Move that Mountain

​Mountains.
 
I was raised in the Pacific Northwest where we have real mountains. Towering, majestic, mystical mounds of impregnable rock, evergreen trees and rushing, clear water streams, dot the lush, breathtaking landscape of western Washington State. Sky piercing, imposing peaks of pumice and granite stone stretching upward to the heavens are an awe-inspiring wonder of God’s incredible creation. I love those mountains!
 
I have resided in Oklahoma for over thirty years. Guess what? No lofty mountains in this plains state. I believe Steve Roll’s heavenly mansion will be surrounded by mountains, forests and streams!    
 
Truth is, not all mountains in life are majestic.
 
Some mountains make life miserable. Mountains of sin and shame, guilt and bitterness, illness, debt, depression, disappointment, broken relationships, grief and sorrow can block our path to a happy and satisfying life.
 
While teaching Kingdom principles, Jesus, standing on Mt. Olivet, pointed to the Dead Sea in the distance and boldly declared that we can move mountains of trouble and difficulty that are obstacles in our lives.  
 
The Lord tells us in Mark 11:22 to “Have faith in God.”
 
“And Jesus answered them saying “Have faith in God.”
 
These four powerful words pinpoint for us our life purpose. Bottom line: We are to put our faith in God. Believers in Christ can become mountain movers through faith in God.
 
He goes on to explain how to exercise mountain-moving “faith in God” in verses 23 and 24.
 
“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain be taken up and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.” Therefore, I say to you all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.”                        Mark 11:23-24
 
 
 
I see in our verses for the week a simple three step strategy for faith to move mountains.
 
1. SAY WHAT YOU BELIEVE! Speak to your mountain. Twice Jesus uses the word “says.” There is power in the spoken Word. Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). God spoke creation into being with His Word. Jesus says we can move mountains with our words. Words of faith that is. I call biblical faith say it faith.
 
Say it faith is faith that removes mountains. Speak God’s will and what you want. Take charge. Talk to your difficulty. Tell it that you are a person of faith and that it must go swimming! Cast that mountain into the sea.
 
2. BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAY! Pray about your mountain. Verse 23 is all about praying and asking in faith. Pray it and say it with faith and do not doubt. Jesus says not to doubt in our hearts. Doubt out. Faith in.
 
Pray a prayer of belief. Believe in your heart and speak with your mouth. Believe what? That what you say is going to happen. See by faith, pray in faith and speak your sickness gone. Your debts dissolving. Your depression defeated. Your sorrow fleeing away and joy returning. SEE IT THEN SAY IT.
           
When we doubt, mountains tower over us. When we believe, we tower over mountains. Hearts full of faith and free from doubt move mountains. Believing prayer turns mountains into molehills.
 
* BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAY AND SAY WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
 
3. RECEIVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE! Jesus says if we do step one and two, step three is this: “it will be granted him.”  Note “will be” not might be. Your mountain will be gone. History!!! Verse 24 hitchhikes off verse 23 and declares that receiving follows believing. Say it faith sees with the eye of faith and receives what it believes.
 
Say it faith sees the mountain drowning in the sea. Say it faith is a slay it faith. Pray it, say it, and slay your mountain in Jesus’ name!
 
With tremendous, personal faith, Caleb spoke these words to Joshua upon entering the Promised Land. “Give me this mountain!” (See Joshua 14:12). Which mountain Caleb? That one over there Joshua. See it--the towering one with the giants on it. That is the one I want. Let me at them. I will take the high country from the enemy through faith in the living God! Caleb did. He spoke faith and took the mountain.
 
*BELIEVING ALWAYS PRECEDES RECEIVING
 
Some imposing mountain standing in your way, blocking your progress as a Christian? Do not cower. Demonstrate power. Tell the mountain tower to be removed in Jesus’ name!
 
You, yes you, can be a mountain mover!
 
“THEREFORE, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you receive them, and they shall be granted you.”                                           Mark 11:24
 
A Word For Your Week: Move your mountains by faith in the name of your mountain moving God!