"Upheld by the Word" by Debra Courtney

I know what you’re probably wondering, "If we can operate in the same freedom, authority, and power that Jesus did, why are so many Christians living under their circumstances instead of ruling over them?  Stressful, overextended, not enough time in the day, family member is not acting right, sickness, can’t sleep, not enough money to meet the financial obligations, state of the world, the state of our country, on and on… "

The answer is simple:  Most believers don’t inquire of the LORD before they speak and act.  Instead, they get in a hurry and come up with their own plan.  That’s something Jesus never did.  He always waited on God’s instructions.   

Take, for example, how He handled what He found in the temple in Mark 11.  On the first day that He went in there and saw the ungodly activities that were going on, all He did was stand around and watch.  “He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in…” (verse 11).  Isn’t that amazing?  Jesus was there watching the ugly behavior of the money-changers as they did what they had always done, and He did nothing but just watch!  Can you imagine him just walking around the temple, both inside and out, taking it all in and not saying a word, just looking and listening?  Can you imagine the look on his face, intensity in his eyes, his mannerisms of his walk and body stance? Why didn't the Father say something to Jesus then.  Why wait?  Say something now.  Look at how people are behaving int the house of God.  What do you think his Father told him later on?  

On the next day, he had a job God had given Him, and he put the devil on the run.  You and I can do the same thing by faith! If we’ll listen to the voice of God, we can find out where He wants us to go, what He wants us to say, and what He wants us to do. 

We can fulfill His will in every area of our lives, and if the devil tries to stop us, we can cast him out!  “But how can I be sure I’ll hear God’s voice?” you might ask.  You’ve made Jesus The LORD of your life, haven’t you?  That means He’s your Shepherd and you’re His sheep, and according to the Bible, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out... he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow.” (John 10:3-5)MSG 

Actually, that’s a good place for you and me to start hearing and speaking God’s WORD. Instead of saying things like, “God doesn’t speak to me,” start saying, “I know Jesus.  He’s my Shepherd, and I hear and know His voice,” then spend some time with Him in the WORD and tune in by faith, expecting to hear from Him.  Words from heaven are available to you each and every 24/7/365, if we know Jesus as our LORD and Savior.  He has guaranteed it in the Scriptures.  

He promised the Holy Spirit would teach us all things and guide us into all truth (John 14:26, 16:13).  He said if we’ll ask for wisdom in faith without wavering, He’ll give it to us liberally (James 1:5-6).  

Believe it and inquire of Him.  He’ll give us the words, then when you and I speak those words and act on them in faith, He’ll back them with His own power.  It’s not our job to figure out how everything is going to happen.  Our job is just to pray, obey, and say what God says.  Because He’s already upholding all things by the WORD of His power, as long as we stay on His WORD, it’s impossible for the devil or anyone else to defeat us.  No matter how hard they try to bring us down, we’re going to be upheld! 

The devil doesn’t have authority over any area of our life - not our health, our family, our finances, or anything else.  Jesus has defeated him completely, and as His joint heir, you and I have the power to put the devil on the run.  

Here are a few points to help us do it! 

Get on God’s WORD and stay there. “…Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son…This one perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says – powerful words! ” (Hebrews 1:1-3) MSG 

Operate like Jesus did. “…that I’m not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught me.” (John 8:28) MSG 

Don’t make something up. “Before long the crooks will be bankrupt; God-investors will soon own the store.” (Psalm 37:9) MSG 

Expect to hear from Him. “The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice.” (John 10:2-4) MSG.  Jesus’ words authorize and empower you. “Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.” (John 6:63) MSG 

Don’t doubt!  Call things that are not as though they were!  Watch it manifest!

Click here to view a video of "Center" by Charlie Hall

Getting Through this Lingering Storm - @jenniferowhite

Getting Through this Lingering Storm 

By Jennifer White

Do you feel defeated?  Is something in your life causing you to feel subdued and vulnerable?  Are your hopes frustrated, your needs deprived?  Maybe the wreckage seems catastrophic with another storm emerging on the radar.

We long for safety and a secure future.  We want now solutions that buy us victory in the battle against cancer, mental illness, unemployment, oppression, and attacks by others.  We trust that God hears our prayers.  We know that the disciples woke him up from a deep sleep on a storm-tossed boat, and He calmed the sea with a few words.  

Still, this situation, your situation, needs a savior now.  You have prayed.  You asked for God to intervene, and it’s been months, maybe years.  Why doesn’t your Savior enter stage left and tell this hurricane to be still?  

                            

Looking for an Exit Sign 

I’ve been wrestling with this myself.  My human nature sees danger and is looking for an exit sign.  My heart desires peace and is tired of pursuing it only to see the door slammed again.  Doesn’t God want me to walk away?  Doesn’t He want me to finally rest after decades of tension and “sucking it up”.   

I rationalize using this scripture and that one, as they come to me.  I hear wise counsel to act, to stand, to fight, and I still want to shut the door on this long-lasting saga.  Confusion clouds my mind, and my emotions deliver the rain.  This just needs to STOP!  

Then God speaks to me when I am quiet enough to hear Him.  Yesterday, it was in the middle of the night, when the room was dark and I had been at rest for a while.  He reminded me that David, before he became King David, spent years avoiding the vengeful pursuit of King Saul.  He endured more than I can imagine from a powerful foe that had been appointed by God.  The betrayal he must have felt, but he endured.  He even honored his enemy in a cave when he could have released years of pent up frustrations.  He held on to God’s promise that he would one day be king, and he waited.  

Can I Keep Going, Keep Hoping? 

Has God given you a promise that seems like a vacation destination you will never be able to visit?  Are you enduring a storm that rarely gives the sun a chance to shine in your life?  Do you feel like Noah building a big boat with no clue what rain is?  Do you feel like Abraham and Sarah waiting for a baby when your peers are enjoying grandchildren and great-grands?  Do you know you are called to do great things for God but find yourself thrown in a well by your family?  

Who is Driving? 

Today is the day to put fear and hopelessness in the trunk of your car and let faith drive.  This is going to take a little heavy lifting.  Fear can become obese over time and with influence.  HOWEVER, it crumbles when addressed by the reality of God, so roll up your sleeves and tell that crazy phantom who God is. 

He is your Shelter (Psalm 91:1).  

He is a Safe Place to hide (Psalm 46:1).  

He is your Defender (Psalm 18:1).  

He is your Sustainer (Colossians 1:16-17). 

He is the Gentle Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11) who prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23:5). 

He pursues you each day with perfect portions of His love, His power, and His sound mind (Psalm 23:6, 2 Timothy 1:7). 

He is enough.  He is more than enough for the length of this crazy hard time you are going through (2 Corinthians 12:9).  

Hold up your difficult person, situation, or illness to Him and see the difference in power.  Take another step forward into the unknown with your eyes on His greatness.  Take the next step in the long tunnel of darkness and know He is with you.

Let God Be God to You

Relief will come.  It might be today, next year, or when you move into the perfection of Heaven.  Until then, He is God, and He is with you and me.  He is enough.  Cling to Him.  See the storm from His perspective.

Jennifer O. White
Author.  Speaker.  Encourager at Prayerfully Speaking
@jenniferowhite

Jennifer White pursues God in prayer with the Bible as her guide.  She leads others to do the same at Prayerfully Speaking.  Wife to David is her highest calling.  She recently completed her first book, Prayers for new Brides:  Putting on the Armor After the Wedding Dress.  #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK with her that God is and does "more than we can ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). #GodAnswers 

Click here to view a live video of Martha Munizzi singing "I Know The Plans"

Martha Munizzi from state15 on GodTube.