Speaking God's Power to Life's Mountains

 

Summary

In life, we often encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable, like towering mountains that loom over us, casting shadows of doubt and fear. These challenges can lead us to a place of resignation, where we utter the words, "I can't." However, there is a profound truth that can transform our approach to these daunting situations: we have the privilege of speaking to our mountains about God. This is not just about praying to God about our problems but declaring God's greatness to the problems themselves.

God invites us to confront our situations with the truth of His character. When was the last time you told your mountain about the omnipotence, faithfulness, and transformational power of God? This form of prayer is not just a conversation with God; it's a declaration to the situation, bringing God into the equation. We are called to have such confidence in God that we can face the seemingly unovercomeable with boldness, knowing that while it may be beyond human capacity, it is not beyond God's.

When you speak to your sickness, relationship breakdown, addiction, or financial trauma, remind it of what God has said and done. Declare your trust in God's ability to handle the situation and give you the strength to overcome it. This is not about using God as a tool but about humbly and righteously inviting His power into our lives so that the mountain must respond to Him. By doing so, we shift the narrative from one of defeat to one of victory, where the mountain must react to the greatness of our God.

Key Takeaways:

- Speak to Your Mountain: Instead of just praying to God about your challenges, declare God's greatness to the challenges themselves. This shifts the focus from the problem to the power of God, reminding us that no situation is beyond His capacity to handle. [00:53]

- Declare God's Character: Confront your situations by dictating the character of God into them. Speak of His omnipotence, faithfulness, and transformational power, bringing God into the equation and changing the dynamics of the situation. [01:20]

- Confidence in God's Power: Have unwavering confidence in God's ability to handle what seems unovercomeable. While some challenges are beyond human capacity, they are never beyond God's reach. [01:45]

- Invite God into the Equation: By speaking God's truth into your situation, you invite His power and presence, allowing Him to work in ways that are beyond human understanding. This is a humble and righteous use of God's power. [02:11]

- Shift the Narrative: By telling your mountain about the greatness of God, you change the narrative from one of defeat to victory. The mountain must react to God, not dictate to you, as you declare your trust in His ability to overcome. [02:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Facing Insurmountable Obstacles
- [00:35] - The Power of "I Can't"
- [00:53] - Speaking to the Mountain
- [01:06] - Declaring God's Greatness
- [01:20] - Confronting Situations with God's Character
- [01:33] - Prayer as Declaration
- [01:45] - Confidence in God's Power
- [01:57] - Beyond Human Capacity
- [02:11] - Inviting God into the Equation
- [02:25] - Trusting God's Ability
- [02:40] - Dictating to the Situation
- [02:56] - The Mountain's Reaction to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 11:23 - "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."
2. Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
3. Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

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Observation Questions:

1. In the sermon, what does the pastor suggest we do differently when facing our "mountains"? ([00:53])
2. How does the pastor describe the character of God that we should declare to our situations? ([01:06])
3. What are some examples of "mountains" or challenges mentioned in the sermon that people might face? ([02:11])
4. According to the sermon, what is the expected reaction of the "mountain" when we speak God's truth into it? ([02:56])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of speaking to the mountain about God, rather than just praying to God about the mountain, change the way believers might approach their challenges? ([00:53])
2. What does it mean to have confidence in God's power when facing situations that seem beyond human capacity? How does this confidence manifest in a believer's life? ([01:45])
3. In what ways does inviting God into the equation of our problems demonstrate humility and righteousness? ([02:11])
4. How does the idea of shifting the narrative from defeat to victory align with the biblical passages provided? ([02:56])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a current challenge in your life. How can you begin to speak to this "mountain" about God's greatness and power? ([00:53])
2. When was the last time you declared God's character into a difficult situation? What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith? ([01:20])
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to have more confidence in God's ability to handle the situation. What steps can you take to build this confidence? ([01:45])
4. Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by a problem. How might inviting God into the equation have changed your perspective or the outcome? ([02:11])
5. How can you practice shifting the narrative from defeat to victory in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's power and presence? ([02:56])
6. Consider a relationship or situation that feels broken or beyond repair. How can you speak God's truth into it this week?
7. What specific action can you take this week to remind yourself and others of God's omnipotence and faithfulness in the face of challenges?

Devotional

Day 1: Speak to Your Mountain
In life, challenges often appear as insurmountable mountains, casting shadows of doubt and fear. These obstacles can lead to resignation, where one might say, "I can't." However, there is a transformative truth: we can speak to our mountains about God. This is not merely about praying to God about our problems but declaring God's greatness to the problems themselves. By doing so, we shift the focus from the problem to the power of God, reminding ourselves that no situation is beyond His capacity to handle. This approach invites us to confront our situations with the truth of God's character, transforming our perspective and empowering us to face challenges with boldness. [00:53]

Isaiah 41:13-14 (ESV): "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.' Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge in your life. How can you declare God's greatness to this situation today, shifting your focus from the problem to His power?


Day 2: Declare God's Character
When facing life's challenges, it is crucial to confront them by declaring the character of God into the situation. Speaking of His omnipotence, faithfulness, and transformational power brings God into the equation, changing the dynamics of the situation. This form of prayer is not just a conversation with God; it's a declaration to the situation, reminding it of who God is and what He can do. By doing so, we invite God's presence and power into our lives, allowing Him to work in ways that are beyond human understanding. This approach is a humble and righteous use of God's power, shifting the narrative from one of defeat to one of victory. [01:20]

Psalm 145:5-7 (ESV): "On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness."

Reflection: Identify a specific attribute of God (e.g., His faithfulness, omnipotence) that you need to declare over a current situation. How can you incorporate this declaration into your daily prayer life?


Day 3: Confidence in God's Power
Having unwavering confidence in God's ability to handle what seems unovercomeable is essential. While some challenges are beyond human capacity, they are never beyond God's reach. This confidence allows us to face the seemingly impossible with boldness, knowing that God is capable of overcoming any obstacle. By trusting in His power, we can approach our challenges with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that God is in control and will provide the strength needed to overcome. This perspective shifts our focus from our limitations to God's limitless power. [01:45]

Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."

Reflection: Reflect on a past situation where you experienced God's power in overcoming a challenge. How can this past experience strengthen your confidence in His power for current or future challenges?


Day 4: Invite God into the Equation
By speaking God's truth into your situation, you invite His power and presence, allowing Him to work in ways that are beyond human understanding. This is a humble and righteous use of God's power, acknowledging that while we may be limited, God is not. Inviting God into the equation means actively seeking His guidance and intervention, trusting that He will work all things for good. This approach requires humility and faith, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. [02:11]

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV): "O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to invite God's presence and power today? How can you actively seek His guidance and intervention in this situation?


Day 5: Shift the Narrative
By telling your mountain about the greatness of God, you change the narrative from one of defeat to victory. The mountain must react to God, not dictate to you, as you declare your trust in His ability to overcome. This shift in narrative empowers you to face challenges with a victorious mindset, knowing that God is greater than any obstacle. By focusing on God's greatness, you can transform your perspective and approach to life's challenges, moving from a place of fear and doubt to one of faith and confidence. [02:56]

Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of Grace, grace to it!'"

Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel defeated. How can you shift the narrative by declaring God's greatness and trusting in His ability to bring victory?

Quotes


we all face obstacles that seem too steep for us to climb over, a mountain if you will, something so big so large so high that we become the scariest at the thought of it, and we just come to two words, "I can't," or forward, "I can't do this or I can't make this," it's just too big for us to handle. [00:14:53]

but did you know in your prayers, you can not only speak to god about the mountain, god gives us the privilege of speaking to the mountain about god you heard me right, god wants our prayers not just to be to god about those towering situations that we face in our lives, he wants us to tell the situation about how big god is. [00:42:48]

how great god is, how powerful god is, how omnipotent god is, how faithful god is, how transformational god is when is the last time you've confronted your situation about god where you have dictated the character of god and the word of god into your situation, that's a form of prayer, yes prayer is talking to god about it. [00:70:24]

but it's talking to it about god, because you're still bringing god into the equation, you and i are to have such confidence in god through our prayers, that we can look at the unovercomeable, the thing that is bigger than life, the thing that no human being can support you on because it looks like it's beyond human capacity to fix and it is. [00:91:68]

but when you bring god into the equation and you say to that sickness, to that situation, to that relationship breakdown to that addiction to that financial trauma when you can say to it hey this is what god said, this is what i know my god can do this is what he has done in similar situations and i'm looking to my god to handle you. [00:125:11]

i'm looking for my god to get me the ability and give me the ability to override you, oh now you're speaking to the mountain, now you're dictating to the situation, and yes, god wants us to use him righteously and humbly in that way so that the mountain has to react to him and not just dictate to us. [00:149:92]

so go ahead and tell your mountain about the greatness of your god. [00:176:56]

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Transcript
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