What is the deal with “name it and claim it?” or “Speaking things into existence?” or “Calling things that are not as though they were?” These are some common terms that are circulated and taught within Christian circles, therefore, what is right about these things and just what does the Bible say on all this? Well listen in today and learn what insight the Bible has to offer on this often confusing topic as our pastor / teacher Landis Fisher provides an interesting view on this question and more, as we continue our study through the gospel of Mark, in a lesson that he calls: “Expectation, Prayer and Faith” So, open your bibles and listen in, as we pray along with our teacher.
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 50:1 – 23 (KJV)
Psa 50:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Psa 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. Psa 50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Psa 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. Psa 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. Psa 50:7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. Psa 50:8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. Psa 50:9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. Psa 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. Psa 50:11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. Psa 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Psa 50:13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Psa 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: Psa 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psa 50:16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Psa 50:17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. Psa 50:18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Psa 50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Psa 50:20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. Psa 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Psa 50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Psa 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 11:12 – 26 (KJV)
Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. Mark 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; Mark 11:16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. Mark 11:19 And when even was come, he went out of the city. Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Mark 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. Mark 11:23 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 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) Those who are saved from the wrath and judgment of God by faith in Jesus Christ alone must be taught and learn what things are right to expect from God; such things are revealed in the Bible God’s Holy inerrant Word, and by His Holy Spirit who is given to lead and guide true believers to “ALL TRUTH” (John 16:13 KJV) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 17:17 KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
#2) Perhaps the greatest of all privileges possessed by the saved is that of prayer, which is the ability to effectively commune with God about any matter of life. (1 Pet 5:7 KJV) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
#3) Faith is the engine that powers the vehicle of salvation providing a foundation of hope to every believer anchoring their soul in the living God and also a biblical set of expectations given by God to set a direction of focus and a definite path Jesus referred to as a strait gate and narrow way which leads to life and He said therefore that “few” there be that find it.
(Mat 7:14 KJV) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
