Part 2
Dear Friends,
Last week I shared the part man has in speaking faith as well as the prayer of faith. There is a habit and practice of faith as well as the “spirit of faith.” One enhances the other. Salvation is experienced not only by belief in the heart, but also by confession with the mouth (Romans 10:9).
Jesus, as His Father in creation, came speaking. He spoke a “state of being” on a situation. “Be still . . . Be healed . . . Be whole . . . Be clean.” The disciples did the same. “I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13).
It seems that negativism is a monstrous sin inherited by the human race. It was the easiest way of expression for fallen man. For many sincere believers it still is. For most, it’s not a quick cure; the negative mind is easily captured by thoughts that seem to shout all day and sometimes all night. I needed to put off “the former conversation” (Philippians 3:20) and be unflinching in my attitude. The Word “you have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:16) was transforming as I cultivated a new habit.
I began to realize that when faith is quickened by a promise, it is no longer a promise, but a prophecy. The disciples couldn’t help but speak what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:25). If we affirm God in others, they will most often develop into who they always wanted to be.
We can rename our circumstances as well. Hosea changed the humiliating “Valley of Achor” to the “Door of Hope” (2:15).
In Revelation 2:17 we shall be renamed. How many ways has God endeared Himself! He said, “We are dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God” (Romans 7:4).
God the Father wants a lovely bride for His Son. This loveliness is often expressed by speech. Sometimes it is expressed in problems that seem insurmountable. We are to find strength when we speak to the mountain, though prayer is understood. We must act as we asked.
The Lord gave me this word as well: “Let there be no complaining in our streets” (see Psalm 144:14). Speaking faith and affirming leaves no place for complaining. Negative thoughts must give way to “whatsoever things are lovely, honest, [and] whatsoever things are of good report” (Philippians 4:8). The mind and the mouth function together. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
Do I get weak and tired? Yes, but I know to “go” anyway. “His strength will be made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). If we have enough strength to show up, we can expect Him to show up, also. It’s up to Him to make what we do effective, no matter how our feelings clamor for attention.
Don’t fall for the trick that we must present our most privileged and talented selves to Christ. “God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Even age is not a factor to faith. Abraham was father to Isaac when his body was as good as dead. Sarah herself received strength to conceive. Not bad for one in her nineties (Romans 4:19; Hebrews 11:12).
We have no excuses to fail. God refuses to give us less than all He has already committed to bless (2 Corinthians 3:6). So give Him your fervent prayers, your faith talk, and continued affirmations in your service. “Decree a thing, and it will be established unto you” (Job 22:28).
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Psalm 18:21). We make the choice to speak life or death in our prayers for our families, our world, and ourselves. “Choose life that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
What are you speaking?
Love,
Ruth Ann