Mountain Moving Faith

Moving mountains

Q: In view of Mk. 11:23-24, Mtt. 17:20, say, for instance, I tell a desk to move in Jesus Name, and not doubt it, should I expect it to move right then and there, or in God's timeframe instead of mine? And if nothing happens then and there, did I do something wrong? Lisa

A: It's wonderful to have a question from another crazy believer! I mean that as a sincere compliment Lisa.

Allow me to answer this way. Imagine how the disciples felt when they saw Christ talking to a tree, and also to waves, and the storm? (Mk. 11:14, Mtt. 8:26). He spoke to a tree calling it 'you'.

Hagin Faith Study

Do you think Peter and John looked at each other at that moment, I do. The tree didn't reply, and they carried on walking to Jerusalem. What a crazy Guy!

The next morning, the barren tree was withered from the roots. (Note: Mk. 11:12-14 and 20-25 give the actual chronological order of events, whereas Mtt. 21:18-22 relates the event to emphasise the point of faith.)

Now, think long and hard about it, and you'll learn a powerful lesson on faith, and you'll get your answer.

But remember, everything He did was at His Father's prompting, not His own will.

Follow the anointing, and let's be crazy like our Jesus. He said it, and that is enough (hint).

Also keep in mind how He made this whole universe in the first place. He spoke it into existence. Gen. Ch. 1. And this thought will thrill believer's hearts; it remains only because of the sustaining power of His Word spoken back then. Heb. 1:3. (You see why I laugh when I hear astronomers and physicists talking about 'The Big Bang' as the origin of the Universe?)

Vital

Two Kinds of Knowledge
This little book will answer many of your questions about real faith

Go and stand under a tree, and recall those Bible facts. Tell the tree who made it, and why it is still growing there. Look up at that towering mountain, and tell it where it came from.

Then remind yourself of the immense authority Christ has given you. Read out loud His Word to believers in Mk. 11:22-23, and then be a believer. You will find your faith grows as you exercise it.

Speaking in Tongues

Q: Is the only way that a person can know in their heart that they are speaking in tongues, by their faith?

A: What's prompting your question; unbelief, lack of assurance, or spotting a counterfeit tongue?

You ask about the Gift of speaking in tongues (as distinct from personal tongues used in worship and prayer). They are quite different, so don't confuse them. Here's a list of answers to common questions about tongues. Also read these excellent books on the Gifts of the Spirit

Understand that all the Spiritual Gifts operate by faith in the Living Word of God, in fact everything we do should be based upon our faith in Him. You do it in faith, and He endorses, and fulfils it.

If you speak a message in tongues, and nobody receives the interpretation, then it wasn't of God. If it is interpreted, then the interpretation must be in line with the Word of God, otherwise it is false.

You know you are speaking in tongues because the Holy Spirit is leading you by the inner witness, and you obey in faith. What is spoken must then be interpreted (1 Co. 14:13, 27-28), and it must agree with God's Word. (1 Co. 14:29, 1 Jn. 4:1)

So if you walk in the Spirit, it is easy to tell when a message spoken in tongues is of God or not.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Q: How do you know that you have received the Holy Ghost?

A: Be careful not to confuse your terms. When a sinner repents and receives Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit in their heart, the new birth, with the sealing of the Spirit. As spoken of in Eph. 1:13-14, 2:22. They know they have this by the inner witness, as mentioned for example in 1 Jn. 3:24.

Every believer has this inner assurance of salvation, that soon shows as love, and obedience to Christ.

First you are sealed, then you need to be filled

There's also a subsequent experience called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, sometimes described as receiving the Holy Spirit, as in Ac. 19:2. This is the Pentecostal filling all believers are to receive and maintain. Eph. 5:18, the power baptism for service. The Bible evidence of having received this baptism is initially tongues, accompanied by supernatural power for service.

Ex-Muslim women

Q: Can you tell me about Gulshan Esther?

A: We reviewed her book the Torn Veil here.

Your One True Love

Q: How do you know when you find true love?

A: There's only one way to Find true love.

The 144,000

Q: When the Rapture happens, are there only going to be 144,000 who go to Heaven, and so don't have to go through the time with the AntiChrist? Pamela

A: No Pamela, every born again believer gets to Heaven, those who died in Christ before the Rapture, and those alive when He returns. I believe the Rapture occurs before the Great Tribulation, and that the 144,000 of Revelation Ch.7 are those Jews saved during the Tribulation.

A word of caution. Understanding Revelation is a fascinating topic, but I notice many believers get distracted, endlessly discussing the details, and arguing over them.

Don't be like that, let's get on with the task Christ has given us, proclaiming the Good News to every creature until He comes. I think that pleases Him, don't you?

Who are the 144,000 in Revelation?