The Prevailing Word

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed Acts 19:20 KJV
....For I will hasten My word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12b MEV
 For I the Lord will speak, and the word that I speak shall come to pass... Ezekial 12:25a MEV
...but the word which I have spoken shall be done, says the Lord God.  Ezekiel 12:28b MEV

 As of this writing, the world is in upheaval. Disruption, disturbance, and doom, these are the reports continually bombarding our minds from media and CDC and WHO reports. Life has been put on hold. Many communities have been given shelter in place orders. This pandemic has seemingly made the world stop. 

 The news reports, the CDC reports, the social restrictions, all the negatives, it's as if we are in a storm. These reports are hitting us like waves crashing into a ship. In the midst of this turmoil, is there relief? Is there hope? Is there peace available? Here is some good news, we can have hope in Christ. For there is an anchor for our souls amid the storm. The anchor for our souls is the promise of God's Word. 

18 So that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, which enters the Inner Place behind the veil. Hebrews 6:18-19 MEV

 God cannot lie. Two unchangeable things prove that. The New Covenant and Jesus' Finished Work. God's Word is the anchor that keeps us afloat, keeps us steady, keeps us in peace in the storms of life. God cannot lie.

 God's Word is the prevailing Word. What He has spoken shall come to pass. What He has promised will come to fruition. No scheme or suggestion or tactic from the enemy shall ever hinder or obstruct or impede the fulfillment of His Word. His Word is absolutely true no matter what the circumstances appear to be. His Word is truth, and we can trust in His Word unconditionally.

 When Jesus was tempted by the enemy in his earthly walk, Christ used the Word and prevailed against the scheming lies of the enemy. Each time the enemy came, Jesus declared "it is written!" When the enemy, when trials, when storms come we can also use the prevailing Word and proclaim it is written! 

 When Paul the apostle of Grace was facing a storm the Word of the Lord came to him through an angel. That Word prevailed against the storm and no one saw a loss of life. Paul trusted and rested in the promise of God. When storms come we can also rest, trusting in the Word of God.

 The Word is a prevailing Word. The Word of God prevails against all the plans and schemes of the enemy. The Word of God prevails against all the lies and plans of men who seek to impede or stop the work of God. The Word of God prevails against all the curse, sickness and disease and lack can't stand up to the prevailing Word. The Word of God prevails!

 Look at the Word Jesus said to the disciples in Mark 4. 

 35 That same day, when the evening came, He said to them, “Let us go cross to the other side.” Mark 4:35 MEV

 The disciples of Jesus heard the Word. This was the word that Christ spoke. Look at this entire account and see how we can also overcome in the storms and trials of life.

 36 When they had sent the crowd away, they took Him in the boat just as He was. There were also other little boats with Him. 37 A great wind storm arose, and the waves splashed into the boat, so that it was now filling the boat. 38 He was in the stern asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

40 He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?”

41 They feared greatly and said to one another, “What kind of Man is He, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:36-41 MEV

 First, the disciples had the Presence of God, Jesus was with them. Secondly, they had the Promise of God, Jesus declared we're going to the other side. Thirdly, they had the Provision of God, they had a ship to get to the other side.  Fourthly, they had the Protection of God, the wind and waves battered the ship, but they were afloat still. Sometimes in the storm, we don't recognize God's provision, the supply He has already given us and the protection we have in Him.

 Fifthly they had the Power of God. Jesus awoke from His rest and calmed the storm. The power of God was with them in the midst of the storm. And finally, they had the Peace of God. They had the peace of God realized as the storm calmed. Does God love us any less than His disciples? 

 God's Love is for us. He loves us unconditionally. He is with us. So in these perilous times, in this time of world upheaval and trial, we have God with us and for us. We have the prevailing Word. We have His Presence, His Promise, His protection, His Provision, His Power and His Peace. All are found in God's Word. Speak His Word, not the trouble. Believe His Word, more than the reports of doom and gloom. Trust and rest in His Word and don't embrace the fear and panic in the World.

 In summation, the Word prevails. We have been given His prevailing Word. His Word overcomes all the mess in this World. Some may say we are fantasyland or being foolish. Let the unlearned and true foolish ones mock and scoff, but those who have trusted in the Word have prevailed in life. 

 We who trust the Word, have peace in the middle of the storms of life. It wasn't a fantasy when we trusted in Christ and what He declared and received new life, perfect righteousness, acceptance and approval, and total forgiveness of our sins. If God can give us new life certainly He can carry us through this storm and bring us out on the other side stronger and bolder and resting in Him more and more. The Word is a prevailing word, it is our victory!

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay 

Help for those in anxiety and fear

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near.  Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 TPT

 We are living in trying times. The world seems to be in upheaval and so many are looking to make sense of it all. Many have questions. Many have concerns. Fear and anxiety have gripped the masses.  The challenge we all face though is this is, in fact, a real threat, not a negative thought, or a what-if, the enemy brought to people's minds.

 The world is on a modified lockdown if you will. A verified pandemic has been declared worldwide. This is a real and confirmed threat to people's livelihood and health and safety. This is the time where trust in God is paramount.

 This is also the time when we discover what we've been planting in our hearts. Words of Faith, God's Grace and Goodness and Love or words of fear worry and anxiety. Our words locate us and reveal what we've been planting. If words of Faith, trust in Christ are coming from your mouth, praise God. What if, though, anxiety and fear seem to more real to you than the promises of God? 

 That's why I was impressed to share some Good News for those in anxiety and fear. There is a way out. There is an exit door. There is hope and help for you. 

 Paul has given us insight into how to overcome fear and anxiety. Look at his words here;

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

in another translation for more clarity;

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Paul has just given the answer to anxiety and fear. When anxiety comes, that is not the time to cower, to quiver, to shrink back, to fear. No, that's the time to pray. That's the cue to exercise Faith and give your concern, your care, your burden, your what-if, your need to God. That is, come to God petitioning Him for your needs. 

 When we do this, Paul declared that the peace of God comes and guards our hearts and mind. Why? How is this possible? Because we've turned to God in our time of need. We've asked God to intervene in our life. We've turned our care over to God. By coming to God, and asking Him for our needs to be met, we are saying God we trust you, we believe you, we have hope in your love and goodness. 

 God responds with His supernatural peace. We can have inward peace and comfort no matter the situation or circumstance. This is not the time to shrink back but the time to come boldly before the throne of His Grace and petition our Good Father and receive freely from Him and find that help and hope in these times. 

 Our hearts and minds can find rest and joy because we've turned to God in the anxious moments. Whenever anxiety arises take this as the cue, the signal, and come before your Father in Heaven in prayer. Peace will flood your mind and keep your heart steady. 

 Fear and anxiety have no right to control our thoughts or minds. When we give our requests and needs to God there is nothing to be anxious about. We trust that God is taking care of us and working our situation out for the best outcome possible. 

 Anxiety comes when we let go of trust, and try to do things ourselves. In these times remind yourself of God's all the time goodness and love. Think of the truth and relinquish those lies anxiety brings.

17 In this way God’s love is perfected in us, so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love. 1 John 4:17-18 MEV

14 So then, as the children share in flesh and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver those who through fear of death were throughout their lives subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15 MEV

 His perfect love has cast out all fear. He has delivered us from all fear, especially the fear of death. We are no longer subject to the bondage of fear and anxiety. We can freely trust in a Good and Loving Father who meets our needs and fills our hearts and minds with His supernatural peace. 

In summation, there is hope. There is help for those struggling with anxiety. God. God, our Good Father is that help and hope. He is the need meeter, the way maker, and the One working when it seems like all is falling apart. Place your hope in His Goodness and Love and see anxiety and fear melt away in the presence of His Love and peace.

image by TheDigitalArtist from Pixabay

Strong in Grace: Fully Assured

So you, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.      
2 Timothy 2:1

 We've begun a new study looking at being strong in the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is growing strong and fully persuaded in what Jesus accomplished for us in the Finished Work. Fully trusting in His perfect redemptive work and not our own works or performance.

 Today, it seemed good to focus on another vital aspect of growth in Grace. That is being fully confident in the full assurance Grace provided. In this world, there aren't too many things that are assured. 

 Sports teams move from one city to another, changing their name. Businesses and restaurants close their doors. Sometimes people let us down. The one constant we who trust in Christ have is the full assurance of His great love and favor and goodness towards us. 

 Look how the Word describes this assurance;

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,  Colossians 2:2 NKJV

 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, Hebrews 6:11 NKJV

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

 Fully assured. We who are in Christ have a confident expectation of good and are fully assured in our relationship with Christ. Paul sums up this Gospel of the Good news and the assurance that accompanies it.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.  1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV

 The Good News Gospel of Grace brings with it a fully assured Faith. A confident expectation of good and the assurance He is faithful to His Word. It leaves our hearts fully assured that He is with us forever and will never leave or forsake or abandon us. 

 Again things in this life may let us down, but we have confident assurance God will never let us down. This full assurance in Christ is louder than fear. Louder than insecurity. Louder than uncertainty. It's louder than any condemnation or accusation of the enemy or religious tradition.

 This assurance from God is louder than any sin or failure. We look at our failures, our mistakes, our shortcomings, our sin and feel like we are distant, far off and separated from God our Father. This full assurance that the Gospel brings silences these guilt and shame ridden accusations. Being fully assured of His great love reminds us of who we are and whose we are. It reassures us of our righteousness in Christ and full acceptance with God. 

 The assurance reaffirms our identity in Christ. It brings us out of bad habits, addictions, and sins. It helps us grow into who He already made us in the Finished Work. We rest in His unchanging Grace and Love.

 In summation, rejoice, this Grace produces a fully confident Faith. It brings with it full assurance. We can rule and reign over fear, anxiety, worry, insecurity, and uncertainty. We have full assurance of our Father's Love for us, His approval of us and our perfect right standing in His sight. We stand fully assured and shame and condemnation free. 

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay