dickbraswell

Word for Today:  February 10

If any man be in Christ he is a new creature (creation); old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new…  II Cor 5:17

Adam lived in the realm of the Spirit in the Garden of Eden.  He was created in Perfection and he lived in Perfection until the entrance of sin.

• Adam had perfect fellowship with God. He was totally righteous and free from any and all condemnation.   He did not sin before he met the enemy.
• Adam lived in Perfect and Perpetual health. He was never sick and he was never weak.  He lived in state of continual well-being.
• Adam was prosperous. He had no needs that were not met and he experienced no lack and no want.  He had food, shelter, protection, fellowship and companionship.  He was totally without lack or need.
• Adam never suffered. He never had an accident or lived under any circumstance.  He was free from fear and anxiety.  He lived by faith.
• Adam was Perfect. He was perfect in Mind, Body and Spirit.  He was strong and mentally alert.  He was perfect in every way.
• Adam orchestrated Nature and enjoyed its cooperation. The earth worked with Adam in providing an abundant supply for his every need.  The animal and plant kingdom were blessed because of Adam.
• Adam operated in and exercised Authority and Dominion over the World God had created for him. God was “number One” and Adam was “number two”.

When Adam died spiritually, that spiritual death was passed down to all his posterity… the whole human race.

Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men… Rom 5:12.

Adam’s sin resulted in the whole human race dying spiritually.  Therefore every person is born with a dead spirit.  That is why Jesus told Nicodemus:  “Ye must be Born Again…”

Our dead spirit is “Quickened” or made alive at the time we are Born Again.  This means “re-created” or “restored” (Eph 2:1).

What God did in Christ is greater than what satan did in Adam.

What God has done in us is greater than what satan can do to us.   (1 John 4:4)

We are God’s New Creation

Word for Today:  February 9

Commitment

God is extending a calling to His People in this hour… it is His call to commitment.

Commitment is the “Works” part of Faith.  Faith without Works is dead… or faith without commitment will not work.  In the book of Acts, the early Believers were committed to the point of a willingness to die for what they believed (and many did).  That is commitment.

Commitment means:

• Responsibility
• Obedience
• Dedication
• Involvement
• Sacrifice
• Singleness of heart

Many today want to know “what can the Church do for me and my family?” Commitment says “What can my family and I do for the church?”  Commitment seeks to minister.  Selfishness seeks to be ministered to.    It is not “What can I get out of it?” but rather, “What can I contribute to it?”

The Military demands commitment.  I clearly remember the day I stood before an officer in the Navy and pledged my commitment (to the death, if necessary) to the protection and defense of our great nation.  Every soldier is expected and commanded to lay down his life for his country if necessary.  He is committed to protect it at all costs.

Ministry demands commitment.

Realizing your dream demands commitment

Marriage demands commitment.  Each partner is commanded and constrained by commitment to the other.

Business… Job… Education… Aspiration…  success in life…. all of these demand commitment.

God is calling YOU to a higher measure and level of commitment to His Kingdom… To His cause… To His Church… To the Lost World…

Be Faithful

Word for Today:  February 8

The Power of Pentecost

Pentecostal Power which is so evident in the New Testament is, unfortunately, not found in many churches today.

Signs, wonders and miracles are not the only evidence of Holy Ghost Power.  Changed lives are the evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

Sin, repented of and removed is evidence of Holy Ghost Power.  Love prevailing and forgiveness toward those who have wronged us is evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

Clean living and holy thinking and right doing are all evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

When we care more for prayer and fellowship with the Father than we do for our own entertainment, that is evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

When worship and praise and Word ministry are priorities, that’s evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

When we desire God more than anything else… when we seek Him and cry out to Him and long for Him we are experiencing Holy Ghost Power.

When everything that offends is cut away and put down… when all our “idols” are smashed and reduced to dust, we have been touched by Holy Ghost Power.

You cannot experience the Power without something happening.  God’s Power inevitably produces results.

It is not more education that we need or bigger and more comfortable buildings.  It is not more efficient organization and more talented administration that we need.  It is not more professional choirs and musicians and more highly skilled worship leaders that we need.

We need the Power of Pentecost

… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.  Zec 4:6

Word for Today:  February 7

Count the cost;  pay the price

Elisha paid the price.  He met the condition.  He did what he had to do in order to receive his Anointing.  To get His Double Portion.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.   2Ki 2:9

I believe you want it, too.  Because this is the one most important thing in your life.  Whatever it takes, commit to do.  Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth to those things that are before… do whatever is necessary.

In order to experience continual anointing…Repent of sin.  Get rid of wrong attitudes.  Get rid of the “content with what I’ve got” mode of living.  Get rid of criticism.  Get rid of jealousy and envy.    Get rid of greed.  Get rid of bitterness and sarcasm.  Get rid of lust and loose morals.  Get rid of connections that pull you down.  Get rid of unbelief.

There are more than likely only one or two main obstacles that stand between you and your Anointing.  So, you know what you must do.  Do it.

Put it behind you.  Put it under your feet.  Put it out of the way.

Nothing is worth missing the Anointing

Word for Today:  February 6

You are empowered to reproduce the Kingdom of God on earth.

You have the power to overcome… you have the power to live right… Talk Right… Act Right… and Be Right…  The one thing needful in every person’s life is the dynamic working of God’s power.

There are some things you want to change, some things you want to start and some things you want to stop but you will not be able to without God’s power operating in your life.

The Word declares that every believer has God’s Power (energy) working in them.  (Eph 3:20)  This means that he Believer has:

• POWER over sin
• POWER over being timid.
• POWER over being sick.
• POWER over wrong attitudes.
• POWER over the desires and appetites of your flesh and mind.
• POWER over the curse of poverty.
• POWER over your thought life.
• POWER over fear and anxiety.
• POWER over your hurt feelings and bruised spirit.
• POWER over depression and worry.
• POWER over the devil and demons.

God has imparted His power to you. It is God Power. Heaven Power.  Resurrection Power. Healing Power. Ruling Power.  Reigning Power. Overcoming Power.   You have it and it is in you now.

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

Old things are passed away (weakness, failure, sickness, disease, poverty, etc.) and “behold, ALL things are become NEW!”

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2Co 5:17

You have it.  You can do it.  Nothing shall be impossible to you.

Joshua 14:7-12

Caleb:  “mad dog” in Hebrew (“raging with canine madness”)

Joshua 14

7  Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

8  Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

9  And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

10  And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

11  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

12  Now therefore give me this mountain…

• Caleb was one of the 12 spies Moses sent to search the land in the second year after the Exodus. He and Joshua were the only two of the 12 who encouraged the people to go up and possess the land. The other 10 were fearful, intimidated, cowards, and unbelievers.  They believed only what they saw.  Joshua and Caleb believed what God said.   

• Caleb’s mountain was inhabited by Giants (Anakim) and had been for centuries.

• The last notice we have of Caleb is when (being then eighty-five years of age) he came to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, after the people had gained possession of the land, and reminded him of the promise Moses had made to him. And now he is claiming the giant-infested mountain Moses had promised him.

• He’s 85 years old.  He’s past the age of successful warfare.  The army would laugh if he tried to enlist.  He’s an old man.  With gray hair and baggy skin.   At least on the outside.  But inside he’s vigorous and bristling with surging youth and strength and aspiration.  His 85 year-old bag of skin is holding a 25 year old man inside who is mad.  Mad as all get-out.  Mad and determined.  And fearless.  Just like a dog “ranging with canine madness…” (That’s the meaning of his name in Hebrew)  He had the spirit of a MAD DOG.   

 Your destiny will be decided in this meeting.   What you do or don’t do will determine your future.  This is not just “a meeting” it is “the meeting.”  You have a choice to make.   I cannot relate nor articulate the importance of these next few minutes. 

Look at me.  This 81 year old skin of mine is holding a 25 year old man inside.  My mind is possessed, my youth is restored, my resolve is maxed out and I’m taking my Mountain.

I absolutely unequivocally refuse to:

• Think like an old man
• Look like an old man
• Act like an old man
• Dress like an old man
• Do what old men do
• Go where old men go
• Talk like old men talk
• Walk like old men walk
• Expect what old men expect
• Believe what old men believe

• There are records to be set
• Standards to be established
• Places to go
• Things to do 
• Messages to be preached
• Books to be written
• Nations to be reached 
• A world to be changed
• A God to be honored
• A church to be revived
• A country to be awakened
• A calling to be completed

1.  Caleb Saw it   (had a dream) (Old men dream dreams and young men see visions)

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions… Joe 2:28 

God had birthed in him an impossible dream.  His life took on new direction, new passion, and new resolve.  It was burned into his spirit like a hot branding iron.  He could not escape it.  (When God called me to preach) My friends and my relatives said, “I know Dick, this thing he’s doing will last about 6 months and then He’ll give it up.”  Well, la-de-da…  It’s lasted, not six months but 60 years.  My friends are forgotten and my relatives are dead.  But I’m HERE and STILL AT IT!   Caleb could not resist His Dream.  He could not forget it.  He SAW IT with his EYE of FAITH…. With the same kind of eyes Joshua and Caleb had at Kadesh Barnea.  Joshua saw the Promised Land and Caleb saw his promised mountain.  Remember we walk by faith and not by sight. 

We must see it until we see it.  SEE IT until we SEE IT.  Where are you going?  What do you intend to do with your life?  What will remain here on earth as your testimony to the Power and Greatness of God after you are dead? 

Are you looking at the giants that now inhabit your mountain?  Are you seeing retreat instead of attack?  Are you seeing run instead of charge?  Are you seeing loss instead of gain?  Are you seeing failure instead of success?  “IF God be for us who can be against us?”

• What you aspire you can acquire.
• What you see is what you get. 
• What you dream you can become.

2.  Caleb Wanted it  

He was driven to seek something bigger and better

Are you tired of the same old same old?  Do you long for a new beginning?  Are you looking for a way out and a way up?  Are you ready for a move from the mediocre?  Just how desperate are you for a change of direction in your life and ministry?  

Do you plan on staying where you are right now?   Or are you determined to GO to the place God has prepared for you?  Are you going to continue to live on the level of normality or are you going drive out the giants and take your Mountain?

The trouble is most of us have become comfortable and complacent.  We have all our ducks in a row.  Life has become an interstate highway and we are running on cruise control.   Most of what we do is cookie-cutter stuff.  Over and over.  Again and again.  Same thing week in and week out, year in and year out.  And we are stuck.  Wallowing in monotony.  A prisoner of the normal.  The natural.  Ruled by facts instead of faith.  Living a life and locked in a ministry marked by Lackluster.   

It is time for a game changer.     Do you feel it?  Do you have a stirring in your spirit right now?  Are ready?  Will you move out?  Will you take your mountain?

Actually, Life has no limits.  Your ministry has no limits.  Opportunity does not have an expiration date.    Every door is open and every light is green.  The time is right and God is waiting on you to seize the moment.    

The time to move out, move on and move up is NOW.

RIGHT NOW.  THIS MOMENT.  IN THIS HOUSE and in THIS MEETING.    NOW is the accepted time.  

Did you know it is never the “right time” as far as the devil is concerned?     How do we know it is the right time?  How can we know that this is the moment?  I’ll tell you how you can know.  Because the Word says so and because you “feel” it.  Some are frightened with “feelings” but the only people who don’t have “feelings” are DEAD PEOPLE.  Your spirit is being stirred right now.  The Word of God and the Will of God is presenting themselves to you as I speak.  God is making His move and tonight it is your move.    

If you are only focused staying where you are, you will miss all the excitement of living life with the volume turned wide open.    God designed life and ministry to be exciting.  He is not the Author of dull.  

Recently I posted on FaceBook “how to have and exciting life.”   It went something like this:

• Dream impossible dreams
• Stay up a creek without a paddle
• Get out on a limb
• Stay at the end of your rope  
• Live between a rock and a hard place
• Bust the lid off of your box
• Be radical for God
• Stay on the very edge of total disaster
• Refuse to go with the flow  
• Resist the temptation to be normal
• Never give up, never quit, never back down
• Sing.  Shout.  Dance.  Run.  Yell and cuss the devil.

OK.  Where does that put us tonight?    We are either settled in and hunkered down in the doldrums and dullness of a mundane life or we are on the prowl for better stuff.  We are either sitting or climbing.  We are either piddling in mud puddles swimming with tadpoles or we are among the big fish out in the deep.  We are stuck or we are moving on with God.  We are hunkered in the valley or we are driving out giants and taking our mountain.

God has a bright, exciting, and intense future for every one of us.  

Jer 29:11  I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (The Message)  What kind of future are you hoping for??

That tells it like it is.  That tells it like God wants it to be.  That tells it like God has planned it for us.

3.  Caleb Believed God

“Behold I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it”  Rev 3:8

Real Bible Faith is a faith that never takes “no” for an answer.  Bible Faith is Activated Faith.  Bible Faith is a faith that “takes.”  It is not Reactive…. It is Proactive.  It is not Defensive… it is Offensive.    Most believers are operating in defensive and reactive faith.  Some are operating in Passive faith.   Passive Faith is just that… passive.  It is inactive.  It accepts things as they are and it is content to leave things unchanged.  Aggressive Faith is a Faith that makes things happen.

It reaches out into nothing and holds on until nothing becomes something.  It TAKES things.  It MOVES things.  It CHANGES things. 

The Faithfulness of God and Confidence in His Word has been the driving Force for 60 years of ministry in my life.  When Pat and I did not know what to do or where to go or how to minister, the God always had the answer for us.  The foundation of our ministry has been the initiative to believe God and Trust His Word and to take it to the whole World.

It was prophesied nearly 53 years ago that the small congregation of dirt farmers and factory workers that composed Lott Road Baptist Church (eight miles from Eight Mile) was commissioned by the Holy Spirit to take the Word to the World.  At last count, Life Church now has ministry in 17 nations many of them with churches that were planted, Bible schools , seminaries and degree offering colleges that have been established.  GOD IS AWESOME.

Now… what had God promised you?  What has God instructed you to do?  Where has God told you to go? 

4.  Caleb never quit

• Two thirds of the church left.  (Two thirds of 150 leaves 50)  But we did not quit.
• We were kicked out of our denomination and thrown under the bus.  But we did not quit.
• We got ripped off by crooked contactors and were left deep in debt.  But we did not quit.
• We were conned by out of state bankers who were criminals.   But we did not quit.
• We were threatened with foreclosure by those we were in debt to.  But we did not quit.
• We got half through building Faith Academy and ran out of money.  But we did not quit.
• We faced imminent financial failure with a 4.5 million dollar debt we could not pay.  But we did not quit.
• Two years ago, I signed the check that paid the last bill and set the ministry free of debt…

If there is any lesson I have learned and learned well, it is the fact that we never quit.  No matter what.  No matter who.  No matter when.

 Now, just where does this leave you right now?

What are you going to do?  Where are you going to go?  What are you going to acquire?

Stay stuck?  Stay sad?  Stay bored?  Stay discouraged?   Stay in your cookie-cutter same old, same old kind of life?  Or will you Move Out into a Mountain-conquering and mountain-possessing life?

Right now you have a challenge facing you.  You have a decision to make.  And you will make it one way or the other.  You can decide to stay like you are and where you are or you can decide to kick it up a notch, pick up your stuff and TAKE YOUR MOUNTAIN.  Breaking the Limits comes out of a personal decision you and you alone can and will make.   

And not deciding is really deciding.  No decision is really a decision.   No response is a response.

My challenge to you is do not wait.  Do not stay where you.  The opportunity is NOW.  The time for you to take your mountain is NOW.     

Do it

Word for Today:  February 5

You are empowered to reproduce the Kingdom of God on earth.

You have the power to overcome… you have the power to live right… Talk Right… Act Right… and Be Right…  The one thing needful in every person’s life is the dynamic working of God’s power.

There are some things you want to change, some things you want to start and some things you want to stop but you will not be able to without God’s power operating in your life.

The Word declares that every believer has God’s Power (energy) working in them.  (Eph 3:20)  This means that he Believer has:

• POWER over sin
• POWER over being timid.
• POWER over being sick.
• POWER over wrong attitudes.
• POWER over the desires and appetites of your flesh and mind.
• POWER over the curse of poverty.
• POWER over your thought life.
• POWER over fear and anxiety.
• POWER over your hurt feelings and bruised spirit.
• POWER over depression and worry.
• POWER over the devil and demons.

God has imparted His power to you. It is God Power. Heaven Power.  Resurrection Power. Healing Power. Ruling Power.  Reigning Power. Overcoming Power.   You have it and it is in you now.

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

Old things are passed away (weakness, failure, sickness, disease, poverty, etc.) and “behold, ALL things are become NEW!”

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2Co 5:17

You have it.  You can do it.  Nothing shall be impossible to you.

Word for Today:  February 4

The part of the Word that you believe and act on is the part of the Word that will work for you.

• When you believe, receive and act on the saving part, you get saved.
• When you believe, receive and act on the healing part, you receive healing.
• When you believe, receive and act on the delivering part, you get delivered.
• When you believe, receive and act on the prosperity part, you get prosperity.

Transforming, delivering and miracle-working Power is imputed into every believer at the time of his conversion.  You do not “grow into the Power” you receive it as a free gift immediately at the time of your salvation.  The idea of being “weak” and “immature” is not an excuse.  Jesus said that the “least” in the Kingdom is “greater than John the Baptist…” (Mt 11:11)

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

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

If you can believe, then you can receive

Joshua Chapter 6

Jericho was a fortified city.  It stood in the way of the Will of God.  It was a hindrance to the plan and purpose for God’s People.  It was a problem that HAD TO BE DEALT WITH.  Jericho demanded a CONFRONTATION. 

Joshua could not “wish” it away nor could he pretend that it wasn’t there.  It was a walled city.  The wall had a main gate.  The city was ruled over by a king and it was protected by mighty men of valor (6:2). 

Joshua was raised up to lead God’s people into the promised land.  Jericho had to be conquered before progress could continue.  satan always has “walled” cities and “fortifications” and “hindrances”  and “challenges” to threaten and discourage the church. 

Jesus told us that we (the Church) would be enabled and empowered to charge the gates of hell and they would not be able to prevail against us.  There are many gates that need to be opened so that the captives can be set free.  Hell’s gates hold in prison many blessings God intends for the Church.  It is our job… the churches job…  to charge hell’s gates and force them open so that those things and those people held in bondage and captivity can be released.  We have the keys of the kingdom.  Jesus told us that theses keys will open and shut.  They will open things that need opening and they will shut things that need to be shut. 

The Apostle Paul tells us that though we live in the flesh we do not “war” after the flesh or like the flesh wars.  He reminds us that our (the Believer’s) weapons are not carnal or fleshly, but “mighty through God” to the pulling down of strongholds… fortresses… enemy emplacements.  These weapons will enable us to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.  They will cause us to bring every thought into captivity and make it bow its knee to Jesus. 

Taking enemy territory is possible but it is demanding.  It is costly.  Most today would just as soon let the devil have the stuff rather than pay the price to get it back.  Warfare is not easy.  It is costly.  But it can invade enemy territory and reclaim and recapture what satan has stolen.   God is preparing his “Green Berets” and his “Commandos” and “swat teams” today. 

There are real Jerichos out there and their walls must come down.  The spoils are waiting for the ones who will be violent enough to get them. 

I see several lessons in the way Joshua conquered Jericho:

1. He listened to God in spite of impossible odds.  And the LORD said unto Joshua…  Josh. 6:2         

The Lord said to Joshua, “I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor…”  

And the Lord said. 

That’s enough! Nothing else is needed!  If God said it nothing more needs to be said.  The Lord said to Joshua, “I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor…”  

It is important that you listen to God.  Joshua did not look at the impossibility… he was not moved by Jericho’s fortifications or the intimidating threats of the enemy.  Are you listening to what God says or you listening to the shouts and threats of the enemy?  What do you think the warriors looking over the wall of Jericho did?  They intimidated, and they threatened, and they challenged and they ridiculed.  They laughed and they mocked and they took refuge in their fortification.  Are you listening to the enemy or are you listening to God?  Joshua listened to God.  

Now…  What has God told you?  What has God spoken to you?   What has He said to you about your future?  About your family?  Your marriage?  Your job?  Your ministry?  What direction have you received from the Lord?  What revelation have you gotten from the Word?  Are you hearing what God says or are you listening to the noise and threats of the enemy?  

If God has spoken to you, that’s enough.  That’s all you need.  You heard what God said and so did the devil.  When you believe God and act on what He has said, no enemy can stand before you and no Walled Jericho can stop the plans God has for you.  It’s not time to fight. 

It’s time to shout

2.  He obeyed what God told Him to do.  (6:6).  He did not question the “unreasonable” and the “unnatural” instructions God gave him.  They did not make sense.  They defied all the principles of warfare.  Who ever heard of fighting with trumpets and the shouts of the people?  No arrows.  No spears.  No horses and no chariots.  Nothing ordinary.  Nothing sensible.  Nothing they have ever done in the past.  A new thing.  Change.  Transition.  God is speaking… are you listening?  Obedience is essential.  Disobedience or partial obedience is disastrous.  Only obeying God will tear down the wall and release withheld blessings.

When believers (and especially pastors) obey God, they are often misunderstood.  We march to the beat of a different drummer.  The sound of the trumpet that calls us to battle is not the noise and din and the pandemonium and the cacophony of the cosmos.  We are fine tuned to God’s frequency.  His voice is loud and clear.  No static and no interference.  What He says, we do.  Asking no questions and relying on no reason.  Just God.  But enough.  And more than enough.

You are probably in the Will of God if:

• You  need money and lots of it
• You are in the middle of a mess
• You  need a miracle… right now
• You don’t  know every detail about what you are doing
• You are fighting through afflictions of all kinds
• You are dissatisfied where you are and with what you have
• Nobody is happy with what you are doing
• You’re  on the raw edge of disaster
• You   challenges and  dead-lines
• You don’t have everything under control
• Your relatives  think you’re crazy
• You are   attempting to accomplish the impossible
• You are  doing the unreasonable the unpredictable and the unusual
• You are  in over your head
• You don’t have a plan B
• You  make waves, create controversy, or draw lines in the sand
• You are  kicking over sacred cows and embarrassing your loved ones
• You are not religious, reverent, and calm and quiet
• You are not held captive by the predictable
• You are not in control
• You are not focused on making everybody love you
• You are not content with where you are
• You have unrealized goals and unreachable accomplishments
• You are not understood by everybody
• You won’t  tolerate that which is morally questionable
• You are not “Religiously correct”
• You are not more concerned about your image than your integrity

3. He commanded everybody to keep their mouth shut until God tells them what to say. 

(6:10).  James mentions that the man that “offends not in word is a perfect man” (James 3:2).  He says that the “tongue is a world (system) of iniquity” and it can “defile the whole body and set on fire the course of nature…” 

God had a good reason when He told Israel to keep quiet until He told them what to say.  Your mouth can keep your Jericho Walls from falling down.  Words of doubt and words of fear and words of criticism will keep your goods walled up and your deliverance from coming.  There are no “short cuts” to victory.  We have survived the era of “quick fix solutions” and “band-aid” theology.  Our glib confessions and our memorized “guaranteed” formulas have come and they have gone (thank God!) and we are now ready to shut up so that we can hear God.  Most of our listening has been done with our mouths.  “Faith comes by Hearing” not by much saying.  Joshua was right when he commanded the people to keep their mouths shut until God told them what to say.  We need to heed this admonition. 

We have so often been snared by the words we speak and hung by the talk of our tongue.  Israel was not to talk the problem or the method of warfare or the seriousness of the situation.  They were to SHUT UP until God told them to SHOUT.  Set a watch over your lips.  Guard your tongue as you would guard a wild animal.  It is capable of setting on fire the course of nature and opening a Pandora’s Box of Iniquity.  Only say what God tells you to say.

4.  Victory did not come until the 7th. Day.  (6:15).  I’m sure many would like to have the victory on the first circuit.  If it was 5 miles around the city, I’m sure many were ready to quit the first day.  But then there was the second. Another 5 miles.    And the third.  Another 5 miles.  The fourth.  Another 5 miles.  Fifth.  Another 5 miles.  And the sixth.  Another 5 miles.  How many grew weary in the process?  This has been a 30 mile ordeal.  After all, how much does God expect of me anyhow?  How many had a “better idea”?  Who had a “new revelation”?   And now it is the Sabbath and 7 times around… that’s 35 more miles.  A total of 65 miles.  No wonder others had a “better idea” or a “higher revelation”… Obedience means sacrifice.  No Cross means no Crown.  No diligence yields no victory.  Many have grown weary and have tired along the way when VICTORY DAY is AT HAND.  Hallelujah.

5.  The Shout came before the Walls fell down.

Josh. 6:16   And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. 

Your walls are coming down.  Your victory is on the way.  Your diligence will be rewarded.  Your purpose will be fulfilled.  It is time.  This is your day.  This is your defining moment.

Shout and Give Glory to God

Word for Today:  February 3

The Word of God is

Perfect and complete.   It is from God and it tells us about God.  It was written by individuals who lived thousands of years ago.  These individuals were inspired by God and they recorded exactly what God told them to write. This record has been preserved by the Holy Spirit and the Power of God through the centuries and we have it today… it is called the Bible and it is the Word of God.

It is more than just a book.  It is more than just an historical record.  It is more than literature.  It is the very Word of God and it is alive and full of Power.

It tells us about God.  It reveals the Nature of God.  It uncovers the mystery concerning God.

It tells us that God made Man in His own image

It tells us that man sinned against God.

It tells us that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to die in behalf of man and because of man’s sin.

It tells us that all men everywhere can be forgiven of their sin and restored to God through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The Bible, the Word of God, tells us how to live.  It tells us how we can live life abundantly.  It tells us how we can overcome hardships and change circumstances.     It tells us how to be happy and filled with joy in times of sadness and depression.  It guarantees us that we can win over any situation in life that is bad.

The Bible, the Word of God, tells us how to be well and not sick.  It tells us how to be healed from sickness and disease and infirmity.  It tells us how to overcome any adversity.

This is why you and I need to know the Word of God.  The Word of God is TRUTH and TRUTH has more power than FACTS.

When we know the Truth and do the Truth, the Truth will make us free.  John 8:32

The Word is GOD written down