By Tonya S. Swindell

God’s creative power began with His belief that words could change the atmosphere. He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Now He invites believers to speak to various situations and watch them change through decrees and declarations.

Hebrews 11:6 lets me know, “…Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” According to Matthew 17:20, Jesus told believers, “…For if you had faith even as small as a tiny mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would go far away. Nothing would be impossible.”

In one of my favorite biblical stories, a man’s small faith produced a substantial harvest. According to Mark 9: 17-24 of The New International Version, “A man in the crowd answered, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not…'”

“…Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’ ‘From childhood’, he answered. ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.'”

“‘’If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.'” Jesus granted the man’s request.

The hymn, “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” echoes the man’s request saying: “…Let me at Thy throne of mercy. Find a sweet relief; kneeling there in deep contrition. Help my unbelief…”

“Increase My Faith”, a contemporary gospel song by Brian Courtney Wilson, also speaks volumes saying: “…I know the Lord is preparing me for great things I have yet to see, but on days when it’s hard to believe increase my faith…”

Books like “God’s Creative Power Will Work For You” by Charles Capps, “The Power of a Praying Wife” by Stormie Omartian and “The Daily Decree” by Brenda Kunneman help to increase my faith. Each book contains compilations of Scripture that can be declared over areas of my life to bring about biblically aligned change.

Words from the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:13 showed a powerful connection between believing and speaking. When he and others professed to have faith in Christ after persecuting Him for so many years, Paul declared, “‘It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak…”

God’s creative power began with the belief that all things are possible. Sometimes my faith may be small, but Scripture suggests He doesn’t despise, ignore or reject it. I’m grateful that He meets me right where I am.

 

Tonya Swindell is an occupational therapist. She is also a teacher for Kingdom Building Institute (kingdombuildinginstitute.org). She can be reached at 1brightot@gmail.com.