A faith that says 'Mountain, you gotta move'.

We all would love a mountain-moving faith, right? But what does it look like to practically put faith into action? Where do we start? Join us as our WM author Tracy Andrews takes a look at some simple steps to 'exercise faith'.

Many years ago, when I was much younger, I did the Tongariro Crossing. I remember partway through the journey how tired I became, and how my bag just seemed to be getting heavier and heavier. I still had another 4 hours ahead of me! I just didn't think I was going to make it.

It was right about then that a song popped into my head randomly, like they often do.

'Mountain, you've gotta move, Mountain, you've gotta move, I speak to you in the name of Jesus, I've made up my mind, and I'm coming through, Mountain, you've gotta move.' 

And so I kept singing it, and just kept plodding on, one step at a time... and four hours later, I got there! Hallelujah! I did it, and I was so proud of myself.

Yahweh (God) gave me the strength and the faith to meet the task.

Many kinds of challenges

That was a physical challenge that having faith helped me get through. All of us have challenges of some kind whether they're physical, financial, or emotional.

Having faith - 'the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.' (Hebrews 11:1) in Yahweh through those challenges helps us come through victorious. Growing in faith also moulds us each to be more 'Christlike' - a little bit more like the person Jesus Christ (known as Yeshua in Hebrew) was and is.

Do you have a faith that trusts Jesus Christ to do good, no matter what you're going through?

Are you praying for a need or going through a hard time, wanting to see progress or breakthrough in some area of your life and yet nothing seems to be happening? Please, don't start thinking that you don't have enough faith.

'...and He said we only need a mustard seed sized faith to have mountain-moving faith.'

Yahweh gave you faith when you first trusted in Christ for salvation, and He said we only need a mustard seed sized faith to have mountain-moving faith.

'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 

Many strengths in faith

'Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.' - Matthew 18:19-20

Faith is believing Yahweh is going to answer, whether we can see the answer or not.

• Belief: It's what He says that matters, not what we see.
• Resolve: Take Christ at His Word and count it as done.
• Gratitude: Start thanking Him for answering your prayer.
• Patience: Yahweh will answer your prayer in His time.

'So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come,Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.' - Matthew 6:10

If we're reading His Word and have a strong relationship with Yahweh (God), then we will be more familiar with the things He wants (His will). 

The things God wants will slowly become the things we want. And when we pray for these things that both God and we want together, God is more likely to answer our prayer. Why? Because these requests will be for the good of humankind and exalt our Creator. They will be bringing more of heaven on earth (the Kingdom of God).

Growing your faith

'If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.' - John 15:7

If you think you need to grow your level of faith, it's like exercising - begin with small things, small acts of faith, and work your way to bigger things. I started with asking Yahweh to provide a parking space outside the shop I was going to. (Mind you, I asked as soon as I left home to give Him time to impress on someone that they needed to leave!) 

Then I began having faith for the weather conditions. One day it was raining when I went into Pak n Save, and so I prayed that the rain would stop in half an hour! I always make sure I give God time.

Sometimes I see answers to prayer in faith, and sometimes I don't. 

Sometimes I feel I hear Him saying, 'Harden up!', lovingly!

Praying in faith for healing is another way to trust God to move - start small, and exercise your faith in who God is. Listen to the Holy Spirit and see where He is leading you: to intervene, intercede or stay silent and wait. As you grow more attuned to His voice and your faith grows stronger, you will naturally be drawn to have faith in bigger things.

Faith that raises the dead

Maybe one day you'll even be praying for raising the dead! Here are a few examples in the Bible where men and women were raised from the dead, through the power of Jesus Christ and the blatant faith of His followers:

• Elijah raised the son of the Zarephath widow from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-22).
• Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-35).
• A man was raised from the dead when his body touched Elisha’s bones (2 Kings 13:20, 21).
• Many saints rose from the dead at the resurrection of Jesus (Matt. 27:50-53).
• Jesus rose from the dead (Matt. 28:5-8; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:5, 6).
• Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain from the dead (Luke 7:11-15), the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Luke 8:41, 42, 49-55) and Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44).

By faith, we believe that when we die, we too will be raised from the dead to life with Christ. Now if that isn't already a huge jumpstart in exercising your faith, what is?!

A robust faith

The more you challenge your faith, the stronger your faith muscles will get and the more opportunities and you will get to practise your faith.

This faith can be used in all sorts of areas in your walk with Christ - you will see your relationship grow and the Holy Spirit working through you more and more. As Christ's ambassador on earth, you can have as bright a future as you have the faith to believe for. Keep listening to the Holy Spirit whisper to you, kindly.

And when all is said and done, it's not merely about getting our prayers answered.

It's about exercising faith in Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ), seeing His Name receive great glory and His power displayed for all to see so that many would bow their knee before Him as Savior and King.

That's a faith worth exercising.

 

---

By Tracy Andrews

WM Writer

The Salvation Army Taupo Soldier