We need to get something straight before we go any further:
The Word of God is given as Doctrine! It’s not just a collection of stories!
Bible Doctrine – A
legal declaration from God in which He provides for His heirs the ability to
have “ALL” Power, Authority, and Dominion transferred to their possession at the
death of Jesus Christ.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works.” (2 timothy 3:16-17)
Years ago, in the middle of church, the Lord gave me
something supernaturally. It went like this: “If you don’t like what you see in
your life check up on what you’ve been doing. Because what you’ve been doing
has been producing the results you’ve been getting. If you keep doing the same
thing … for another 50 years … you’ll keep getting the same results …for
another 50 years. The only way to change the results is to change what’s
producing those results.”
I often see Christians struggling with the same problems,
year after year. They attempt to solve those problems using the same methods,
time and again. And, not surprisingly, they continue to get the same
disappointing results over and over again.
The Word of God tells us on how to handle difficulties in
life, yet often we’ve failed to heed His instructions. Let’s see what the Word
says about how to handle our problems by looking at some examples.
Jesus: The Fig Tree
We’ll begin by seeing how Jesus taught the disciples to
handle problems they encountered in life.
“And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and
when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come,
he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow, when they were
come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves,
he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he
found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered
and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples
heard it.” (Mark 11: 11-14)
It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t pray to His
Heavenly Father about the mountain or obstacle in His life, but rather “spoke
to the problem, directly”. Why, because Bible Doctrine is A legal declaration
from God in which He has already given us through the Holy Spirit ALL” Power,
Authority, and Dominion at the death of Jesus Christ.
It’s also notable that after Jesus taught in the temple,
many of the religious leaders didn't approve of his doctrine, just as they
wouldn't in this our day.
“And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how
they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people were astonished
at his doctrine.” (Mark 11: 18) Jesus’ doctrine was, and is, life-changing
doctrine.
Jesus spoke “to” the Fig Tree (mountain or obstacle in His
life). That was, and is, His doctrine.
“And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the
morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And
Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which
thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith
in God.” (Or … “Have the God kind of faith.”) (Mark 11: 19-22)
Peter was excited. Jesus had spoken to the problem (the fig
tree) the evening before. And to Peter’s amazement … by the next morning the
tree had dried up from the very roots. When Peter drew this to the Lord’s
attention, Jesus then began to instruct His followers concerning how to develop
this “God Kind of Faith.”
“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.” (Mark 11 23)
Jesus taught the disciples that this will work for anybody
(“whosoever”). He also taught them that they needed to talk “directly to the
problem” in their life, and “not to God about the problem”.
Jesus further instructed them “what” to say to the problem.
He told them that they needed to command the problem to leave, or cease
existing.
Jesus told them to have the “God kind of Faith” (verse 22).
He told them that having the God kind of faith meant speaking to the “mountains
or obstacles” in their life (verse 23).
Jesus further instructed them to believe and warned them to
not: “doubt in their heart” (verse 23).
Someone said, “Oh, that’s great. But how do you get to the
point that you believe or have “faith” in your heart?
Romans 10:17 addresses that issue. “So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” God’s Word tells us that the only way
the heart can acquire faith is through hearing, and hearing the Word of God!
Well, if faith from the heart comes only through hearing the
Word of God over and over, how do you guard your heart against doubt?
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (natural),
but mighty through God (supernatural) to the pulling down of strong holds
(mountains or obstacles); Casting down imaginations (thoughts), and every high
thing (including evil reports) that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(control your thoughts to be in line with God’s Word).” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Let’s confirm the Bible Doctrine of speaking to the problems
in our lives, just to make sure we've got it right!
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith And
the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto
this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the
sea; and it should obey you.” (Luke 17:5)
Here we see the disciples asking Jesus to help them learn
about the “God Kind of Faith”. He tells them that they must “do something” with
their faith. They would have to plant a mustard seed in order for it to become
anything, and likewise, they must act on their faith … in order for it to have
any effect.
Furthermore, Jesus instructed them as to how to act on their
faith. He said they would have to “say to the sycamine tree” (talk to the problem
in faith) … be thou plucked up and be planted in the sea (leave me) and it
would obey you.
Zerubbabel: The Mountain
Let’s look at a couple more examples from the Word of God.
Zerubbabel has a visitation from an Angel and is given instruction concerning
how to make mountains (obstacles in his life) disappear from his life.
“This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not
by might (your abilities), nor by power (numerical strength), but by my spirit
(supernaturally), saith the LORD of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain
(obstacle)? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain (absence of mountains):
and he shall bring forth the headstone (marking the place of the burial of the
mountain) thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace (God’s unmerited favor)
unto it.” (Zechariah 4:6, 7)
God stated that He would use supernatural means to rid
Zerubbabel of his problems. He went on to tell Zerubbabel that his part was to
shout to the mountain claiming the grace (unmerited favor) of God. By doing so,
the mountain (obstacle) would disappear and become a plain before him.
Abraham: The Baby
Let’s see what Abraham (the Father of our Faith) learned,
concerning the flesh (natural realm) as it pertains to Faith? “What shall we
say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?” (Romans 4:1)
“As it is written, I have made thee a father of many
nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and
calleth those things which be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17)
Abram wasn't initially “in faith” concerning God’s promise.
He initially placed great emphasis upon the circumstances. That’s why, when
Sarah’s womb was dead, they contrived a plan for him to father a child by her
handmaiden, Hagar. (This illustrates that it’s quite possible for someone to
begin in unbelief; recognize their error; and then build their faith to a level
that they can receive God’s promise.)
Abram had to “keep hearing” in order for faith to come. (“So
then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17)
God changed his name from Abram to Abraham (meaning Father of many nations),
because he needed to hear what God said … again, and again, and again, and
again.
Abraham had to get to the point that “he considered not his
body now dead, neither the deadness of Sarah’s womb”. (He had to arrive at the
point where he could “cast down reasoning's and imaginations”.)
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (natural),
but mighty through God (supernatural) to the pulling down of strong holds
(mountains or obstacles); Casting down imaginations (thoughts), and every high
thing (evil reports) that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (He had to
control what he thought about.) 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the
father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed
be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when
he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
He
staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith,
giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he
was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for
righteousness.” (Romans 4:18-22)
God, our Father, The Chief Elder (Spiritually Mature One):
God, Himself, framed the worlds by believing and speaking
the desired results.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so
that things which are seen (visible things) were not made of things which do
appear (natural material).” (Hebrews 11: 1-3)
Peter: The Boat
Peter is an example of someone beginning in the “Arena of Faith”
and then getting pulled over into the “Arena of Reason”.
“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into
a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes
away.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain
apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship
was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying,
It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto
them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him
and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said,
Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to
go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning
to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth
his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore
didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14: 22-31)
Peter began to walk on the water in response to the “Word”
of the Living God (Jesus). At this point he was operating in the “Arena of
Faith.” As long as he concentrated on what the Lord said, he was successful.
But the moment he began considering the circumstances and got his eyes on the
“wind boisterous” …he moved over to the “Arena of Reason” and he began to sink.
Let me ask you a question. What does wind have to do with
walking on water? Not a single thing! If God tells you something, then don’t
get your eyes on anything other than what He said! Satan will always try to get
you to look at something besides God’s Word, and if he’s successful at doing
that, you’ll be defeated … every time!
Jesus confronted Peter as to why he changed from fighting in
the “Arena of Faith” … where he was already winning; to fighting in the “Arena
of Reason” … where loss was inevitable.
Concentrating on the “Word of God” (Arena of Faith)
concerning the situation and guarding against moving over into the Arena of
Reason (considering the circumstances) will insure victory.
We need to discover and correct error in our thinking and
our actions. (Remember, if it’s not working for you now, change what you’ve
been doing, because what you’ve been doing … has been producing the results
you’ve been getting.)
The Scripture declares: “Calleth those things that be not as
though they were”
It didn’t say, “Calleth those things which be … as though
they were not!”
Wrong confession … Claiming: “I’m not sick, I’m not sick.”
(When you’re sicker than a dog).
Right confession … Claiming: “By Jesus stripes I am healed.
Thank you Jesus for healing me. I’m healed. Himself bare my sickness and
carried my infirmities. He blesses my bread and my water and takes sickness
away from the midst of me. He sent His Word and healed me and delivered me from
my destruction. These symptoms will have to go, because I’m healed…Praise God,
I’m healed.”
Remember people have faith in many things, most of them in
the things of the flesh (natural realm). To create faith in the heart It takes
the abiding in the Word of God, and speaking of God’s Word in Life’s Troubling
Moment to that situation. This creates the God Kind of Faith that will make
Mountains (Issues, Problems, and Circumstances) disappear. This is moving in the Arena of Faith which
comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. This produces and develops Faith in the
heart. Remember to receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit and invoke Him in your life on a daily basis. He is the power which allows us to live the
life God has set apart for us. Selah
