We've been looking at how to make Jesus' words from Matthew 17:20 ("If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move," NIV) come alive for you. You've decided which mountain needs to be moved. You've written it down. You've spoken to your mountain, in Jesus' Name, and you've put pure, potent faith behind your words.
Now, you're ready for the trying of your faith to work some patience (James 1:3). Your mountain might move right away, and how wonderful when that happens. However, if God, who knows you better than you know yourself, sees that you would benefit by a time of testing (what I like to call "faith opportunity"), your mountain will not move right away. It is during that time where you will see if your faith is pure or not, if you'll give in to doubt and unbelief or stand on God's Word. Your spiritual character is tested. If you pass the faith test, your mountain will move, just as Jesus said.
A few years ago, a missionary shared Matthew 21:18-22 with the children of an Asian orphanage. It's the story of when Jesus curses the fig tree, and the disciples are amazed when it withers. Jesus explains that it's having faith, without doubting, that one must have, and speaking to a mountain, that causes it to be thrown into the sea.
The children in the orphanage were astounded by that story, and because they lived in the shadow of a mountain, which meant little sunshine, cold temperatures, and clothes that took forever to dry on the line, they decided to command their mountain to move, in Jesus' Name.
The missionary was horrified. He almost told them that Jesus really didn't mean it literally, but he saw that they were acting in faith, rather than tempting God, so he decided to just see what God would do with the situation. This was the missionary's test of faith, as well as the children's.
The children exhibited childlike faith, and each day, they thanked God that their mountain was moving, in Jesus' Name. Could they see that it was moving? No, but they believed that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV). They just seemed to know that instead of believing something when you see it, you will see it when you believe it. Until the manifestation of the moved mountain, they'd be patient and trust God and His Word.
It wasn't long before heavy equipment began to roll nearby, bulldozing the mountain in a redevelopment effort. The government knew nothing about the declaration the children had made. The missionary was shocked but realized he shouldn't have been. Others may call it a coincidence, but believers call it a Godincidence.
Matthew 21:22 [NIV]
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
What this has to do with weight loss: If the mountain you have commanded to move is weight-related, couple your pure faith with faith-filled prayer. If you do that, God will move mountains to move your mountain.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I pray for childlike faith today, the faith that rests in You and takes You at Your Word. Help me to be patient, to rely on Your timing to move my mountain. I believe my mountain has already been moved in Your Kingdom, and I know that if I 'let patience have her perfect work in me' that I will see the mountain be moved in my natural world. I thank You, in advance, for moving my mountain. I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus, who calls me to move mountains. Amen. "
Go forth today, patiently watching for your mountain to move.
Showing posts with label mountains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mountains. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #59 [Mountains, Part IV]
Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20, NIV). You've decided which mountain needs to be moved. You've written it down, and you've spoken to it, in Jesus' Name. How can you be sure it will move?
It is your faith that will determine whether or not the mountain you have spoken to will move. Today, let's look at the kind of faith that moves mountains. If you want to see your mountain moved, you must believe that it will move. Faith is the key, when it comes to prayer and speaking to your mountain. James 1:6-7 says, "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" (NIV). You see, you spoke to your mountain, but God does the moving, in response to your faith.
Jesus said that all you need, to move your mountain, is "faith as small as a mustard seed." Does that mean that it doesn't take much faith to move a mountain? It's not the quantity of your faith but the quality of your faith. Mountain-moving faith must be pure and strong. Chefs know that the flavor of whatever mixture a mustard seed is added to will be overcome by the mustard seed. It may be small, but the mustard seed is potent. Mountain-moving faith must be potent, overpowering and overcoming any reason to doubt.
Matthew 17:20 [NIV]
"...If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move.'"
What this has to do with weight loss: If the mountain you have commanded to move is weight-related, it will take pure faith to see it come to pass (just like any other mountain). You must believe that it will move. If you doubt the outcome, your mountain might rumble, but it won't budge. Remind yourself that God wants you to move your mountain, believe it will move, and believe in the power of God to do the moving.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, faith is such an integral part of the victorious Christian life. From Genesis to Revelation, faith is a recurring theme of Your Word. Indeed, faith is the victory that overcomes the world and every experience in it. There are times when my faith is very strong, but there are also times when it seems very weak. I understand the father who, while seeking healing for his son, said to Jesus, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!' (Mark 9:24). Thank You, Lord, that You are here to help me have the faith to move my mountain. I know that faith is a gift from You, and all I have to do is receive it and then utilize it. I believe Your Word is true, and now that I've spoken to my mountain with all the power that faith holds, I am ready for the next step. I ask You to continue to teach me, so that I will see my mountain move. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, with pure and powerful faith, to move your mountain.
It is your faith that will determine whether or not the mountain you have spoken to will move. Today, let's look at the kind of faith that moves mountains. If you want to see your mountain moved, you must believe that it will move. Faith is the key, when it comes to prayer and speaking to your mountain. James 1:6-7 says, "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" (NIV). You see, you spoke to your mountain, but God does the moving, in response to your faith.
Jesus said that all you need, to move your mountain, is "faith as small as a mustard seed." Does that mean that it doesn't take much faith to move a mountain? It's not the quantity of your faith but the quality of your faith. Mountain-moving faith must be pure and strong. Chefs know that the flavor of whatever mixture a mustard seed is added to will be overcome by the mustard seed. It may be small, but the mustard seed is potent. Mountain-moving faith must be potent, overpowering and overcoming any reason to doubt.
Matthew 17:20 [NIV]
"...If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move.'"
What this has to do with weight loss: If the mountain you have commanded to move is weight-related, it will take pure faith to see it come to pass (just like any other mountain). You must believe that it will move. If you doubt the outcome, your mountain might rumble, but it won't budge. Remind yourself that God wants you to move your mountain, believe it will move, and believe in the power of God to do the moving.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, faith is such an integral part of the victorious Christian life. From Genesis to Revelation, faith is a recurring theme of Your Word. Indeed, faith is the victory that overcomes the world and every experience in it. There are times when my faith is very strong, but there are also times when it seems very weak. I understand the father who, while seeking healing for his son, said to Jesus, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!' (Mark 9:24). Thank You, Lord, that You are here to help me have the faith to move my mountain. I know that faith is a gift from You, and all I have to do is receive it and then utilize it. I believe Your Word is true, and now that I've spoken to my mountain with all the power that faith holds, I am ready for the next step. I ask You to continue to teach me, so that I will see my mountain move. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, with pure and powerful faith, to move your mountain.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #58 [Mountains, Part III]
Today we continue looking at how to move a mountain. Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move" (Matthew 17:20, NIV). Notice that Jesus said "say to this mountain." You must speak to your mountain.
Yesterday, I asked you to decide what mountain you want moved and to write it down. Today, I want you to decide if you're willing to speak to your mountain. It's harder to decide than you might think. You've got to open your mouth and speak to your mountain, and that takes determination and commitment, because you have to say what you mean and mean what you say.
If you're willing to commit to this process of moving your mountain, open your mouth and speak to your mountain. If commitment is not there, don't speak to your mountain, because your words will be meaningless. If you're committed and willing to exercise your faith (we'll talk about faith next time), in a firm voice, speak the following: "In the Name of Jesus, mountain of __________, I command you to MOVE!"
Matthew 17:20 [NIV]
"...say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'..."
What this has to do with weight loss: I knew my mountain of 245 excess pounds had to move, and when I was in the hospital in June of 2008, right there in my hospital room, I spoke these words: "Mountain of excess weight, I command you to MOVE, in Jesus' Name!" I then prayed, "Lord, if You open the door to weight-loss surgery, I'll walk through it." What is your weight-loss journey mountain? Open your mouth and command it to move, and then pray for God's help and wisdom to cooperate in the mountain-moving miracle that's coming your way.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I love that You've given me permission and authority to speak to my mountain and command it to move. I ask You to give me the courage to do my part, to open my mouth and say the words with commitment. Continue to show me, through Your Word, how to empower my words with faith. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, speaking to your mountain.
The S.T.A.R.T. Program (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation) CD helps you change from the inside-out. Check it out at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Yesterday, I asked you to decide what mountain you want moved and to write it down. Today, I want you to decide if you're willing to speak to your mountain. It's harder to decide than you might think. You've got to open your mouth and speak to your mountain, and that takes determination and commitment, because you have to say what you mean and mean what you say.
If you're willing to commit to this process of moving your mountain, open your mouth and speak to your mountain. If commitment is not there, don't speak to your mountain, because your words will be meaningless. If you're committed and willing to exercise your faith (we'll talk about faith next time), in a firm voice, speak the following: "In the Name of Jesus, mountain of __________, I command you to MOVE!"
Matthew 17:20 [NIV]
"...say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'..."
What this has to do with weight loss: I knew my mountain of 245 excess pounds had to move, and when I was in the hospital in June of 2008, right there in my hospital room, I spoke these words: "Mountain of excess weight, I command you to MOVE, in Jesus' Name!" I then prayed, "Lord, if You open the door to weight-loss surgery, I'll walk through it." What is your weight-loss journey mountain? Open your mouth and command it to move, and then pray for God's help and wisdom to cooperate in the mountain-moving miracle that's coming your way.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I love that You've given me permission and authority to speak to my mountain and command it to move. I ask You to give me the courage to do my part, to open my mouth and say the words with commitment. Continue to show me, through Your Word, how to empower my words with faith. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, speaking to your mountain.
The S.T.A.R.T. Program (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation) CD helps you change from the inside-out. Check it out at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #57 [Mountains, Part II]
Mountains are meant to be climbed, but some of them are meant to be moved. When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn't drive out the demon in a boy, He told them, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20, NIV). Jesus would not tell us to move mountains if they couldn't be moved or weren't meant to be moved.
If you would benefit more by the mountain being moved than climbed, then God wants you to have the faith to move your mountain. Mountains meant to be moved are those where there is nothing more you can do to improve your situation.
For the next few days, we're going to focus on Matthew 17:20, to see what we need to do (or have) to become mountain movers. For today, I want you to decide which mountain you'd like to have moved in your life. Write it down, and ask the Lord to help you understand, through this devotional, how to move that mountain.
Matthew 17:20 [NIV]
"...If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
What this has to do with weight loss: When I weighed 400 lbs. but should have weighed 155, I had a 245-lb. mountain in front of me. While I had been able to chip away a few pounds from it, it still loomed very large. One day, when I read Matthew 17:20, I decided that this was the mountain I was meant to move. I wrote it down, and I asked the Lord to help me understand how to move my mountain of excess weight. Whatever your mountain is, on your weight-loss journey, God can help you move it. Just ask Him and then listen for further instructions.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'll admit that I'm a little skeptical that I can be a mountain mover, but I do have a mountain that needs to be moved rather than climbed. It is the mountain of ______, and today I'm asking You for the wisdom to know and understand how to move it. Thank You, in advance, for helping me become a mountain mover, just like Jesus referred to when He said, 'Nothing will be impossible for you.' I pray in the Name of Your Mountain Moving Son, Jesus. Amen."
Go forth today, determined to see your mountain move.
If you would benefit more by the mountain being moved than climbed, then God wants you to have the faith to move your mountain. Mountains meant to be moved are those where there is nothing more you can do to improve your situation.
For the next few days, we're going to focus on Matthew 17:20, to see what we need to do (or have) to become mountain movers. For today, I want you to decide which mountain you'd like to have moved in your life. Write it down, and ask the Lord to help you understand, through this devotional, how to move that mountain.
Matthew 17:20 [NIV]
"...If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
What this has to do with weight loss: When I weighed 400 lbs. but should have weighed 155, I had a 245-lb. mountain in front of me. While I had been able to chip away a few pounds from it, it still loomed very large. One day, when I read Matthew 17:20, I decided that this was the mountain I was meant to move. I wrote it down, and I asked the Lord to help me understand how to move my mountain of excess weight. Whatever your mountain is, on your weight-loss journey, God can help you move it. Just ask Him and then listen for further instructions.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'll admit that I'm a little skeptical that I can be a mountain mover, but I do have a mountain that needs to be moved rather than climbed. It is the mountain of ______, and today I'm asking You for the wisdom to know and understand how to move it. Thank You, in advance, for helping me become a mountain mover, just like Jesus referred to when He said, 'Nothing will be impossible for you.' I pray in the Name of Your Mountain Moving Son, Jesus. Amen."
Go forth today, determined to see your mountain move.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #56 [Mountains]
I'll be honest. I don't like trials or mountains or bumps in the road of life. For some reason, I think life should be easy for me in the present and future, I guess because life in the past was so hard. I have an aversion to pain and difficulty, but I must come to terms with the fact that life is hard sometimes.
I know that many of my readers are going through difficult times. I hear you, and I feel your pain. I want you to know, though, that while God never promises that we won't go through hard times, "The Lord has promised that he will not leave us or desert us" (Hebrews 13:5, CEV). As you're trudging up your personal mountain, how you view it will make all the difference.
You might wish that your mountain was smooth, but if it was smooth, you wouldn't be able to climb it. There are rocky places along the way, but it's up to you whether you view them as stumbling blocks or stepping stones. It's all in how you look at your mountain, as something to be dreaded or something to be conquered.
James 1:2-4 [Amplified]
"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking nothing."
What this has to do with weight loss: I was talking to my life coach last week, and I was complaining about this weight-loss journey being "so hard." He likened it to the hard work of climbing a mountain. You get about halfway up the mountain, and because you're tired and sore and your breathing's a bit labored, you begin to entertain thoughts of turning around, of quitting. You begin the back and forth thoughts of "Quit" and "Keep going," and that banter continues for the remainder of the climb. But then you reach the summit, and it feels so wonderful, because you know you kept going despite the difficulties. My friends, let's keep going...no matter what. Let's keep the summit in view, and if we do, we will be victorious.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, You know I'm going through a trial today, and it's hard for me to 'consider it wholly joyful.' Help me to see it as You see it, a way to prove my faith and bring out endurance, steadfastness, and patience in me. I want to be 'perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking nothing,' and if this mountain is the only way to make that happen, then give me the grace to climb it. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, and be a mountain climber.
I know that many of my readers are going through difficult times. I hear you, and I feel your pain. I want you to know, though, that while God never promises that we won't go through hard times, "The Lord has promised that he will not leave us or desert us" (Hebrews 13:5, CEV). As you're trudging up your personal mountain, how you view it will make all the difference.
You might wish that your mountain was smooth, but if it was smooth, you wouldn't be able to climb it. There are rocky places along the way, but it's up to you whether you view them as stumbling blocks or stepping stones. It's all in how you look at your mountain, as something to be dreaded or something to be conquered.
James 1:2-4 [Amplified]
"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking nothing."
What this has to do with weight loss: I was talking to my life coach last week, and I was complaining about this weight-loss journey being "so hard." He likened it to the hard work of climbing a mountain. You get about halfway up the mountain, and because you're tired and sore and your breathing's a bit labored, you begin to entertain thoughts of turning around, of quitting. You begin the back and forth thoughts of "Quit" and "Keep going," and that banter continues for the remainder of the climb. But then you reach the summit, and it feels so wonderful, because you know you kept going despite the difficulties. My friends, let's keep going...no matter what. Let's keep the summit in view, and if we do, we will be victorious.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, You know I'm going through a trial today, and it's hard for me to 'consider it wholly joyful.' Help me to see it as You see it, a way to prove my faith and bring out endurance, steadfastness, and patience in me. I want to be 'perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking nothing,' and if this mountain is the only way to make that happen, then give me the grace to climb it. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, and be a mountain climber.
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