provision | Revelations From The Road

Confession on the Word of God

October 18, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given July 2008

Our Pastor at Zion Family Ministeries has been preaching on “Living by the Book” for the past few weeks and we’ve learned how important the Word of God is to our lives. Once we make Bible reading a part of our daily lives, the Word will be in us and we will begin to live that Word and speak it over situations. The prayer listed below can be used to confess God’s Word over our lives every day and I challenge each of you to do just that. You will see changes in your life as God’s Word becomes part of it. I’ve included scripture references from the Bible.

Father, in the Name of Jesus(1), I commit myself today to walk in Your Word.(2) I recognize that Your Word is integrity itself– steadfast, sure, eternal(3)–and I trust my life to its provisions.

You have sent Your Word(4) forth into my heart. I let it dwell in me(5) richly in all wisdom(6). It does not depart out of my mouth; I meditate in it day and night so that I may diligently act on it(7). Your Word is an incorruptible seed(8), abiding in my spirit, and it’s growing mightily in me now, producing Your nature, Your life.

I thank You, Father, that Your Word is my counsel, my shield, my buckler(9), my powerful weapon in battle. It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path(10). It makes my way straight before me, and I never stumble or fall for my steps are ordered by Your Word(11).

I recognize the strategies and deceits of Satan(12) and I put a stop to them by speaking Your Word out of my mouth in faith(13).

I am confident, Father, that You are at work in me both to will and to do Your good pleasure(14). I exalt Your Word(15). I hold it in high esteem and give it first place in my life. I boldly and confidently say that my heart is fixed and established(16) on the solid foundation–the living Word of God(17). Amen.

1. John 16:23 2. Isaiah 30:21 3. John 1:1-2 4. Psalms 107:20 5. John 15:7 6. Col. 3:16 7. Prov. 4:20-21 8. 1 Peter 1:23
9. Psalms91:4 10. Ps 119:105 11. Psalms 37:23 12. John 10:10 13. Eph. 6:13 14. Phil. 2:13 15. Psalms 56:4 16. Deut. 19:15
17. Luke 6:47-48

Jesus In The House

August 6, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given August 3, 2011

I said this on Facebook this week, “If Jesus comes into your house, there are more important things to be done than cooking supper.” I want to expand on that today. In Luke 9:10-17, we have the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. Keep in mind that was 5000 men, surely there were some ladies and kids there as well. When it was time for supper, the disciples wanted Jesus to send the people into town for food. They were thinking practical, money, worldly. Jesus basically said, “Tell them to sit down and I’ll feed them.” “What do you have I can work with?” You know the rest of the story; all were fed with lots left over. They didn’t have to worry, Jesus was there.

Now, let’s go to Mary and Martha’s house a little later in Luke 10. Martha was the owner of the house and she had about 70-some people come in with Jesus to visit. Martha was in the kitchen preparing the meal for that crowd and got upset with her sister Mary for not helping. Mary was listening to what Jesus had to say. Martha sort of got a little huffy with Jesus for not making Mary help. Jesus told her Mary was doing the, “better” thing, (v. 42). Martha was thinking practical, worldly, I-gotta-do-it-myself. I don’t know if she’d heard of how Jesus fed 5000+ people but if He could do that, surely He could provide food for 73! She didn’t have to worry, Jesus was in the house.

In this time of economic uncertainty, our thinking too often is practical, money, worldly, I-gotta-do-it-myself. I’ve got to make a living, make a deal, make a way for my family. Remember what happened to the folks at Babel? What did they say? “..let US make brick, let US build us a city and a tower, let US make us a name,”, (Genesis 11:3-4). They were thinking of doing it without God and He put a stop to it. That’s the Babylonian system and our government is pushing it hard. We, as followers of Jesus, have been added into the blessing of Abraham and we don’t have to, “do it ourselves”. Let’s try God’s system! Jesus is in the house!

Freedom

July 4, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given July 4, 2011

Years ago, our forefathers had a dream of a nation free from the tyranny of Great Britian. They acted on that dream and formed, “a more perfect Union” by creating the Constitution of the United States. It was difficult but they stood fast and many gave their lives fighting for that dream of freedom. We are still fighting for it today. God also had a dream of a people free from the tyranny of Satan. He acted on that plan and sent Jesus to lead us in the paths of righteousness. It was difficult but Jesus was faithful and gave His life for God’s plan of Spiritual freedom. We still have that opportunity today but Jesus fought and died in our place. By the sacrifices of our forefathers, military, and others we enjoy freedom in our United States. By the sacrifice of Jesus we can have true freedom. Today we celebrate our independence in this country but let’s not forget
the real independence we have through Jesus. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John8:36). God bless America!

What Are You Giving?

June 26, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given June 21, 2011

I heard the other day that, on the average, Christians give about 2.5% of their income to the church. It made me think what percentage of our income goes to other things in our lives. That would be interesting to know. Does it show what’s important to us or where our priorities are? I’ve heard it said that the best measure of our priorities is our checkbook. We all need to take a look at that and see where our heart is.

As Christians, we are required by God to give back a tenth of our income to Him, the first tenth too, (See Malachi 3:10 and Proverbs 3:9). God gives us our entire income and expects us to give 10% of it back to Him. Why doesn’t He just keep His part and give us the 90%? That way, we wouldn’t have to worry about it or keep up with it. But He gave us a free will and He wants us to be obedient to Him. Are we? The Bible says if we don’t give back the tithe, we are robbing God! (See Malachi 3:8). Not a good thing to do. What if on January 1, God checked the books and saw what you gave during the past year and multiplied that by 10 and that’s what your income would be for the coming year? Could you live on that?

God is not requiring the tithe to be a harsh taskmaster over us but He wants to bless us. The Bible says over and over if we will give, God will give back to us and we will be blessed. I remember something about, “pressed down, shaken together, and running over”. Now, we don’t give in order to get. That would be like paying for something. We give because we want to, because God asks us to, because He loves a cheerful giver, (2 Corinthians 9:7). But the tithe is not all, God gave us another way to be blessed…offerings. That’s giving over and above the tithe. The more we give, the more it pleases God, and He does good things to those who please Him and honor His commands. It’s not a chore or a duty, it’s something we want to do for the God who has done soooooooo much for us.

Worth repeating: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10). One last point, giving is not just money. There are many ways to give and God will provide you with opportunities every day if you’ll just look for them. And it doesn’t have to be a lot. Remember the boy who offered his lunch of some fish and bread to Jesus? (John 6:5-15). He took that little offering and fed thousands that day. Put what you are required to give and some offerings into the hands of God and see what He will do. What was your income this week?

Do You Know The Rules?

April 17, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given April 16, 2011

It’s baseball season and you’re coaching in your first game. The other coach is a veteran of the game and is knowledgeable of the rules but you’ve been spending time practicing your team, getting the uniforms and equipment ready, and making sure your camera is ready to get some good shots.

In the first inning, your team gets the third and final out but the other coach informs you that his team gets four outs. Having not read the rule book, you’re not sure what the rule is and he sounds very convincing. Later in the game, one of your guys hits the ball over the fence for a homerun and trots around the bases, first, second, third, and home. As your players cheer, the other coach comes out and states that the rule says when you hit a homerun you’re supposed to run to third, second, first, then home. Since your player didn’t do that, he’s out. Again, you don’t know the rule and give in to the other coach. This type of thing happens several more times during the game and, of course, your team loses. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? Who would go into a game without reading, studying, and knowing the rules and how they apply to the game?

Well, there is a rule book called the Bible and we’re involved in the game of life. The opposition knows the rules well but tries to bend and misinterpret them to us in order to, “kill, steal and destroy” us, (John 10:10). The devil and his troops are always trying to deceive us by lying about what the rules are. And tragically, they are successful many times because we don’t know the rules! We haven’t read our rule book, the Bible and don’t know our rights. “Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). A command of God. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11). We don’t have time to pull out the Book and look up the rule.

Jesus was in the same game we are in but He knew the rules and told Satan three times, “It is written…” (Matthew 4). Satan left Him alone. Are you reading your Bible every day? Are you listening to the thousands of free Bible-based messages and podcasts available for download on the Internet? We need the church to know the rules so we can be a force for God in our area. Know the rules!