A quote is defined as; to repeat or copy a group of words from a text or
speech,
typically with an indication that one is not the original author or
speaker. One of the most important and powerful ways that believers can
live an abundant life in Christ while on earth, is by quoting the Word
of God. Quoting or actually confessing God's Word, releases the power of
God and increases ones faith. ( Hebrews 1:3; Romans 10:17) When a
believer confess God's Word, they are quoting the very Words of Christ.
Although faith grows with the confession of God's Word, ones faith is no
greater than their confession. The Apostle Paul tells us, "that
if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Let's
keep in mind that the word "saved" here means, to keep safe and sound;
to rescue from danger or destruction; to keep from injury or peril; to
save a suffering one from perishing; to save from disease; to make well;
to heal; to restore to health; to preserve one who is in danger of
destruction; to save or rescue; to make whole. What wonderful promises
from God. So, every time you break the silence of fear and or
unbelief with an open confession of the integrity of God's Word, and
then act upon His Word, you destroy the very roots of fear and unbelief
in your life. Fear and unbelief grow with your confession, in the same
manner that faith will
also grow with your confession. If you confess that you are sick,
unbelief will grow in you. However, if you confess that "by His (Jesus')
stripes I am healed" and hold fast to your confession of God's Word,
then your faith for healing grows.
The gospel of Luke puts it this way, "For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) A more literal translation of this verse is, "No Word from God is void of power."
(Also see Isaiah 55:11) God's Word has not lost its ability to
accomplish what it says. It has been said, "the Words ability is
measured by its Author's ability." Keep in mind, in Genesis
1:3, 6-7, 9, 11, 14-15, 20, 24, 26, 29-30, says, "Then God said…and it was so." So, faith,
in the sense that I am using God's Word here, is letting His Word
function through you, that is, letting God's Word do what is says it
will do and then act upon it as though it is already a finished work,
which it truly is.
Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) Notice, that Jesus did not say, "all things are possible to him who has great faith."
He simply said, "to him who believes." In other words, the only
condition for a believer to see the impossible become possible is to
accept God's Word as true no matter what the circumstances may dictate.
We need to truly understand that God and His Word are one and His power is in His Word. (Hebrews 1:3)
Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches..." (John
15:5) Think about this. Every believer is a branch, one with the vine.
The fruit grows on the branches not on the vine. It is the vine that
gives the branches life, or as the Apostle Peter says, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." (2 Peter 1:3) All believers are sharers
with Jesus and the bearers of His fruit. That fruit is measured by our
confession, that is, our confession will determine our faith life. So,
hold fast to your confession (Hebrews 10:23) in the face of all
opposition, knowing that you cannot be conquered. (Romans 8:37)
Let us always keep in mind, that our lips give expression to our faith or doubt. If we say, "I believe therefore I have," we agree with God's Word, "For
assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and
be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes
that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:23-24) I
do not need to see, hear or feel, because the Word is my evidence.
Again, faith grows through our study, meditation, confession and acting
on the Word of God. It is a process of time, but it is well worth the
effort.
So, when things arise in our lives that are contrary to God's promises,
His Word, our confession of His Word and acting on it will solve the
problem. To act on God's Word is not necessarily based upon physical
actions, although actions show our faith. (James 2:18) Sometimes, it is
simply thanking Him for what He has already accomplished through Christ
and then standing on His Word, though His Word may not have manifested
instantly and even when the circumstances are contrary to His Word.
Therefore, let us keep in mind, a wrong confession hinders the Spirit's
work in and through us. A neutral confession is unbelief and is just as
ineffective as a negative confession. However, a positive, clear cut confession
of God's Word over any and every circumstance that we may face is the
confession that puts us over. In short, our confession is a direct
reflection of our faith. So, a neutral confession results in neutral faith,
an a negative confession results in unbelief. Two examples of the
latter are, a confession of failure puts failure on the throne in our
life; a confession of weakness, puts weakness on the throne of our life.
The Apostle Paul said, "For
this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed,
for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep
what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Timothy 1:12) Are we truly persuaded that God is able to fulfill His Word in our lives? Paul also tells of Abraham, "Abraham, and being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:21) Notice, that Abraham was "fully convinced"
that what God had promised He was also able to perform." To be fully
convinced, is to believe without wavering, that God will carry through
to the end, that is, accomplish exactly what He said, His Word. I want
to encourage us all, do not give up when confessing God's Word
especially when it does not manifest quick, now and in a hurry. It is
unfortunate that many believers do, but the Word of God says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
(Galatians 6:9) Although this is focused on believers doing good works,
it is still applicable to believing, confessing and acting on God's
Word. So, don't lose heart, because God is faithful to make good His
Word. (Numbers 23:19)
Monday, April 1, 2024
Releasing God's Word
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