Sheep Don’t But(t)

Show and tell is always a favorite of school children.  We get satisfaction sharing our treasures and the things that give us pleasure with others.  However, God’s kingdom is set up exactly opposite: Tell and show. We speak faith prayers and then the answer is shown.

Jesus taught this amazing principle in Mark 11:23-25:  “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”  Notice the order.  First you believe you receive them before you get them.  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen.  By faith we are sure it has been granted before the answer appears.  This confidence is strongly reiterated in 1 John 5:14-15, “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Let’s see how this principle applies to making prayers of faith.  Someone may pray for healing according to the Word “by His stripes I am healed,” but then say the pain is still there.  Our words have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).  The “but” statement comes from the physical and overrides the spiritual truth of the prayer for healing.  Things of God are spirit and truth, they come to our spirit, and then the spiritual truth in the heart and declared by the lips impacts the physical.  It is the same foundation upon which we were saved.  We receive the truth that Jesus’ death and resurrection justifies us (it is finished meaning every sin is paid for in full), and establish this reality of salvation by declaring with our lips, “Jesus is Lord.”  We willingly acknowledge He owns us and we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), even if we don’t “feel” any change.  However, this spiritual truth produces new life in us as we receive it and begin to walk it out in faith.  Life flows from the spiritual to the physical.

Consider the application of this principle in the sheep and goats in the Matthew 25 explanation of judgment. Jesus separated the sheep from the goats.  Clearly the main difference was what each one did and did not do to others.  The goats saw the need but had an excuse. Their “but” was more persuasive than the Word that ordered them to love others as themselves. On His right hand, the sheep didn’t “but,” and responded with love and compassion to those in need.

Imitate the sheep attitude by refusing to let the physical excuses and reasonings stop us from holding fast our confession of faith or obedience to God.   I am still saved and born again even if I fail to do everything right.  I am healed and my needs are met because of God’s faithful promise not because my physical sensations.  They will follow.  Don’t let physical input nullify your faith confession.  James points out that a double minded man should not think that he will receive.  Faith and patience inherit the promises.  

God’s Word is yes and amen.  We receive it by giving thanks (Philippians 4:6 make supplication with thanksgiving) and establish this truth by our speaking His words rather than saying the thoughts and feelings of our fallen nature.  Sheep don’t but.

Why Your Words Talk

 God’s Word is alive! His words are active and do things according to Hebrews 4:12,  The words from His mouth accomplish His purpose (Isaiah 55:11).  Since we are created in the image and likeness of God, it follows that  this same principle operates in your words and my words.  Our words are never void of power.

There are, however, two sides to this coin.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, (Proverbs 18:21) and we will eat the fruit of what we. speak.  We can make positive things happen with our words, but speaking negatively will open the door for the enemy to perform the evil spoken. Job explained that the evil he feared (and spoke) came upon him.

  Jesus revealed that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So when we say “I think I am getting a cold” that is what we believe in our heart and we have just allowed that to happen. However, on the other hand, declaring that God “renews my strength like the eagles” (Psalm 103:5} or that the Holy Sprit gives life to my body just like He raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11)  that confession releases His power and produces physical health.

Words are containers that are able to hold the spiritual power and authority that the speaker puts in them. That is why God gave us the Word of God and sent Jesus to demonstrate what the Word does.  God spoke, “let there be light” and creative power went forth.  In Psalm 107:20 it declares He sent forth His Word and healed them.  Jesus spoke that the demon “be gone “ and he fled.  healed.  Obviously, these actions were in the heart of God who expressed them by speaking His words.  

Jesus is the exact image of God the Father“according to Colossians 1:15 and Hebrews 1:3.  This Jesus and the name of Jesus contains” the heart of the loving Father and all His attributes. It follows that the spoken name of “Jesus,” which is the name above all names, releases the authority and attributes of God over every other force or circumstance.

Someone once asked God why He wanted us to praise Him so much because it sounds almost egotistical.  The Lord answered, “When you praise, whatever you praise Me for, that you allow Me to do for you.” When two agree it will come to pass.  Amos says, “How can two walk together unless they agree.”

The great confession or declaration is that Jesus has redeemed us from all the consequences of sin.  We are saved according to Romans 10:8-10 by the confession of our mouth, being justified by believing in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead (meaning every sin which deserves death has been completely paid for).  We declare Jesus over our problems and then our real job is to hold fast to that confession that He is Lord by speaking words that declare He rules over every enemy.

Jesus” message in the Gospels was (and therefore IS absolutely true)  that the kingdom of God has come.”  Therefore, it makes sense since we know that awesome truth, that He reigns over my needs ( met by His riches in glory Philippians 4:19), heals my sickness and pains (by His stripes I am healed Isaiah 53:4 and Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, forget not His benefits, who heals all your diseases) that we should agree with His Word by speaking this truth also.

Your words talk.  They carry life or death. They release God’s power when they are consistent to the Word, and reject His power when they disagree.  

Holy Spirit, teaches us to agree with Your Word in our hearts and boldly speak them into existence over all our situations.  Stop us when we say wrong words which are contrary to God’s promises.  You make my words talk!

Be Silent

 My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.  Psalm 62:5.  

Have you noticed how many people avoid being silent, constantly being on their cell phones,  having to have some music playing, watching something on Tik-tok, checking Facebook or other social media, or having to be entertained by trivial programs with no redeeming value?  Something has to be blaring all the time.  Some can’t even eat a meal without the television being on.  People have difficulty shutting off the distractions and just being silent.

This consuming wandering in the wilderness takes up their time and steals the opportunity to focus on reality, time to appreciate the beauty or glory of nature, or even to consider the ultimate meaning and purpose of life.  Psalm 46 calls out, “Be still and know that I am God.”

In the parable of the wedding feast, the majority of those invited had worldly excuses rather than accepting the invitation to come to the master’s banquet.  Psalm 65:4 declares “How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts.”  Jesus reminds us that we did not choose Him, He chose us. He desires us to be with Him, even to be where He is (John 17:24) to share His glory forever.

Jesus invites us to “Come to Me” and “learn from Me” rather than carry our heavy burdens alone. Yet the average person spends far greater time and effort on mundane pursuits than on living by or reflecting on eternal purpose, even though our choices in this lifetime on earth establishes our position forever.  Nothing of eternal significance happens “unless the Lord builds the house.”  Likewise, the disciples and the 120 in the upper room were told to wait until they were clothed with power from on high before they were to go. Wait in silence for God to fill the cup.

Jesus called the man a fool, who built bigger barns for his abundant crop but was not rich toward God.  He also instructs us to lay up our treasures in heaven and promises rewards for simple things like giving a child a cup of water.  God has, according to Ephesians 2:10, prepared good works beforehand  “that we should walk in them.”  There is work to do in which God has given and desires to partner (take My yoke)  with us to do. Romans 8 says those led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  We can do nothing of value unless we take time to come to Him and wait on Him to direct us.

In returning and rest shall you be saved (be made whole), in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15.  He leads me by still waters, He restores my soul. Psalm 23:3  Amazing transformation and equipping happens as we are with the Lord.  

As Ecclesiastes 5 instructs, when you come to God let your words be few.  Practice being silent before Him.  Close the door on distractions, quietly wait and enjoy being with Him.

Wanted: Dead or Alive

The heart of God desires and treasures you. You are the apple of His eye, the one in whom He delights.  You are wanted, regardless of whatever condition your heart is in, because He is love.   Notice His perfect plan which is to have each person saved from the consequences of sin and brought into knowing Him and His love forever, as declared in 1 Timothy 2:3-4 , “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”   

Supernatural blessings are available and given to each person. The obvious foundation of His gift of love to man is “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Other verses likewise show His care and provision for every person.  In the last days I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.  It rains on the just and the unjust.  The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.  Psalm 145:9. The Lord opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16. 

Consider the parable of the man who found a treasure in the field. He willingly sold or gave up all he had and bought the field, not for the land, but for the treasure within it.    Jesus is the man.  He gave up His heavenly glory to become a man and then as a man humbled Himself laying down up all He had, including His life blood (Philippians 2), in order to claim the treasure in the field/world, which is you and I.  Because of the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.

Satan’s lie is that you are a nobody, just a number, a creature of chance and evolution like one of the animals with no life purpose or future.  The suicide rate of young people has risen as they see no reason to live.  Revelation 12:9 calls the devil and Satan, the one “who deceived the whole world.” Jesus correctly declared Satan was a liar and that there is no truth in him.

However, on the other hand, Jesus sees you so absolutely valuable that He takes joy in being willing to die for you.  “Because of the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2), He endured the cross and the humiliation and suffering.  You are worth it, actually worth infinitely more than you could ask, think, or imagine. Be still a moment, look up to the Father, and just receive His personal love, like a big engulfing hug in your spirit.

When God breathed His life into man whom He had formed from the “dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7), this breath of God crated man as an eternal being designed to live with Him and share His glory forever.  Even though man sinned and fell short, God never gave up on us, but sent Jesus to redeem us, paying the awesome price of His own blood to bring us back to the Father.  After all this demonstration of His love and purpose, God still allows us to choose.  “I have set before you life and death” (Deuteronomy 30:19) with the revealing of His heart, “Choose life” that you may live.

Those who receive Him He gave the right to become children of God.  How do you receive Him?  The answer is a simple “yes” in our heart and telling Him “thank you” just as you would if someone gave you a special present.

Regardless of whether you are dead in sin or alive in Jesus, you are wanted, loved, and treasured by the Lord who desires you to simply come to Him and be filled with every good thing forever.  Lay down your pride and excuses, and as the Billy Graham revival song says, “just as I am, O Lamb of God, I come.”

Are You Righteous?

 “I am innocent” is the concluding verse in the worship song, “I am washed in the blood of the Lamb.”  Really? This truth seems beyond our ability to believe, but we must consider the awesome price and reason to grasp this reality.  Romans 5:9 states we are “now justified by His blood.” A powerful definition of justified is “just as if I’d” been perfect.

 Scripture in Leviticus 17:11 confirms that the life is in the blood and that there is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood. How much more true when we realize that the blood of Jesus on the cross that He poured out willingly is the life of God with infinite value.

It is a wonderful thing to have our sins forgiven, but what Jesus did for us is much more!  Consider this illustration: suppose you are arrested for going 60 in a speed zone of 40 mph. When you are before the judge he could choose to show mercy and say it is forgiven, you are free to go.  Guilty but pardoned.  However, what if upon inspection it is discovered that the policeman’s radar gun was set 20 miles per hour too fast.  In this case you are justified, just as if I’d been perfect, because the evidence supports the verdict not guilty and you are free to go as a completely innocent driver.  Notice this truth in 1 John 1:9, how the blood of Jesus cleanses us, “He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sin AND to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Jesus talked about the “ruler of this world” coming but then reassured His followers that “he has nothing in Me.” John 14:30. Since through the blood of Jesus we are supernaturally joined to Him, that is we are in Him and He is us, we likewise share the same truth, “Satan has nothing in us.” 1 John 5:18 points out this same truth about the one who is born of God, “the wicked one does not touch him.”  No wonder Revelation 12:11 says we overcome the evil one by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony.

The Bible teacher asked his students (and I ask you), “How many of you are righteous?”  After some deliberation, only one or two raised their hand.  Wrong answer?  2 Corinthians 5:21 states that Jesus became sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  Righteousness, or being right with God, suggests that everything contrary to His nature is removed and secondly, you have an intimate position of closeness being right with God.  Yes, believe it and receive it by giving thanks, you are righteous.  In God’s eternal court, you are innocent! 

Treasure the fact and declare it, “I am justified by the blood of the Lamb, it is just-as-if-I’d been perfect.”  Jesus, You are my righteousness and in You I am righteous forever.

Song quoted; Washed by Upperoom lyrics, found on YouTube

Standing Firm Through Trials

 Trials happen.  Read the first part of the verses given below.  Then, knowing that by your strength you cannot win, now read the All Caps print which describes God’s intervention and His giving us total victory. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT THE LORD DELIVERS THEM OUT OF THEM ALL.  Psalm 34:19

In the world you will have tribulation, but BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33

Beloved, do not consider it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but REJIOCE  TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS, THAT WHEN  HIS GLORY IS REVEALED, YOU MAY ALSO BE GLAD WITH EXCEEDING JOY.    1 Peter 4:12-13

Above all put on the shield of faith, that you may be ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE EVIL ONE. Ephesians 6:16

No trial has overtaken you that is not 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.                     1 Corinthians 10:13

Satan is the accuser who does all in his power to destroy the will of Christians to stand firm in trials, even though Jesus through His death and resurrection has purchased and given to us “all that pertains to life and godliness” and “through His precious and exceedingly great promises” we not only escape the corruption that is in the world, but literally partake of the divine nature of God. 2 Peter 1:3-4  

That is why we can afford to do what is declared in James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.” This principle of knowing God is growing us up and forming His own image in us through trials is also found in Romans 5:3-5,  “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope.  Clearly God gives grace to obey this Word, so in faith, we can rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances (1Thessalonians 5:18 says this is the will of God for you!).  Jesus has overcome every battle and He lives in us which causes us to overcome every trial and attack of the enemy.

Whose report will you believe?  Satan is a liar.  Choose to believe Jesus by letting the truth of these promises get in your heart, then declaring them boldly until the light dawns and you see the Lord come through!

Shout to God with a voice of triumph and delight the heart of God by refusing to let trials undermine your firm love and faith in God.

Hear the Lion Roar!

 A Lion is roaring (Amos 3:8), who can but respond to His majestic voice and spring into action?

“There is a snake in the grass,” my son reported.  Children play in our yard, so it didn't make sense to keep sitting in my easy chair and pretend there was no problem. This threat was real and demanded action. Therefore, with determination I got a shovel and went into the yard and hunted until I found the snake and took care of it.  

However, many believers hear Jesus’ message that the devil is roaming about to “steal, kill, and destroy” and yet do nothing.  The Word in James 4:7 tells believers to “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  Paul reminds us that the victorious Christian life calls us to “fight the good fight of faith.”   2 Corinthians 10:3-4 points out that we are fighting a war, not in the flesh, but using the spiritual weapons that are mighty in God. The reality of our present situation demands action, that we fight.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Since He only did what the Father showed Him, clearly it is God’s will to destroy the works of the devil.  In Luke 9:1 when Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, the first thing He gave them was “power and authority over all demons.”  Likewise, after the seventy return they excitedly declared, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.”  

Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means shall hurt you,”. Furthermore, Jesus’ final instruction in Matthew 28 was “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  Jesus has overcome the devil and we are commanded to “go therefore” in His name  releasing the power and authority of Jesus over sin, sickness, and the devil.

Rather than staying comfortable in our easy chair ignoring the onslaught of the devil, it is time to hear the Lion roar!  In the authority of God’s Word and in the name of Jesus, take your God-given authority and command the devil to stop.  In the words of Jesus when tempted, “Be gone, Satan.”

The Lion of Judah roars and seeks for willing servants who in the same divine intensity hate evil and the destruction of the evil one enough to cast out demons and take authority over all the power of the evil one.  Rule in the midst of your enemies (Psalm 110:2) until every tongue in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:10-11).