Faith to Receive Answers
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December 03, 2017 |
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Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
"By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible" (Hebrews 11:3).
To receive answers from God the Almighty, you have to sincerely believe God who created things out of nothing and show the proofs of your belief. Then, you will be able to see and experience the great glory of the living God (John 11:40). Let's look into how to receive responses from God.
1. You have to firmly believe most assuredly that God answers you.
In Mark 11:24 Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." If we doubt the fact we will receive an answer, or if our faith is shaken midway, we cannot receive the answer.
James 1:6-8 says, "But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." When we try to receive an answer to our prayer, the enemy devil will try to give us fleshly thoughts and make us doubt to hinder us from receiving the answer. This is the time, in particular, when we need to hold fast to our faith.
Does anyone among you think, "I'd like to stand firm in my faith, but it is too weak"? Even these people have a way. It is to rely on the power of God the Creator.
For example, Deacon Sangyoung Park was healed of blindness in one eye. His left eye was completely blind as a complication of brain surgery and he couldn't see with the eye for 28 years. He wasn't really expecting to be healed. But when he heard that powerful works would unfold in the upcoming retreat, he came to have faith. And on the first day, he received prayer and his eye was opened! At that moment he could see something like a beam of light coming into a dark place, and then came to see the shapes of objects with the eye.
On the second day of the retreat, there were quite a few believers who did not give up competing in the Athletic Meet although they were injured just before the retreat. They just believed they would be healed by my prayer on the first night. Sister Haeryeon Bhang, who was a relay runner, had her left shoulder bone injured and the doctor said it was impossible for her to run. Nevertheless, she was assured in heart that she would be healed. She was healed on the first night and ran on the second day without a problem. Senior Deaconess Sooyoung Lee's calf muscle was ruptured and was diagnosed with a 3-week recovery period. She was also healed after the prayer and could run in the Ad-balloon rolling competition.
Deaconess Sun Lee of Chinese Parish was healed of hemiplegia. She said, "I believed I would be completely healed because the shepherd harbored me and he interceded for me until all his energy was drained." I hope all of you will believe in the 99% of the measure of justice filled up by the shepherd and the fact that God wants you to receive the healing and answers more earnestly than you do. By doing so, I urge you to receive the answer with firm faith and give glory to God.
2. You have to build up the support structure of your faith and demonstrate your faith.
To say you have faith, you should show the proofs of your faith. It means you have to build up the support structure of faith to receive the answer. In order to do this, you first have to turn from sins and please God. But if you have sins and you lack the deeds of faith to please God, although you believe the power of God, you cannot have assurance in receiving answers. Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the LORD will not hear."
Therefore, to receive your answer, you first have to demolish the wall of sin standing between you and God. But depending on your measure of faith and how much you indulged yourself in sins, the measure of justice required of you to receive an answer will be different.
For some, they were healed just by coming to the retreat and receiving the prayer with faith. Another person gave all the tithes that he hadn't given and was healed of a disease. Unlike these new believers, leaders can receive the answer when they repent of even seemingly trivial unfavorable words or untruths deep in their hearts. Namely, they repented of complaining, judging others with their fleshly thoughts, working for God's kingdom, not to give God glory, but to gain fame, or ceasing to pray.
In addition, people may receive different guidance when it comes to the ways to please God. Some people attended the Leadership Conference or the Summer Retreat even though they had severe pain, and through this act they were healed completely. Some others attended Daniel Prayer Meeting with all their hearts and others prepared with fasting. Still others willingly did voluntary services and others gave offerings with all their heart believing they were going to be healed. Each one's deeds necessary for answers were different, but they all obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit when He was giving an urging in their heart.
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart." You can receive an answer if you please God within your own measure of faith. Even if you have a very big problem, if you just please God, you'll have the assurance of having received the answer and peace in heart. I pray in the name of the Lord that you will fill the measure of justice for the answer and give glory to God.
3. You have to believe that faith will always bear the fruit of glory.
While you are acting in faith, you may be faced with unexpected occurrence. But Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'"
For example, if you have a sickness or disability, it is accompanied by physical and mental pain. Just by looking at the situation, it might just look like suffering. But in spiritual eyes, it is a chance to give glory to God. Of course, you need to go on a march of faith until you harvest the fruit of glory. If you have faith, you will mourn in repentance and store up deeds of goodness to fill up the measure of justice. Then, your soul will prosper, so everything may prosper with you and you will be in good health (3 John 1:2).
Also, if only it is in accordance with justice, God of love gives you even the things that you didn't ask for. Many people stated, "After experiencing the power of God, I deeply felt that God loves me. My love and trust in the shepherd have been reaffirmed. I'm full of joy and hope of heaven. I am so happy that I've received blessings in so many levels." And seeing these children who give glory to Him with testimonies, how happy and joyful God the Father is! The deeds of faith will surely produce fruits of glory.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, faith has great power. I pray in the name of the Lord that you will reap the fruit of glory through faith and, when the Lord comes back again, you will have cultivated perfect faith and give great joy to God the Trinity.
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