READY: “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a
mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to
there’ and it will move. Nothing is impossible for you” –Matthew
17:20
SET: Impossible is just a word some use, who find it easier
to take what they've been given rather than to change it.
Impossible is not a fact . . . it's an opinion. Impossible is
not a declaration . . . it's a dare. Impossible is potential . .
. that’s what Jesus wants you to learn as you play the game of
life.
Let’s take the word “move” and learn what it takes to face
the mountains that from time to time stand in your way.
M-OTIVATION IS NEEDED – I’ve been around athletes enough that
I can spot when one lacks motivation. They simply go through the
motions . . . they’re at practice physically but they’re far
away mentally. And I’ve been around Christians enough to be able
to spot the lack of motivation. They are merely existing from
day to day, they fail to live up to their full potential, they
fail to live victoriously. Mountain-moving Christians are
motivated by three things: God’s presence, God’s promises, and
God’s power. God inspired - they possess an inner drive, set
goals, and strive to reach them. When you are experiencing God’s
presence, claiming God’s promises and running in God’s power,
all by faith, mountains of doubts and fears come tumbling down.
You become inspired and inspiring!
O-BEDIENCE IS NEEDED – Coach Vince Lombardi once said, “The
difference between a successful person and others is not a lack
of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of
will.” Successful athletes are those individuals that obey the
rules and when you do God’s will, God’s way with believing
faith, mountains of trials, troubles, and testing disappear.
V-ISION IS NEEDED – The dictionary says “visualize” means “to
form a mental image of something not present to sight.” The
winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and
I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking
thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what
they can't do. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Through
faith Christians can visualize – I can, I will, I am – they see
the coming victory. They can win over sin, self, and Satan.
E-NDURANCE IS NEEDED – The spirit, the will to win, and the
will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so
much more important than the events that occur (Lombardi). Some
Christians are unwilling to wait on God’s timing. They want
their mountains to move at their own designated time. We must
endure . . . we must keep the faith . . . keep focused . . .
keep following the Lord. God’s timing is always best, never too
early or too late. Keep on praying and waiting for God’s timing
to come to pass. Jesus said that believing faith could do the
impossible. You can move mountains!
GO: 1. Examine your heart concerning being motivation,
obedience, vision and endurance – is there any one area that the
Lord is showing you, you need His help to work on? 2. Which
mountain stands in your way most - Fear? Doubt?
WORKOUT: Deuteronomy 6:5; Hebrews 3:15; I Thessalonians 4:1;
Psalm 90:12
OVERTIME: Lord, I believe You want me to succeed in the game
of life. Help me to move in You presence, promises and power.
Amen.
