IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE, DON'T EXPECT AN ANSWER! (5 OF 5)
by Jerry Branch
Scripture: MARK 11:24
This content is part of a series.
If You Don't Believe, Don't EXPECT an Answer! (5 of 5)
Theme: Prayer
Gerald Branch
Mark 11:24
December 9, 2001
Key words: Prayer; faith; believe; commands; ask
(Read Mark 11:24-26)
v.24 "...all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."
Now as I look at this verse, I don't know about you, but I just love it... unfortunately, I think we may take what it says for granted and often miss the deeper implications and the practical application that comes out of this passage...
You see, as we look at this verse, we FIRST find that the Lord issues a command... in the original language, it's what is called the 'imperative form' ...the command form... and as such, we should understand this command that Jesus is giving us in about the same light as a soldier would when he or she is commanded to do something by his or her commander.
So.... Do you see what Jesus is telling us? Jesus tells us to "pisteuvete" 'to believe' ...and that means to FULLY TRUST in what He says; to fully have confidence in what He says; to have complete assurance; BUT...here is the REAL deeper part... it means to be both 'believe, as well as to be 'faithful' to what you believe'. I.e. ...LIVE your belief.
I read an article that really shows this...here's part of it...Cheri Walters, in the publication, "Heart to Heart," wrote:
References: James 1:6; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Chronicles 20:20
Tone: Positive
One Sunday, our minister spoke on faith. He told a story about a pastor who called his members to a prayer meeting to pray for rain, yet sent them home saying, "You came to pray for rain, but didn't bring umbrellas." Our minister's words on faith didn't go unheard. The following Wednesday evening, as he opened our Bible study with prayer, he heard a rustling sound. He looked up to see the smiling faces of our congregation--under open umbrellas.
Citation: Cheri Walters, Newhall, CA. "Heart to Heart," Today's Christia ...
Theme: Prayer
Gerald Branch
Mark 11:24
December 9, 2001
Key words: Prayer; faith; believe; commands; ask
(Read Mark 11:24-26)
v.24 "...all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."
Now as I look at this verse, I don't know about you, but I just love it... unfortunately, I think we may take what it says for granted and often miss the deeper implications and the practical application that comes out of this passage...
You see, as we look at this verse, we FIRST find that the Lord issues a command... in the original language, it's what is called the 'imperative form' ...the command form... and as such, we should understand this command that Jesus is giving us in about the same light as a soldier would when he or she is commanded to do something by his or her commander.
So.... Do you see what Jesus is telling us? Jesus tells us to "pisteuvete" 'to believe' ...and that means to FULLY TRUST in what He says; to fully have confidence in what He says; to have complete assurance; BUT...here is the REAL deeper part... it means to be both 'believe, as well as to be 'faithful' to what you believe'. I.e. ...LIVE your belief.
I read an article that really shows this...here's part of it...Cheri Walters, in the publication, "Heart to Heart," wrote:
References: James 1:6; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Chronicles 20:20
Tone: Positive
One Sunday, our minister spoke on faith. He told a story about a pastor who called his members to a prayer meeting to pray for rain, yet sent them home saying, "You came to pray for rain, but didn't bring umbrellas." Our minister's words on faith didn't go unheard. The following Wednesday evening, as he opened our Bible study with prayer, he heard a rustling sound. He looked up to see the smiling faces of our congregation--under open umbrellas.
Citation: Cheri Walters, Newhall, CA. "Heart to Heart," Today's Christia ...
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