Have Faith in God

Mark 11:22-26 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ²³For 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. ²⁴therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ²⁵And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your heavenly Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

This passage ought to be very familiar to Christians everywhere as it is often quoted in regards to faith and receiving from God. However, it also contains vital precepts often ignored and thereby frustrating the Christian’s attempt to receive from the Lord God.

The word, believe, in the Greek means far more than we are accustomed to hearing. Believe and faith mean: to be convinced or persuaded. Asserting that one has their mind made up by overwhelmingly convincing evidence. The passage begins with having faith in God. So often we are confused thinking [subconsciously] that we are the object of faith; when it fact God himself is the subject and foundation of our faith.

            Often we ask for prayer of those who have not been fully persuaded and convinced and wonder why it doesn’t come to pass. We, ourselves are guilty, albeit unwarily, that our hearts are not convinced and therefore do not receive. We are merely “going through the motions” without convincing and convicting faith. Abraham believed God, not knowing where he was going (Heb.11:8-19) and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Though he tried in the flesh to secure the promise (through hearkening to his wife Sarah and laying with Hagar the Egyptian slave thus conceiving Ishmael) yet Scripture records he did not doubt the word of the Lord God.

We might ask, What then did Abraham and the collage of witnesses have faith in; and exactly how was their faith cemented into their hearts? As for Abraham, personally I believe his faith was made solid from his childhood and youth. Even though his homeland was Ur of the Chaldees (Gen.11:28-12:1) his lineage is from Seth (Gen.11:10). As you recall means substitute or replacement as he replaced his brother Abel, slain by Cain. No matter what you believe regarding Abraham’s acquisition of faith, the fact is God recognized it and called it faith. Abraham’s whole life is a testimony of unwavering lifestyle of faith, regardless of the situation he found himself in. Not only that, but his faith grew with each trial.

Abel was to be the seed through which Messiah would come; however being slain by Cain there was a necessity to produce another in his place even Seth. It is this righteous line I believe Abraham’s roots with the Lord God began to grow. I further believe Abraham’s faith was multiplied by simple observance of creation (Ps.19:1-6; Rm.1:19-20). This underscores a previous lesson regarding teaching our children creation’s story from their formative days, which should tend to ward off many a sinful behavior (Rm.1:18-32) simply because they have learned the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of knowledge Pr.1:7; and wisdom Ps.111:10; Pr.9:10.

.Prayer

When we ask for prayer, we need to know the person we approach is absolutely convinced of God. James 5:14-16 is any among you afflicted? Let him pray.  Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; let them pray over him, anointing with oil in the name of the Lord: ¹⁵And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. ¹⁶Confess your faults o ne to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. According to this passage, there is a violation of principle enacted:

·         Let means to allow or set free [the AMP. Bible says should : they should pray. Thus shifting the emphasis to the afflicted ones to be responsible to pray for themselves.] I like that!

·         The afflicted are admonished to pray: an affliction is entirely different than a sickness, in that it is a trial, tribulation, or endurance of hardship, or ill treatment by another which opens the door to a malady of situations which may comprise an affliction. Although, it may also encompass the mental and emotional and spiritual state. Note: an affliction, not properly attended, certainly has the potential for propagating an illness, thus in behooves one to pray for himself while it is yet an affliction.

·         The merry to sing Psalms. Not mere songs, of secular nature, rather Psalms or even songs of praise.

·         While the sick are to call the church elders for prayer. A sickness is an attack on one’s physical health.

This does not preclude one from asking the church elders for prayer, but it certainly may hinder one’s personal prayer life. Each individual is encouraged to learn to pray in faith…fully persuaded that the Lord God is not only able and willing but also will whenever faith is evident to Him. That evidential faith is that the petitioner is fully persuaded that God has answered or will answer the petition. The erroneous teaching that God denies our requests is in direct opposition to Scripture.

The clear declaration is that the prayer of faith will [in fact] heal the sick, with the added blessing of sins being forgiven. Often sin is the cause of sickness. (1Cor.11:29-31)

However, the contemporary church body has lumped all into one pot or the other. I’m not sure if it makes a real difference, but at least in biblical theory we have deterred from the simplicity of the Scripture.

            Faith and belief both require obedience to God’s word either spoken [as in Abraham] or written. Abraham’s faith was made manifest by his obedience to the spoken word of the Lord God.

            So far we’ve been concerned with healing; however faith and belief extend to every arena of our lives; but the apostle Mark makes no distinction lumping all into the category of “mountain”…say unto this mountain. (Mk.11:23a)

·         Salvation itself requires that we be absolutely convinced and persuaded that the blood of Jesus, His death, burial and resurrection are the one and only means of salvation. Not works, not penance, not cutting ourselves or sacrificing ourselves as martyrs; on the blood of the Lamb of God will purge our hearts from sin. and as such persuasion we are compelled to be baptized. Acts 26:28 Agrippa told Paul Almost thou hast persuaded me to be a Christian. Agrippa believed the prophets (27) but could not be convinced or persuaded to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

·         Selecting a lifelong mate

·         Employment

·         Financial provision

·         The list is endless; all require being convinced and persuaded that God is faithful; that’s what makes the difference between you, me and the saints listed in Heb.11 [the faith hall of faith].

Therefore it matters not which arena of life we’re concerned about, to achieve success we need to have new information that we might make a new and more successful outcome. Our environment has fed us full of ill-fated information leading us into negative decisions and consequences. Because our parents were guilty of subverting our minds and hearts by telling us we were dumb or stupid we fell or were led into a lifestyle of failure. The antidote for this malfunctioning family lore is to learn and have reinforced with positive information concerning us.

·         Mt.6:26-30 we are of more value to the Father than all  creation

·         Ps.139:13-16 we were fearfully and wonderfully made

·         Rm.8:1-4 there is brethren now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus

·         Rm.8:16-17 heirs of God…joint heirs with Christ

·         1Cor.2:16b we have the mind of Christ

Many other passages affirm our identity and relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. This is information desperately needed to change and transform a person from vileness to beauty.

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  ²For by it [faith] the elders obtained a good report.

Another often misused and abused passage: however by our previous definition faith is both the substance and evidence of whatever we hope for or pray for. In other words because we are persuaded and convinced of God’s ability, desire, and that He watches over His Word to perform it (Jer.1:12 paraphrased).

Indeed many other passages affirm God’s faithfulness to His Word, lest otherwise He be found to be a liar. But we know that He is faithful!

There are therefore a limited number of instances whereby God does not and will not answer our requests. All are based on God’s righteousness, faithfulness, and love. Not one is based on God being fickle or arbitrary.

1.    Unbelief; we are not fully convinced or persuaded that God will answer the request.

2.    Sin: James 4:1-4 …even of your lusts that war in your members. ²Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. ³Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. ⁴Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

3.    Disobedience. Det.1:45; 1Sam.14:37; 28:6

4.    Secret sin: Ps.66:158

5.    Neglect of mercy: Pr.21:13; indifference: Pr.1:28

6.    Despising the law Pr.28:9

7.    Blood-guiltiness Isa.1:15

8.    Iniquity Isa.59:2; Mi.3:4

9.    Stubbornness: Zech. 7:13

10. Instability Ja.1:6-7

11. Self-indulgence Ja.4:3

Note: 3-9 & 11 come under the umbrella of sin. While #10 is classified as doubt; not being fully [emphasis on fully] convinced or persuaded.

Matthew 17:14-21 When the disciples declared they could not cast out the lunatick Jesus chided them for their unbelief…they were not fully convinced or persuaded in their God given ability to do so.

Mark 9:23-24 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. ²⁴And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

This is the same account as in Mt. 17:14-21 with a slightly different spin, in this case the child’s father both confesses his belief and asks for his unbelief to be strengthened. Letting us know that there are circumstances whereby our faith is in fact strong in one area and at the same time we are weak in other areas of faith. But, be not dismayed, for our God is able also to strengthen our faith in those areas most needed…we need only to ask.

            During Jesus ministry in Mt.9:29, while healing the two blind men, he said according to your faith be it unto you. Yet another testimony that faith is not blind but absolute conviction and persuasion in God’s Word. Back in vs.28 He asked Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him Yea Lord. They were fully convinced and persuaded…and received their sight!

Minister’s Task

The ministers task, therefore, becomes one not of convincing or changing another’s mind, rather of presenting new evidence whereby opportunity is manifest to make a new decision based on new information. Remember: no one changes their mind; they make a new decision based on new information. And God gives the increase (1Cor.3:7).

            Many erroneously interpret minister as a special office set aside from the masses to minister unto others. However, the Greek diakoneo means servant or deacon. Hence, although certain ones were chosen in Acts 6 to be deacons, yet they were, in essence servants, the NT refers to all God’s children as servants. The only difference being that some have greater responsibility than others.

Conclusion

The disciples asked of Christ, …teach us to pray…Lu.11:1c. Depending on one’s interpretation of to will determine whether it simply means the importance of prayer or, perhaps, more profoundly, the mechanics of prayer as we have been studying. If indeed, it means the later, could it be possible that the elimination of fear, anxiety, and doubting would be the result? I think so, at least in my personal life; of course, I’ve been in a constant learning mode most of my saved life. Ever learning, never satisfied with status quo. Perhaps that’s what makes the difference.

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    Define faith:

2.    Define believe:

3.    Why is it important to believe when you pray?

4.    Why is it important for the elders to believe?

5.    Have you ever prayed for another in unbelief?

6.    Has anyone, you know of, prayed for you in unbelief?

7.    What one thing can you do to help or strengthen your unbelief?

8.    Explain how this study has caused you to Know God better than ever before.

9.    Explain the minister’s task in your own words.

10. Every child of God is called to be a minister or servant. Explain what this means to you and how it will change the way you minister to others in prayer.

11. If Abraham’s faith grew with every trial, should not ours as well?

12. Upon reviewing the reasons for unanswered prayer, how many are there?

13. Is God arbitrary and capricious in answering prayer?

14. Read 1Peter 1:3-10; Ge.22:2; Jos.6:.3; Jud.7:7; 1Ki.17:13; 2Ki.4:3; Mt.9:28; Mk.7:27; Ne.11:8, 17, 336; Jas,1:3; 1Pet.1:7 Explain they apply to this study.

Knowing God

A brief [not complete, add to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:

·         Love

·         Gracious

·         Merciful

·         Righteous

·         Longsuffering

·         Gentle

·         Faithful

·         Compassionate

·         Forgiving

·         Friend

       The ultimate goal of Bible study is to know God, not simply memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.

Abraham's Saga part 4

Read Genesis 15:1-21

The entire chapter chronicles the Lord God reassuring Abram of the promise given in ch.12. It is followed by a blood covenant between God and Abram and a prophecy of Abram’s posterity enslaved in Egypt 400 years, and concludes with the boundaries of the Promised Land being spelled out.

       At this time the Lord God speaks to Abram in a vision [a vision is: an experience in which a personage, thing, or event appears vividly or credibly to the mind, although not actually present, under influence of a divine or other agency. ¹ Random House Dictionary College Edition]; or [a spectacle sight, an appearance ² Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words.] In the New Testament church, one might refer to a vision as a “prompting” or “moving” of the Spirit. This is important as God still communicates to His people/children in similar fashion as in the OT. John 10 shares the Shepherd’s communication with His sheep, His sheep knowing His voice. God communicates with His sheep in a broad variety of ways and isn’t bound by human presumptions.

       Fear not is a phrase of comfort, as it is indeed a fearful [awesome] thing for God to speak directly to us in our fallen state. Because we are His children, we need not fear His voice [fear may mean either a sense of awe as well as being afraid or scared, depending upon the context]. It is also noteworthy that He identified Himself as Abram’s shield; He is our shield as well, though we often forget. Shield means He is our provider and protector as well.

The Promise Reiterated

       Because of our human frailty it is often necessary for God to revisit His promises to us as with Abram. Perhaps because our faith may waver from time to time; nevertheless, it’s vital to stay in fellowship with His written Word, in prayer, and worship.

       The latter part of vs.1 may be somewhat confusing in the KJV; while it is clarified in the Amplified, RSV and others to read as: your reward shall be exceedingly great; which coincides with Abram’s query in vs.2 What wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless.

Abram’s question prompts an answer from the Lord God; vs.4b but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

       The Lord God also revisits His promise to Abram that his seed would be in number as the stars of heaven…innumerable. Such is the Nation of Israel today. They occupy the four corners of the earth, yet without number. It is said that Hiller slaughtered over 6 million Jews during the holocaust; and yet they are more in number than ever before.

Vs.6 because Abram believed God it was counted unto him for righteousness. The very foundation of our salvation rests not on our great works, innumerable deeds and contributions to mankind, but simple because we believe God’s salvation plan of Jesus dying for our sin, thus paying the death penalty for us, and being raised from the dead for our justification. Rm. 4:25; 1Cor.15:1-20

Blood Covenant

       In vs. 7 Abram asks for a sign of God’s promise to inherit the land. It is not, as some would propose, an act of unbelief, rather it underscores his faith through his obedience, as all he is asking for is confirmation that he has heard correctly.

The Lord’s response is to give Abram instructions for the preparations for a blood covenant. Interestingly, the five animals he was to prepare are the same prescribed by Moses; each a sacrifice for a different occasion. See Lev.1-7

Note: each animal was divided in half with the pieces laid side by side; however the birds were left whole.

1.    A three year old heifer: Lev.1:2-9—a burnt offering; Lev.3:1-11—a peace offering by fire

2.    A three year old female goat: Lev.1:10-13—a burnt offering; Lev.3:12-16—a burnt offering as a sweet smelling savor

3.    A three year old ram: Lev.1:10-13—aburnt offering—a sweet smelling savor

4.    A turtledove: Lev.5:11-13—a sin offering

5.    A young pigeon: Lev.5:11-13—a sin offering

Matthew Henry asserts the sacrifices were in accordance with Jer.34:18-19 and laid in such a manner that the Lord should pass through; however the Genesis text confirms that the Lord passed through, as signified by the smoking furnace and burning lamp (not mentioned before) also signifying the offerings were burnt by the furnace and lamp.

He further asserts that when vain thoughts arise within us, symbolic of the fowls, we need to drive them off. See 2Cor.10:3-6. This makes sense as impure and vain thinking destroys faith, though it may be deemed by some as spiritualizing, in this instance it may be warranted.

Horror of Darkness

Abram must have been exhausted to fall into such a deep sleep. It is possible that the horror mentioned in vs.12 was in fact a revelation of the affliction and slavery his posterity would experience in Egypt those 400 years. It certainly does symbolize our plight in slavery and bondage to sin, as sin is nearly always a type of Egypt. I’m sure Abram would be fearful to learn of his seed being in slavery, I know I would; wouldn’t you? We would all wish the absolute best for our offspring as opposed to slavery to sin, knowing its terrible consequences. We have two brand new grandsons for whom we are in daily prayer for their lives and souls. We pray God’s best in life for them; at the same time we realize trials and temptations may be God’s tools in leading them to salvation.

Comfort comes to Abram as the horror [a terror, shuddering fear Amp.] described is offset with deliverance, and his posterity plundering their tormentors. Egypt shall be visited by the hand of God for their evil toward His people (most often Egypt is a type of bondage to sin in Scripture).

I know if I had a dreamed my children would be slaves, for any amount of time, it would have seemed a horrible nightmare; I’d awaken scared to death!

Then the Lord lays out the boundaries of the Promised Land.

1.    From the river in Egypt to the Euphrates river.

2.    Kenites

3.    Kenizzites

4.    Kadmonites

5.    Hittites               

6.    Perizites                                     descendents of Ishmael]

7.    Rephaims

8.    Amorites

9.    Cannanites

10. Girgashites

11. Jebusites

The map below illustrates the boundaries of the tribal inhabitants of Canaan as promised to Abram. These are the peoples God drove out that Israel might possess the land. As you recall He drove out the inhabitants of Canaan a little at a time as opposed to all at once. It is also a type of deliverance from sin in our lives as God drives out the wickedness from within you and me that the Spirit might abide within and produce the fruit of the Spirit John 15:1-8; Gal.5:22-26.

Map 1

As one can easily see from the map below the Promised Land encompasses more than the narrow strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea, currently occupied by Israel.

The land was a gift from God by grace, and not deserved by Israel or anyone else.  He is the owner of the land and will bestow it on Abraham’s seed when the time is right. But if Israel is not a blessing, if they do not receive the love of God and enter the covenant by faith in Christ, they will not have a share in it.  Now that Christ has come, they can only receive the promises by faith in their Messiah. 

Map 2

Interestingly, the Jews have lived and sojourned in the land from time to time without ever having possessed it. During the 70 year captivity in Babylon they were also held in the land of the Chaldeans. A land promised to Abram, occupied, but never owned or possessed! Only the small strip of land by the Mediterranean Sea does Israel currently own and occupy. For only the Lord God will literally give it to them, in His timing!

Seed of Abraham

At this point, the question arises as to whether Ishmael has legitimate claim to the aforementioned land. Although both Ishmael and Isaac were the sons of Abraham, however, only Isaac was the:

·         Son of promise

·         Son by blood covenant

·         Heir to the land with conditions to be met [circumcision, Gen.17:10; walk before Him blameless; a precept of Christianity which necessitates living a life acceptable to God,

·         Called the seed of Abraham Gen.21:10-12

Ishmael’s Promise

·         A great nation Gen.21:18 [12 tribes or nations] [12 princes]  Gen.25:12-18 ¹²Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maid, bore to Abraham; ¹³and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam ¹⁴and Mishma and Dumah and Massa, ¹⁵Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. ¹⁶These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes. ¹⁷These are the years of the life of Ishmael, one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. ¹⁸They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.

·         Not to share the same promise with Isaac Gen.21:10: ¹⁰Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even Isaac. ¹¹And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son. ¹²And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

·         Ishmael also Abraham’s seed Gen.21:13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

·         Not promised land

·         Although Ishmael was the firstborn of Abraham yet he was not called to inherit the same promise [land] as his younger brother Isaac. Ishmael was 13 years older than Isaac.

Because Ishmael was the elder son of Abraham he contends with Isaac for all the blessings and inheritance of his father, Abraham.

Spiritual vs. Fleshly Conflict

       From the outset of Scripture the conflict between the two brothers appears to be one of material blessings and wealth. However, an in depth study reveals it to be far more. It is indeed both a natural or fleshly and a spiritual contention. That is, when God told Abraham to cast out the bondwoman, he was also referring to the spiritual battle. Ishmael always represents the fleshly side of mankind attempting to secure God’s promises and blessings via man’s own works rather that obedience to the Lord God. Abraham, while being faithful in his obedience to God, took it upon his own initiative to listen to Sarah’s counsel and lay with Hagar the Egyptian slave, thereby entitling Ishmael to Abraham’s blessings and inheritance. But God always has different plans as later He tells Abraham that Ishmael will not be heir to Abraham’s blessings; rather Isaac is to be called the seed of Abraham. Isaac then becomes the type of a righteous believer, by faith, and Ishmael the type of unregenerate who depends not upon faith in God but his own works to inherit eternal blessings and life. It matters not that God did not tell Abram, from the beginning, that his seed would come from Sarah. It is a given that God’s promise should also be fulfilled, not by man’s fleshly endeavors, but by divine providence, even Sarah. Even today, man is striving to achieve the eternal through temporal means. It is a universal malady of mankind, a classic battle between Satan and Christ to achieve the blessings of God through the flesh.

Ishmael, as Abram’s firstborn and, at this point, only son. Islam² is the religion of the Muslims¹, with Mohammed as their founding prophet. Islam, therefore, is a religion of works and not faith, as they believe in attaining the blessings through works and not faith. Allah³ is the god of Islam.

¹ Muslim is an Arabic word meaning: one who submits to God. ² Islam means submission. ³ Allah is not the God of Israel, but the personal name of the divine spirit.

The blessing pronounced by God upon Ishmael shows God’s love for Ishmael as the son of Abraham; and also demonstrates God’s love for all humanity despite our rebellion.. He still loves us.

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    What was God’s promise to Abraham?

2.    Review map 1.

3.    Did you ever wonder about the boundaries given in 15:18 as shown in map 2.

4.    Does God not love Ishmael?

5.    Does not God love everyone?

6.    Find notable passages whereas the Children or Israel periodically occupied the land in map 2.

7.    Who is the rightful owner of the Promised Land?

8.    Notice: 15:19-21 details the strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea pertain to the land mass now possessed by Israel.

Knowing God

A brief [not complete, add to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:

·         Love

·         Gracious

·         Merciful

·         Righteous

·         Longsuffering

·         Gentle

·         Faithful

·         Compassionate

·         Forgiving

·         Friend

       The ultimate goal of Bible study is to know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.