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Word for Today:  May 22

Do you have a need?

• Are you hurting?
• Is something in your way?
• What mountain are you facing?
• What valley are you in?
• Do you feel the pressure?
• Are you in a bind?
• Are you caught between a rock and a hard place?
• Are you stressed?
• Are you sick?
• Are you bound?
• Are you sad?
• Are you discouraged?
• Are you disappointed?
• Have your hopes been shattered and your dreams destroyed?

Where ever you are, God is there.

Whatever you are facing God is there.

However you are hurting, God knows how you feel.  He wants to help you more than you want help.  His great pleasure is to give you the Kingdom and get you out of your place of pain and disappointment.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32  

His Kingdom is a Kingdom of Peace and Rest and Healing and Abundance and Fulfillment and Satisfaction.  God’s Pleasure is to see that you receive and enjoy all the benefits of your Salvation.  That’s what He has provided for you.  That’s what He wants for you.

That is His will for you today

John 10:

¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

            There are only two kinds of people on earth.  And I do not mean Men and Women.  They are people who are Alive and those who are Dead.  You can be Dead before you are dead.  If you are Alive you know it.  If you are Dead you know it.  The devil is the merchant of death.  Jesus came that we might be Alive.

The ultimate purpose and mission of the devil is to kill and destroy.  The devil deals in death and destruction.  Jesus gives LIFE and deals in RESTORATION.  All problems and attacks are designed by satan to kill us and destroy us.  The devil wants death and destruction to take us over.  Jesus wants Life and Restoration to take us over.   How did Jesus deal with death?  The Bible says He conquered death, hell, and the grave.  If He conquered them, they are still conquered.   Jesus never has to re-do what He has already done.  His work is complete and perfect.  He has “finished” it (as we heard last week: Jesus did not say “to be continued” on the Cross, He said “it is finished.”)  We need to deal with death just like Jesus dealt with it.

Relate the story of Lazarus.

Lazarus = “whom God helps”

Every Attack is an OPPORTUNITY.

John 11:4   When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Jesus “heard” the bad report.  Faith comes by hearing and doubt also comes by hearing.  Unbelief can be stimulated by hearing.  Distress can come by hearing.  Fear can be initiated by hearing.  What are you hearing?  Whatever you are hearing will either build your faith are add to your unbelief.  Jesus determined to be NOT MOVED by what He heard.

Then, Jesus declared with His mouth what the situation was going to be.  He took the opportunity to Prophesy what the situation was going to be because he knew the will of God in the matter.   Jesus “heard” and then He “said.”  What He heard did not alter what He said.  He refused to give in to the sense realm by believing what the opinions of men were.

“It’s not over.  It’s not final.  It’s not what it’s going to be.  God is working.  I am waiting.  I am believing.  I am standing.  I am speaking.  I am prophesying.  What I say is in agreement with God and because of this, the devil (and all his works) will have to move aside.”

Sickness is an opportunity. Adversity is an opportunity.  Every impossibility is an opportunity.  Your fiery trial is an opportunity.  Our fiery trial is an opportunity.  An opportunity for us to exercise our faith.  An opportunity for us to get into the Word and find out what God is saying.  An opportunity to turn tragedy into testimony.  God is the Master at giving us Beauty for ashes.  (Isa 61:3).  When we see our “death” situation in this light, we will be encouraged to say the same thing Jesus said: “This thing is not unto death…. it is an opportunity for God to show Himself strong in my behalf and to give me a powerful testimony of His Faithfulness.”

We are all faced with “Lazarus” attacks.  What we do, how we act in the midst of such situations will demonstrate just how deep we are in God.   We can say what others are saying.  We can agree with what the Facts are.  We can accept the “inevitable” or we can Prophesy to the situation.  God has called you into His Kingdom and given you the power to create with your mouth the things that are in the will of God.  Speak the Word!

Our fiery trial… our graveyard tribulation… our Red Sea and our Furnace heated 7 times its capacity… our den of Lions and our Goliath…  all these are only opportunities for God to get Glory and for us to experience a miracle.  Jesus knew that impossibilities are opportunities for God to Show Himself Strong in behalf of those who would DARE to BELIEVE!

When under pressure: Don’t Change your Plans.

John 11:6   When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

            The devil wants us to change directions… especially if we are in the will of God.  If we are on the way to where God wants us, then satan and all the forces of darkness are aligned to make us change our plans.  Remember how satan tried to stop Jesus on the Sea of Galilee with the great storm before He made it to the other side?  Here, Jesus was in the Flow of God and was not willing to change His direction just because He received bad news.  Jesus stayed.  Sometimes it is hard to Stay.  When we hear of pressing needs and powerful attacks, we are tempted to run ahead of God.  Remember… the Battle is the Lord’s and the Victory is ours.

Satan is the author of all bad news.  Bad news is demonic.  Bad news is a fiery dart of the enemy.  Bad news is satan’s attempt to get you to change your plans and alter your direction.  Bad news tends to make us worry.  Worry is fear.  Fear has torment.  Fear is not out of a “sound mind” but rather the product of a double mind.  When we are receivers of bad news, keep we must keep our eyes on our objective… we cannot allow discouragement, worry, fear or distractions to make us change our plans about Who we believe and What we believe.

Job was a man who was a servant of the Most High God.  He had some bad news brought to him… over and over again.  On the very heels of one messenger, another would come until it seemed that Job could not stand any more.  And yet “in all of this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly…”  It was the devil attempting to change the course of Jobs life.  Learn from the Life of Jesus…. do not allow demonic pressure to change your faith position.

How many times do we want Jesus to “hurry up?”  Our need presses us to prompt Jesus to hurry to our rescue.  However, God has a time.  And His time is the RIGHT TIME.  Things are happening in the realm of the spirit that we cannot see and if we could, we would not understand.  God is working.  satan is fighting.  We are waiting.  While we wait, He is working in our behalf.  If He is not hurrying, He has a reason.  Jesus needed to remain where He was in order that God would get all the glory for the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection.

Remember, when you are in the Will of God, you do not have to change your plans when satan attacks and emergencies arise.   Hold steady.  Do not panic.  Do not change your plans because of demonic emergencies.

Nothing is FINAL when Jesus is Present. 

John 11:14   Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

            Nothing can be more final than death.  When you are dead…. you are dead!  It’s over!  It’s finished!  It’s done!  UNLESS Jesus is there!  Listen:

1Cor. 15:26   The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

So many times our attitude is like that of Thomas:  “Let us also go, that we may die with him…”   (Verse 16).  Nothing is FIXED in the world system.   Not even death!  Jesus is the Great Changer.   He changes things.  When it seems totally final and nothing more can be done… when death looms and defeat is at hand and all hope is gone… Nothing is FINAL when Jesus is present.  If He can raise Lazarus from the dead, He is more than Able to resurrect our dead hopes and dreams.

Both Mary and Martha fell into the trap of the “IF Syndrome.”

John 11:21   Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

John 11:32   Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

            You cannot afford to live in the land of IF.  “If I had just done this… ”  “If I had just said this…”  “If I had tried harder…”  “If ” moves you into the place of legalism.  IF is not Grace.  IF is works.  IF will short  circuit the Will of God.  It does not matter what we are, what we have done,  or what our need may be… all we need is JESUS.  He will erase all our “Ifs”  and deliver us from our negative thinking.

Don’t Yield to Religious Thinking.

John 11:24   Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Every time you are faced with an impossibility, Religion will attempt to rise up and “explain” the situation.  Religion attempts to make the Word of God agree with the death situation you are experiencing instead of making the death situation agree with the Word of God.   Religion is dead doctrine.  Religion is self-righteous pride and arrogance.  Religion is form and tradition and legalistic law.  Religion is a heavy burden.  Religion works with the devil to keep you in death.  Religion is deception.  Christianity is not Religion… it is LIFE.    Read Matthew 23 to see what Jesus said concerning Religion.

Religion will help the devil kill and destroy you.  Pious platitudes that look way into the future for pie in the sky by and by will not help you in the NOW.  Most of what we were taught about God had nothing to do with the present.  It was either History or Prophecy.  God is a God of the NOW.  And Jesus is a Jesus of TODAY.  HALLELUJAH.

Don’t Be Moved by the Opinions of Men.

John 11:37   And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

What people think has nothing to do with what the Word Says.  All the opinions of men will not heal the sick or raise the dead.  What you say and what you think is worthless unless your WORDS and your THOUGHTS line up with the WORD OF GOD.   Most who are so quick to advise and counsel know little or nothing of the Power of God.  The ones looking on, seeing the grave and the grieving family, began to murmur.  Skeptics always murmur.  Doubters and Unbelievers are always looking for REASONS.  God is not a rea­soning God and He does not operate REASONABLE… He is a FAITH GOD and He operates in the SUPERNATURAL.

Attempt the Impossible.

John 11:39   Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

Jesus “went too far.”  When you begin to ROLLAWAY STONES from IM­POSSIBLE SITUATIONS, satan and all his helpers will accuse of GOING TOO FAR.  “You can’t be serious.”  “You really don’t mean that.”  “Do you realize what you are doing?”  “What will people say?”  “What will my relatives think?”  DO IT.  If you never ATTEMPT the IMPOSSIBLE you will never get a MIRACLE.  When you refuse to ROLL AWAY THE STONE you accept DEFEAT and LIMIT GOD and STOP ALL MIRACLES from happening.  What stone will you roll away today?  What stinking corpse of impossibility will you UNCOVER and present to GOD?  YOU WILL NEVER get a RESURRECTION if you REFUSE TO ROLL AWAY THE STONE.  This is your INITIAL ACT OF FAITH and it is this ACT that Moves Heaven in your behalf.

Pray Right.

John 11:41   Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

Refuse to Pray in doubt and unbelief.  “If it is Thy will” praying will never get a miracle or experience a resurrection.   If you do not know how to Pray the Word, you better never roll away the stone.  Jesus knew (1) What God’s Will was  (2) How to Pray in God’s Will  (3) How to Pray in Great Faith.  He was SURE of HIS POSITION in GOD.  He KNEW WHO HE WAS and what GOD had promised to do for Him.  He did not beg.  He did not plead.  He did not an­guish.  HE THANKED GOD.

Speak Faith Boldly.

John 11:43   And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

I get great comfort from this verse.  If Jesus “cried with a loud voice” I guess it’s OK for me to preach with a loud voice.   He boldly and specifi­cally spoke out and called for a miracle.  He “got what He said!”  Remember Mark 11:23?  “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH…”

Roll away the stone and SPEAK TO YOUR IMPOSSIBILITY.

Get Free.

John 11:44   And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Get free and stay free.  Do not get entangled again with the yoke of bondage that kept you bound.  Tear off the grave clothes and let the NEW LIFE come forth.  Refuse to stay in the graveyard dressed like and looking like the dead.  Get Up.  Get Out. Get Free.  Stay Free.

Jesus is Your Miracle Worker

Word for Today:  May 21

God is able.

Most every Christian will agree that God is Able.  To settle for anything less would degrade the concept of Christianity.  God truly is able.  Paul declares in Ephesians that He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” However, the majority of believers would agree with the FACT that God is Able but I want to add a new dimension to this confession of faith.  I want to declare that God is Able and God Will.  God Will do for you what nobody else or nothing else can.

The fact that GOD IS ABLE is the Magna Charta of the New Testament Church.     This is the Emancipation Proclamation of the Body of Christ:  God is Able.  This is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights for the Christian:  God is Able.  Confess “GOD IS ABLE!”  Now add to that confession:   “… AND GOD WILL!”

As we begin this day, I want to begin it with high hopes… with Great Expectations.  With great faith.  With awesome Dreams.  I want to take you with me into the place where you can rest and know that God is Able and…. God will!  No matter what.  No matter who.  No matter where.

God wants to encourage you.  He has set aside this day and this moment to build you up and strengthen you and to help you.   He is able to deliver you out of your fiery trial and out of your furnace and out of your Egypt.  And He Will.  He wants you to know that.  He wants you to know that today.

God wants you to get out of hoping and praying into confessing and believing.

And then from confessing and believing into Receiving and Possessing.

God is Able.

And He will

Fiery Trials

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you… 1 Pet 4:12.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivereth him out of them all…  Psa 34.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…  Isa 54:17.

When the enemy shall come in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him..  Isa 59:19.

Fear thou not for I am with thee; be not dis­couraged; for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee, I will help thee:  yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness…  Isa 41:10.

Multitudes of God’s people are going through strong testings.  Some of the things many in the Body of Christ will face can be overcome only by and through BIBLE FAITH.

Now this is the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith… I John 5:4.

Satan has diabolical schemes and strate­gies set to discourage and defeat the church of the living God.  All hell is breaking loose and, like it or not, more is on the way.  If we are not in the fire we are not doing much for God.

However, this is not the time to be distressed and dismayed… it is the time to believe.  It is the time to trust.  It is the time to have confidence in God.  It is time to have absolute trust in the Word.   The world is nervous.  Governments are ner­vous.  Leaders and statesmen do not know where to turn or what to do.  Only those who are strong in God will see it through.  This is not the time for Disney World Christians… it is the time for those who will face the fire, charge ahead and refuse to back up.

There are many fiery trials and fiery fur­naces that will try our faith.  Satan uses these to discourage and defeat the believer. They are de­signed to destroy our faith and to make us lose confidence in God.  They are set before us to move us into fear and to make us get into doubt.  They are sent by the devil and they are sent to destroy us.

Notice the story of the Hebrew Champions recorded in Daniel chapter 3:

They were in a strange land 

They were “out of place” because they were God’s People and they were confined to a pagan land.  If you are born again, you do not “fit” in the world.  You are in a strange land and your citi­zenship is in another country. You are actually an alien on earth.  You are “out of place.” You are looking for a city whose Builder and Maker is God.

They were in a strange land because of who they were.  They were God’s children and they were being held in captivity.  They were hated by the world and rejected by the world.  They were a threat to the kingdom of darkness and Satan planned for their destruction.  They were targets of paganistic and false religions.  We are a threat to Satan’s kingdom and we need not be surprised when opposition arises and when af­flictions come.  Remember, the Word says,  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all   Psa. 34:19.    

Nebuchadnezzar was in charge 

He was a pa­gan king.  He was against God and against God’s people. Satan is the ruler of this world system.  He is against God and he is against the God in you and me.  He purposes to destroy God’s peo­ple and to bring the Church into bondage.  Satan may be “in charge” of this world system, but we have more power than he has.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.   1 John 4:4.    

They had opportunity to become like the Babylonians but instead they chose to stick with God

They were tempted. They had op­portu­nities to compromise, cop out and cooperate with the devil, but they were committed to their calling.  We can choose whom we will serve.  The decision is ours.  It is up to us.  Whom we serve determines whether we live or whether we die; whether we succeed or whether we fail.

They refused to compromise

They would not bow and would not burn.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up… Dan. 3:18.  

They decided to stay with God and to honor their convictions.  They made a decision and they stuck with it.  They were determined and absolute with their faith.  They did not even consider anything other than obeying God and God’s Word.  They did not value their physical lives; they had rather keep themselves pure and clean than escape the fire.  They were committed.  The only thing that mattered to them was stay­ing with God.

They refused to get discouraged because of a difficult and impossible situation 

Sit­ua­tions are not supposed to affect us… we are sup­posed to affect situations.   Situations do not change God.  God is changeless.  God is im­mutable.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to­day and forever.  Do not judge the Word by your situation,  judge your situation by the Word.

We are not the only saints who have ever been in a hard place.  The devil wants you to think that you are the only one with such an impossible circumstance.  He wants you to believe that your problem is bigger and “badder” than anybody else in the world.

Consider Paul and Silas and their problem described in Acts chapter16.   Consider the Apostles who were beaten and im­prisoned time and time again.  John was left on the Isle of Patmos to die.    Look at the saints who paid with their lives through martyrdom.  Check out the heroes listed in Hebrews 11.

Notice:

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:  Heb 11:32

Who through faith subdued king­doms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Heb 11:33 

Quenched the violence of fire, es­caped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Heb 11:34 

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not ac­cepting deliverance; that they might obtain a bet­ter resurrection: Heb 11:35

And others had trial of cruel mock­ings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: Heb 11:36

 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Heb 11:37

 (Of whom the world was not wor­thy:) they wandered in deserts, and in moun­tains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  Heb 11:38

 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: Heb 11:39

The writer of Hebrews tells us to:

Consider Him (Jesus) lest ye be­come weary and faint in your minds…   Heb 12. 

Resist discouragement 

Discouragement will produce self-pity, com­plaining and question­ing God.  We will never be able to stand in the fire if we are discouraged and full of self-pity. It’s amazing to me how many believers enjoy having others “feel sorry” for them.  They seem to take comfort by wallowing in self-pity.

I often wonder just how they would or could fare in times that were comparable to those the New Testament believers faced.   I have been in places where people were not praying for money to pay the rent or the car note, but where they had to pray for their next meal… for food for their children and for shelter from the elements.  This nation has been and still is inundated with the grace and mercy and the blessings of God.  Go check your refrigerator right now and count your blessings.   We have absolutely no reason to be discouraged.  We are blessed. 

Make up our minds

It’s imperative that we fix our minds.  Stand still.  “Having done all, stand…!”  We should determine in our mind to never give up.  Never back up.  Never let up.  Never ease up.  These Hebrews refused to give in to defeat and they refused to compromise.   But “what if?”  But “just in case…”  What is our alternate plan?  SINK or SWIM.  Live or die.  Win or lose.  Get healed or stay sick.  Never ever consider backing down. God has no “plan B.”

 Rejoice in our trial

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  James 1:2

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  James 1:3  

            Faith has a proving ground.  Just like cars and trucks and other vehicles.  Trials and test­s are the proving ground for our Faith.  God does not cause them or bring them on, but they are the test track for our believing.  (1 Pet 4:12).  “Counting it all joy” when we are really hurting is difficult but it is not impossible.  Rejoicing is the opposite of complaining and griping and self-pity.  The sooner we rejoice, the quicker it will be over!  When we get to the rejoicing stage, the victory is at hand. 

The trial we are now in is purifying and re­fining  

Every trial is cleansing and tempering. It is working patience in us and it is causes us to depend totally on God.  It directs our attention to God’s ability.   It reminds us of God’s promises.  Trials keep us focused on that which is important.  It prioritizes our lives and gives us the courage to forsake and refuse those things which have become detrimental to our faith.

Above all, know that GOD IS ABLE.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery fur­nace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.   Dan. 3:17  

Now unto him that is able to do ex­ceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…   Eph. 3:20  

Nothing, no matter what it is, is ever too “broke” for God to fix. God is able.  This is the Magna Charta of the Christian Faith!  Knowing that God is Able!  Believing that God is Able!  Being assured that GOD IS ABLE!  When we have a revelation of the ability of God then we can boldly confess “if God be for us, who can be against us?”  (Rom 8:31)

The Real Test

When we are in the fire, remember He is in the fire with us.  If you do not stay with God, where and to whom will you go?  The Christian walk is not an easy one but it is the best one.  It is not for the sissy or the coward or the lazy or the fickle.  It is for the Brave.  It is for the Bold.  It is for the Fearless.  It is for the Courageous.  Listen to these champi­ons:

Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us for the burning fiery furnace and He will de­liver us out of thine hand, O king,  but if not, be it known unto thee, O king, we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up…   Dan 3:17-18.

NOW… what are we going to do when we face the fire?  What are we going to say when we face the fire?  How are we going to act when we face the fire?   What declarations will we make when we are about to be thrown into a situa­tion we do not deserve and which we do not under­stand?

Who is going to give in… us or the devil?  Which way will we go… God’s way or the world’s way?  Which will we choose the easy way or the right way?  What testimony will we leave?  What impression will we make on those who are watching us and waiting to see what we will do?

What will you do in the midst of the fire?  Always remember:

 GOD IS ABLE!

Word for Today:  May 20

“In 1607 the Jamestown settlers stepped ashore on pristine soil at Cape Henry, Virginia.  They immediately planted a cross and claimed this land for Jesus Christ.  That same day, Reverend Robert Hunt gathered the group for a prayer service.  He urged the men to pray that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would go forth to all nations from these shores.  The charter of Virginia, granted by King James I, gave their purpose as: propagating the Christian Religion to such people as yet live in darkness…”

These noble individuals were sheltered and schooled in homes where the Bible was read, studied and practiced.  Marriage was scriptural and paramount and the sanctity of such marriages became the birthplace of statesmen and leaders and scholars and merchantmen that feared God and laid the foundation of our great nation.

God is determined to bless any nation that stays true and faithful to Him and His Word.  God will safeguard any government that honors Him and keeps His Word.  God will supernaturally protect the people of any country that will humble themselves and pray.

PRAY today for the USA

Word for Today:  May 19

The fact is, life does deliver some crushing blows

We need to “get real.”    It is unprofitable for us to live in some dream world where everything always is perfect.  Life is not some Hollywood American Utopia where there is no pain and no disappointment…  The devil is real and the kingdom of darkness is real.

Some of these contradictions that we are unable to understand are aimed at believers as well as unbelievers.  The church is not immune to demonic attacks.  In fact, the purpose and ploy of the devil is to kill, steal and destroy… primarily that and those who are not already “his.”   Therefore, how we react and cope in difficult and trying times is extremely important to the Kingdom of God.

We must understand that the “curse” is far reaching.  Even though the Redemptive Work of Jesus cancelled it for the Believer, its effects and influence is still very active in the natural world.  That’s why we are experiencing war and murder and injustice and abuse….  All manner of wickedness and evil that is contrary to the Kingdom of God.

The world we live in is influenced by principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12).  This is a principle that those in the early church were well aware of.  However, the Message that motivated those experiencing the trials and tribulations of such an unfair and unjust environment was a Message of great encouragement.  It declared that even though times were tough, they were Overcomers.

This is one of the recurring themes of New Testament Theology and it is a contemporary Message of encouragement to us as well.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  1 Jo 5:4

Word for Today:  May 18

The seed and the ground

Jesus gave us the parable of the Sower and the Seed.

This parable is found in all three synoptic Gospels.  We need to consider some characteristics that identify a seed and also some ground conditions that are necessary for the seed to germinate.

Jesus said that the Word is the seed.

The ground is the heart.

He pointed out that the condition of the ground in which the seed is sown determines the extent of the harvest.  Good ground produces a bountiful harvest.

The Seed is the Word and when the Word is sown in good Ground (the proper heart condition) then the Word will produce “after its kind.”  Ideally, Word production is the production of the Will of God.

Whatever is in the Word will be grown in the earth.  Whatever is in the Word will be produced on the earth.  Jesus prayed in the Model Prayer “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”  When our heart condition “draws out” what God has placed in, then God’s Will is accomplished on the earth.

In Real Time.  In the present.  In the now.

When and where it is most needed

Word for Today:  May 17

God established the family.

The first human He made was a Husband and Father.

The second was a Wife and Mother.

The first family was given the awesome responsibility of “replenishing” the earth.

The family is more important than the church.  The family is more important than “religion.”  The family is more important than being “spiritual.”  The family is more important than anything God planned for the welfare, protection and propagation of the human race.

The family was established before the church.  It was on earth and functioning before Israel became the Chosen People… the Grand Plan and special nation through which God would send a Savior and redeem the world.

There is a Biblical pattern and plan for the family… It is simple and it is clearly stated in the Scriptures… One man.   One woman.  One time.  Until death.

The plan is defined and explained in the Word as follows:

• Husbands… love your wives. (Eph 5)
• Wives… submit (yield) to your husbands… (Eph 5)
• Children… obey your parents…. (Eph 6)
• Families… serve the Lord. (Jos 24)

…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Simple.  Plain.  Unquestionable.  Imperative.  Fundamental.

Surviving the Storm

Ps 107:29   He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still  

Mark 4:35   And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side

Mark 4:36   And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship And there were also with him other little ships

Mark 4:37   And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full

Mark 4:38   And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Mark 4:39   And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm

Mark 4:40   And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark 4:41   And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

What are Storms? 

Storms are circumstances and situations.   Storms are problems.  Storms are crises.  Storms are hindrances and delays and disappointments.  Storms are situations that plague us and harass us and attempt to destroy us.  Storms are sicknesses and physical attacks. Storms are Family conflicts and marriage troubles.  Storms are difficulties and impossibilities in the work place. Storms are addictions and habits that keep us in bondage.  Storms are demonic.

Where do they come from?  What causes them?

Storms are caused by the devil.  They are demonic attacks.  They are designed to do what the devil wants to do to you… to kill you, to steal your goods, and to completely destroy you.  Storms are planned and birthed in hell.  They are designed for you personally by the devil and his demons.  They are intended to keep you as far away from God and God’s Purpose as possible.

What is the Purpose of Storms?

The purpose and intent of storms is to stop you before you get where God wants you to be.  Storms arise and winds blow in the process of MINISTRY and SPIRITUAL GROWTH.  When you determine to obey God and Be a Blessing to OTHERS is when you will find yourself in a storm with the devil attempt­ing to sink your boat.  The moment you decide to Go to the Other Side with Jesus, satan will send a storm to stop you and to sink your boat.  You hear the voice of God… the challenge… the command… (this is point A) and you start out toward point B which is the place where God wants you.  And on the way….. you run into a STORM.

            (1) Storms arise and winds blow in the process of MINISTRY and SPIRITUAL GROWTH.  When you determine to obey God and Be a Blessing to OTHERS is when you will find yourself in a storm with the devil attempt­ing to sink your boat.

            (2) Storms will challenge your faith.  You may not be able to see God or hear from God.  You will be tempted to give in to wonder (“Why me?”) and doubt (“What if?”).

            (3) Storms are caused by the devil and they are devices to stop you from getting to the place where God wants you to be!!    God does not cause storms… if He did then Jesus was guilty of rebuk­ing God in this case.

            (4) Storms do not mean that God is not with you.  On the contrary, they are proof that He is with you and that a miracle is about to take place.   Storms are not “punishments” or “chas­tenings” from God… God will not put you in a storm to “teach you something!”

Some of the most dedicated NT personalities were at times caught in a storm.  The disciples were in the middle of the sea in a storm and saw Jesus walking on the water.

Paul was on the way to Rome and his ship was nearly destroyed in a great storm. 

Storms can cause:

Discouragement and despair.  They can move us to a place of giving up and going down with the ship.  They can make us tired and weary.  They can cause us to blame God and get mad at Him.  They can destroy our peace and mess with our minds.  They can make us sick and frustrate us.  Storms can strain our marriage and hurt our home. Storms can separate us from friends and destroy relationships.  Storms can keep us out of the Will of God.

Here are some common errors believers make in the midst of the storm:

• Some will use their own efforts to “bail out the boat” and try to keep it afloat.
• Some will look at the storm and try to size it up. “How long?”  “How strong?”  “What’s wrong?”
• Some will concede to defeat immedi­ately.

If you are in the midst of a storm, what are you going to do?     How do you intend to handle the situa­tion?  Are you going down with the ship?  Or will you Stand in the Storm?

Notice our Text:

Mark 4:35   And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

• It was time to move. It is late in the day.  Night is at hand.  Let’s go while we can.
• Jesus wants us to go with Him. Jesus said “Let us”… not “Let Me” or “You go by yourself…”  He said “Let US.”
• Jesus knows that there is a Miracle waiting “on the other side…” (Remember the Demon Possessed man that got free of the devil?   That what is going to happen to those who Stand in the Storm and make it to the other side….  There will be a miracle waiting for you.

Mark 4:36   And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

• Jesus wants us to be a part of the inner cir­cle. Notice He sent the multitudes away.
• Jesus wants us to “Take Him” just like He is.   He is, Not like we make Him.  Not like religion makes Him.  Not like unbelievers make Him.  But “Like He is…”
• There are many other “ships” that you can get in. Be sure you get in the ship that Jesus is in.  There is the religious boat.  There is the denomination boat.  There is the performance boat… the good works boat.  There is the “feeling” boat.  The program and method boat.  There is the tradition boat.  Many boats are out there, but Jesus is in only one of them.

Mark 4:37   And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

• Storms “arise…” They start small and get bigger.
• The storm buffeted the ship… the place where Jesus was. Where is Jesus now?  He is IN THE BELIEVER.  The fury of hell rages against every believer.
• The raging waves began to spill over into the ship. When the outside gets on the inside, un­less a miracle happens, the ship will sink.
• The ship got full. Your ship may be full.  The outside may have gotten inside.  But remember, Jesus is in the ship with you and God will come to your rescue.    Don’t panic.

Mark 4:38   And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

• Jesus was not alarmed. He refused to be affected by the devil.  satan was no problem to Him.  Nothing satan can do or could do was any danger to Him.  “Nothing shall by any means hurt you…”  Luke 10:19
• He was in the “hinder part” of the ship. This is where the rudder is located.  He was at the place of choosing the direction of the ship.
• He was asleep. No worries.  No fears.  No problems.  No danger.  He was at rest.
• He was calm. His followers were in a frenzy.  They were hysterical.  They were filled with fear.
• The disciples were certain that they were going to die. They said so.  “Don’t you care?  We are in serious trouble.  We are going to die.”
• To accuse Jesus of not caring is to call Him the opposite of Who He is. What you say is what you get.  What you believe is what will happen.  What you fear is exactly what will come upon you.

Job 3:25   For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me

Mark 4:39   And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm

• Jesus got up. Jesus spoke up.  Because His faith was UP.
• He rebuked the wind. (This is the cause of the waves.  You need to speak to the CAUSE not the RESULT).
• He “said” to the sea. “Said” means com­manded.  You can command things to happen with the words of your mouth.   No matter how impossible the situation may seem to be.

Mark 4:40   And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

• Jesus dealt with the imminent danger, and then He turned to His disciples. “What’s wrong?” “What’s the matter?”  “Why are you so afraid?”  Why have you decided to die?”  What made you give up?”  “Don’t you know WHO is WITH YOU?”

Mark 4:41   And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

• They were afraid of the wind. They were afraid of the waves.  They were afraid of the sea.  Then they were even afraid of the answer.  No won­der Jesus accused them of having no faith.
• Then they got to talking to one another. They did not talk to Jesus, they talked to one an­other.  When you talk to one another, gossip will continue.  When you talk to Jesus, gossip will stop.
• Unless YOU KNOW what Manner of Man Jesus is, you will always find yourself in disturbances and storms and threatening situa­tions.
• Why should not the wind and sea obey Him? He created them.  His Word created the wind and the sea.
• Storms are threatening. Storms can be frightening.  Storms can be fatal.  Storms can be destructive.  Storms can change things.  Storms can be turned into blessings

BE CALM (38)

We are to be like Jesus and Jesus never suffered from PANIC or ANXIETY or NERVOUS TENSION.  He as calm, cool and collected.  He was ASLEEP.  ASLEEP in the MIDST of the STORM.

My children slept right through some of the greatest storms of my life. They were as­sured that I had everything under control and that I would keep my cool and see them through.     If God is our Father, and He is, then He will take care of us and see us through.  Hallelujah!

SPEAK THE WORD (39)

The Word spoken in faith and prayed in faith always produces PEACE.  In this storm, Jesus REBUKED the wind and SAID to the sea…  There is a time to PRAY and there is a time to ARISE and SPEAK THE WORD.  Faith-filled words will make the NATURAL submit to the SPIRITUAL.  If “no-faith” which is what the dis­ciples had (“how is it that ye have no faith…?”) yields to the destructive power of storms then FAITH (which is what Jesus had) makes the de­structive power of storms SUBMIT to the POWER of GOD.

You cannot SPEAK THE WORD if you do not KNOW THE WORD and you cannot ACT ON THE WORD if you do not BELIEVE THE WORD.  WORDS that were FULL OF GOD’S FAITH released God’s Power and brought cre­ation into existence.  (More stars in the heavens that grains of sand on all the shores of all the seas of the earth)  God’s Word spoken and prayed in FAITH will move mountains and stop storms.

DON’T BE AFRAID  (40)  

Notice the times in the Word that Jesus tells us to “fear not…”  Notice the times He was met with a crisis that He said “Do not be afraid…”  Fear and “no faith” are one and the same!!  You will fear to the exact degree that you have no faith.  Little faith… much fear.  Much faith…little fear.  GREAT FAITH… no fear!!  Fear motivates satan and sets demon forces in action.  Fear is a spirit and must be dealt with accord­ingly.  “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power  and a sound mind…” EVERY STORM YOU FACE will attempt to GET YOU TO MOVE IN FEAR.  The only place in your life that satan can control is that place that is domi­nated by FEAR.  Fearing it is EXPECTING IT to happen.  (New pajamas, new gown, new under ware new robe in drawer saved for when you get sick and go to the hospital)

• Jesus did not look at the storm
• Jesus did not listen to the negative confession of His companions
• Jesus did not expect the worst to happen
• Jesus released His faith by the Words He spoke

EXERCISE YOUR AUTHORITY (41) Take Charge of the Storm

“What manner of man is this?”  Jesus said that you and I would do even GREATER WORKS than He did because He was going to the FATHER.  His return to the FATHER re­leased the HOLY SPIRIT to the CHURCH to function in GOD’S place and DO GOD’S WILL on earth.  What Jesus said is POSSIBLE and any­thing short of it is DOUBT and UNBELIEF.  God has given us (you and me) the ABILITY and POWER and AUTHORITY to do what He says we can do.  “I can’t” is a cop out and cuts across everything God said about His Children.  YOU CAN because GOD SAYS YOU CAN!!  It has nothing to do with how HARD or IMPOSSIBLE the task may be or how VIOLENT your STORM may be.

You are a misfit on earth because you are now made to live and function by heaven’s laws and principles.  You have GOD-POWER… GOD-LIFE… GOD-AUTHORITY living inside of you.  YOU can stand in the storm.  You will conquer your storm.  You will get to the place God wants you to be.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad be­cause the winds of your storm will be invaded by God and they will drive you to the other side!!  Right where God wants  you to be!!!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me…”   walk through the fire and walk on the water… defy devils and cast out demons… witness with power and preach with effective­ness… possess the wisdom of God and have the mind of Christ… Life your life filled with all the fullness of God!

YOU WILL SURVIVE!

Word for Today:  April 16

God says you can  

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Phil 4:13

Does this do away with all the “I can’t” situations?  Does this negate all “impossibilities” in your life?  Does this erase all excuses for self-pity?  Does this do away with all defeat?  Would God have said this if He did not mean it?

Does this apply to you as well as to others?  Certainly He said it and He certainly meant it.  Then all our problems have no “reason” for remaining in our life.

How much longer do you intend on putting up with all that junk the devil has piled on you and your family?  Is there any reason for not doing that “impossible” thing now?

If we know to “do good” and “doeth it not” the Word says it is sin (James 4:17).  Any Believer who has the Truth and is willing to cast off everything that is contradicting it, can step right out of the impossible and into the possible.  But it requires ACTION.  It requires DOING.  It requires RISKING.  But it will WORK if the Believer will really believe.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.   Mr 9:23 

IF we have knowledge of the Truth and apply that knowledge to our circumstances through the God Kind of faith then Victory will be insured.  Every time.  All the time.  Anytime.

No matter what