I just love how You work, Lord!!!
This morning, I listened to a short but powerful audio message. It was a simple, yet profound, five-minute teaching by Pastor Dave of Restoring the Foundations Ministries. Thirty free audio presentations seeking to reinforce how we (Your people) can walk in freedom, victorious over the enemy’s interference.
Today was Day #19 of 30. Its title drew me in: “Pray or Command?” It sought to answer a question I have long wondered about: How can we know when we are to pray, asking You to move, and when we are to command or decree a particular outcome (in the authority You have given us)?
Pastor Dave basically said, “Do both.” He laid it out in a three-step process:
Step 1: We should ask You, in Jesus’ name, for the outcome we desire. (Not a “name it and claim it” self-serving desire, but one we know is in Your heart, too).
Step 2: Every time that same issue comes up, we should thank You for the answer (by faith, trusting the answer is coming, even before we see it).
Step 3: We should speak to the “mountains” in our lives, in Jesus’ name, commanding them to come into alignment with Your Word and Your Will.
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21)
Nothing???
Pastor Dave gave an amazing example of this. He was riding his motorcycle with a group. In the distance, he saw threatening storm clouds. Motorcyclists really don’t like to ride in the rain. It can hurt as it pelts the body. It can also be dangerous, making the pavement slippery.
He had his helmet on. No one could hear what he was saying. So he lifted a prayer to You, Lord: “Lord, please don’t let it rain on me.” Even in the noise, He heard Your answer:
“You do it.”
He felt foolish. But he figured no one would hear him, so what was the worst that could happen? So he spoke to the storm: “Storm, in the name of Jesus, I command you not to rain on me.”
AND IT DIDN”T!!! For the rest of the day!!!
It rocked his world.
After listening to this audio, I went to our weekly prayer group. As we were beginning, our precious leader was trying to play a worship song. She couldn’t get her phone to sync with her speaker. She couldn’t even get her phone to play any music.
This took a full five minutes. It was both labor-intensive and baffling. She had just played this music in her car. Now, nothing would get it to work. She tried everything… over and over again. All to no avail.
Suddenly, You minded me about Pastor Dave’s audio. The audio I just “happened to” hear this morning. (!!!) And I knew what You wanted me to do.
So I spoke to the “mountain” in front of us — this cell phone that wasn’t working. I said: “In the name of Jesus, I command you to work.”
AND IT DID!!! Immediately, the music came on!!! It worked!!! GOOSEBUMP CITY!!!
Then, the lessons began to flow…
If I have faith to speak to a cell phone, will I have faith to speak to a stronghold? In my own life? In the life of anyone You have divinely placed within my sphere of influence? In our community / region?
Increase our faith, Lord!!! And thank You for every small miracle that helps us believe You for the BIG Miracles!!!
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Yes, Lord… BUILD OUR FAITH!!!
So that we may PLEASE YOU… and MOVE MOUNTAINS!!! All FOR YOUR GLORY!!!
Gratefully…
Expectantly…
Abba’s Girl