosperity and success are tied to God’s Promises and Your Performance. God wants us to speak His Word constantly, think about it daily, and perform it continually. Jeremiah had a conversation with God and this is what God told him: (Jer 1:12 GW) Then the LORD said to me, “Right. I am watching to make sure that my words come true.”
God cannot lie and He cannot go against His Word. What do you think God does all day? He watches over His Word to make sure it comes true! When we follow His Word and follow His formula, He is obligated to perform it! That is why our text says that we “make” our way prosperous and then we should have good success. When we line up with His Word, He blesses us. When we don’t, He doesn’t. It is not that He is playing favorites, but rather simply just honoring His Word!
Let’s further investigate how to Develop the Language of Faith through the Word of God:
- God is Watching over His Word!
- Speak the Word Only!
- Keep On Believing
- The Revelation of Your Confession
- Have Faith in Your Faith
- 5 Keys to Mastering Your Mouth
- Single Minded Faith – No Plan B!
- 5 facets of the Language of Faith
- Be It Unto Me According to Your Word!
- Walking in the Dimension of Faith
Developing the Language of Faith – God is Watching over His Word! (top of page)
(Jer 1:12 AMP) Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Yesterday the Lord allowed me to share a message entitled “Mastering Your Mouth – Developing the Language of Faith” at our church and the Lord blessed mightily. I am led now to share a series on Today’s Word dealing with this topic and I trust God that it will be a blessing to you.
Jeremiah’s first chapter opens with his call from God. God explained to him that before he was even formed in his mother’s womb, he was already set apart to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah then did what we often times do when God informs us of an assignment; he told God that he did not know what to say. God assured Jeremiah that He would tell him what to say and that He would be with him wherever he went. God then reached out his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth and said, “I have put my words in your mouth.” This leads us to our text where God assures us that He is always alert and active; watching over His Word to perform it.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. We have an assignment: Jeremiah’s assignment was to be a prophet unto the nations. Our assignment might not be to prophesy all around the world, but nevertheless, we have one. This ties back to purpose and understanding God’s vision for our lives.
2. Your assignment will require you to speak God’s Word: Now you may say, “That’s not fair. You can’t compare me to Jeremiah, because God never reached out and put His Word in my mouth.” You may be right, but He did place a Bible your hand. The Bible you possess is as much God’s Word as what God placed in Jeremiah’s mouth and God wants us to share His Word with the world, in whatever capacity He leads us to.
3. God is always with us: God will never expect us to do something that He has not equipped us to do. He equips us to do whatever He expects us to do, and part of that equipping is the power that comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He lives in us and is with us everywhere we go. His presence brings with it His power, protection, and peace.
4. God’s Word, Your Mouth: When we share a scripture with someone we are literally sharing God’s Living Word, but we are sharing it through our mouths. It is God’s Word, but it is our voice. God wants us to realize the power He has given us to share His Word as we practice the ‘Language of Faith’ in our daily conversation.
5. God is responsible to provide the power behind the Word: This is liberating for us. All we need to do is to develop the language of faith, share the Word in our daily conversation, and God has promised that He will watch over His Word to perform it. That is literally what He does all day, He watches over His Word to ensure that it comes to pass in the earth.
Confession for this day: Lord God. I thank You for giving me a specific assignment in the earth, revealing that assignment to me, and helping me to complete it before I die. Part of my assignment is to speak Your Word, so I declare that I will read and study Your Word and develop the language of faith in my life. You live in me and are always with me. I am at peace, knowing that I am not alone. I share Your Word with my mouth and my voice and know that You will back up Your Word and bring it to pass in the earth. You are always alert and active; watching over Your Word to perform it. So I loose Your Word over this day and I declare that no weapon formed against me will prosper (Is 54:17), that You will establish a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Ps 23:5), and that I overcome the world by faith (1 Jn 5:4). In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
Speak the Word Only! (top of page)
(Mat 8:8 KJV) The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed..
For the next week or so we will be dealing with “Developing the Language of Faith.” Yesterday we dealt with how God watches over His Word to perform it and this morning we will begin to look at some examples of this language of faith in action.
In Matthew’s 8th chapter Jesus encounters a Centurion. A Centurion was a Roman Soldier that was comparable to today’s Company Commander in the U.S. Army. He was over 100 soldiers. This Centurion had a servant who sick and grievously tormented. He came to Jesus and told Him about the situation. Jesus looked at it like any other situation to that point and said, “I will go and heal him.” The Centurion, however, said something that no one had said to Jesus to this point. He told Jesus that He could simply “Speak the Word only” and his servant would be healed. He went on to further explain that he was a man in authority and that if he told one of his soldiers to go, they would have to go or if he told them to do, they would have to do. When Jesus heard this ‘language of faith,’ the Bible says that He actually marveled and said, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Why was this great faith? Let’s take a closer look:
1. The Centurion understood authority: He knew that if he commanded anyone that he had authority over to do something that they had to do it. Whatever he had authority over had to be subject to the authority.
2. The Centurion perceived that Jesus had authority over sickness: Just like he could say go and do and his soldiers would have to submit to his commands, He perceived that Jesus could do the same over sickness and disease.
3. The Centurion knew that authority does not have to be present to exercise rule: Just like he could ‘send a word’ to another solider to do something, He knew that Jesus could simply ‘Speak the Word Only’ for healing.
4. His faith extended beyond his sight: If you can see something, then it does not require faith. Faith requires you to trust God, before He does it and before you see it.
5. He spoke His desired outcome: The language of faith does not limit itself to what it sees or to the present situation. The language of faith speaks those things that are not as though they were (Ro 4:17). In other words, the language of faith understands the situation, but speaks the solution and not the problem. The language of faith always looks forward in faith and never backwards in doubt.
So what does this mean to you today? A great deal. Unlike the Centurion, God has delegated the authority the Jesus operated in while He was in the earth to us. He has also equipped us with the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power that Jesus operated in. We cannot sit back like the Centurion and expect Jesus to come down and speak to our situations; we must speak the language of faith ourselves. Speak the desired outcome – in faith – and expect God to bring it to pass!
Confession for this day: Lord God. I thank You for equipping me with the Power of the Holy Spirit and delegating Your authority to operate in kingdom dominion in the earth to me. I have both the authority and the ability and I declare that I will not be ruled by any situation. I speak my desired outcome – in faith – and believe You God to bring it to pass. I am victorious in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
Keep On Believing (top of page)
(Mar 5:36 AMP) Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing.
We have been learning about “Developing the Language of Faith.” Yesterday we dealt with a Centurion who asked Jesus to simply ‘speak a Word’ of healing over his servant and he believed that his servant would be healed. Today we meet a man named Jairus. He was a ruler of the Synagogue who exercised authority among the religious Jews and was therefore a man of position and prominence in the community. But he encountered a problem that he had no authority over, so he came to the one that did – Jesus. He explained that his daughter was lying at the point of death. He spoke his desired outcome and said, “Come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” He was speaking the language of faith and it moved God. Jesus decided to go with him. While they were walking to his house Jesus had to stop to deal with a Woman that was sick (we will talk about her tomorrow). While Jesus was dealing with the sick woman, someone came from Jairus’ house and said, “Your daughter is dead, why bother the master any more?” This is where we pick up our text. Jesus ignored the bad news, perceived that fear had overtaken Jairus, and urged him to keep on believing. In other words, it was a declaration of faith that had caused Jesus to move towards healing the girl, but a declaration of fear could have cancelled his assignment. Words of faith started the journey and words of fear could have terminated it. Before Jairus said anything in fear, doubt, and unbelief; Jesus urged him to keep on believing. Jairus did not say anything, they continued to the house, and the little girl ministered to in accordance with Jairus’ confession. We know from yesterday’s message that Jesus could have simply ‘spoken a Word,’ but Jesus was honoring Jairus’ words. Jairus asked Jesus – in faith – to lay His hands on the girl and Jesus honored his words. This is the power of the language of faith!
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s take a closer look:
1. The language of faith understands its present situation, but speaks its desired outcome.
2. The language of faith speaks specific declarations and prayed specific prayers.
3. The language of faith causes God to move.
4. The language of faith can be cancelled out by the language of fear (we will explain this further later on in this series).
5. The language of faith believes its declaration of faith, even when presented with bad news.
6. The language of faith does not let what it sees change what it says.
7. The language of faith receives in accordance with its declaration of faith.
What are facing today? Whatever it is, know that God is more than capable of dealing with it. The question is never whether or not God can, but always whether or not we have the faith to receive. Choose to speak the language of faith and not the language of fear and watch God move in your life.
Confession for this day: Lord God. I agree with Your opinion of me and not anyone else’s. Your opinion is found in Your Word. Your Word says that I can do all things through You. Your Word says that I can overcome the world by faith. Your Word says that I am blessed in the city, in the field, as I come, and as I go. I choose to agree with Your Word. I speak the language of faith over my family, physical body, relationships, children, career, finances, and this day. This is the day that You, Lord, have made and I choose to rejoice and be glad in it! No matter what comes, I will not let what I see change what I say! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
The Revelation of Your Confession (top of page)
(Mar 5:28 AMP) For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.
This morning we continue our series on “Developing the Language of Faith.” I shared yesterday that Jesus, Jairus, the disciples, and the crowd were all traveling to Jairus’ house. Jesus was coming from ministering a breakthrough (casting out a legion of demons in the land of Gad), was headed to minister a breakthrough (bringing Jairus’ daughter back to life) and sandwiched between the two is a woman who is looking for a breakthrough herself. The bible says that she had an issue of blood for twelve years. Her menstrual cycle had literally not stopped in 12 years. Not only would it be physically debilitating to constantly loose blood for an extremely long period of time, but it would also have to be psychologically destructive because of the legal parameters of her condition. The Law caused her to stay away from everyone while she was in her condition and it basically made her a prisoner in her own body (see Lev 15:19-31). I am going to focus in today on how she was healed in accordance with her confession. I shared a series entitled ‘The Revelation of Your Confession’ where I went into more detail on this woman’s situation and it is available online.
Think about this woman for a minute. Can you picture her? She is physically drained, emotionally scarred, and socially outcast. To make it worse, she spent all her money on doctors and did not get any better, but rather grew worse. Financially broke, physically bleeding, and psychologically bruised; but she still managed to speak the language of faith. She did not sit back and complain about her situation. She did not cry out ‘Woe is me’ to God. She saw an opportunity for a breakthrough and she moved forward and not backward. She kept on saying, “If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.” So what do you think happened? Exactly what she said! She busted through the crowd, touched Jesus’ garment, and immediately the bleeding stopped. She felt in her body that she was healed. Now it could not have been the method, because the crowd was pushing on, grabbing at, and touching Jesus. He was being touched from every angle. But this dysfunctional, disregarded, and dismissed woman with a bleeding condition touched Him like no one else. Her touch was tied to her faith and her faith loosed God’s power. Remember that faith moves God. Jesus stopped and knew that power had left his body. Jesus then talked to the woman. When He was done He sent her away by saying, “Your faith has made you whole.” What faith? The faith that speaks something and then expects it to happen. The faith that couples its words with action. The faith that receives exactly what it says. That is the Revelation of Your Confession!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Watch what you say.
2. Don’t dwell on the past. Instead speak what you desire to happen in the future.
3. Confess the Word of God over your life and expect your confession to come to pass.
4. There are two forces that can be released through your tongue – life and death (Prov 18:21) – choose to speak life only!
Confession for this day: Lord God. I look past my past this morning. I even look past any present condition that is unfavorable in my life. I thank You for where I am, but I praise You even more, in advance, for where I will be. I speak my desired outcome. I speak my expected end. I know that You are a God of progression and not regression. I know that the best is yet to come in my life. I know that what is ahead of me is greater than what is behind me. I look forward ever, backward never. I receive my breakthrough! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
Have Faith in Your Faith (top of page)
(Mar 11:23 KJV) 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.
This morning we continue our series on “Developing the Language of Faith.” Mark 11 opens with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem where he would celebrate his last Passover. As He did whenever He came to town, He spent the night at Lazarus’ house in Bethany. The next morning He was on a mission, because He knew that He was going to cleanse the temple of God of the money changers and the sort. He left Lazarus’ house without eating breakfast. As Jesus and the disciples walked towards Jerusalem (about 5m away) Jesus saw a fig tree with lots of leaves on it. He approached the tree to get some figs, but found that it did not have any. He cursed the tree by saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again,” His disciples heard it, and they kept on walking. The next morning they were headed back to Jerusalem on the same path and Peter realized that the tree was withered up from the roots. Peter was amazed and said, ““Master, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” Jesus was not amazed at all. He expected it to happen. He simply said, “Have faith in God.” He went on to explain this kind of faith in God in our text. This is the kind of faith that speaks and believes. This kind of faith believes something is done before you see it. You must have faith in your faith if you are going to operate in this kind of faith.
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s seek to glean a few golden nuggets:
1. Faith speaks the desired outcome and not just what it sees.
2. Faith speaks to its mountain (challenge, obstacle) and tells it to be cast into the sea.
3. Faith does not doubt. Doubt cancels faith and faith cancels doubt. You must determine which force you will allow to operate in your life. Faith or doubt – the choice is yours. If you find yourself doubting your faith, repent and openly declare your faith again.
4. Faith is personal. My faith has whatever I say. Your faith has whatever you say. This is a personal thing. You must allow Your words to shape your world (Heb 11:3).
5. Have faith in your faith. Jesus was never concerned. He knew in His heart that the tree was through the moment He spoke it, even though it did not happen immediately. For example: if you have a headache and you claim your healing through your covenant with God for healing, then believe it and move forward. Don’t sit there looking at your watch waiting for it to happen in a couple of minutes. Jesus walked away and did not doubt. The next time they came by the tree, it was done. Have faith in your faith and trust that it will come to pass without having to sit there waiting on it.
Confession for this day: Lord God. I speak to every circumstance in my life that is not lining up with Your destiny for me. I repent of all sin and turn from wickedness. I pray for deliverance for every situation that I have placed myself in outside of Your will. I declare now that I will move forward and not backward. I speak to my mountain and command it to be moved through the covenant that I have with You Father, through the blood of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I release most holy faith over this day and everything I must get done. I declare that this day is blessed, my household is blessed, my career is blessed, my family is blessed, and everything I put my hands to do prospers. I release my faith and I have faith in my faith. I do not cancel out my faith with fear. I bind fear, doubt, and unbelief. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
What’s In Your Abundantly will come out of You Eventually (top of page)
This morning we continue our series on “Developing the Language of Faith.” We have discussed the Centurion who said, ‘speak the Word only’ and his servant was healed by Jesus speaking a Word; Jairus who said, “lay your hand on my daughter and she will be healed and live” and she was healed by Jesus laying His hand on her; the woman with the issue of blood who said, “If I can but touch his clothes, I will be made whole” and she was healed when she touched him; and finally, Jesus’ declaration to a fig tree that no one would eat from it again and the fig tree withered up, just like Jesus said. Case after case, story after story, we see the power of the tongue in operation. I shared that we can either loose death or life (Prov 18:21) with our words. If we want to enjoy life in Christ, it behooves us to Master Our Mouths and to speak life only. This morning I will share some practical keys to Mastering Your Mouth.
5 Keys to Mastering Your Mouth:
1. Study the Word of God: Jesus said that our mouth would speak out of the abundance of our heart (Mat 12:34). I say that what is in you abundantly will come out of you eventually. Either way, I pray you get the point. You can only speak out of you what you have consciously poured into you. The more Word you know, the more Word you can speak. This is no mystery. If you study the Word of God and get the Word of God down in you, then you will know what the Word of God says about whatever situation you find yourself in and you will be able to consciously ‘speak the Word only’ over your situation. You cannot speak, however, what you do not know.
2. Take Control of Every Thought: A great deal of our daily battle is waged in our mind (2 Cor 10:3-5). Our minds are flooded with thoughts from either (1) ourselves, (2) the adversary, or (3) God. We must decipher the origin of the thoughts before we allow them to become our actions. Uncontrolled thoughts create unruly images. Unruly images, if not challenged with the Word of God, create strongholds that are difficult to escape from. If you control your thoughts you will control your tongue. If you control your tongue, you will control your life.
3. Train Your Ear: Jesus likened us to sheep and Himself to a Shepherd, and He said that His would hear His voice (John 10:27). This is not an easy thing. I talk to people all the time that want to know how to hear from God. There is not easy answer other than to spend time with God in prayer and in His Word. His Word says that His sheep would hear His voice and God does not lie. His Holy Spirit was sent to lead, guide, and direct us (John 16:13). He will, if we don’t ignore His presence and develop our relationship with Him.
4. Speak what You Hear: Jesus only spoke what He heard from the Father (John 8:26). Whether it be an audible voice in your spirit or a Word from God through the Bible, whenever God speaks a direct promise to you, stand on it no matter what. Speak it – in faith – and know it will come to pass.
5. Allow Your Words to shape Your World: God framed the worlds through the Word of God. God, speaking Words, created everything that is seen (Heb 11:3). God allowed His words to frame His world. We see the same thing with the centurion, Jairus, the woman with issue of blood, and Jesus. They all allowed their words to shape their world. They spoke their desired outcome and they saw it come to pass in their lives. What are you allowing to come out of your mouth?
Confession for this day: Lord God. I thank You for Your Word. Your Word dwells in me richly and I observe to do all that is written therein. Your Word becomes the ruler by which I judge every decision. I take control of every thought in my life. I cast down every stronghold and every imagination that exalts itself against the knowledge of You. I line up my thoughts with Your Word. I hear what You are saying to me this day and every day and I speak what I hear over every situation. I allow my words, lined up with Your Word, to shape my world. I receive a blessed day today. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
Single-Minded Faith – No Plan B! (top of page)
(James 1:7,8 NIV) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.
We are about to wrap us this series on “Developing the Language of Faith,” but before we do, I felt it necessary to address our text for this morning. We have dealt with many facets of the language of faith and how we are to speak faith and not doubt in our lives. This morning we will see why. James opens his letter with an exhortation to us to remain in joy when we face trials. He goes on to explain that trails do not come to test us, per say, but rather to test our faith. Our faith will be tested and this testing, he explains, develops perseverance. As we develop perseverance we become mature and complete believers that do not lack anything. This should obviously be our goal. Right after saying all of this, James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.” Let’s take a closer look this statement:
1. If a believer has a need (lacks wisdom) he should come to God, who is the source of all good things (Jam 1:17).
2. The believer should then ask God – with their mouths – to meet the need (Phil 4:19).
3. When we ask, we must as in faith and not doubt. Asking in faith is asking in accordance with the Word of God and believing that God will be true to His Word.
4. The believer who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind, living a constantly shifting up-and-down life. That person is happy in the morning and sad in the afternoon. They are smiling on Monday, but crying on Tuesday.
5. This person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. Read that statement again. This is in the Bible and it is alarming to the person who wavers between faith and doubt (fear). The person who wavers is double-minded and will not receive anything from God.
6. Remember that God operates in faith and satan operates in fear. Satan’s goal is to get you to doubt what God said in His Word. If He can get you to doubt the promise then he knows that you will never receive the promise. God is moved by faith (Heb 11:1, 6) and expects us to operate in faith when we come to Him.
7. Doubt is the fruit, but unbelief is the root. When we doubt we are telling God that we do not trust Him, nor to we fully believe His Word. This then cancels our faith. Yesterday I shared that we must have faith in our faith.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that we must learn to doubt our doubt and have faith in our faith. We must learn to ask God for whatever we need – in faith – and never turn from it. We must be single-minded in our prayers and never allow ourselves to have a Plan B, unless God leads us another way. Single-Minded faith! No room for doubt!
Confession for this day: Lord God. I am a Born-Again believer and am therefore Your child. As Your child I have a right to come to You, in accordance with Your Word, in the name of Your son Jesus, to make my request known to You. You also promised to meet my need. I place my need before You this day. I ask for daily bread for my family. for Your protection over us as we enter this day, Your peace upon us as we face every obstacle, and I praise You in advance for Your good success in every endeavor. The trying of my faith develops perseverance. As perseverance is developed in my life, I become mature and complete, not lack anything. I bind fear, doubt, and unbelief. I operate in faith in every area of my life. I give no space to the enemy. I experience victory! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
5 facets of the Language of Faith (top of page)
This morning we start to bring the “Developing the Language of Faith” series to a close. I pray that this series has been a blessing to you and that you are allowing your learning to turn into living. I know it is a process and that is why I included the word ‘developing’ in the title. We come to God with a set way of thinking and speaking and we must allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to transform our thoughts, words, and actions. Once we change the way we think, we will change the way we speak. Once we change the way we think and speak, we will change the way we act. Once we change the way we act, we have changed! Hallelujah!
This morning we look at 5 facets of the Language of Faith:
1. The Language of Faith’s vocabulary is found in the Word of God (Jer 1:12). When I joined the military I had to learn the ‘lingo’ and what the plethora of acronyms that we use meant. Likewise, when I was Born-Again, I had to learn what things like salvation, redemption, atonement, sanctification, propitiation, etc; meant. I learned them through the Word of God. We must all learn the language.
2. The Language of Faith speaks pertinent promises. Once I learned the language, I had to start putting it into practice. I learned that there were scriptures that promised me peace when I troubled, health when I was sick, deliverance when I was bound, restoration when I was alienated, and etc. I had to learn what scriptures were pertinent to my situation and I stood on those pertinent promises. The language of faith speaks those pertinent promises for permanent change.
3. The Language of Faith speaks the desired outcome (Rom 4:17). I had to train myself not to simply speak what I saw. If I can see it, then it does not require faith (Heb 11:1). I had to train myself – under this new language – to speak things, in accordance with the Word of God, that I desired to happen, before they happened. Not only that, but I had to literally train myself to believe that what I spoke would come to pass. That is basically ‘releasing your faith’ over a certain situation.
4. The Language of Faith continues to speak the desired outcome until it comes to pass. It is foolish to think that everything in Christ is going to come easy. You can find the right promise, speak the right things, release your faith, but there will always be opposition. They key is not to allow what you see (opposition) to change what you say (faith). You must continue to speak the desired outcome until you see it come to pass in your life!
5. The Language of Faith never cancels out their declaration of faith with doubt and unbelief (Jas 1:7). We dealt with this yesterday. We must doubt and doubt and have faith in our faith. Know that doubt cancels faith and that faith cancels doubt. Never speak doubt after you have spoken faith.
Confession for this day: Lord God. I commit myself to learning the language of faith and to developing this language in my life. I learn Your vocabulary through Your Word. I find the promises that pertain to my situation and I speak those pertinent promises, in faith. I, like You, call those things which be not as through they were, until they become what I have called. I do not allow what I see to change what I say. I never cancel my faith with doubt. I doubt my doubt and have faith in my faith. I stand on the Word. I stand on Your promises. I know that You are not a liar and that You will bring to pass what You have said. You will always remain true to Your Word and that is why I am making a commitment to speak like You would have me to speak, so I can have what You want me to have and so that I can become who You want me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
Be It Unto Me According to Your Word! (top of page)
(Luke 1:38 KJV) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Before we bring the “Developing the Language of Faith” series to a close, I feel led to share a message about Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel. When Mary’s cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist the Lord sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to visit a young virgin who was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was a bit troubled and was not sure how to take the greeting. But Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” This is where it gets interesting. Mary asked the Gabriel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your cousin, is going to have a child in her old age. She was barren, but is already six months pregnant. For nothing is impossible with God.” This is where we pick up our text.
So what does this mean to you today and how does this pertain to the language of faith? Let’s take a closer look:
1. Receiving the Favor of God: Gabriel attributed his visit with Mary to the favor of God upon her life. I have often times said that favor can do more in a minute than labor can do in a lifetime. Know that God wants His best for you and we must be willing to receive this best (His Favor) and not settle for less.
2. Taking the limits off: Gabriel told Mary that she was going to do something that no one had ever done or has never done since – get pregnant without the sperm of a man. She did not understand it, and rightly so. But when dealing with God we must remember that we are limited and He is limitless. We are the ones who put limitations on a limitless God. When we take the limits off, anything is possible in God!
3. Seeking a point of reference: Gabriel knew that Mary needed a point of reference. He also knew that Mary was aware of her cousin’s situation – Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah tried for years to have a baby, but could not and Elizabeth was now old and passed her years – so Gabriel made Mary aware of how God performed a miracle for her cousin and how she was now six months pregnant. Remember what I have been teaching about pertinent promises? This was a pertinent reference. This was a situation where God had supernaturally made someone pregnant who was not supposed to be. Mary could then draw hope from this situation for her life. Likewise, we must draw hope from situations in the bible that are pertinent to our situation.
4. Agreeing with the Word: This is the key to the entire message. This is where Mary spoke the language of faith. Based upon the point of reference and the angel telling her that nothing was impossible with God, Mary said, “be it unto me according to thy word.” In other words, she said, “I agree with Your Word and I will allow Your Word to become a reality in my life!” Right then and there, she became pregnant with the King of Glory!
Confession for this day: Lord God. I receive Your Favor upon my life. I know that I am blessed and highly favored. Your favor helps me to take the limits off. I do not limit You, nor Your operation in my life, because I know that You are limitless. Father, I release You to do whatever You desire to do in my life. I am ready for everything You have for me. No matter how big Your plans are for my life, I declare that I will not hinder Your flow in my life with unbelief. I seek points of reference in Your Word and they fuel my hope for my future in You. Lord, be it unto me according to Your Word and my faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
Walking in the Dimension of Faith (top of page)
I could go on in this series, but I am led to bring the “Developing the Language of Faith” series to a close this morning. I trust it has been a blessing to you. The reason that I deal with faith so much is that it is supposed to be our way of life as Christians. The Bible teaches us to walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7), live by faith (Ro 1:17), fight by faith (1 Tim 6:12), pray by faith (James 5:15), and overcome by faith (1 Jn 5:4). We are to do everything we do by faith, in faith, and through faith! Which leads me to the title of today’s message. I was talking to a friend of mine (Elder Leo Jacobs) about this series and he said, “There is a difference between tapping into faith and walking in the dimension of faith.” I meditated on that statement for a while. I thought about many biblical passages that could support what he said, but for the sake of brevity, let’s just examine one this morning. In Matthew 14 Jesus fed the 5,000 with two fish and five loaves. He then sent the disciples away in a boat to get to the other side of the lake and He went to pray. After praying for several hours, Jesus walked on water to catch up with the disciples. The disciples were afraid of a storm that was raging and to make matters worse, some of them thought that Jesus was a ghost approaching the boat. Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter then said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus did. But then Jesus said something interesting. Jesus said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Now let’s take a closer look:
1. Peter literally walked on water. This was a supernatural act of faith, but Jesus called it little faith.
2. The ‘little’ in Jesus’ statement was not a reference to amount, but rather a reference to duration.
3. Peter had faith and his faith in God was remarkable enough to walk on water, but he did not do it for very long. He tapped into faith for a short period of time, but he then factored in his surroundings and allowed doubt to cancel his faith.
4. When we factor in the natural, we often doubt the supernatural.
5. Remember that doubt cancels faith and faith cancels doubt.
6. God’s desire for us is not to merely tap into the realm of faith from time to time, but rather literally to walk in the dimension of faith.
7. When we walk in the dimension of faith we look at everything through the lens of faith. This changes our perspective, our thoughts, our language (the language of faith), and our lives.
8. What are you facing today that you are not facing in the dimension of faith? When you look at it through the lens of faith you will see a different outcome – the outcome that Lord desires for you to have!
Confession for this day: Lord God. I declare, by faith, that I graduate from merely tapping into faith from time to time. I declare this morning that through the power of the Holy Spirit, I will walk in the dimension of faith. I will look at every situation through the lens of faith and I will allow my faith to change my perspective, my thoughts, my language, and my life. I walk, live, fight, pray, and overcome by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!