HOW YOU CAN RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM GOD
I read an article in which Warren Buffet, a multi-billionaire, was asked his secrets to success. I thought he would share investment insights and strategies, Instead, he gave these two main keys for his success. First, he shared how he was always certain of the unconditional love of his father. This gave him great confidence in life and he was never afraid to attempt great things, nor was he afraid of failing.
The other key to his success was realizing that he didn't follow instructions well, and that learning to follow instructions was important for his success. He then gave the example of taking a test in school. The first question instructed him to sign his name at the top and then read every question on the test before answering any of them. He signed his name and began to answer the rest of the questions. One girl stood up and turned her test in after just a minute. He knew he was as smart as that girl and wondered how she had finished the test before him. Then he got to the very last question which said to not answer any other questions, but to turn the paper in! Mr. Buffet said this taught him, as a young boy, the importance of listening and following instructions.
I noticed the pilots who fly our ministry airplane have a checklist they follow for each take-off and landing. These are the same written, basic instructions they have gone over many times. Years ago, I asked one of the older pilots why he went over the same simple, written list each time he flew. He said, "Only a fool trusts his memory when his life is at stake." I told him, "That's why Jesus said, ‘it is written!’" The Word of God contains the written, unchanging procedures and steps to victory in any area of life. In order to get the results we want, we must go back over the basics of what Jesus taught and be grounded in the love of God. For the best results, we must continue to review and practice these basic steps of faith.
FOLLOW THE STEPS JESUS TAUGHT
Jesus said, "If anybody, anywhere, will take these four steps or put these four principles into operation, he will always receive, not only healing, but whatever he wants from Me or from God the Father." Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin
Bro. Hagin tells of a visitation he had from the Lord Jesus, and how he asked Jesus about the healing of the woman who touched His clothes in Mark 5. He told the Lord that it seemed like there was more to this message than he had been preaching. Jesus told him there was more. He told him to get a pen and paper and write down “1, 2, 3, and 4.” Jesus was giving him the exact steps of faith that the woman who was healed from an issue of blood took in order to receive her healing. He then said, "If anybody, anywhere, will take these four steps or put these four principles into operation, he will always receive, not only healing, but whatever he wants from Me or from God the Father." I believe the Holy Spirit wants to remind us of these steps of faith, so that we will see great results where we haven't before.
And a certain woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians and had spent all she had and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse; when she heard of Jesus, came in the press behind and touched his garment. For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway, the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said Who touched my clothes...And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5:25-34
FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
In this story Jesus told the woman, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole." What were the things she did? How did she exercise her faith? Jesus told Bro. Hagin that this woman did four things that enabled her to be healed from the sickness that plagued her for twelve years. Below is the sermon outline that Jesus gave Bro. Hagin and the keys to receiving anything from God.
- SHE SAID. This woman heard how Jesus healed every sickness and disease; the lame, blind, and raised the dead. After she heard Jesus, she believed what she heard and said so. What she said was her faith speaking. She said, "If I can touch but his clothes, I know I shall be whole.” Her confession built the road for her healing. Most translations say that she kept on saying continually. That word “say” in this verse in the Greek is the word “Lego,” and means a systematic set discourse. She could have said, "It's been twelve long years, I might as well give up!" She would have laid down and died. But if you had passed this woman, you would have heard her say over and over, "When I touch Jesus' clothes, I know I shall be made whole." What you say will determine your victory or defeat.
- SHE ACTED AND SHE DID. Her faith moved her to action. She got up and began walking, pressing through the crowd. She could have said she was too weak to get out of her house, listening to her family telling her to stay in bed. Instead, she began to set in motion a process that got her off the sickbed and on the way to her miracle, just like the Israelites did in Numbers 21. They were being bitten by snakes but when they looked at the brazen serpent they lived. The woman with the issue of blood took her eyes off herself and focused only on touching Jesus, the Healer.
- SHE RECEIVED IT AND SHE FELT in her body she was healed. The saying and doing preceded the feeling and healing and enabled her to receive the healing power of Jesus. Her hand of faith reached out, laid hold on Jesus’ clothes, and Jesus felt that power go out of Him to heal her. The Johnson’s translation says, "Jesus studied the faces in the crowd to see who had made contact with him."
- SHE TOLD IT. When you testify about what God has done, you give glory to God and it keeps you in position for the power of God to continually work. The same faith that makes you whole will keep you whole. Jesus told her to go in peace and continually be made whole of the plague. Her faith rested in the power of God.
In Mark 5, the woman with the issue of blood had her life radically changed by the power of the Lord Jesus. For 12 years she had this issue of blood, but her faith allowed her to touch Jesus and be healed. It was like Jesus said, "Your next twelve years won't be like your last twelve years!"
Walking in these footsteps of faith is life changing. Smith Wigglesworth said, “Anyone can be changed by faith, no matter how he may be fettered.” You can also see these four things when David killed the giant: He said, he did, he saw the giant fall, and testified by cutting off the giant's head! Think about the prodigal son, who said he would rise and go home. When he did, the father received and restored him, and the testimony was a party. When you rejoice, you are testifying that it is done; the victory is won! You overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony!
FAITH IS MOTION ACTIVATED
I remember walking into an airport bathroom that had motion activated faucets. I had never seen these before and thought someone had made a serious mistake and forgotten the handles. I noticed another man waving his hands under the faucet, and the water turned on. I walked over, did the same, and it worked for me. The faucets were motion activated. Your faith is like that - it is motion activated. The moment you act on the Word of God, He makes Himself responsible for the results. Your acts of faith will work for you! Say it. Do it. Receive it. Tell it!
REMEMBER THAT GOD LOVES YOU
There is a door of faith and expectation that opens once you realize how much God loves you! His faith penetrates your heart, and every trace of doubt melts away as you receive His love. Luke 12:32 says, “Fear not, little flock, for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” If He gave you Jesus, how much more will He freely give you all things? Draw near to the Father by the Blood and spend time in His presence until you have full assurance of faith. It really is His pleasure to give you whatever you may ask. Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full!
LAY HOLD ON GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
This month we want to offer you our brand-new 4 CD set Lay Hold on God’s Faithfulness, our brand-new book Feed Your Faith, and Faith Opens the Door to the Supernatural. Our new book, Feed Your Faith, is filled with 50 years of quotes that will stir your faith. For your offering of $20 or more we will send you these resources that will strengthen your faith.
WORLD MISSIONS PARTNERS
This month we will be ministering at a conference in Istanbul, Turkey. We believe this is a strategic open door as we will be ministering to pastors, missionaries and leaders from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey. We are believing for the Word of God to have free course and the spirit of faith to be ignited in these leaders. Your prayers and partnership with us will make this possible.
We are very excited to announce that the CONFERENCE CENTER IS FINISHED! We will be installing the sound system and TV lighting within the next few weeks. Our first conference that is open to the public will be November 7-9, 2023. We are excited to reach more people through more conferences and many TV programs. Thank you SO MUCH for partnering together with us to see the full completion of Conference Center.
We thank you again for your faithful partnership with us. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
In Christ,
Mark and Trina
