14 October MARK 11

Embrace this God-life

Mark 11:22-25(MSG) Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or hemming and hawing—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”From this passage, I have noted a few characteristics of a God-life:1. Embrace this God-life. With God on your, side nothing will be too much for you. Romans 8:31(MSG) So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? God is for us in the sense that He is on our side; He is working on our behalf and for our good.Psalm 118:6(NIV) The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?2 Kings 6:16(NIV) “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet (Elisha) answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”Psalm 56:9(ESV) Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.Hebrews 13:6(NIV) So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”Psalm 27:1(ESV) The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?2. Act on faith. Speak to your mountain. Jesus is telling us in this passage that, when we come up against a mountain, or a problem, we are to speak to it, and not about it. The more we speak about a problem, the bigger it gets, and the more power it has over us and our lives. We must believe that God is bigger than any problem. We are not to let the mountains in our lives defeat us. Joshua 14:12a(NKJV) Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day;Romans 10:8(AMP) But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” - that is, the word of faith which we preach 3. Pray for everything.Philippians 4:6-7(MSG) Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.Philippians 4:6-7(NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.4. You must forgive.Matthew 6:14-15(NLT) “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”A God-life includes a choice to live for Christ, to act on faith, speak to your mountains, pray for everything, and forgive so that God can forgive you.