Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: Words
Daily Devotional (June-01-2023) TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD - Part 1.
Matthew 14:31: “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Unbelief is the unwillingness to believe. Doubting God's word by relegating its supremacy and finality is as a result of double mindedness and if care is not taken, we might end up in unbelief.
Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or a lack of conviction. For some of us, we start to doubt the supremacy and ability of God's word (concerning a particular situation) even before we hear it. In this case, we have planted weeds of unbelief in our hearts that will not allow the word to thrive. When we start to doubt God's word even before we hear it, it's like we're saying "I'm not really sure it'll work, but let me hear it anyway". This kind of disposition also suggests that we are expecting God to do something extra to convince us or prove to us why we should choose to believe His word, and when we don't get that extra confirmation or dramatic show of signs and wonders, we relegate His word and try other options. It's as though we are questioning God's integrity by asking "Why should I believe you?" even before He speaks. God isn't a salesman or a marketing officer trying to meet targets by begging people or convincing people to use His product. His product speaks for itself and a trial will do more than convince you! The conviction actually comes from hearing the word! Conviction is as a result of hearing the word over and over again. When we doubt the ability of God's word even before we hear it, we don't give it even the slightest chance to work and it definitely can't profit us (See James 1:7).
One reason why people doubt God's word even before hearing it is because they might have tried so many options, and to their disappointment, those options didn't work . They see God's word as just another option that may or may not work or as a "let's just see what this yields" kind of option. Worse still, some people resort to God's word just to fulfill all righteousness. These are very terrible dispositions and heart postures to have. We have to understand that God's word is not just another option to try your hands on. It shouldn't be your last resort, it should be your first and only resort! Before you even hear the word, expect it to work! Have such high expectations just like the woman with the issue of blood ( See Matthew 9:21)
Another terrible heart posture to have is to choose not to believe God's word because it didn't come to you the way you expected it to come or because it came from an unlikely person. This is terrible because you could miss out on what God wants you to hear! Imagine the Pharisees not believing the words of Jesus Christ just because He didn't look like the image they had created of Him in their minds. What's even worse is that they were unrepentantly adamant. Their unbelief had become disbelief and nothing could convince them to change their minds So terrible! We have to learn to discern and humbly receive the word of God with meekness even from the most unlikely people.
AFFIRMATION: I do not walk in doubt. I believe that God's word is the most superior and final authority above all things. I do not frustrate the word. Glory!
Daily Devotional (May-29-2023) TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD, Part 2.
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:7, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Let's look at the definition of doubt again. It is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. It is a feeling of uncertainty. Very often, the reason why we doubt is because we walk by our feelings rather than the knowledge of God's word that we have. We have to understand that God's word is greater than our feelings, experiences and circumstances. Let's look at the story in Matthew 14, specifically verses 28-31.
Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water.Come," he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
In the first place, Peter wasn't sure that it was Jesus walking on water, so he asked for a sign or a confirmation as it were. Jesus, being gracious gave him a word as confirmation. The word from Jesus was "come". So Peter already got a word, and remember that Jesus had already calmed the storm in Matthew 8, so really, Peter had no reason to doubt. But what happened? He saw the wind and lost sight of the word he had heard, then fear set in and he started to sink. His doubting was giving first place to what he could see. This is often how it works with us. We get a word from God concerning something, we start to see or experience something different and we totally relegate the word we heard and give first place to what we can see or experience. It's easy to forget what you heard when you're faced with things that can shake your faith, but you must insist on the word.
As believers, we hear to see! It is what we hear that informs what we see and what we declare! For instance, a believer hears and knows that he has divine health and so, he has power over sicknesses and diseases and sickness has no place in his body. This is the word. Later on, he starts to feel feverish. At this point, uncertainty might start to set in. He feels feverish quite alright, but is that his reality in Christ?
Absolutely not! It's a feeling which can be subjected to the reality of God's word!
What should he do? He should declare the word by faith, enforce his reality in Christ Jesus and cast out the sickness with boldness!
We must not let our feelings or circumstances influence our confessions. Scripture tells us that we will have whatever we say. The tongue is powerful. It is also very easy to dwell on our feelings, experiences and circumstances and sometimes we might tend to magnify them. We have to guard our hearts, shut out every form of negativity and dwell on what God's word says.
God actually keeps to His word. He actually follows through on whatever He says and He has a reputation for being trustworthy. "How good is God's word?" someone might ask. His word is so bankable that even after heaven and earth pass, it will still remain. As long as He has said it, He will do it. You can bank on the integrity of your Father.
AFFIRMATION: I affirm that I am not double minded. I walk by faith always! I give first place to God's word and I hold fast my confession. Glory!
Watch Joseph Prince Full Sermon - Be Healed By The Washing Of The Word.
If you are dealing with a health challenge, we are believing with you for your breakthrough, and we speak the Lord’s healing over you. As you stand in faith for your complete healing, be sure to practice both faith and wisdom. Be sure to consult a qualified medical practitioner or healthcare provider regarding your health status, and do not, on your own accord, disregard any professional medical advice or stop taking your medication. We are praying for you and look forward to hearing your praise report!
Kenneth Copeland - Watch Sermon: Find Your Identity in The WORD.
You’ve got spiritual DNA! Watch Kenneth Copeland with Mark and Trina Hankins on /Believer’s Voice of Victory/ as they help you find your identity in The WORD. Learn to activate the identification you have in Christ through declaring and confessing it by faith!
Christian Daily Devotional (March-29-2023) His Word: Our Lifeline.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The importance of immersing ourselves in God's Word cannot be overstated. As followers of Christ, it is essential that we dedicate time each day to study His teachings and apply them to our lives. Our beliefs, perceptions, and assumptions shape everything we do, and they have been formed by our upbringing, experiences, and acquired knowledge.
To align our thoughts and actions with God's will, we must allow His Word to penetrate our hearts and effect the necessary transformations. The author of Hebrews likens the Word of God to a sharp, double-edged sword, capable of cutting deep into our being. Just as a sword pierces flesh and bone, God's Word reaches the innermost thoughts and attitudes hidden within our hearts. By doing so, it enables us to confront and correct the core beliefs that govern our lives.
Through the transformative power of His living and active Word, we can overcome habits, addictions, compulsive behaviors, and negative emotions. By yielding to the influence of the Holy Scriptures, we open ourselves to God's wisdom and guidance, allowing Him to shape us into the people He intended us to be.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I ask that You use Your Word to shape, refine, and transform me into the person You desire me to be. Allow Your powerful Word to reach my innermost thoughts and beliefs, so that I may evaluate them, correct them, and align them with Your will. In Jesus' Name, I pray. AMEN!
May we commit ourselves to the study of the Holy Scriptures, so that we can grow in our understanding of God's character and His plan for our lives. As we encounter challenges and trials, let us turn to the Word for comfort, strength, and guidance. By doing so, we will find the encouragement and inspiration we need to persevere in our walk of faith.
Moreover, let us share the transformative power of the Word with others, so that they too may experience the life-changing love of Christ. Through our testimonies, encouragement, and acts of kindness, we can demonstrate the impact of God's Word in our lives, drawing others to the hope and salvation found in Jesus.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the Word, we will grow in spiritual maturity, becoming more like Christ each day. Through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts will be transformed, and our lives will bear witness to the truth and love of our Savior. May we always cherish the gift of God's Word, allowing it to guide us on our journey toward eternity with Him.
Joyce Meyer (February-16-2023) Daily Devotional: Stay Safe in the Word.
Hearing from God clearly and avoiding the possibility of deception only comes from spending regular time with Him, learning Word. Listening for God's voice without having knowledge of His Word is a mistake. Knowing God's written Word protects us from deception. Trying to hear from God without knowing His Word is irresponsible and even dangerous. People who want to be led by the Spirit but are too lazy to spend time in the Word and in prayer set themselves up for deception because evil spirits are eager to whisper to listening ears. The devil tried to say things to Jesus, and He always replied, "It is written," and then quoted Scripture to refute the lies of the enemy (see Luke 4). Some people only seek God when they are in trouble and need help. But if they are not used to hearing from God, they will find recognizing His voice difficult when they really need Him.
We need to compare any idea, prompting, or thought that comes to us with God's Word. If we don't know the Word, we won't have anything against which to measure theories and arguments that rise up in our thoughts. The enemy can present wild ideas that make sense to us. The fact that thoughts are logical doesn't mean they are from God. We may like what we hear, but the fact that something appeals to us doesn't mean it is from God. We may hear something that feels good to our emotions, but if it fails to give us peace it is not from God. God's advice to us is to always follow peace and let it be an umpire in our lives (see Colossians 3:15).
Prayer of the Day: Father, I am so thankful for the promises and instruction that I find in Your Word. Today, I choose to live a thankful life simply because You instruct me to in the Word of God. I will act in obedience, and I believe that Your Word teaches me the best way to live.
Dutch Sheets (February 7 2023) Watch Daily Prayer: A Word of Hope | Give Him 15 - Daily Devotional
Bill Winston - Weekly Devotional: Sowing the Word.
SCRIPTURE:
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)
DEVOTIONAL:
Sowing the Word
Sowing the Word is taking a specific Bible verse, memorizing it, meditating it, getting it deep in our hearts and flooding our minds until it becomes so real that it begins to manifest in our lives.
Joyce Meyer (December-06-2022) Daily Devotional: Words Are Power.
Jesus said, …If you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt...even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive (Matthew 21:21–22 AMPC).
Don't misuse the power of words by talking too much without faith or talking too little about your faith. Choose kind and gentle words that lift people and quiet gossip and strife. Believe that God's grace will prevail through what you say.
Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You that I can choose to speak words of life and faith each day. No matter how I feel or what is going on around me, I’m going to encourage and strengthen my spirit, and those around me rather than my flesh, amen.
Daily Devotional (November-25-2022) PROTECT THE WORD IN YOU.
Scripture Reference: Romans 10:9-10 NIV - 'If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
Don't entertain unbelieve around you and never engage in conversations that corrupts your faith. You are designed to succeed and to prosper. Watch and protect your heart because anything you entertain around you affects your faith, positively or negatively. When you became born again you ceased living like any other person on earth. If you are not born again, Jesus said your father is the devil.
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."(John 8:44)
If you are not born again; if you have not confessed Jesus the Lord of your life, no matter the great and good things you are doing, you are of your father the devil and you will surely end up in hell. People go to hell not because they have done something wrong but they go to hell because they refused to believe in Jesus the Christ. "... Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."(Acts 4:12)
The whole world needs to know that Christ Jesus is the only way and the only Name by which man can be saved. Because of what they don't know, they walk on in darkness and in insecurity. As a Christian, your primary purpose is to get the Gospel to them and get their lives transformed. But if you start talking and walking like them, you are not only endangering yourself but you are denying them salvation. That's terrible and you don't want to do that, so my dear, stop entertaining things that corrupts your faith and salvation and start preaching the Gospel to the world.
PRAYER - The Word of God is alive in my spirit and I proclaim it to the world that Jesus is the Christ, He is the only way and by Him we have peace in our hearts. I refuse to entertain fear, and unbelieve around me even from today in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
