In our daily Group Bible Study devotionals, we continue to focus on Growing Faith in God and cultivating expectancy in prayer. Scripture shows that God responds to faith. Let’s get started:
Scripture Reading: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:24
Operating from Your Spiritual Authority in Christ
In Mark 11:22-24, Jesus taught His disciples a foundational principle regarding believing prayer: "Have faith in God... if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him."
From early childhood, our minds are conditioned to rely exclusively on physical senses. However, God calls us to live by faith, operating from our spiritual position in Christ. Ephesians 2:6 reveals that God has "seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." While our feet walk this physical earth, our spiritual position carries heavenly authority. When we speak words of faith grounded in God’s Word, we align our earthly reality with heaven’s truth.
Jesus demonstrated this authority when He commanded the raging wind and waves, "Quiet! Be still!" (Mark 4:39). Our spoken words reflect the condition of our hearts. As Romans 10:10 states, "It is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Confession with the mouth crystallizes inner faith.
Radical Obedience: Miracles Unfold "As You Go"
We see this principle of active, spoken faith powerfully illustrated in Luke 17, when ten lepers called out to Jesus for mercy. Rather than touching and healing them immediately, Jesus did something different:
“When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.” — Luke 17:14
That must have seemed like a crazy thing to hear. Under Mosaic law, a leper went to a priest only to confirm that healing had already taken place and allow them to re-enter society. Yet when Jesus sent them, they had not been healed.
Think about their journey: all ten men turned and began walking toward the temple while their skin was still visibly covered in leprosy! They had no physical evidence of healing when they took their first steps. Yet, Scripture records, "And as they went, they were cleansed." Miracles often unfold in the movement of obedience, long after the prayer has been spoken but before the physical senses confirm the answer.
Inspiring Examples of Bold Faith in Action
History is filled with believers who stepped out in this manner. When evangelist John G. Lake traveled to South Africa in 1908 in response to God's calling, he arrived at the port with only $1.50 in his pocket, facing immigration laws that required $125 per family. Instead of panicking, he stood in line, expecting God to act.
Before he reached the official, a stranger tapped him on the shoulder and handed him $200. Moments later, another woman met them at the dock, stating God had shown her to provide a fully furnished home for an arriving American family of nine. [1]
When God imparts His word, step out in bold, expectant obedience. His power backs up every step taken in genuine faith in the Lord. — Keith Thomas
How to Apply Spoken Faith and Obedience to Your Daily Life
1. Keep a 24-Hour "Speech Guard" Journal: For the next day, write down any moment you catch yourself speaking doubt, fear, or sensory limitations about your circumstances. Next to each entry, write out one specific Scripture promise that speaks directly to that issue, and declare it out loud.
2. Execute One "Unseen" Step of Obedience: Identify one prompt from God’s Word or the Holy Spirit that you have been delaying until your situation improves (e.g., forgiving someone, giving generously, applying for a ministry position, or sharing your faith). Take that single action step today, trusting God’s grace to meet you as you walk it out.
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Deepen Your Faith & Group Bible Study Resources
To discover more stories of bold faith and biblical principles for daily living, explore our full video teaching on "Expectant Faith" on our YouTube channel, available with subtitles in 70 languages. Click the following link:
· Bookmark this page to browse all our free 3-minute Bible meditations.
· Read the full study online: Expectant Faith: How to Grow in Faith
· Series: This excerpt is taken from the series Growing Faith in God
· Visit the Keith Thomas YouTube Channel for more teachings.
[1] Roberts Liardon, God’s Generals, Albury Publishing, Pages 178-179.