Springhill Church

Series: Word of God

  • Speak the Word Over Your Life – Part 3

     Review of some points from previous lessons:

    • We are not called to be reporters; we are called to be forecasters.
    • Our world is framed by the words that we speak.
    • The Word of God does not become the sword of the Spirit for you until it is spoken from your mouth.
    • We must begin to declare what God has already said. That is when the power is released.
    • If you want the Word spoken into your problems here on the earth, then you and I are going to have to speak it.
    • We can change the course of our lives simply by changing what we are saying and begin to speak what God says about us. (James 3:1-4)
    • A simple understanding of how faith works is necessary for us to begin to walk in this principle. 
    • We must start with a basic assumption that the Word of God is true and if I can find that the Bible says it, then I am going to believe it.
    • Every believer has been dealt the measure of faith when we are Born Again. (Romans 12:3)
    • Faith always begins where the will of God is known.
    • Hearing the Word of God is what drives out those question marks in our thinking that can hinder our faith. (Romans 10:17)

    What is faith? 

    Hebrews 11:1 NKJV  (1)  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

    Hebrews 11:1 TPT  Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. 

    We must start with the foundation of hope. When we say that faith comes by hearing the Word, it is implied that hope also comes and actually comes first.

    The Word of God first produces hope in the heart of a person. 

    Hope = Expectation (Greek Dictionary)

    Hebrews 11:1 GW  Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. 

    Faith always takes ownership of that which is expected. 

    How do you build your capacity for great faith? 

    Joshua 1:8 NKJV (8)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

    Four Keys to building strong faith in God’s Word: 

    1.   Find what the Word says about your situation.
    2.   Meditate in the scriptures from God’s Word.
    3.   Speak God’s Word.
    4.   Act on God’s Word.

    We need to understand there is a difference between speaking God’s Word out of faith like God does and speaking God’s Word unto faith where we are speaking and getting the Word into our hearts. 

    Sometimes we need to speak the Word of God as mentioned in Joshua 1:8 so that we get the Word into our hearts. This is a confession UNTO faith. 

    God created us to be able to hear our own words and build a capacity to believe them in our hearts. 

    Here is why this is so important: 

    Philemon 1:6 KJV (6)  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 

    “…every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” 

    Think of it — He saved you, healed you, redeemed you, and protected you. He has given you a sound mind; He has given you the mind of Christ; He has imparted gifts and talents to you; and He has planned a future for your life that is simply glorious. You are loaded with phenomenal potential that is just waiting to be activated! 

    “…may become effectual…” 

    The word “effectual” is the Greek word energeo. It is where we get the word energy. However, in this verse, the word energeo carries the idea of something that has suddenly become energized or activated. Paul’s words could actually be rendered, “That the communication of your faith may become energized and activated.” 

    Let me give you an example to help you understand what this word energeo means in the context of this verse. An automobile may be filled with enough fuel to drive a long distance, but it won’t go anywhere until someone puts the key into the ignition and then turns the key. The moment that key is turned, the spark plugs are sparked, which fires up the engine. Once the engine has been activated, the potential in that car is ready to be unleashed. 

    The car always has the capability of moving, but if it is never activated, it sits silently in the driveway. No matter how much fuel is in the tank or how much horsepower that car possesses, its power and potential will never be realized until someone turns the key in the ignition. 

    You are like a car that is loaded with enough fuel and horsepower to get anywhere you need to go. But for that potential in you to be released, you have to hold the right key in your hand. Furthermore, it isn’t enough for you to just possess the key. You have to put that key into the “ignition” and turn it so the latent potential that resides inside you will be ignited. 

    When you turn the key in the ignition, suddenly the potential you possess in Jesus Christ is supernaturally ignited, activated, energized, and released inside you! 

    • So what is the key that sparks all the good things God has placed inside you into becoming an outward reality?
    • What is the key that causes all that God declares about you to become manifested in your life?
    • How do you “turn the key in the ignition” so that the great work God has done inside you is activated and released? 

    “acknowledging…” 

    The word “acknowledging” in this verse holds the answer to the questions above. This word is from the Greek word epignosis, which describes a well-instructed, intensive, deep knowledge of the facts. 

    Because the word epignosis depicts a well-instructed, intensive, deep knowledge of the facts, Paul is letting you know that it is essential for you to possess:

    • a knowledge of exactly who you are in Jesus Christ.
    • a knowledge of what Jesus has purchased in your redemption.
    • a knowledge of every good thing that God has placed in you by Jesus Christ.

    A key in the ignition switch does no good unless it is turned. Likewise, the truth in your life does no good until it is spoken! The moment you open your mouth and start confessing the good things that are in you by Jesus Christ, a supernatural connection is made between your faith and all that Jesus has deposited inside you. 

    At that moment, the gifts and treasures God has placed inside you become supernaturally activated. The confession of your mouth — your acknowledgement of the truth — is what sparks these spiritual blessings and causes them to become operative, activated, and manifested realities 

    To make these truths real in your life, you have to put the key in the ignition switch. 

    • The key is the Word of God.
    • The ignition is your mouth.
    • The key is turned in the ignition when you open your mouth and start to speak the truth.
    • The good things in you are activated the moment you start confessing the truth.
    • The way to make these blessings real in your life is to: 1) thoroughly know them through diligent study; 2) put these truths into your mouth; and 3) speak them out loud!

    That is how you turn the key in your ignition and energize these truths until they begin to manifest in you! 

    So quit talking negatively about yourself, and begin to bring the words of your mouth into agreement with the truths God has deposited in your life. 

    • God’s Word says you’re healed, so begin to say you’re healed.
    • God’s Word says you have the mind of Christ, so begin to say you have the mind of Christ.
    • God’s Word says you’re blessed, so begin to say you’re blessed.

    You turn the key in the ignition by getting your mouth in agreement with God’s Word. And as you start speaking what God says about you, all your potential will start becoming a manifested reality! 

    Confession of Faith: 

    Mark 11:12-26 NKJV  Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.  (13) And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  (14) In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it. (15) So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  (16) And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. (17) Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS’ ? But you have made it a ‘DEN OF THIEVES.’” (18) And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.  (19) When evening had come, He went out of the city. (20) Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. (21) And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” (22) So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. (23) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  (24) Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (25) “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. (26) But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

    Faith that caused Jesus to marvel:

    Matthew 8:5-10 NKJV  Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,  (6) saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” (7)  And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” (8) The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.  (9) For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (10) When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

    Matthew 8:13 NKJV  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

    Matthew 15:21-28 NKJV  Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  (22) And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”  (23) But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” (24) But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  (25) Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” (26) But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (27) And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”  (28) Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

    Why does this work? 

    John 17:17 NKJV (17)  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 

    God’s truth is the highest truth. 

    Psalms 138:2 NKJV (2)  I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. 

    God’s Word is the very foundation of His integrity and holiness. 

    Romans 1:22-25 NLT (25)  They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 

    God has a problem with this because these people chose to worship something that is below the Creator instead of worshiping Him. 

    The creation is never greater than the Creator. So the creation is subject to the Creator. 

    Only that which is part of God, the Creator is permanent. Everything else is subject to change or temporary. 

    Everything in this visible realm was created by the Word of God and therefore is subject to the Word of God. 

    2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV (17)  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18)  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

    Those things that are temporary in our lives, are subject to the Word of God, and that includes us!

  • Speak the Word Over Your Life – Part 2

     Review of some points from last week:

     

    • We are not called to be reporters; we are called to be forecasters.
    • Our world is framed by the words that we speak.
    • The Word of God does not become the sword of the Spirit for you until it is spoken from your mouth.
    • We must begin to declare what God has already said. That is when the power is released.
    • If you want the Word spoken into your problems here on the earth, then you and I are going to have to speak it.

    James 3:1-4 NKJV (1)  My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (2)  For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (3)  Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. (4)  Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.  

    We can change the course of our lives simply by changing what we are saying and begin to speak what God says about us.  

    A simple understanding of how faith works is necessary for us to begin to walk in this principle. 

    We must start with a basic assumption that the Word of God is true and if I can find that the Bible says it, then I am going to believe it. 

    Bumper sticker should read, “the Bible says it, that settles it and I believe it…” 

    Faith always begins where the will of God is known. 

    You cannot have faith for something that you are not sure is the will of God for your life. 

    Your faith will never rise above that question mark in your thinking. 

    Romans 12:3 KJV (3)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  

    We are created to be believers. All of us believe something, even if it is the wrong thing. Doubt and unbelief is not making the decision to believe nothing, but rather making the choice to believe the wrong things. 

    Don’t let the enemy try and convince you that you do not have the faith for that. You do have the faith but it may not be developed in that area. 

    Romans 10:17 NKJV (17)  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

    Hearing the Word of God is what drives out those question marks in our thinking that can hinder our faith.  

    Let’s look at an example of this from Jesus’ ministry: 

    Mark 5:25-36 NKJV (25)  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, (26)  and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. (27)  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. (28)  For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” (29)  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. (30)  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” (31)  But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” (32)  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. (33)  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. (34)  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” (35)  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (36)  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”  

    We see the contrast here of faith coming by hearing about Jesus and fear potential coming when hearing about death. 

    So our faith is increased by hearing and understanding the Word of God. Hearing what? What God has said about your situation. 

    Let’s take a look at how faith is built:

    Hebrews 11:1 NKJV (1)  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

    Hebrews 11:1 TPT  Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. 

    We must start with the foundation of hope. When we say that faith comes by hearing the Word, it is implied that hope also comes and actually comes first.  

    The Word of God first produces hope in the heart of a person. 

    Hope = Expectation (Greek Dictionary) 

    Hebrews 11:1 GW  Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. 

    So we start with an expectation that God is going to heal us. 

    Faith becomes the proof that what we are expecting is already ours, whether we see it or not. 

    So our faith takes those things that we are expecting to happen and creates ownership of those things now, not in the future. 

    With faith having arisen in our hearts to take ownership we are ready to pray or simply receive that which has already been provided by the Lord such as healing. 

    Faith is not just inspiration that comes as a result of inspired preaching of the Word of God. It is a spiritual thing that unlocks the supernatural power of God that is contained in His Word. 

    Remember our illustration form last week about electricity and our need to make a connection with it. Faith is that connection, the plug, if you will, that connects you to the power source of God’s Word. 

    Faith always takes ownership of that which is expected. 

    Please understand that you do not have to understand how God is going to perform His Word, you just simply need to believe it and allow it to work in and for you. 

    Remember, the story of Mary, the Mother of Jesus when the angel appeared unto her. She did not understand how all of what the angel said was going to happen to her was going to happen but she simply believed and received it. 

    We cannot slip over into needing to analyze everything before we allow God to do what He has promised. 

    How do you build your capacity for great faith? 

    Joshua 1:8 NKJV (8)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

    Four Keys to building strong faith in God’s Word: 

    1.   Find what the Word says about your situation.
    2.   Meditate in the scriptures from God’s Word.
    3.   Speak God’s Word.
    4.   Act on God’s Word.

    We need to understand there is a difference between speaking God’s Word out of faith like God does and speaking God’s Word unto faith where we are speaking and getting the Word into our hearts. 

    Sometimes we need to speak the Word of God as mentioned in Joshua 1:8 so that we get the Word into our hearts. This is a confession UNTO faith. 

    God created us to be able to hear our own words and build a capacity to believe them in our hearts. 

    Here is why this is so important: 

    If you do not understand the importance of speaking God’s Word, you will never be able to overcome the incredible power of doubt. 

    Anytime you begin to trust God, the enemy will come at your mind to manipulate your imagination to see your life going different from what God has said. 

    The best way to get a handle on your thoughts and imagination is through the power of speaking God’s word. 

    But then there are times when you speak forth your faith and you know that faith is in your heart and that which you have spoken is done in the Name of Jesus! 

    Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.  (29) He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,  (31) But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

    Joel 3:10 AMPC  Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong [a warrior]! [Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3]

  • Speak the Word Over Your Life – Part 1

    Psalms 91:1-16 NKJV  He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  (2) I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  (3) Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.  (4) He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.  (5) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, (6) Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.  (7) A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. (8) Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,  (10) No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; (11) For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. (12) In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. (13) You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.  (14) “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. (15) He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. (16) With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

    The benefits and protection provided to us in Psalm 91, will never come to pass unless you do what is said in verse 2: “I will say of the Lord…”

    I believe one of the most important times that we need to use our words on purpose and watch what we say is during our times of adversity, times of hardship. Anybody can be positive and say the right things when everything is going great. But how we respond in the adversities of life will either make you or break you. 

    What you say in the midst of your difficulties will have a great impact on how long you stay in those difficulties. 

    When times get tough, human nature is to want to talk about the problem, complain to all of our friends and family about how hard life is. Satan will do his best to pressure you to keep you talking about your situation because he knows that as long as you talk about the situation and circumstances, you will keep perpetuating them in your life by your words. 

    Remember, when you face adversity, don’t give in to the temptation to murmur and complain. 

    John 2:1-12 NKJV  On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  (2) Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. (3) And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”  (4) Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” (5) His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  (6) Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. (7) Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.  (8) And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. (9) When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.  (10) And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” (11) This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (12) After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

    Here is an important spiritual principle: 

    God has always desired to partner and work with man to change things as compared to always working alone.

    Matthew 1:18-23 NKJV  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (20) But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  (21) And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” (22) So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  (23)  “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which is translated, “God with us.”

    Whenever God has wanted to accomplish something in the earth, He first moves by His Spirit upon the hearts of men and has them speak it then He works to cause it to come to pass.

    Prophecy – a Divinely inspired utterance in a known language.

    Prophesy – to speak forth a Divinely inspired utterance in a known language.

    Prophet – One who is anointed to declare the Word of God.

    Dictionary – a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God.

    You are the prophet of your own life!

    We are not called to be reporters; we are called to be forecasters.

    Hebrews 11:3 AMPC  By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.

    Our world is framed by the words that we speak. 

    Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  (27) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (28) Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

    Genesis 2:7 NKJV  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Ancient Hebrew Text: a speaking spirit) 

    Jesus gave us some insight on how this works: 

    Matthew 12:33-37 AMPC  Either make the tree sound (healthy and good), and its fruit sound (healthy and good), or make the tree rotten (diseased and bad), and its fruit rotten (diseased and bad); for the tree is known and recognized and judged by its fruit.  (34) You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. (35) The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things.  (36) But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. (37) For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

    Matthew 12:36-37 MSG  Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously.  (37) Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”

    Let’s look at some Scriptures that support this thought: 

    Proverbs 18:20-21 (AMPC)  A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].  [21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. [Mat 12:37]

    Proverbs 12:14 (NKJV)  A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. 

    Proverbs 13:3 (NKJV)  He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

    Proverbs 15:4 (NKJV)  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

    Proverbs 18:7 (NKJV)  A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

    Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV)  Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

    God desires for us to get into agreement with Him and speak the same thing that He speaks. 

    Hebrews 4:12 NKJV (12)  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

    Revelation 1:13-16 NKJV (13)  and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. (14)  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; (15) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; (16)  He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 

    Read notes from Sparkling Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner: 

    The phrase “two-edged” is taken from the Greek word distomos and is unquestionably one of the oddest words in the entire New Testament. Why is it so odd? Because it is a compound of the word di, meaning two, and the word stomos, which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. Thus, when these two words are compounded into one (distomos), they describe something that is two-mouthed! Don’t you agree that this seems a little strange? So why would the Bible refer to the Word of God repeatedly as a “two-edged sword” or, literally, a “two-mouthed sword”? 

    Ephesians 6:10-17 NKJV (10)  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (11)  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12)  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13)  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15)  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 

    The word for “word” in verse 17 is not the normal word “logos” but rather “rhema” of God. This is the spoken Word of God. 

    The Word of God does not become the sword of the Spirit for you until it is spoken from your mouth.

     Hebrews 3:1 NKJV (1)  Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 

    Hebrews 4:14 NKJV (14)  Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

    The word translated “confession” here is the Greek word “homologia”. This word means “to say the same thing.” 

    This word “confession” here is not something that one person can say. It means that you repeat something that someone else has already said.

    Are our troubles happening here on earth or are they happening in Heaven? 

    Is Jesus saying anything on earth right now? He is not talking on planet earth right now. He is talking in Heaven at God’s right hand. 

    Who has the mouth here on earth? We do. 

    He is talking in Heaven and we have to repeat here on earth what He has already said. He is not going to come down and do it for us. That is not His job. That is our job. 

    If you want the Word spoken into your problems here on the earth, then you and I are going to have to speak it. 

    We have the assurance that whatever we say from the Word of God over our lives, that He is in Heaven backing us up saying the same thing. 

    Romans 8:34 NKJV (34)  Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

     

  • The Bible Doesn’t Say That – Part 5

    There are many things that people who follow Jesus, go to church and even claim to believe the Bible who believe things that are completely unbiblical. This happens because some things are said that sound good, spiritual and biblical and they gain traction because people actually believe they are in the Bible.

    “God is in control.” 
    • God is sovereign.

    Sovereign – having supreme rank, power, and authority.

    Only someone who is sovereign could make the following decision regarding man. Someone who is not sovereign could not make this decision.

    When the Bible refers to the LORD (in all caps) is it referring to the Sovereign Lord, Who is supreme.

    • God gave man complete control over His creation.

    (Genesis 1:26-28 AMP) God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. [Ps. 104:30; Heb. 1:2; 11:3.] (27) So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Col. 3:9, 10; James 3:8, 9.] (28) And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

    • Adam gave control of the earth to Satan when he sinned.

    (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT) (3) If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. (4) Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

    (Luke 4:6-7 NKJV) And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (7) Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

    If the devil lied and Jesus did not know it, then this was not a genuine temptation. Satan did not lie and therefore it was a genuine temptation.

    • Jesus came to win back that control from Satan.

    (Matthew 28:18-19 AMP) Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. (19) Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

    (Ephesians 1:17-23 NKJV) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

    (Ephesians 2:1 NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

    (Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

    If we were raised up at the same time the Head was raised up, and all authority was conferred upon the Head, then it was also conferred upon His body which was raised up together with Him.

    • We need to preach the Cross and have a Cross mindset but we need to balance it with a Throne mindset and understand that we were CRUCIFIED together with Him but we were also RAISED together with Him and we are SEATED together with Him in the Heavenlies.

    The right hand of God is the center of power of the whole universe.

    Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV (9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Jesus has done all He’s going to do about the devil and his forces until the angel comes down from heaven, takes the chain and binds him and puts him into the bottomless pit. (Rev. 20:1-3)

    (James 4:7 NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

    (1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (9) Resist him, steadfast in the faith…

    (Mark 16:17 NKJV) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

    (Genesis 1:28 AMP) And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

  • The Bible Doesn’t Say That – Part 4

    There are many things that people who follow Jesus, go to church and even claim to believe the Bible who believe things that are completely unbiblical. This happens because some things are said that sound good, spiritual and biblical and they gain traction because people actually believe they are in the Bible.

    “God needed another angel in Heaven, so God called them home.” 

    This statement is wrong on so many levels but let’s start with the basics.

    • Angels and human beings are not the same thing.

    (Psalms 8:4-6 NLT) what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them? (5) Yet You made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. (6) You gave them charge of everything You made, putting all things under their authority-

    • Angels and human beings are both created beings.

    (Nehemiah 9:6 NKJV) You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.

    • Angels have a will but do not have the right to use it. Human beings do have that right.

    (Isaiah 14:12-14 NKJV) “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! (13) For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

    Our eternal destiny is determined by what we do with that will during our lives here on earth.

    What happens when a person dies?

    (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    • While you are living in the body, you have the choice to determine where you will spend eternity.

    (Ecclesiastes 8:8 NKJV) No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, And no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.

    • When your spirit leaves your body, you no longer have a choice in where you go.

    Your loved ones that have passed on are either with the Lord or they are not but they are NOT here in the earth.

    • In the Old Testament, when a righteous person died, they did not go to heaven.

    Prior to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, Heaven was closed to mankind because of man’s sin.

    (Genesis 25:8 NKJV) Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

    (Genesis 49:33 NKJV) And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

    (Luke 16:19-23 NKJV) “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. (20) But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, (21) desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. (23) And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

    In the New Testament, we see something different.

    (Ephesians 4:8-10 NKJV) Therefore He says: “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” (9) (Now this, “HE ASCENDED”–what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

    • Jesus opened the way to Heaven and into God’s presence. He made it possible for us to go.

    (John 14:1-4 NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

    (2 Corinthians 5:1-6 NLT) (1) For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands. (2) We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. (3) For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. (4) While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. (5) God Himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee He has given us His Holy Spirit. (6) So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.

    The body is the tent that Paul is referring to but we will get an eternal house to live in for eternity.

    (2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV) We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

    • A Christian should never fear death.

    (1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NLT) (55) O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ” (56) For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. (57) But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    (Revelation 21:10-27 NLT) (10) So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. (11) It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone–like jasper as clear as crystal. (12) The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. (13) There were three gates on each side–east, north, south, and west. (14) The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (15) The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. (16) When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. (17) Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). (18) The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. (19) The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, (20) the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. (21) The twelve gates were made of pearls–each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. (22) I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (23) And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. (24) The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. (25) Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. (26) And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. (27) Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty–but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

  • The Bible Doesn’t Say That – Part 3

    There are many things that people who follow Jesus, go to church and even claim to believe the Bible who believe things that are completely unbiblical. This happens because some things are said that sound good, spiritual and biblical and they gain traction because people actually believe they are in the Bible.

    “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” 

    (Colossians 1:9 AMP) For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things—

    If the Lord through the Apostle Paul is telling us to understand what the will of God is, then it must be possible for us to know the will of God for our lives.

    Life’s Priorities According to the Word of God:
    • My relationship with God
    • My relationship with my spouse
    • My relationship with my children
    • My relationship with my church
    • My job
    • My social life

    In the Christian world, we are more physical-conscious (body-conscious) and more mental-conscious than we are spirit-conscious.

    Yet we are first and foremost spirit beings.

    (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV) 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    How does God lead us?
    • The Written Word of God
    • The Inward Witness

    (Romans 8:14-16 NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

    We go to great lengths to grow intellectually, and we should, but we often ignore the spirit man.

    Your spirit can be built up in strength and trained just as your body and mind can be trained.

    How do I tune in?
    1. Give the Word of God first place.

    This means that the Word has final authority in your life above what you see, feel, or hear.

    God gave us our five physical senses and they are great as long as they don’t contradict the Word of God. The moment that they do contradict the Word, you must choose to go with the Word instead of what they say to you.

    (Psalms 138:2 AMP) I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your Name!

    Don’t let the Word of God be an afterthought or the LAST RESORT! Make it the first thing you go to.

    1. Meditate in the Word of God.

    Joshua 1:8 AMP This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

    The Word of God shall not depart out of your mouth…

    If you ever want to do anything great in life, if you ever want to amount to anything in life, take time to meditate in the Word of God.

    To meditate means to mutter or speak to yourself.

    1. Practice the Word of God

    We have many “talkers of the Word,” and even “rejoicers about the Word,” but there aren’t very many “Doers of the Word.”

    (James 1:22-25 NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it–not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it–they will be blessed in what they do.

    Begin the practice being a doer of the Word by doing in all circumstances what the Word tells you to do.

    1. Instantly obey the voice of your spirit (conscience).

    The human spirit has a voice. We call this our conscience.

    Sometimes we call it an intuition or an inner voice. The world calls it a hunch.

    As you give your newborn spirit the privilege of meditating on the Word of God, the Word becomes its source of information. Your spirit will become strong and the inward voice of your conscience, educated and fed by the Word will become a true guide. We always put the Word first and therefore our spirit becomes an authoritative guide.

    This is a process that takes time to learn.

    1. Spend time praying in other tongues.
    • Your mind grows quiet, because you are praying out of your spirit.

    (1 Corinthians 14:14 NKJV) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

    • You are built up.

    (1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV) 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

    • You are speaking directly to God and you speak divine secrets.

    (1 Corinthians 14:2 AMP) For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

  • The Bible Doesn’t Say That – Part 2

    There are many things that people who follow Jesus, go to church and even claim to believe the Bible who believe things that are completely unbiblical. This happens because some things are said that sound good, spiritual and biblical and they gain traction because people actually believe they are in the Bible.

    “God will not give you more than you can handle!”

    (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV) (13) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

    (1 Corinthians 10:13 AMP) (13) For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.

    The Good News – There are three main points of this verse that are hugely important to us:

    ✓ You are not the only one that has ever faced this temptation.

    In other words, even though you may think that no one else has been tempted in this manner, the temptation is something that is common to mankind and others have faced it.

    ✓ God will always make a way of escape for you with the temptation.

    (Matthew 26:41 NKJV) Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

    Jesus said for us to pray so that we will not enter into temptation.

    The implication is that there are two doors facing us when we are tempted. One is the entrance to sin and the other is the entrance to victory.

    ✓ In Him, you can resist and maintain consistency over the temptation.

    (James 1:2-4 NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

    Amplified – “…so that you may be people perfectly and fully developed with no defects, lacking nothing.”

    Trial or Temptation: (peirasmos) A putting to proof of what you believe by the experience of adversity.

    The enemy is desiring to generate pressure to get you off of what you believe through the adversity.

    Adversity = pressure in our lives.

    (James 1:12 NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

    Endures = patience (same word in Greek)

    “…that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

    The first step to overcoming adversity and passing the test is found in verse 13.

    ✓ Do not say that the temptation or trial is coming from God.

    (James 1:13 NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

    God does test us, but never with adversity. His tests are always tests of obedience.

    Passing the test does require consistency but there is more to it.

    How to develop endurance:
    1. You must train before the competition begins.

    (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NLT) (24) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (25) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

    1. You cannot be entangled with the affairs of this life. (taking the cares).

    If you are worried, you are contemplating how you can solve your own problems.

    (2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

    (1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (7) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

    1. Make the Word of God first place in your life by spending time in it.

    (Psalms 1:1-3 NLT) Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. (2) But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. (3) They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

    1. If you won’t quit because of weariness, you will win.

    (Galatians 6:9 TLB) And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.

    1. Count it all joy when the test shows up.

    (James 1:2 NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

    (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV) Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

  • The Bible Doesn’t Say That – Part 1

    The greatest thing that God could have provided for mankind is the Bible, the Word of God, because it is literally God revealing Himself and communicating with humanity.

    The Scriptures contain insight into everything that has to do with our lives.

    Biblical Christianity teaches that the Bible was inspired and authored by the Holy Spirit using men and women.

    (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

    (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

    All that being said, there are many things that people who follow Jesus, go to church and even claim to believe the Bible who believe things that are completely unbiblical. This happens because some things are said that sound good, spiritual and biblical and they gain traction because people actually believe they are in the Bible.

    In the world, this is called Fake News!

    Two extremes in how Christians deal with life:

    ✓ Those who do nothing.

    They bounce through life just letting life happen to them. There is the belief that if it is God’s will for my life, that it will just happen.

    ✓ Those who make their own plans and then ask God to bless them.

    God helps those who help themselves!

    This phrase is not found in the Bible.

    It was brought into our modern culture in 1736 by Benjamin Franklin in his Poor Richard’s Almanac.

    While this may sound superficially like the kind of proverb you might hear from a committed Christian, Franklin was a deist. He didn’t believe in a personal God who is actively involved in the affairs of people, but rather in a God who set the world in motion but stands at a distance while we fend for ourselves.

    On the surface this statement sounds good but it is actually anti-Gospel. It is based on the concept of self-reliance and self-righteousness.

    It comes from the belief that if you try harder and do better, then God will step in and help you in some way.

    (Proverbs 28:26 NIV) Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

    (Psalms 72:12-14 NKJV) For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. (13) He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. (14) He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.

    (Isaiah 25:4 NLT) But You are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat…

    (Romans 5:6-8 NLT) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. (7) Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. (8) But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

    (Ephesians 2:8-10 MSG) Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! (9) We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! (10) No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

    The Bible DOES teach us that there is a part that God plays in our lives and a part that we play in our lives.

    What exactly is our part?
    1. Believe God’s Word.

    We should find out what God has blessed or is blessing and get over there under that instead of trying to get God to bless our plans.

    (2 Chronicles 20:20 NKJV) (20) So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

    (Romans 10:17 NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    1. Pray and speak God’s Word.

    (Romans 10:8-10 NKJV) But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): (9) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

    (Mark 11:23-24 NKJV) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. (24) Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

    1. Obey Him and act like the Bible is true.

    Believe that God will do what He says He will do.

    (James 2:15-17 AMP) If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day, (16) And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do? (17) So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

    Does God help those who help themselves?

    Charles Spurgeon said: “God helps those who cannot help themselves.”

    The truth is, God helps those who place their trust and confidence in Him and believe for Him to help them.

  • It Is Written – Part 3

    IT IS WRITTEN – Part 3

    (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

    Why The Bible Can Be Trusted

    (Matthew 24:35 NIV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

    1. It is historically accurate.

    Three tests in order to be historically accurate:

    • Eyewitness Accounts
    • Recorded and copied with extreme care.
    • Archaeological confirmation.

    (Psalms 33:4 NIV) For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

    1. It is scientifically accurate.

    Scientific things that were believed when then Bible was written are proven wrong by what the Bible says.

    • The earth was flat.

     (Isaiah 40:22 NIV) God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth…

    • The earth is held up or suspended on something.

    (Job 26:7 NIV) He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.

    • The numbers of stars can be counted.

     (Jeremiah 33:22 NLT) And as the stars of the sky cannot be counted…

    •  Too much blood made you sick.

    (Leviticus 17:11 NLT) …for the life of the body is in its blood.

    • Man cannot pass disease to another human being.

     (Leviticus 13:4 NLT) “…the priest will quarantine the person for seven days.

    (Psalms 12:6 NIV) And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

    1. It is prophetically accurate.

    (2 Peter 1:21 NIV) For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

    (Matthew 26:56 NLT) But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.”

    (Revelation 22:6 NIV) The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

    1. It is thematically unified.

     (Luke 24:27 NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

    1. It is trusted by Jesus.

    If you are going to trust Jesus, you have to trust what Jesus trusted.

    (Matthew 5:18 NIV) For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

    1. It has survived all attacks.

    (1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV) For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

    1. It has transforming power.

    (John 8:31-32 NIV) To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”