God Fulfills His Word: BELIEVE IT!

It’s essential for every follower of Jesus Christ to know without a doubt that God fulfills His Word. The Bible states this truth in many different ways, and in many different passages of Scripture. Let’s just look at a few.Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. (Josh 21:45 NKJV)Notice that the above Bible verse states, “ALL came to pass.” This is significant—don’t undervalue it.The Lord then said, “You are right, for I’m watching over my word until it is fulfilled.” (Jer 1:12 CEB)This Scripture describes God as “watching over His Word” to make sure that it occurs exactly as He said that it would. It gives us a picture of God not allowing anything to escape His notice or His attention. He is guaranteeing that His own Word comes to pass.The Lord has done what He determined; He has accomplished His word . . . (Lam 2:17a NASB)I like this Scripture in the New American Standard Bible. It is very clear and cannot be misunderstood! God accomplished His Word. End of story. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Lk 2:20 NIV, underscoring added)Note that everything that the shepherds heard and saw happened JUST AS THEY HAD BEEN TOLD! This fulfills another Bible verse:. . . in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began . . . (Tit 1:2 NKJV, emphasis added)We are simply called as BELIEVERS, to accept God’s Word as true, reliable, and trustworthy. The Bible clearly says that God cannot lie. Meditate upon this and stir up your faith, and your life, by radically believing God’s Word! God bless you.

Our True Daily Bread

Bread is a symbol of many things. In the Old Testament, the Lord provided bread from heaven when His people were wandering in the wilderness after escaping from Egypt. (Ex 16:4, 14, 31) In this context, bread was a forceful symbol of God’s provision for His people.

For decades in America, the husband in a family was referred to, in informal terms, as the breadwinner. Even now, bread is a synonym for money.

Let’s read what God’s Word says about bread.

Give us today our daily bread. (Mt 6:11 NIV)

Give us day by day our daily bread. (Lk 11:3 ASV)

Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.’ ” (Mt 4:4 CEV)

In the above verse, Jesus reminds us that we need to know and love God’s Word as much as we do our daily food.

Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” ³²Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” ³⁵Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (Joh 6:31-35 ESV)

In John, chapter 6, Jesus clearly declares Himself to be the true bread from heaven. Through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we become partakers in eternal life. It is vital to maintain an ongoing faith in Jesus and an ongoing relationship with Him because we need to depend upon Him continually for our every need.

The Lord Jesus proved Himself to be forgiving, merciful and loving to those who followed Him. He was a fount of wisdom and grace, and being in His presence provided a powerful blessing. He was also the hand of God who healed the sick, maimed, deaf, blind, and hurting. People received deliverance and miracles and wonders through the ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb 13:8)

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. (1 Cor 10:16-17 NIV)

When we partake of the Communion elements, we are remembering the sacrifice and obedience of Jesus. Through the ceremony of remembrance—which is the observance of Communion—we declare our unfailing gratitude to God for the precious gift of salvation that we have received. Praise the Lord!

What We KNOW as Believers

We, as Christians, don’t have to wonder or hope or try to get faith. We need to stop and consider what we know. Our key verse for this study is in 2 Timothy:

. . . 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 Tim 1:12b KJV)

For we KNOW JESUS, our Savior and Lord, with whom we have a living, vital relationship—Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God! (Mt 16:16; 26:63; Joh 6:69) To KNOW someone means to have a relationship with, to comprehend, and to have experienced who they truly are as a person.

As a matter of fact, because we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior, Redeemer and Lord, we are now known as SONS OF THE LIVING GOD! (Rom 9:26) Hallelujah!

These are some of the vital things that we KNOW as believers:

That the Lord has set us apart for Himself; the Lord will hear us when we call upon Him! (Ps 4:3)
That because we are set apart for God (His anointed), He will answer us with the saving strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ps 20:6)
That the Lord is great, and He is above all gods. (Ps 135:5)
That God’s works are marvelous. (Ps 139:14)
That Jesus is the Holy One of God. (Mk 1:24c; Lk 4:34c)
We know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. (Lk 8:10)
We know Jesus, our Good Shepherd. (Joh 10:14)
We know the Lord, because He dwells with us, and He lives in us. (Joh 14:17)
We know that Jesus dwells in the Father; we dwell in Jesus; and Jesus dwells in us. (Joh 14:20)
That wherever we go, we carry the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. (Rom 15:29)
That we have received the Spirit who is from God through whom we know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Cor 2:12; 1 Joh 4:12-14)
We are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells within each believer. (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19)
That we are in Christ because we keep His Word, and the love of God is perfected in us. (1 Joh 2:5)
That Jesus was manifested to take away our sins and in Him there is no sin. (1 Joh 3:5)
That we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. (1 Joh 3:14)
We know the Spirit of God because we confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, and He is from God. (1 Joh 4:2)
That we are born of God and know God because we love one another, and love is of God. (1 Joh 4:7)
We know that we have eternal life because we believe in the name of the Son of God and will continue to do so. (1 Joh 5:13)

Know Jesus & You’ll Know the Father

The Scriptures below remind us that when we know Jesus, then we also know our heavenly Father.

But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (Joh 15:21)

Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” (Joh 8:19)

And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. (Joh 16:3)

It’s our honor and our privilege to come to fully know Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We do that by reading, studying, and meditating upon the Word of God. In the Bible, we see verse upon verse explaining to us the nature and personality of the Lord. The knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ is entry into eternal life.

But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. (Jer 9:24)

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (Joh 17:3)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 Joh 4:7-8)

According to 1 John, God is love. And everyone who loves is born of God and KNOWS GOD!

Do you want to know God? Then learn of His perfect love for YOU; study and meditate upon His love for you. Search out and meditate upon the Bible verses that discuss the love of God, and how His love has been manifested. Once you have received and fully understood His perfect love for you, turn around and shower that love upon everyone in your life, beginning with yourself. As Matthew 19:19 reminds us, we can only love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Learn about God through His magnificent, matchless love.

SPECIAL ARTICLE: Hope in the Midst of Crisis

In the midst of this worldwide health crisis known as the Corona virus, it’s important that we recognize that we believers have a hope that the world does not know. It’s at times like these that we must hold onto our faith, and be a light in the midst of darkness.

Let’s consider some Biblical truths:

. . . according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹²in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. (Eph 3:11-12)

Our Father God accomplished His eternal purpose through Jesus Christ by giving mankind the gift of salvation. In Jesus, through Him and by Him, all who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, have been given access to our Father God; and as a result, we may have full confidence in our relationship with Him. Hallelujah!

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (Heb 10:35)

So do not abandon your assurance and faith in Jesus Christ and in His salvation. Hold onto your faith; take a firm grasp of your salvation and never let it go!

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 Joh 5:14-15)

This is a precious promise from God for us TODAY. We know that when we ask for something that agrees with the will of God, He hears us AND He gives us the specific answer for which we have asked.

You may ask, “How do I know if it’s God will for me to be healthy and well?” Here is how you may KNOW:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 Joh 2) This passage would not be in the Bible if God did not want us to be healthy.
My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. (Pro 3:1-2) God shares His wisdom with us that as we hide His Word in our hearts, it will add long life and peace to us.
It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. (Pro 3:8) God is again telling us that His Word, sown into our hearts and minds, will give health to our physical bodies and strength to our very bones.
For I am the Lord who heals you. (Ex 15:26c) The Lord declares that He is our Healer! If it was not His will for us to be healthy, He would not declare Himself to be the Mighty One who heals us.

Believe in and rely upon these supernatural words of power from God. Place your faith in Him and in His Word. Be unshakeable and stubborn in your faith in God, dear brothers and sisters! Hope in Christ who is our health, our strength, our life.

Good Things to Know

Greetings, friends! Here are some lessons I’ve learned along my way. These are applicable to and useful for all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

As soon as you receive an assignment from the Lord (which might come through your Pastor; the person who is your spiritual covering; or the Holy Spirit), you’re anointed to fulfill it! (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18) Anointed = empowered or enabled to act; set apart
Jesus is the Lord of your spirit, soul, and body. (Acts 2:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:11)
Your anointing is sufficient for your life and your world. (2 Cor. 1:21, 22)
We’re anointed to KNOW things. (1John 2:20)
Decree and agree with what the Bible says about you. (Numbers 22:35, 38; Mark 11:23)
Guard your heart. (Prov. 4:23-27; Phil. 4:7)
Pray in the Spirit. (Romans 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:13-15; Ephes. 6:18)
Walk in love; faith works by love. (Gal. 5:6) Daily life will test your love.
A disciple of Christ performs signs and wonders. (Acts 2:43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8)
Meditation upon the Scriptures transforms our belief system! (Ps. 19:14; 49:3; Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 4:15)
You are delivered from the POWER of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:13, 14)

Enjoy your extraordinary, spiritual journey, friends!

Wisdom of this World

Is there any true wisdom in this world? Here’s what the Bible has to say about worldly wisdom:

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness;” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (1 Cor 3:19-20)

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Cor 1:20)

According to the Word, there is no true wisdom that exists in this world, apart from Godly wisdom. How do we, as believers and disciples of Jesus, obtain God’s wisdom?

Ask the Lord for it. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (Jas 1:5)
Grow up into Christ—speak the truth in love. So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ . . . (Eph 4:14-15)
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)
Study the wisdom from above. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (Jas 3:17)
Understand and come to know the Lord—then boast in Him! Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jer 9:23-24)
Set your minds on things that are above. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Col 3:2) That means we need to think about heavenly, godly things. Meditate upon the Scriptures and the goodness of God.
Do not love the world or the things of the world. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 Joh 2:15-17)
Fear the Lord. By “fear,” I mean to respect and reverence the Lord. When we fear the Lord, we put His opinion about everything and His instruction to us in first place in our lives. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is (Pro 9:10) This fear of the Lord will establish us securely on the path to learning of and receiving the wisdom of God.

Blank Checks

Most people know what is meant by the term “blank check.” It implies an invitation to use however many funds or resources we may need. And these resources are supplied by the person or persons who own the checking account against which the blank check is written.

Our God has given us His Word which is full of testimonies and also promises of blessings. Quite some years ago, while teaching a class, I realized that many Scriptural promises were exactly like a blank check! I began referring to them as the “Blank Check Bible Verses.” To encourage you to search out some of these precious promises on your own, I’m going to share a handful of them here with you!

But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Ps 34:10b) There’s no boundary on what good thing, but rather the opposite with this verse!

Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God our salvation. (Ps 68:19) The word “benefits” can mean blessings, payments, grants, allowances, profits, etc., etc. Notice that we’re “loaded” [filled; packed; heaped; stuffed; and even overwhelmed] with these benefits DAILY! This is quite a blank check!

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Mt 7:7) Do you understand the blank check nature of this verse?

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mt 19:26) There is no limit to the word ‘ALL’ is there?

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will [His Word], He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15) The words “anything” and “whatever” are two more words that do not imply limits of any kind.

To date, I have discovered 25 such verses in the Bible, and I urge you to continue hunting for more of these wonderful promises from the heart of our loving God. Happy hunting!

Accepted In the Beloved

. . . to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Eph 1:6, emphasis added)

And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, to fulfill his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it. (Lev 22:21, emphasis added)

Accepted means: received; recognized; admitted; acknowledged; welcomed; understood; or allowed.

In Christ, we are accepted by Almighty God as perfected. How wonderful and awesome a gift we have been given!

As the verse from Leviticus above demonstrates, an offering (in the OT) had to be perfect in order to be acceptable to the Lord. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, slain in our place for our sins and iniquities.

Now, we are accepted into the household of faith, the kingdom of God, and the family of God! No matter what our past may look like, what our personality is, or what our appearance is—we are welcomed by the loving arms of Jesus! Hallelujah!

Jesus invites us to come to Him in every circumstance of life and in the face of every challenge, need, or failing. He is the very embodiment of perfect, unconditional, and unfailing LOVE. There is mercy (forgiveness, kindness, humanity, generosity) in Christ’s embrace.

Know, trust, and believe that you’re accepted in Jesus and rejoice!

What Do You Know?

Today, we’re considering what we can KNOW.

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. (John 9:31 NKJV)

Then he said, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.” (Acts 22:14 NKJV) – Ananias spoke this to Paul after he prayed for Paul to receive his sight.

… having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself … (Ephesians 1:9 NKJV)

We may claim these promises for ourselves. God has:

Chosen us (Acts 22:14; 1 Peter 2:4) – We’re precious to Him.
Caused us to know His will (John 9:31; Acts 22:14; Ephesians 1:9) – God shares mysteries with us.
Made us know His voice (Proverbs 20:12; Acts 22:14; John 10:27; 18:37) – What an honor it is to know His voice!
Promised that we’ll see the Just One – Jesus (Acts 22:14; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 7:22; 8:35) – This is a glorious promise.

We belong to the Lord Jesus; we are set apart and made holy because of that fact. We may trust Him to reveal His will to us in every circumstance; and we can accurately and clearly hear His voice, if we will train our ears to listen. If what you “hear,” agrees with the Bible, you can be reassured that you’ve heard from God!

How do you train your ears to hear Him? Read, meditate, and study the Bible, which is the Word of God. The better that you know the Word, the easier it will be for you to hear His voice, because He will never contradict His Word.

Rejoice in your sweet relationship with the God who is more than enough! Hallelujah!

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