How many times have you read Matthew 21:22 (Ask, believing you have received) and said, "Uh-huh! I've asked, but it is not coming. So this verse just isn't true!" In reality, this verse is a kind of enigma - one with shrouded messages. The hint is in the word 'ask' which brings about the problem:"Ask" should actually be construed as "Declare."

Let's use the illustration of asking a spigot for water, or asking a wall outlet for electricity, We may not understand how the principles of running water or electricity work, but we recognize they're reliable utilities. We don't go up to sinks, get on our knees, and beg for water. We merely "work the principle!" In our work, we have long employed the phrase "Don't suffer from a pain in the Ask" as one of our primary rules for success. Read cautiously! We said ASK! Do you recognize how timid people are of asking? Here's the deal: you can feel slow for five minutes while you ask, or be slow for a lifetime because you don't ask!" Kind of puts things in perspective, does it not?

So what does that have to do with Matthew 21:22? What does it mean to ask, believing we have received? To understand that, we need to read between the lines, and see the word ASK as a word that carries three clues to how we're to "Declare." Declare means to Affirm it! - See it! - Know it!

Affirm It! This means speaking as if it is already a done deal from a knowingness of abundance instead of from a knowingness of lack. Pay attention to the words you speak. They will tell you where your knowingness is! Are you focused on what you don't have? Make the mental shift to affirming what it is you're seeking. Say it in positive terms, and say it with conviction!

Now here's a secret: instead of affirming a specific outcome, affirm the essence of what you want. (For example, instead of affirming I need a raise, affirm that you're financially free, with all your bills paid and plenty of money to share and spare.) (Instead of, I no longer tolerate asthma, affirm I've now transcended all forms of illness. I'm complete and healthy!)

See It! The art of visualizing actually embodies the core of what we are asking. Visualizing is often misinterpreted, because not everyone sees pictures. There are many ways to "visualize" or "see" what you're declaring.

Know It! Knowing from deep inside - where we know that we know that we know - is the key! It's the knowing that permits us to simply turn the faucet to get water - to hit the switch knowing we will get light. Imagine if we had that same form of knowing about our relationship to the Christ within!

There's a classic clinical tale about a young man who believes he is dead - a walking corpse. His exacerbated parents struggle to enlighten him, and at long last arrange an appointment with an extremely respected New York City psychiatrist. The psychiatrist tries his professional best to convince the young man that he is not a corpse, and that he is not dead.

The two men unproductively debate the point back and forth. Finally the psychiatrist has an thought he is certain will convince the young man that his belief is erroneous. The psychiatrist turns to the young man and asks, "Do you believe dead people bleed?" The young man ponders this for a moment, then replies: "No, all body functions stop when you're dead. So there's no blood flow."

The psychiatrist takes a needle from his desk and pricks the young man's finger. The young man gasps and gazes at his finger in amazement. "Well," he finally stammers. "I'll be darned. Dead people DO bleed!" His belief is so compelling that logical evidence has no influence over his illusion at all.

Jesus demonstrated the power of declaring from this knowingness, when He performed miracles. We can do what He did, (He said so, check it out) once we know the secret of the word ASK (Affirm it, See it, and Know it) Then pay attention, take heed, and act. We guarantee that from this knowingness, you truly can ask, believing you have received, and it will be yours!