Hold Fast - Unwavering Believe

Welcome back to our exploration of faith! Today, we're diving into one of the most essential aspects of faith—holding fast to your confession until it becomes a reality. Let's revisit our anchor scripture to guide us:

Mark 11:23-24

"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

The Power of Holding Fast

Hebrews 10:23 encourages us:

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised."

To "hold fast" means to remain steadfast and secure, clinging tightly to your believes and principles. It's about staying true to your faith, regardless of the circumstances. This means staying the course no matter the opposition.

Lessons We've Covered So Far (See previous posts if missed):

1. Do You Have Faith?

   • Yes, you have a measure of faith as Jesus mentioned in Mark 11:23-24.

2. How to Grow Your Faith:

   • As your faith grows, your resolve strengthens, making it easier to be unshaken.

3. Principles of Faith (Parts 1 & 2):

   • Learn to ask scripturally and walk in faith.

4. How to Overcome Doubt:

   • Equip yourself with strategies to fend off doubt and secure your answers to prayers.

Today's Focus: Holding Fast to Your Confession of Faith

"...but believes that those things he says will be done..."

The challenge lies in maintaining your confession—something I've personally wrestled with. Let me illustrate this with a personal story.

My Experience with Healing

I recently faced a challenge when I wasn't feeling well due to a headache. While I would see a doctor for more serious ailments to properly understand the circumstance (see principles of faith 1), I knew this didn't require a diagnosis. Holding onto God's promise, I claimed His word: "By His stripes, I am healed."

Throughout the day, I continually affirmed my healing, despite growing symptoms. Every time the headache returned, I spoke against it, reminding myself of God’s promise. Even when tempted to take a pain reliever, I resisted, choosing to believe in my healing over the symptoms.

Eventually, I forgot about the headache entirely—it had disappeared. I resisted the devil (James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee) I like to add my twist to that which is that he must flee. I have heard some folks say that it might be God who put that headache on you to get you to pray. In a Christian journal, it was stated that God can also be the author of sickness. Jesus went about healing those that were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). God cannot contradict Himself. i.e. he cannot cause sickness then heal. That will be contractidoty to His goodness. Please never believe that lie because God is a good Father.

We simply resist the devil by holding fast to our profession/confession of faith. Which is our resolute believe in His promise stated in His word.

This principle applies beyond health, extending to every facet of life where God's promises are concerned.

The Call to Persist

Paul encourages us to hold fast to our confession of faith. By consistently affirming God's promises, and it will manifest physically in our lives. That will in the sentence is a surety, a guarantee.

So, whether you face minor challenges or major ones, remember the principle remains unchanged: Hold fast, don’t let go. The promise will come through, because "He is faithful that promised."

Stay tuned as we continue to explore ways to strengthen your faith and see God's promises fulfilled in your life. Let's journey together in steadfast believe!

Your Words = Your Results

The Power of Words in Faith: Aligning Your Words with your Confession

In our lessons of faith, understanding the relationship between our words and the faith we release is crucial. Let’s revisit our foundational scripture, Mark 11:23:

"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."

Notice how 'says' is emphasized three times. This repetition highlights the significance of spoken words in the manifestation of faith.

The Influence of Our Words

Proverbs 6:2 and Matthew 12:37 remind us:

• "We are trapped by what we say and ensnared by the words of our mouth."

• "By our words we are acquitted, and by our words we are condemned."

Proverbs 18:21 further asserts:

"Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Given that we reap what our words produce, it is wise to be mindful of what we speak.

A Story to Reflect On

Consider the true story of a pastor who, after suffering a heart attack, was advised to rest. He continued to be active in the ministry and His wife, anxious about his health, frequently told him, "You're going to die; you'll never make it." Sadly, he passed away two years later. This tragic story illustrates how harmful words can impact reality.

Speaking the Right Words

We are all products of WORDS. What we declare daily influences whether we experience victory or defeat. It is important to differentiate between stating facts and making a confession of faith. For instance, when in a job interview, you may need to relay that you need a job, yet your personal confession remains, "I have a job."

When we speak we get the results, but what results are you getting? What fruits are you seeing?

Align Your Confession with Faith

Consider Philippians 4:19:

"My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Once you’ve made your request known to God, maintain your confession of faith until it materializes. After declaring your needs are met, avoid contradicting yourself with statements like, "I have no money to pay my rent," as this undermines your faith.

Words as Vessels of Faith

Faith is released through words. Ask yourself:

• Do your words align with your confession of faith?

• Are you speaking in a way that supports or contradicts your beliefs?

Always ensure that what you say reinforces your faith, guiding you closer to seeing God's promises fulfilled in your life. Remember, the power of transformation lies in your tongue, so choose your words wisely and faithfully.

Principles of Faith (Part 2)

Embracing Unshakeable Belief

Welcome back to our exploration of faith! If you missed Principles of Faith (Part 1), be sure to check it out for a foundational understanding. Today, we delve deeper into the heart of faith, focusing on the powerful assurance found in Mark 11:23.

The Mind's Battlefield: Conquering Doubts

One of the greatest challenges in the journey of faith is overcoming doubt. As I pondered over the words, "and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says shall come to pass," I realized how often our minds become a battleground. It’s here, in the depths of our thoughts, where faith is often tested and where believers often get tripped up.

In Joyce Meyer's insightful book, The Battlefield of the Mind, she shares how crucial it is to build mental resilience. So often, the victory of faith is decided in the mind, not so much what we see or hear—which we often can't control—but our minds we can build up over time to control what we hear and see.

Building Firm Belief

As explored previously, faith is the unwavering belief that God will uphold His promises. I like the Amplified version of Luke 17:19.....Your faith (Personal trust in Me and your confidence in God's power) has restored your health.

For instance, when we claim the promise of healing (when we say specifically I am healed; Jesus has made provisions for that already), doubts may arise, whispering that it's just a simple cold or sickness, suggesting easy remedies. It's in these moments of internal debate where true faith is forged. Remember, you have claimed God's promise. The head nags you a bit, and you think I should take an ibuprofen. Then you remember again that I have claimed the promise of healing. You go back and forth with that thought. The moment you give in to allow those suggestions to rule and get a grip in your heart, the battle of faith is often lost. 

Consider Peter walking on water. His initial faith(belief) in Jesus' command, "Come," was overshadowed by doubt the moment he gave in to the thoughts of whether ‘Could this be real?’. ‘How can I walk on water?’ ‘Oh, this storm is boisterous!’ The lesson here is clear: doubt creeps in when we allow our circumstances to overshadow our belief. I wasn’t there with him, but he was human, just as I am human.

Strengthening Your Faith Muscles

Developing faith is like building physical strength, requiring consistent effort and patience. For some, this confidence in God's promises comes quickly, while others may need a more deliberate journey. I, too, have learned over time, acknowledging past experiences that sometimes cloud my belief. My journey has been a deliberate one.

The key is perseverance. Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to "hold fast to our confession of faith," underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness.

The challenge lies not in avoiding thoughts that question our faith but in maintaining a firm, resolute disposition that God is faithful to His word. This steadfastness, even in the face of doubt or adversity, is the path to the fulfillment of His promises.

Revisiting our text Mark 11:23, which speaks very much to the Principles of Fatih, we can conclude here that a believer who speaks/prays for a request and does not doubt in his heart (knowing how to control the mind with the weapons of our warfare), but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Once you have prayed/asked in line with the word of God, you do not doubt in your heart but believe what you say will be done; it is a guarantee that you will have what you say. That is a promise from God, who does not lie!

What's Next?

In the upcoming posts, we’ll explore:

1. How to overcome doubt: This is a big stealer of answers to prayers.

2. How to Hold Fast to Your Confession: Discover practical strategies to maintain your faith against all odds.

3. Aligning Your Words and Confession: Learn the importance of harmonizing your spoken words with your faith.

As we continue this journey, let each step strengthen your spiritual resolve and deepen your connection with God's truth. Let’s move forward with hearts full of faith and minds focused on His promises. Stay tuned for more insights that will empower your walk with God.