"So is My Word that goes from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)
"The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart...For it is with your heart that you believe and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." (Romans 10:8,
"For I will make My Words fire in your mouth." (Jeremiah 5:14)
Dear people of God,
May the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit be with you, in THIS moment, and always. What a season we are in! The news seems to go from bad to worse, and even some of the most die-hard believers are growing weary in this battle. We long to see another Red Sea parting, another series of storms calmed, and an explosion of supernatural faith and courage to come upon the people of God. I think it's safe to say this is our Esther moment. It is no accident that we are living in this time. We were born "For such a time as this." (Esther 4:14)
"Therefore I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of hands, for God did not give us a spirit of fear but of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND." (2 Timothy 1:6-7) God does not give us a spirit of fear. But guess who does! There is a very real enemy who is feasting on every morsel of bad news. He does whatever he can to stir into flame the opposite of feeling any power, or love or a peace-filled sound mind. But notice what Paul is saying to Timothy. He's telling Timothy--Tim, YOU stir into flame the gifts given to you when you were anointed.
We have the very Spirit of the living God living in us. He has given us HIS power, HIS love and HIS sound mind. WE have to stir them up! Because our Savior lives, because He shed His Blood for us, we are beloved children of the Father and co-heirs with Jesus Christ. We not only carry Him, we are on a mission to release Him into our worlds, to shift atmospheres, to bring the Kingdom here--NOW. "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 13:47) Jesus did not give us a spirit of fear. He told us there would be troubles in this world, that we may be thrust into darkness, but He is sending us in to dispel that darkness. Will we do it without ever feeling fear? Probably not. But we will be given what we need to do what He's calling us to do. He didn't go through the most torturous death imaginable to make us safe and happy. He came to make us a FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, people who carry the living God and are dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. "As My Father sent Me, so I am sending you." (John 20:21)
We all have people in our lives and circumstances that need to hear the Word of God. "Let him who has My Word speak My Word faithfully. Is not My Word like fire, says the Lord? And like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces? " (Jeremiah 23:28) The Word of the Lord is powerful beyond measure. The world came into being by a Word from God. He tells us, "I am watching over My Word to perform it." (Jeremiah 1:12) When we speak the Word of God we are mining endless power. Jesus shows us the power of His Word when He called out, "Lazarus, come out. And the dead man came out." (John 11: 43-44) Over and over Jesus spoke simply but powerfully and people were healed, dead were raised, lepers cleansed and the devil's schemes were defeated.
"He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' Which means, 'Little girl, get up.'" (Mark 5:41)
"And Jesus rebuked the demon. 'Be silent. Come out of him!'" (Mark 1:25)
The power of the spoken Word of God became quickly evident in Jesus' time. The centurion said, "Lord I don't deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the Word and my servant will be healed." (Matthew 8:8) Certainly the apostles proclaimed the Word of God and saw powerful miracles and healings. Speaking the Word of God carries power. In this time when there is so much to discourage and distract, do not be distracted from this essential weapon. God Himself says (Jeremiah 23:28-29) that His Word is like FIRE and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces. Anybody have some giant boulders that need to be shattered?!
People of God, mighty warriors, whether you "feel" it or not, you have the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, in your hand. Don't just read it, PROCLAIM IT, speak it into your life and the circumstances that need the powerful, effective Word of the living God. And don't quit! HE says it will not return to Him void, that it will accomplish what it was sent to do. (Isaiah 55:11) This is a WORD, an oath, His promise, coming from God Himself. But we have a part to play. The enemy may not be able to hear your thoughts but he can certainly hear your words. There is power in words. Every day we are blessed or saddened by words spoken. The enemy loves to discourage and devastate God's people through words. God says that "The power of life and death are in the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21) What we can be sure of is that the power of God's Words not only bless, but carry the power and the presence of God Himself. His promise is that they will DO what they say they will do. IT's wonderful and crucial to read them, but don't stop there. PROCLAIM THEM. "What I tell you in the darkness, say it in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the rooftops!" (Matthew 10:27)
"And He said to them, 'I tell you that my followers keep silent, the stones will cry out!'" (Luke 19:40)
"Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth and the Lord said to me: 'Behold, I have put My Words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:9-10)
The people of God have a part to play in His Kingdom coming and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven. We have the weapon of the Word of God to effect changes now--in our families and in our worlds. And as we speak it, it activates faith in us to rise up! IT may take time, but speak it, let faith arise in you and pray for those who are heavy laden. Intercede for those who need to be lifted up. We need each other on this road to heaven.
Friends, Jesus was crystal clear to His followers. "He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and affliction. These He sent out, instructing them, 'Proclaim as you go, saying, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.'" (Matthew 10:1, 5-8)
My prayer for you is that you will experience His Presence and His power on your every thought and every word. May His call on your life become clearer by the moment, and may you stir up the flame of the gifts of His power, love and sound mind within you, and see yourself as you truly are: beloved child of the Father, and co-heir with Jesus Christ.
Come Lord Jesus into every heart, mind, soul and body. Shatter strongholds, raise up warriors, heal, cleanse and come in power! We give you our lives, Lord. Use us for Your Kingdom. Saints and angels pray for us. And may the ones who come behind us find us faithful!
All glory and honor to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let's keep each other in prayer.