In
Genesis, the book of beginnings, we read that God spoke his word to bring about
creation (Genesis 1). Think about this for a minute; it’s so easy to read and
not get the full impact of God’s word in this account of creation. God spoke through
the prophet Isaiah that his word does not return void but accomplishes his
purpose (Isa 55:11). God also said to the prophet Jeremiah: “I will hasten my
word to perform it” (Jer 1:12; KJV) Are we getting the picture? Gods word has
power to achieve what it states it will.
The
apostle Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing (Luke 5:5-7). However,
at Jesus command he lowered the fishing nets again and caught a huge number of
fishes. A centurion in Luke 7:7 told Jesus to just: "say in a word, and my
servant shall be healed”. The servant was healed. There is no doubt that God's
word is very powerful
King
David said that God had magnified his word above his name (Ps 138:2). God's
word should be our delight according to Psalm 1:2 and if we meditate on the
word we will flourish (Josh 1:8). Meditation is a re-speaking of the word; it
is not just a mental activity.
We
should give great respect and attention to the word and line up our thoughts
and decisions with the word. Speak the word over your circumstances and watch
things change for the better. For example, if you need healing, find scriptures
on healing and speak them over your body, command your body to lineup with God’s
word, claim that healing. Believe healing is yours and experience the power of
God’s word.
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In
Mark 10: 46 - 52 we have the wonderful story of Blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus
sat by the road out of Jericho begging and heard that Jesus was passing by. He cried
out to get the attention of Jesus and would not be quietened by the crowd. As
soon as Jesus called him Bartimaeus threw off his outer garment (which symbolized
that he was a beggar) and came to Jesus. When Jesus asked him what he wanted he
immediately asked for his sight and he received it right away.
So,
what do we learn from this story? Firstly, Bartimaeus was determined, he
shouted in a loud voice to get the lord’s attention (the word for
"shout" in the Greek used here can also mean "scream"). He
was also persistent, no one could shut him up. He was determined not to let his
miracle pass him by. Jesus, in asking Bartimaeus what he wanted, challenged the
blind man to make a specific request: “Lord, that I might receive my sight” (v
51). Jesus commended the faith of Bartimaeus and acknowledged that it was his
faith that made him well (v 52). What a wonderful miracle, Bartimaeus received
his sight but was also liberated from begging and given a new start to his life!
Jesus
is still saying to us today, "what do you want me to do for you"?
Make a specific request in faith. Believe God for your miracle today. Jesus is
no respecter of persons; he will respond to you just as he did to blind Bartimaeus.
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Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more
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The
word salvation contains the idea that God wants to prosper us. In the word we
are told that the wealth of the wicked is saved up for the righteous (Prov
13:22), that’s us. God said he would meet all of our need according to his
riches and glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). Did you catch that? God said
according to his riches and glory not our limited idea of riches and glory. God
wants to open the windows of heaven on us and pour out such a blessing we
cannot contain it (Mal 3:10).
However,
we are directed to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and then
all these things will be added to us (Matt 6:33). In fact, in the bible we read
that we often do not receive what we ask for because we ask with the wrong
motivation; we ask for selfish reasons (James 4:3).
I
think what the Lord is saying is that if we seek after him, his heart and to
obey him, then he will exercise his highest desire to bless us as his children.
We don’t come to him just to get. Focusing on just getting stuff will never
satisfy us, only our relationship with Jesus will do that.
“Now
he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply
your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Cor 9:10; KJV).
God wants to pour his blessings through us so that his work can be done on this
earth and in the process, we will be blessed with all our needs met abundantly
(John 10:10).
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Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more
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“Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1
Cor 10:31; KJV). “And whatsoever ye do,
do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col 3:23).
It’s
easy to separate our spiritual life from our daily activities but really if we
are walking in the spirit the two are intertwined. We don’t have to be in
church to be led by the spirit. According to these verses everything we do
should be done as an offering to the Lord whether its washing dishes, closing a
business deal or singing in the choir. On the job, we should go the extra mile,
work with excellence and give no one reason to complain about our performance or
attitude.
“Having
your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you
as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God
in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12) As Christians we should be setting an
example to the world in the workplace, with our families and in everything we do
and say. If we approach our day to day tasks as something done for God it won’t
go unnoticed.
Finally,
let Jesus speak to us as quoted by the apostle John: “By this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Let’s commit
to show the world God’s love and to bring glory and honor to God at all times and
in all places.
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Matthew
6: 25-34 is a wonderful exhortation for us not to worry about our needs. God
says look at the beauty and magnificence of my creation; the birds of the air
and the lilies of the field, see how I created them and care for them. If God
can do that how much more will he care for us. God says, you focus on me and
being like me and pleasing me and I will take care of the provision.
God
is not short on supplies for our provision. Everything on this earth belongs to
God. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand
hills” (Ps 50:10). “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of
hosts” (Hag 2:8).
I
like his instruction to us to leave the worry with him.
In
1 Peter 5:6-7 we are told to humble ourselves before God, cast our cares on him
and he will care for us. Now this does not tell us to sit idly by and wait for
God to provide; no, we are to work with our hands to provide our needs. In the apostle
Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians he wrote: “For even when we were with
you, we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2
Thess 3:10). But, if we trust God and do our part we don’t need to worry, we
need to trust God that everything will be taken care of; ends will more than
meet. Trust God, take the limits off of him; he will provide.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic
Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more
encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.