Speaking Life: Activating Faith for Miracles
Summary
Words have power, and what is spoken shapes the reality experienced. It is essential to be intentional with every word, understanding that life and death are in the power of the tongue. When negative thoughts or symptoms arise, do not simply accept them—speak against them with the authority given by God. Just as Jesus spoke to the storm and commanded it to be still, every believer is called to speak to the mountains in their lives—whether fear, sickness, poverty, or brokenness—and command them to move. Faith is not passive; it is active, vocal, and expectant.
God’s promises are like items on a menu—if it’s there, it can be ordered. If something is brought to the table that was not ordered, it is not to be accepted. In the same way, anything in life that is not aligned with God’s promises—fear, offense, lack, or sickness—should be rejected. There is a spiritual “allergy” to anything that is not from God, and it is necessary to be vigilant, refusing to let the enemy serve what does not belong.
The process is clear: speak, believe, and receive. God’s role is to perform and manifest the miracle, but He waits for faith to be activated. Just as Jesus rebuked Peter when his words became a barrier rather than a bridge, discernment is needed to know when to receive and when to reject what is spoken—even from those close. Faith is not just about what is desired, but also about what is refused.
Everything needed—healing, provision, deliverance, restoration—has already been paid for by Jesus. These blessings are waiting at “will call,” but they must be claimed by faith. It is not enough to know they exist; they must be received. Unbelief and offense are the greatest hindrances to miracles. When offense is held onto, it blocks the flow of faith and the move of God. Letting go of bitterness and embracing forgiveness opens the door for God’s power to work.
Now is the time to bring faith to the forefront, to speak with authority, to claim every promise, and to let go of anything that hinders belief. God is ready to move, but He is waiting for faith to be activated and for His people to claim what He has already provided.
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Key Takeaways
- The Power of the Spoken Word: Every word spoken carries creative or destructive power. Just as God spoke the world into existence, believers are called to speak life, healing, and victory over their circumstances. Passivity allows unwanted things to remain, but intentional, faith-filled speech aligns life with God’s promises. [12:02]
- Reject What Is Not Ordered by God: Not everything that shows up in life is meant to be accepted. Like refusing a wrong order at a restaurant, it is necessary to reject fear, sickness, offense, and lack. This spiritual “allergy” to what is not from God is a mark of maturity, and it requires boldness to send back what the enemy tries to serve. [07:42]
- Faith Requires Action and Agreement: The process is simple but profound: speak, believe, and receive. God’s role is to perform the miracle, but He waits for faith to be activated. Miracles are hindered not by God’s inability, but by unbelief and passivity. Faith is the permission God needs to move in power. [25:04]
- Discernment in Relationships and Words: Even those closest can sometimes speak words that are barriers rather than bridges. Jesus rebuked Peter when his words opposed God’s plan, showing that discernment is needed to know when to receive and when to reject what is spoken—even from loved ones. Purpose must take precedence over others’ perspectives, especially when their words are rooted in fear or flesh rather than faith. [19:27]
- Unforgiveness and Offense Block Miracles: Holding onto offense and bitterness creates a barrier to belief and blocks the flow of God’s power. Miracles are often missed not because God is unwilling, but because hearts are closed by resentment. Releasing offense and choosing forgiveness is essential to unlock the fullness of God’s blessings and to experience breakthrough. [32:39]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - The Power of Words and Speaking Against Symptoms
[02:00] - Receiving God’s Word and Spiritual Hunger
[04:30] - Our Role vs. God’s Role in Miracles
[07:42] - The Restaurant Analogy: Rejecting What’s Not Yours
[10:39] - Jesus Calms the Storm: Speaking to Obstacles
[12:02] - Authority to Order and Rebuke
[14:46] - Standing Up and Speaking Out
[16:47] - Discernment: When Loved Ones Become Obstacles
[19:27] - Peter’s Confession and Correction
[25:04] - Claiming What’s at “Will Call”
[27:45] - Jesus Paid for Every Blessing
[29:35] - Unbelief and Offense Hinder Miracles
[32:39] - The Danger of Familiarity and Offense
[36:30] - Bringing Faith for Miracles
[38:33] - God Is Breaking Longstanding Strongholds
[40:28] - Interceding for Family and Specific Miracles
[41:41] - Restoration and Healing for Families
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: "You Have What You Say"
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### Bible Reading
Mark 11:22-24 (ESV)
> And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 4:39 (ESV)
> And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Matthew 16:15-23 (ESV)
> He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ... [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 11:23, what does Jesus say is required for a mountain to be moved? What role does speaking play in this process?
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples of “mountains” that Jesus is referring to in Mark 11:23? ([04:30])
3. In Mark 4:39, how does Jesus respond to the storm, and what does this show about the power of spoken words? ([12:02])
4. In Matthew 16, what did Peter say that was praised by Jesus, and what did he say later that Jesus rebuked? What does this reveal about the importance of discernment in receiving or rejecting words? ([19:27])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize both speaking and believing in Mark 11:23-24? What does this suggest about the relationship between faith and action?
2. The sermon uses the analogy of a restaurant order to describe accepting or rejecting things in life. How does this analogy help us understand what it means to “reject” what is not from God? ([07:42])
3. In Matthew 16, Peter goes from being praised to being rebuked by Jesus. What does this teach about the need for discernment, even with people close to us? ([19:27])
4. According to the sermon, how can offense and unforgiveness block the flow of God’s power and miracles in our lives? ([32:39])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “You have what you say. And you have what you let stay.” What are some negative things you have spoken or allowed to remain in your life? How can you begin to speak differently about those situations this week? ([00:42])
2. Think about the “mountains” in your life right now—fear, sickness, lack, brokenness, or something else. What would it look like for you to actively speak to those mountains and command them to move, rather than just accepting them? ([04:30])
3. The restaurant analogy challenges us to reject what is not from God. Is there something in your life right now that you have been “eating” (accepting) that you need to send back? What would it look like to do that practically? ([07:42])
4. The sermon says that everything needed—healing, provision, deliverance, restoration—has already been paid for by Jesus and is waiting at “will call.” What is one promise of God you need to “claim” by faith this week? How will you do it? ([25:04])
5. The message warns that offense and unforgiveness can block miracles. Is there someone you are holding a grudge against or are offended by? What steps can you take this week to release that offense and open your heart to God’s blessings? ([32:39])
6. The sermon talks about the importance of discernment, even with loved ones. Can you think of a time when someone close to you spoke words that were a barrier rather than a bridge? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently now? ([19:27])
7. The pastor encouraged the church to “bring your faith to this moment.” What is one area where you need to move from passivity to active, vocal faith? What is a specific step you can take this week to activate your faith in that area? ([36:30])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, asking God to help them speak life, reject what is not from Him, claim His promises, and release any offense or bitterness that may be blocking His blessings.
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Speaking and Believing God's Word
What you say shapes your reality; your words have the power to reject what is not from God and to receive what He has promised. When you encounter obstacles—whether fear, sickness, or lack—God calls you to speak His truth over your life, believing that what you declare in faith will come to pass. Your assignment is to speak, believe, and receive, while God’s role is to perform and manifest the miracle in His way and timing. Don’t let doubt or negative speech dictate your circumstances; instead, align your words with God’s promises and watch Him move. [04:30]
Mark 11:22-24 (NIV)
“‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘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. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’”
Reflection: What is one negative thing you’ve been speaking over your life or situation? Today, can you intentionally replace it with a declaration of God’s promise instead?
Day 2: Authority to Order What Stays and What Goes
You have spiritual authority to command what is not from God to leave your life, just as Jesus spoke to the storm and brought peace. Passivity allows unwanted things to remain, but when you boldly speak against sickness, fear, or chaos, you exercise the authority Christ has given you. Don’t get comfortable with what the enemy brings; instead, order it to go, knowing that your words, spoken in faith, have power to change your environment and circumstances. [12:02]
Mark 4:39 (NIV)
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been passive about a problem? What would it look like to speak directly to that issue in faith today?
Day 3: Discernment in Receiving and Rejecting Words
Not every voice or opinion—even from those close to you—aligns with God’s plan for your life. Like Jesus with Peter, you must discern when someone’s words are a bridge to your purpose or a barrier in your path. Sometimes, even well-meaning people can speak from their feelings or fears rather than faith, and you must be willing to rebuke what is not from God and only receive what aligns with His will. Put your purpose above others’ perspectives, and let your faith, not your flesh, lead your decisions. [19:27]
Matthew 16:18-19, 22-23 (GNT)
“So I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” … “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘God forbid it, Lord! That must never happen to you!’ Jesus turned around and said to Peter, ‘Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don’t come from God, but from human nature.’”
Reflection: Is there a voice or opinion in your life that you need to lovingly but firmly reject because it’s not aligned with God’s purpose for you?
Day 4: Faith Unlocks What God Has Already Provided
God has already provided every spiritual blessing, healing, and breakthrough you need—your role is to claim it by faith, not by striving or trying to earn it. Like tickets left at will call, the blessings are yours because Jesus paid for them, but you must show up, identify yourself as His, and receive what’s been prepared for you. Don’t let unbelief or a sense of unworthiness keep you from claiming what’s rightfully yours in Christ; step up in faith and receive the fullness of what God has for you. [27:45]
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Reflection: What is one promise or blessing from God that you’ve hesitated to claim? How can you take a step of faith today to receive it as already yours?
Day 5: Letting Go of Offense to Release Miracles
Holding on to offense, bitterness, or unforgiveness blocks the flow of God’s miracles in your life. When you are offended, it becomes difficult to believe, and unbelief hinders what God wants to do for you and through you. Jesus could not perform many miracles in His hometown because of their unbelief, which was rooted in offense. Today, choose to release any grudge or hurt, forgiving quickly so that your heart is open to receive the miracles God has for you and your family. [32:39]
Mark 6:3-6 (NIV)
“‘Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive today so that your heart is free from offense and open to the miracles God wants to do in your life?
Quotes
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