WORD OF GOD, 5

Romans 10:8-10,17 – ⁸But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: ⁹That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved…. ¹⁷Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

            1 Thessalonians 2:13 – ¹³And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

            Hebrews 4:12 – ¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

      James 1:21 – ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

      1 Peter 1:23 – ²³For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

            As an overview of the Word of God series, have a healthy diet of both the milk and meat of the Bible, fill the heart (your inner sanctum) with Scripture, the goal of Bible reading is spiritual transformation, and the Word augments spiritual experiences. The last focus of the series is the power of God’s word.

The word is powerful because of the living God

            What makes Scripture “sharper than any double-edged sword” is the Author who stands behind it, the Lord God Almighty. You cannot separate the power of God’s word from the presence of God Himself. The pages of the Bible have no magical force.

            In a classic Hollywood movie, an Arab with an injured leg tore pages out of his holy book and placed them on the damaged limb, thinking healing was imminent. The leg was eventually amputated. Tragically, some followers of Jesus look at the Bible in a similar way. Healing and mending does not occur on account of constantly quoting Scripture or doggedly dwelling on the promises. Healing comes from the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

            The Bible is not a book of hocus-pocus, where a person arbitrarily opens it for a mysterious answer. Wanting to discover God’s will, a man randomly opened the Bible, allowing the pages to aimlessly drop open, and he blindly put his finger on a verse: “Thus says the Lord.” He attempted the procedure again: “Trust Him and commit your ways.” Encouraged, he tried a third time: “Judas hung himself.” Confused, he gave one last try: “Go and do likewise.” The Bible is not designed for such a foolish way for receiving guidance and direction.

            The Bible is about the living God, a book of faith, trust and genuine love. The Book is the supreme love letter, revealing pure love that creates personal wholeness.

            Scripture is very candid about life and living. No other book is as down-to-earth and honest about the human condition. Some people accuse the Bible of even being vulgar. From its pages are such subjects as human sanitation, immorality, incest, promiscuity and the consequences of rebellious behavior. The book powerfully addresses all of life, including its tragedies and consequences, from the perspective of the living God.

The word is powerful for those who trust God

            God’s word, when entering the heart, develops trustworthiness. A follower of Jesus does not attempt acts of faith to fulfill God’s word. Scripture enters the heart and raises trust in the God who fulfills His every word.

            Some try to fulfill God’s word by personal optimism, negating the power of Scripture to produce faith. Some have a Biblical “mustard seed” faith, a Scripture-produced faith, seeing mountainous situations moved by the hand of God. Others have a “mustered-up” faith, a self-produced faith that cannot move miniscule situations if their life depended on it. Mustard-seed faith creates spiritual confidence regardless how things appear; mustered-up faith is saturated with emotional instability and uncertainty.

            Mustered-up faith leaves people in terrible bondage while mustard-seed faith brings freedom. Some, in an effort to be people of faith, are afraid of thinking negatively and constantly live in bondage. We are not asked to muster-up faith by trying to always think positive. We are called to a mustard-seed faith based on trusting God. Scripture in your heart produces living faith, a believing faith that works mightily, bringing wonderful results to God’s glory.

The word is powerful when acted upon properly

            The Greek words “logos” and “rhema” are translated “word” in the Bible. When given serious study there does not appear to be a clear distinction. Some are making too great a division between them.

            The Apostle John used the word “logos” in a more universal sense. The word “rhema” appears to be used during specific occasions. Logos could be “the word of the Lord” and rhema could be “a word from the Lord for a particular moment, event or occasion.”

            The prophet Elisha told Naaman to dip seven times in the Jordan River to be cured of leprosy. Does this mean all lepers are cured by dunking themselves seven times in the Jordan?  The word to Naaman was a rhema moment, a specific word to a single person for a particular time.

            “Jesus saves” is a universal truth, while “Jesus saves me” is the universal truth embraced by a specific person.

            Problems develop when attempting to use a universal word in a specific way without a clear basis for doing so. Isaiah records, “By Your stripes we are healed….” Some reinterpret this promise and say, “I am already healed,” even when there is no indication healing has occurred. The universal declaration about Calvary’s healing power, used as a word for personal healing, is mustered-up faith. For the universal provision of healing to become a personal promise requires a specific word from the Lord.

            When elders pray for the sick, they pray the universal truth that God can heal. The prayer is based on the pattern of James 5, with faith in God’s ability. The actual healing is left with Him. Prayer is offered with simple confidence in the gift of healing, according to His provision.

            Occasionally people pray based on a specific word. God does give Holy Spirit illumination to help a pray-er pray specifically. He gives divine inspiration and encourages the person being guided to pray.

            When my wife and I were dating, she regularly watched the pastor’s children. The pastor invited me one evening to be with her while she babysat. Their oldest son suffered regularly from croup and was in his crib, restlessly attempting to sleep.

            He was coughing hard throughout the evening. While watching television we kept hearing a hacking noise coming from his bedroom. I felt a clear nudge in my heart to pray for him. There was a strong sense that healing would occur. I hesitated! Finally I quietly slipped away to check on him and prayed, gently laying hands on him. I felt an unusual surge of power flow through my hands and instantly the coughing stopped. I was startled and quietly began praising the Lord. My confidence increased that God still speaks specifically to people.

            To force a universal truth into a specific situation is tragic. Faith becomes destroyed instead of built up. A good way to approach a word from the Lord is: the Word of the Lord always clarifies a word from the Lord; a word from the Lord never overrules the Word of the Lord. The only way you can know if a specific word is from God is when confirmed by His written Word.

            T or F – Thus says the Lord, “Be unfaithful to your spouse.” God’s word declares faithfulness. False!

            T or F – Thus says the Lord, “Commit suicide.” Scripture reveals self-annihilation destroys life and devastates loved ones. False!

            T or F – Thus says the Lord, “Receive healing.” Possibly true! Be sensitive to God’s guidance and pray expectantly! When you receive divine healing, have it confirmed and give testimony to the medical profession.

            One of the great privileges of being a believer who embraces the Pentecostal experience is readily recognizing the supernatural influence of God. He not only speaks through the written Word but to those open to His super-rational workings. He speaks through the pages of Scripture and through the voice of the Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit as well as know His declared Word. He longs to give a specific word in your moment of need. A special word from the Lord will always validate the written word.

            God’s word is powerful because of the living God. God’s word is highly effective for those who trust Him. God’s word is life changing when properly acted upon. In this coming year make Scripture a greater part of your life.

WORD OF GOD, 2

Joshua 1:8 – Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

      Deuteronomy 11:18-25 – Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads…. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many…as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow – to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways and to hold fast to him…. No man will be able to stand against you. The LORD your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you…wherever you go.

            Psalms 1:1-3 – Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.

            Ezekiel 3:10 – And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you.

            Psalms 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

            The series began by emphasizing to crave the milk of God’s word. You need the simplicity of Scripture along with the substance of Scripture. You cannot properly digest Biblical meat without spiritual milk. The milk, the elementary truths of grace, is part of a healthy diet, lasting an entire lifetime.

            The next item needing attention is the word of God becoming part of your heart. Some follow Jesus with only a casual knowledge of God’s word; others follow Him with a scholarly knowledge. You must go beyond casual familiarity and critical analysis to benefit from Scripture. You must be possessed by God’s word, it must fill the heart.

            You can better understand this concept by looking at yourself as a temple with an outer and inner court.

The gate to the outer court is called “understanding.”

            Every piece of information that enters a life comes by way of understanding. If an idea or concept is not understood the information does not enter.

            When people fail to understand they sometimes say, “It doesn’t register,” or “It doesn’t click with me.” If information begins to make sense it is like a light bulb coming on. Until something is understood, knowledge does not enter someone’s life.

            I am left-handed and often do things the opposite way of right-handed people. When preparing something in the kitchen my wife does not like to watch. She thinks I stir things backwards and peal things the wrong way. Being left-handed proved to be a detriment to learning as a teenager.

            My first motorbike was an 80cc Yamaha Trail Bike.  One summer during High School a friend and I decided to spend a week camping and riding through the Cascade Mountains. Within a few days we became bored and my friend came up with the idea of visiting an owner of a dairy farm. Coming from the city, I learned several lessons in this rural setting.

            The farmer’s pick-up truck had a flat tire and I was asked to replace it. I jacked-up the truck and easily took off the old tire. Putting the spare on, however, became a major ordeal. I was turning the lug nut the wrong way.

            After several attempts I changed my approach; turning it slowly, turning it with greater pressure, turning it lightly. I thought I had tried everything and was about to ask for help. I then did something totally revolutionary; I turned the nut the opposite direction. At that moment a light bulb went on in my head. The difference between clockwise and counterclockwise registered. The information became a permanent part of my life.

            Until understanding is activated, knowledge does not penetrate.

            God’s word enters a person’s life by hearing and understanding. When you understand you are a sinner by simply being human, as well as by wayward actions, God’s word enters your life. When you understand you are lost for eternity and no amount of wholesome activity can change the fact, God’s word enters your life. When you understand salvation is solely by grace, unmerited favor, God’s word enters your life. When the light of understanding is turned on about your eternal condition, then God’s word becomes part of the outer court of your life.

            Now what? What do I do with the information finally being understood? Do I throw it out?  I can! Do I reject it?  It is possible! Do I conclude, “I understand but it is not for me?” Some people do that! Or, do I let it enter the inner court where knowledge is acted upon?

The gate to the inner court is called “belief.”

            The inner court is referred to in the Bible as “the heart.” The heart is the ultimate center of your life, involving intellect, emotion and volition.

            The only information that gains access into the heart is that which is believed. The key to the belief gate is acceptance; the information is accepted as being valid. Many understand the way of salvation but do not believe it.

            What you accept as true enters the inner court. Things considered not true do not gain access to the core of your being. Through the gate of understanding information enters your life and by the gate of belief information enters your heart.

            When God’s word enters the heart life-change occurs. When you confess Jesus as Lord, He enters the core of your being, the adhesive of love makes the relationship meaningful and your life begins to change. By accepting His truth and loving Him, God’s word sticks to the heart and life takes on new meaning.

            The truths of Scripture are seen penetrating the heart when His directives are lovingly and willfully lived-out in your life. By submission the heart becomes a sanctuary for God, a place where the Holy Spirit dwells with divine splendor and supernatural abundance.

            Whatever word is in your heart, whatever is held dear, becomes your motivator. A good word produces excellent behavior. A bad word produces poor actions. Whatever you cherish (a word closely associated with the heart) is what you become.

            The phrase “highly esteem” speaks of affection from the heart. To highly esteem your parents is to have deep affection for them. To highly esteem a celebrity is to have deep affection for what they represent. To highly esteem a famous person, either alive or dead, is to have a deep affection for what they stand for or stood for. God’s desire is for Himself, as communicated by His word, to be highly esteemed. Your relationship with Him is to be a heart expression.

            From a negative perspective, Jesus told some Pharisees that the filthy content of the heart can defile a person. The content of the heart designs your life, produces your worth and causes your actions.

            When the psalmist writes, “I have hidden your word in my heart…,” he is saying, “I understand God’s word and base my life upon it. Scripture is changing the role sin has in my life.”

How to keep God’s word in the inner court?

            My friend LaVonne Masters reveals three activities that anchor His word in your heart.

            Meditation! The term means “solemn reflection; deep pondering; contemplation.” Meditation is sometimes described as “chewing on it,” similar to animals that chew cud. Meditation is allowing spiritual insight to come back to mind and reworking the truth deeper into your soul.

            Meditation fills the heart with God’s word, causing you to look at divine truth from several directions. Reflection and pondering makes spiritual truth more deeply understood.

            Memorization! This wholesome practice engraves the heart with God’s word. To memorize is to know information “by heart.”

            Memorizing is done by repetition. What does the shortest verse in the Bible say?  “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) How do you know? You concentrated when it was repeated to you. People fail to remember by failing to concentrate. Memorizing combines concentration and repetition.

            Meditation and memorization enhances the third activity that anchors God’s word in the heart: ministry. Ministry is the act of reproducing God’s word. If you reflect and repeat and reproduce God’s word, the truth remains in your heart, which has benefits.

            What are the benefits? Psalm 1 reveals the benefit of living with significance and purpose. Ephesians 1:3 reveals the benefit of living with spiritual blessings. Psalms 119:11 reveals the benefit of living free from the shackles of sin.

            Through understanding God’s word gains entrance into your outer court. Through belief God’s word gains entrance into the inner court and dictates your life. By meditation, memorization and ministry God’s word remains in the heart, leading to divine benefits.

            Let God’s word saturate your heart. Live fully committed to His will and experience the divine benefits.