Mark 11:24 (CJB) Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, trust that you are receiving it, and it will be yours.
(AMP) also adds [in accordance with God’s will] and to ask [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.
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When I was in my early 20’s I heard an illustration by a former pastor that helped my understanding.
Pastor Tom Underhill, Russellville Christian Center (Arkansas) was preaching and he stopped in front of me and said:
Nan, if you asked me, “May I have $5?” and I said to you, “Yes. I will give it to you after I’m done preaching” – answer me this:
When did you receive that $5? When did it become yours?
Did it become yours when I put it in your hands after church?
Or did it become yours when you asked me and I said yes?
I’ll tell you, it became yours the moment I said you could have it, even though it wasn’t in your hands yet.
You sit on the bench and listen as I continue preaching. You don’t sit there fretting and wondering, “Gee, I wonder if Pastor Tom is going to give me $5”. You don’t wonder if you should ask me again for the $5 because it’s not in your hand right now.
Why don’t you worry? Because you know my word is good. You know you have the $5 because I said you did. You sat on the pew, confident and without worry. You know you have what you asked me for because you know me and know that my word is good. You know I will hand you what is already yours after church, the $5.
If my word is good, how much more is your Heavenly Father‘s Word good?
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I learned then the importance of KNOWING God and His Word.
I learned what the Bible says is already mine – such as healing.
I learned to trust that His Word is good, even better than Pastor Tom’s. And his word is excellent.
I learned that when I know what the Bible says, I know what God says.
I learned what His will is because the Word is His Will.
I learned what He says is mine is already mine now – I just have to receive it.
I know that what I ask God for is mine – even when I can’t see it yet.
Of course, being human, I’m STILL learning. I also have to refresh my faith. I have to keep it current and not rely on past faith. I know I will be learning until the day Jesus comes back.
I even hear we’ll still be learning in heaven because God’s Glory is infinite! Yay!
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