Beware of what you send into the atmosphere – Part 3

Luke 10:38-42 reveals two sisters who were very different. One sat at the feet of the Master constantly hearing the Word. And faith cometh by hearing and hearing the Word of God. (Rom. 10:17).

She was renewing her mind, building up a positive image inside herself. Martha on the other hand was cumbered about with household chores. She ended up bitter, agitated, troubled, quick-tempered, full of complaints, condemnation, criticism and fault finding. They had the same upbringing, lived in the same environment, but one came out positive minded, the other negative.

In John 11:19-32, Lazarus their brother died. And Jesus said unto Martha, “Thy brother shall rise again.” (v23). “Martha said unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (v24). She could not see or believe in the immediate, physical resurrection of her brother. Even when the Master Himself was assuring her, she answered Him out of point. Then Jesus said unto her:

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (v25).

In fact, even when Jesus ordered them to take away the stone, Martha protested: “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” (v39).

Mary, on the other hand, was a different kettle of fish: “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell at his feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” (v32)

She believed in Who He was and what He could do. After her response, Jesus asked where they had laid him and proceeded to call Lazarus forth. When facing a dead end situation how do you react? What words come out from your mouth?
Negative Minded People See Differently From Positive Minded People

Twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land to spy it and bring back a report. Ten came back with an evil report. They saw the people as being stronger than they. They saw the land as one that “eateth up the inhabitants thereof.” They saw the people of the land as men of great stature. They saw the giants, the sons of Anak. They saw themselves as grasshoppers. They saw the land as walled and impenetrable. (Num. 13:28,31-33). But Caleb and Joshua stilled the people and said:

Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it…The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land…a land which floweth with milk and honey…the people of the land…they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us. (Num.13: 30; 14:7-9).

Those 10 men that brought up the evil report were smitten with a plague and died on the spot. (Num. 14: 37). Do you know that many believers carry sicknesses in their bodies because of negativity? An entire generation was buried in the wilderness for believing a negative report. Only Caleb and Joshua entered. Taking the land, the deliverance of the land and the healing of the land are impossible for those with negative mindsets.

At the time Thiery Henry was playing for Arsenal football club and had won the premier league title and the golden boot award for scoring the highest number of goals, he was asked the secret of his prolific goal scoring ability. He answered: “when I go for goal, I do not see the defenders or the keeper or the wall placed before my free kicks, I only see the gaps and the spaces.”

There are some people who can see 1,000 reasons why their community cannot be delivered. They can give you a detailed analysis, complete with every fact and figure as to why it cannot work. They see all the problems and ills of the society and are always loaded with arguments to support their beliefs. Beloved how do you see? How you see affects how and what you confess and what you put into the atmosphere either nullifies your prayers or enhances them.

The Presence Of Storms Does Not Mean The Absence Of The Master
Storms and mighty waves lashed at the boat the disciples were in. The boat even began to sink. This might be the physical condition you see yourself or your nation in. If you are a child of God, then Jesus is in your boat. He is inside you. Awake the greater one inside you, and let His Word come forth from you to the adverse condition around you. Just three words from the Master, “peace be still,” were enough to bring a total transformation. Go beyond praying. Believe. Go beyond believing. Declare. Receive the spirit of faith.

“We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak.” (2 Cor.4: 13).

Learn to be vigilant and sensitive to the words released in your environment about you by others. Be quick to nullify every negative voice and replace such words with positive, faith filled words. You shall be a blessing to your generation.

Rev. Theodore Effiong

Assemblies of God Church, Calabar Or Prayer To All Nations (PTAN), Prayer City, Calabar. CRS
Email: theoeffiong@yahoo.com
Phone – +234 9030012007, +234 7031921770