See, speak, believe, and forgive

[toad]

“There is no key to happiness, the door is always open.”
(Author unknown)

Words of Jesus recorded by Mark and found in the eleventh chapter verses 22-26. Share this with me…………………..JRE

Have faith in God.
For assuredly, I say to you whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and 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.
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.
(Mark 11:22-26 NKJ)

“Have faith in God.” This is really not what Mark recorded as the words of Jesus. In the English translation the word “in” was added for clarity. Jesus probably said “Have God faith,” or meaning have the faith of God. There is a difference. Several study Bibles I have also say the same thing, and Strong’s Definitions says that the word “in” was added later. It is really not of extreme importance, but it does change how Jesus said our faith should work. As believers we all should have faith in God, but having the faith of God does seem a bit more difficult. It is possible though, or Jesus would not have told us that we could have the faith of God. These verses demonstrate to us how to have the faith to have our prayers answered. Praying while having serious doubts that we are heard, and then doubting if our prayers will be answered, can become more of a wishing thing, and not real prayer. Tossing a coin in a fountain will bring the same results. Jesus makes it very clear, the process of getting answered prayer. We must see our need. The illustration that Jesus gave used a mountain that probably all that were standing by could see. Our need might not be as great as having a mountain removed, but we still need to recognize our need. Jesus then says to speak to it. Tell “it” what you want. In my opinion this should be more of a command, expecting the command to be obeyed. It starts in our eyes or our mind, and then goes to our tongue or word process, next the heart must totally believe and accept that what was asked will come about. Okay, that’s the process of praying the prayer of faith, but here’s the clincher. It’s forgiveness. The whole process of seeing, speaking, and believing, is hard enough, but now Jesus commands us to forgive others to top off the deal. We must forgive not just some, but anyone we have anything against. Having no doubt and forgiving all will move mountains. That is, the faith “of God.” There is no doubt in God and God has forgiven all. Alcoholism and drug addiction were a impassable mountain in my life. When I had a heart change and decided to live, I got a hold of this scripture and used it. I spoke to my addictions and commanded they be removed. I had no doubt that I could stay sober if I worked at it daily, so daily I rebuke addiction from my life. Working the steps has taught me about heart forgiveness, not just mind forgiveness. All of this scripture working together has brought about change in my life. I am so grateful that I have been given another chance to turn my life around, and that through the Scriptures God shows me daily how it works. God has done for me what I could not do for myself………………JRE

[cmc]

It starts in our eyes or our mind, and then goes to our tongue or word process, next the heart must totally believe and accept that what was asked will come about.

Without the knowledge of God and a personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... the above statement would just be wishful thinking or mere hope. Knowing HIM... and having the " faith of God " makes all the difference!!!
I have been taught to pray exactly as you have described and needed the reminder- to continue to pray in this manner.
Yesterday morning I spent some time alone with the Lord.... to seek Him and oddly enough ( not! ) He brought to my mind some forgiving I needed to take care of. The issues at hand were not new ones and, I had dealt with them before but old events from a particular time of my life came up as I prayed. I am constantly amazed at how the Holy Spirit can and does remind and confirm what He is doing in us... reading this today is confirmation for me to continue to speak the Word to the things in my life that need changing.
I await those changes and believe for miracles!!
btw.... toad, you are a miracle yourself! Aren't we all?
cmc

[best]

Greater things then Me shall you do....

What? That was Jesus telling us we shall do greater things then he did.

I tell you this...With each prayer that gets answered and each healing I see that the Lord brings...My faith does grow.
Ask for anything in My name and it shall be given
I find that time and time again...when I ask for anything with God's will in my heart as I pray...It does get answered and given.
None of it is at my own doing. By myself I am nothing. With the Holy Spirit as my guide, I find many of my prayers are given to me. I am not worthy but still the Lord seeks me and allows me to be a part of His plan.

[sugarssweetpea]

This is how I pray. It is a praise acronym.

Praise Him.

Repent

Acknowlege Him for all He is & has done.

Intercession. (the praying for others)

Supplication. (the praying for self)

Equip. (pray for God to equip you for whatever He has in store for you)

Just a little something I learned in one of my Bible study classes.

[toad]

I am also learning to thank God even before I receive, knowing that by faith, I will receive.......toad

[sugarssweetpea]

Friday, October 20

This week's promise: God blesses humble people

Do you pray like the Pharisee or the tax collector?

""The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'" Luke 18:11-13 NLT"

The lesson of two prayers "These two prayers stand in sharp contrast to one another. The Pharisee barely acknowledges God at all. He used his time in the Temple as an opportunity to justify himself. In the guise of thanking God, he cut down others and congratulated himself. There was no humility in him. The tax collector, on the other hand, was rightfully aware of his sin before the most holy God. He made no claims for himself. He didn't try to justify his action. He only admitted he was a sinner. Jesus declared that it was the humble tax collector, not the proud Pharisee, whom God was willing to justify. May God give us the courage to admit our true condition before him. Take time to meditate on God's holiness, and give up justifying yourself. In humility, cast yourself on the Lord's mercy.

A prayer for todayO God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner…

from The One Year® Book of Bible Prayers edited by Bruce Barton (Tyndale) entry for March 8"