From The Pastor's Pen... 2/6/12 - Operational Faith-Filled Petition

“And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22 AKJ).

In this pivotal verse from the 21st chapter of Matthew is a vital Kingdom principle regarding the simplicity of the operation of faith-filled petition. And although that simple teaching by Messiah Jesus is far from complicated, it is often misconstrued, twisted, or even ignored, by preachers in the institutional church of our time…the reason being the invasion of a pervasive culture of worldly modernism, resulting in shallow teaching, the rejection of scriptural truth, and ultimately, unbelief. For these reasons every serious believer who truly seeks the type of victory promised and exemplified in Apostolic doctrine must search out the truth for themselves.

You see, as believers we have an inheritance obtained by the blood sacrifice of Jesus the Anointed, and a written covenant, which guarantees it (see Romans 8:14-17). As a consequence of that truth, we need to be aware of the fact that we are the targets of the satanic powers of darkness. And in order to overcome and defeat their attacks, we each need to learn not merely who we are in Christ Jesus, but also the power and authority actively available to us through His name.

Firstly, the true believer is part of a redeemed and privileged remnant with spiritual weapons, including, but by no means limited to, total confidence in petition before God. In light of that fact alone, we need to stop living like disenfranchised losers!

Secondly, we need to recognize that Romans 8:14-17 clarifies that our inheritance makes us joint-heirs with Messiah Jesus. And that position puts us in possession of all His power and ability to defeat every threat from the supernatural realm. Further, our inheritance is not, as some teach, a collection of “ pie-in-the-sky” promises reserved for some arbitrary future in heaven. To the contrary, every spiritual power and weapon available to Jesus during and after His earthly ministry is available to us right now, as well. But, the only thing that prevents us from exercising that authority from on high is unbelief.

Simply put, if you’re a believer who wants the type of total victory that the scriptures promise, stop listening to the doubting Thomas’s and nay-sayers, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, consult the Scriptures alone for answers. Additionally, in our quest for absolute truth, our sharpest critics will often be the so called experts, even well meaning pastors who often refuse to simply defer to the Scriptures, in favor of the doctrines of men. However, in the face of opposition, remember that Jesus, the final authority emphatically taught that “All things what so ever ye shall ask…believing, ye shall receive.”