ICS Daily Devotions
Have Faith in God
Faith is not established on what we can see because if we only believe after we have seen it, then faith is not required. Faith is established in the heart though the mind will need some time to come in line with the Word. Our mind might tend to agree with what is being spoken but struggles with believing when a crisis hits us. The mind can also be an obstacle because it is just like The Apostle Thomas who only believed Jesus’ resurrection after seeing His crucifixion wounds. This is when we are tempted to give up, get offended by God, disappointed or even disillusioned. Therefore, there will always be a struggle between what we are seeing, experiencing and feeling that causes the mind to doubt. Faith is believing in our heart and not from our senses because it is established on the Word.
Faith = I have it NOW despite not seeing it yet!
Mark 11:22,24 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God…… Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM, and you will have them. (emphasis added)
When we talk about having faith in God, it means that we take His word for it. In this case, Jesus taught us to speak to the “mountains” (i.e. the obstacles, hindrances or challenges) in our lives and we will have whatever we have asked and prayed for. We are to be obedient and take God at His word that we have received what we have prayed for once we have spoken to the “mountains” in our lives!
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The word that gives substance to our faith is Jesus’ instruction for us to speak to the obstacles in our lives. Faith says I have it NOW! Jesus said, “…whatever things you ask when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24 NKJV) We are to have faith that we have received them after we have prayed!
Jesus asks us to come to Him whoever is weary and heavy laden because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. God has never intended for us to face all of life’s challenges alone. We are very blessed to have the counsel of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us on what to pray for and how to pray when we enter into a time of prayer and intercession with Him. There will be times when we need to speak to the obstacles and thereafter to stand in faith while we wait for the breakthroughs to be manifested in the natural realm. All the glory will be given to God when He delivers us from the challenges in life. It is important to give thanks to God when He helps us to remove the “mountain or tree” when we apply faith in His word. Jesus mentioned that if we have faith like a mustard seed, we can speak to the tree to be uprooted and thrown into the ocean. We have been given a measure of faith therefore we are able to apply this truth by speaking to the obstacles! By faith, we have received what we have spoken out against. Glory to God!
Sermon Series: Speak to your Mountain
