By Pastor J.D. Link

Abundant Grace Fellowship Church, Blanco, TX

Mk 11:22-24 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 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. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

In these verses, Jesus clearly lays out the steps we are to take in order to receive from God. Our God is a faith God (Heb 11:6), and we are only able to appropriate God’s blessings through faith. Need does not move God. Faith moves God. And truly, God has already moved in the finished work of Jesus Christ. So all faith does is reach out and receive the promise. If you want to receive answers to your prayers, then you have to do what Jesus said to do to get the answer. You can’t do your own thing, and then get mad at God because it’s not working. If you want God’s results, then you have to do things God’s way. It’s just that simple.

The first step we are to take in receiving from God is believe in our heart. This is called Bible faith. Mental assent looks a lot like Bible faith, but it doesn’t act (Jam 2:20). Bible faith has corresponding actions. Therefore, Bible faith does not just say, “I agree with The Word in my mind.” but rather it says, “I agree with The Word in my heart, because I act on what The Word tells me.” The heart is an important issue (Mt 12:34, Prv 23:7, Rom 10:9-10). It must be established in the Truth (Heb 13:9). This will only happen through having a steady diet of God’s Word. If you do not study God’s Word, your heart will not be established, and you will not believe, and therefore you will not receive. It’s just that simple.

Step two: You must not doubt. Jesus said, “Only believe” (Mk 5:36). You do not need more faith, for mustard seed faith will move mountains (Mt 17:20). You have the faith of Jesus (Rom 12:3, Gal 2:20). You need to get rid of unbelief (Mk 9:24). This happens through prayer and fasting (Mk 9:29) and receiving God’s Word (1Thess 2:13). Unbelief counters your faith, so you must get rid of it. Jesus said, “Believe in your heart, and do not doubt.” (Mk 11:23).

Step three: You must speak to your problem. Not speak to God about your problem; but speak to the problem. You may think that sounds strange, but if you want God’s results, you do things God’s way. Besides, when you start seeing it working; it won’t sound so strange! Naaman thought it was stupid to dunk himself seven times in the Jordan river; but he didn’t think it was so stupid after he got healed of leprosy. We believe, therefore we speak (2Cor 4:13). Don’t think at your mountain, speak to it. Death and life are in the power of your tongue.

You will never rise above your confession. Each word you speak is a seed. It’s either good seed in agreement with God’s Word; or it’s a bad seed in agreement with the adversary. The harvest your getting in your life is directly proportional to the type of seed you have sown. It is a law of the kingdom (Gal 6:7). If you do not like the harvest in your life, start sowing different seed. It’s no coincidence that the people that are always speaking sickness, poverty, defeat, and despair; are the same people that are always dealing with this stuff in their life. If you speak, speak God’s Word (1Pt 4:11, Eph 4:29). Sowing and reaping….it’s just that simple.

Step four: Receive. “…He shall have whatsoever he saith (Mk 11:23).” When you believe and do not doubt, and then speak to your mountain; You will have what you say. I didn’t make this stuff up, folks. These are the words of our Master, Jesus Christ. You can choose to believe it and receive it, or to doubt it and do without it. It’s really up to you (Mt 9:27-30). I pray you’ll take the first choice. Be blessed, and until next time, rejoice in The Lord!