Have you ever read the account (not story because this really happened) of the LORD JESUS being in the hull of a ship asleep while a storm raged and was about to destroy it?

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“And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, ‘Let us pass over unto the other side.’ And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full (*of water). And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, ‘Master, carest Thou not that we perish?’ And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, ‘Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, ‘What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’ ” (Mark 4:35-41, KJV)

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Okay, I’ll admit I wouldn’t have behaved much better than the disciples if I had been there with them; but now reading this account there was one key that they had which was meant to assure them that they would not die…the LORD’S WORD. He said, “Let’s go to the other side.” You may say, “Is that ALL? It wasn’t much of a word!” Hey, it’s not the length of the word, but who speaks it!  

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Get the picture in your mind; waves crashing against the ship about to overturn it, sea water filling the ship, everyone holding on for dear life, and JESUS asleep-maybe even snoring- on a pillow! THAT’S CRAZY; you mean that’s crazy peace! A logical question is, “How could He be sound asleep with all that was going on around Him?” The short answer is that He had FAITH in His own authority over the wind, over the sea, over life and death itself. He knew that at any time He could do just what He did. Perhaps He was waiting on one of His disciples to exercise their own faith in the situation given His question and rebuke, “Why are you so fearful? How come you guys have no faith?”

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Stop and think for a moment. JESUS had FAITH in His own authority to bring about favorable change in a perilous situation. What about you? Do you have faith in your GOD given authority to speak the WORD and cause favorable changes in the situations you face? That’s what the LORD intends for each one of us. He even promised that we would do greater works than He did because He was going to the Father (John 14:12).

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FAITH-FILLED people are PEACEFUL people. They have confidence in the authority GOD has given them to function in every situation just like JESUS did and still does. No matter how bad things may seem they stand in the midst of the situation and decree what should be. They believe Job 22:28, KJV, “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” They believe, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7, KJV)

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FAITH-FILLED Christians regularly exercise their authority so that they have “buff, cut, diesel faith” in the realm of the spirit! That’s why they have peace and can sleep, eat, worship, smile, love, trust, work, etcetera through any storm just like their Master. Do you want this kind of faith? You can have it, but just like rock hard abs in the natural realm, it takes work. Begin by practicing the following steps:

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• Examine your life for active sin, confess it to the LORD, and ask Him to forgive you, ask forgiveness from others if necessary, change your mind and ways, and make restitution where possible. If you ignore this step Satan and his forces will have legal ground to oppose your decrees.

• Find an appropriate Scripture that addresses your situation (you may use more than one).

• Write it down on a 3x5 card so it’s portable.

• Begin decreeing this word over the situation in the name of JESUS at least once a day or whenever you think about it. Do this instead of worrying.

• Be persistent and consistent until change comes.

• Refuse to be moved from your position of faith by contrary reports.

• Worship the LORD for the change before you see it.

 

This will feel strange at first especially if you’ve been raised in a religious home in which you were taught that GOD did everything or if you’re a laid back person unaccustomed to giving orders. That’s okay. No giant in the FAITH was made over night. Remember the rock hard abs? They didn’t happen overnight either. Feel free to add prayer and fasting to your FAITH building program as the SPIRIT leads you.

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HALLELUJAH you’re on your way to becoming a FAITH-FILLED, authority wielding, PEACEFUL Christian! Respect! 

 

DECLARE: “LORD JESUS I want to be like You, able to peacefully sleep through any storm because I have faith in the authority You’ve given me to change it for the better. I receive the faith training You have for me. I receive the positive changes this training will bring to my Christian walk and relationship with You. Thank You. Amen.”