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Glad Tidings of Great Joy

  1. Joy to the World. 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:8-14 KJV

 

  1. Joy Through Obedience.

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  Hebrews 1:8-9 KJV

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Philippians 2:6-8 KJV

 

  1. The Joy Set Before Jesus. 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2 KJV

 

  1. The Joy Set Before You.

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.  1 Peter 1:8 KJV

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11 AMPC

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.  Jude 24 KJV

Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. Revelation 19:7 AMPC

REJOICE WHEN YOU SUFFER PERSECUTION

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  1 Peter 4:12-14 NKJV

If you are a child of God, submitted to the Spirit, and a doer of the Word of God, you WILL be persecuted for it. REJOICE because you are BLESSED! Reacting in anger, against persecution or opposition, is an indicator that you are not submitted to the Father and you are operating in the flesh, not the Spirit. Fighting back accomplishes nothing – you hurt the devil more by getting people saved, healed and delivered!

In 1 Timothy 4:10, Paul encourages Timothy (and us) to continue to press into the Word, into purity and into God’s will for our lives, because when your hope and trust is fixed on the living God – knowing Him as your Savior, Preserver, Maintainer, and Deliverer – then you are willing and strengthened to continue, despite the pressure to give up before the task is completed. In 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Paul says that the servant of the Lord must be patient, forbearing and willing to suffer wrong in order to continue to preach the Gospel, which has the power to open their eyes to the Truth, so that they come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil. Never just see people doing things – see that it is the devil behind the persecution, because he wants to continue to enslave people. See people as God sees them – God loves them; Jesus died for each and every one of them! You are just the messenger, bringing life and hope to the lost and dying. Don’t fail, by giving up, just because you see only with your natural eyes. See the big picture with your spiritual eyes.

1 Peter 4:16 says that if you are ill-treated and suffer as a Christian, that you should give glory that you are counted worthy to suffer in Jesus’ mighty Name! In Acts 5:41-42 the Church rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer persecution for the sake of His Name and, in spite of the threats, they continued to do exactly what they had been doing – walking in the love of God; preaching, proclaiming and demonstrating the Gospel. Persecution should not result in any other reaction from you than to humble yourself even further and give more responsibility for your life to the Father. Just commit, and continue to commit, your soul – your life – into His hands, because He will NEVER fail you (1 Peter 4:19).

Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. 26 He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense).  Hebrews 11:25-26 AMP

And what shall I say further? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,  33 Who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, 34 Extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devourings of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts. 35 [Some] women received again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured to death with clubs, refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith], so that they might be resurrected to a better life. 36 Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated – 38 [Men] of whom the world was not worthy – roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth. 39 And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised, 40 Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].  Hebrews 11:32-40 AMP

Moses and all these great people mentioned above did only this: they despised the shame and the temporary pain of persecutions, suffering and death, for the joy of the rewards of faithfulness that were before them in the presence of their God. The world was indeed not worthy of them! At the end of your life, could your name be added to this list or will you disappear into the obscurity caused by your weakness and fear?

1 Peter 1:5-8 says that you are being guarded – garrisoned – by God’s power through your faith in Him, so you should be exceedingly glad for this reason: that though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, the genuineness of your faith is being tested and as you pass the test, your rewards are piled up waiting for you for the day you finally stand before Jesus’ throne. So continue to rejoice with inexpressible, glorious, and triumphant heavenly joy! So do not fear suffering or persecution for the Gospel’s sake; be strong in faith; be loyally faithful, even unto death (Revelation 2:10). You will receive the Crown of Life handed out by none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself!

A Healing Covenant by Rodney Howard Browne

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

“There [the Lord] made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them, 26 Saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you.”  Exodus 15:25b-26 AMP

“You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst.” Exodus 23:25 AMP

Father God made a covenant of healing with Israel. This covenant applied also to those who desired or chose to come under this covenant and who committed to its commandments. There are two parts to this covenant: the commands and the promises.

The Commands:

  • Diligently hearken to God’s voice
  • Do that which is right in His sight
  • Give ear to – listen to and obey – His commandments
  • Keep all His statutes


The Promises:

  • I will put none of these diseases upon you
  • I am the Lord Who heals you
  • I will take sickness from your midst

This covenant was made a part of the New Covenant, because Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53:4 when He Himself, “took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:17).

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”  Isaiah 53: 1-12 KJV

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

When you did not know God and were ignorant of His word, you expected that sickness and disease were inevitable. When you became ill, you went to the doctor, or took medicine, or perhaps you just let it have you. Without knowledge of God’s word, most people expect to die of sickness. God says, “No!” He has provided for His obedient children to walk in divine health. For God’s part, He has done all that He can, in Jesus, and simply awaits our response. In order for us to walk in the blessing of this healing promise; this healing covenant; there are four things we must do: 1) familiarize ourselves with God’s promise to us and the conditions attached to the promise (meditate in His word until it becomes real to you); 2) take it personally (believe it’s for you): 3) walk in obedience to the conditions; 4) act on the promise (claim it as yours).

It is not enough for you to sit back and to say that you believe God’s word. You must believe that it is written TO YOU and FOR YOU! You do not need anyone else’s faith or gift. YOU can speak it, act on it and walk in it!

Joshua’s Call – Part II

And I have declared that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.  
Exodus 3:17 AMP

Therefore you shall keep all the commandments which I command you today, that you may be strong and go in and possess the land which you go across [the Jordan] to possess.  Deuteronomy 11:8 AMP

When the Lord says that He is going to do something – He WILL do it! However, He needs a man or a woman of faith to take a stand and to trust Him and to obey Him, in order to bring it to pass!

When Moses was getting ready to obey God and take the Israelites into the Promised Land, he sent twelve scouts ahead – one from each tribe into Canaan – to spy out the land. Even though it truly was a land of “milk and honey”, ten of the spies brought a bad and fearful report about the people living there, and only two brought a report of hope and faith in the Word of Almighty God! Joshua and Caleb testified to the Israelites in Numbers 14:7-9 AMP: “The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.” The people were so negative and fear-filled at that time, that they reacted angrily to Joshua and Caleb’s faith and even wanted to stone them. Now God was calling Joshua to stand up and finish what Moses started and lead this same nation – albeit the next generation – into their promised land! In the natural, it was a daunting task. Would the people follow Joshua and his faith in God, or would they do what they did to Moses? Joshua had no way of knowing. He needed faith and he needed courage; most of all he needed the Lord’s help in a powerful way, every day! Whatever God has called YOU to do – you are going to need faith and courage to accomplish it!

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. 7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NKJV

And [the Lord] charged Joshua son of Nun, Be strong and courageous and firm, for you shall bring the Israelites into the land which I swore to give them, and I will be with you.  Deuteronomy 31:23 AMP

In Joshua 1:1-9, God gives Joshua his winning strategy:

– Be strong
– Be confident
– Be of good courage
– Do according to the law which Moses commanded you
– Turn not from My words to the right or the left
– This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth
– Meditate on it day and night
– Observe and do according to all that is written in it

This is not just Joshua’s winning formula, but it is mine and yours, too. If we want to see victory and success in our own lives, then we need to do what Joshua did!

First, we need God’s personal plan for our lives. God does have a plan for each of us! We must find out what that plan is and obey God in it.

Secondly, we need to believe that God is for us, not against us. We need to have strong faith in His Word and His promises. We need to throw away all our fear; we need to stand up and be strong, confident, and of good courage. Nothing and no one can stand before us, when God is on our side!

Thirdly, we need to obey God precisely. We must be personally submitted to God’s written Word and we must also obey the Spirit of God, when He directs us. God’s will is His Word! You can only receive and experience the blessings of God when you are in the will of God. Don’t think that you can be rebellious, disobedient to God’s Word, and carnal, and still have the blessing of God on your life! Don’t turn from God’s Word – to the left or the right! We must consistently measure our lives against God’s Word and be making the adjustments to line our heart and life up with His will.

Fourthly, we must spend time in God’s Word to build our faith. Romans 10:17 NKJV says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We can’t be courageous if we don’t have faith in God. We can’t have faith in God if we don’t have God’s Word in us.

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.  Psalm 27:14 AMP

The Lord tells Joshua – if you do these things then:

– You will cause these people to inherit the promised land
– You will prosper wherever you go
– You will make your way prosperous
– You will deal wisely
– You will have good success

Then the Lord reminds Joshua again:

– I’m commanding you
– Be strong
– Be vigorous
– Be very courageous
– Do not be afraid
– Do not be dismayed
– The Lord your God is with you wherever you go!

When you absolutely trust and obey God, and DO what He tells you to do, then you are going to be successful! And God WILL be with you wherever you go!

Jesus

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people

from their sins. Now all this was done, that it

might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord

by the Prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be

with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they

shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted

is, God with us.

MATTHEW 1:21-23

 

Thank God, Joseph and Mary could go back to the Word of God

and say; “It says that a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring

forth a son.” And this description of Jesus by the angel showed us

who Jesus is — Emmanuel, God with us, God manifested in the

flesh.

 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the

angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto

him his wife: And knew her not till she had

brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his

name Jesus.

MATTHEW 1:24-25

 

Now in John 1:1 we read, In the beginning was the Word

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This

“Word” was Jesus prior to His coming on the scene in human

flesh. Jesus didn’t come into existence the day He was born. He

preexisted with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the “three in one.”

The Father said to the Son, “You need to become a man

and pay the price for man’s sin.”

 

The Son said, “I will go. I will become a man.”

The Word was spoken as a seed into the womb of Mary —

not a seed from a natural man — but the Word of God was spoken

into the womb of Mary. And she conceived and brought forth

Jesus the God-man, who was without sin, without spot, and without

blemish.

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 NKJV

God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is the Source and Creator of life. There is no life apart from God, here on earth or in eternity. The life we have is a gift from Him. Jesus has power over life and death, as well as the power to forgive sins. Through His death on the cross, He conquered death and imparted His resurrection life to those who believe in Him. Death can never conquer this life! Even if your body dies, you will continue to live on in His presence. You will never experience the sting of death!

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.  25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.  John 5:24-30 NKJV

Jesus said that the dead would hear His voice – He is talking about the spiritually dead who would hear, understand, and accept Him as Savior. The moment you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are “born again” – at that very moment, you pass from death to life, and His resurrection life is activated in you. You are “revived” and eternal or everlasting life is yours from that moment on.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:3-11 NKJV

When you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are baptized – immersed – into Christ. In God’s eyes, you (and your sins) were in him when He died. You were resurrected with Him, but your sins, and your sinful nature, remained in the grave. Now you walk in the newness of life – resurrection life! Jesus has dominion over sin and death – consider yourself dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.  1 Corinthians 15:20-22 NKJV

So it is with the resurrection of the dead. [The body] that is sown is perishable and decays, but [the body] that is resurrected is imperishable (immune to decay, immortal). 43 It is sown in dishonor and humiliation; it is raised in honor and glory. It is sown in infirmity and weakness; it is resurrected in strength and endued with power. 44 It is sown a natural (physical) body; it is raised a supernatural (a spiritual) body. [As surely as] there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life].  1 Corinthians 15:42-45 AMP

Physical death is inevitable, but it cannot keep you down – God promises that when Christ returns, you will be resurrected with Him and live forever in a glorified, supernatural, eternal body.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:51-57 NKJV

“We shall not all sleep” means that we will not all die – but we will all be changed. When Jesus returns, all believers – whether physically dead or living – will be resurrected into an incorruptible body in a twinkling of an eye. (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Death and the grave will never have complete victory over the child of God!

And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.  John 6:40 KJV

The Lord’s Plan

One of the most amazing realizations for a follower in Christ Jesus is that God has a plan for your life. He knows you, loves you, guides you, and sees exactly what you must do in every situation. Not only does He have a will for you, but He also makes it possible for you to grasp what which will is. First, God has a moral will. That is, there are universal truths, for example the 10 Commandments, that apply to every person and lady on earth.

Many of us try to ignore these precepts, but that does not annul them. Rather, these people repeatedly live in a state of rebellion against the will of their Creator. Second, God has a private will. This indicates that he has got a precise will for each individual. His plan for you is totally different than His plan for me.

Both are God-given, but customized for our own unique personalities. Because each person makes mess ups, we will see that God’s private will contains some unproven qualities.

If we step outside of God’s will, does that suggest we will never again get on track with the Lord? No, naturally not. Rather, God chooses to work inside our lives, guiding us thru whatever circumstances we are facing.

When we slip up, he’s employed thru that mistake to bring us back in line with His will. His truth never changes, but His techniques of bringing us into that truth re-form according to our situation. Don’t let your difficulties keep you out of His plan for your life. He wants to use your experiences to strengthen you for the future. One more thing.

Dealing With Guilt

Many teachers find true or fake questions a helpful tool to establish what scholars know.

Some folks appear to know straight away what’s true. Other people of us contemplate the query and realize we are just uncertain what’s the truth.

How would you answer the following questions? True or False? It’s the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. The answer is TRUE. ( John 16:8 ) When we have sinned, the Holy Spirit will cause us to feel guilty.

Why? So we may ask God’s forgiveness and be revived to a correct relationship with Him. True or False? All guilty feelings come due to sin. The answer’s Fake . Guilty feelings can come for reasons aside from our sin. An inaccurate view of God is one reason. We’re going to feel guilty when we imagine that God is having a look at our mistakes, pointing His finger at us and announcing judgment. Other times we feel guilty and don’t know why. The New Testament announces the truth that there’s no criticism for people that are in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8:1 ) and that the Spirit-filled life is to be one of joy and peace.

Rodney Howard Browne teaches us to spend this week learning to know God as he is made public in the New Testament. Look at the love and compassion Jesus had for the crowds that followed Him ( Matthew 14:14 ), for the widow ( Luke 7:13 ), the leper ( Mark 1:40-42 ) and the tax collector ( Matthew 9:9-12 ). Accept the truth that God loves you, and permit any “false” guilt to melt away. One thing more.

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.  Psalms 138:2 KJV

God exalts His Word above His own Name! Jesus is the Name above all names. The Word is exalted above the Name of Jesus. Sinners have no respect for the Word of God and, unfortunately, today there are many Christians – even preachers – who do not have the respect for the Word of God that it deserves.

He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.  Proverbs 13:13 NKJV
Through the generations, whenever people have had no Word or no access to the Word, there has been spiritual darkness and every form of bondage. On the other hand, when people are able to access the Word of God – spiritual awakening and freedom ensues. The Protestant Reformation was sparked by the Bible being translated into the languages of the people. Today we have no lack of Bibles in every translation, but people today don’t seem to be interested in opening it and reading it. They have too many other distractions and entertainments vying for their attention. The devil doesn’t want us to get into the Word or to get it into us, because the Word of God is what defeats him every time!

God’s Word is forever settled and will never pass away:

Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.  Psalms 119:89 KJV

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  Matthew 24:35 KJV

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.  1 Peter 1:23-25 KJV

Jesus IS the Word:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.  John 1:1-3 KJV

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 KJV

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  Revelation 19:13 KJV

The Word created the universe:

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  Psalms 33:6 KJV

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  Hebrews 11:3 KJV

The Word is powerful:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 KJV

The Word is trustworthy and proven:

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.  Psalms 119:89-93 NKJV

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.  Psalms 18:30 NKJV

The Word is Truth:

For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth.  Psalms 33:4 NKJV

The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.  Psalms 119:160 NKJV

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.  Psalms 119:160 KJV

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalms 119:105 KJV

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  John 17:17 KJV

 

The Word is pure:

 

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.  Psalms 119:140 KJV

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Proverbs 30:5 KJV

The Word is righteous:

My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.  Psalms 119:172 KJV

The Word is life:

This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life.  Psalms 119:50 AMP

The Word heals:

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.  Psalms 107:20 NKJV

God keeps His Word:
He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.  Psalms 105:8 KJV

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11 KJV

Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.  Jeremiah 1:12 KJV

For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.  Ezekiel 12:25 KJV

A Moment of Weakness

We all face key moments of decision, at which times our actions produce lasting consequences. The issue is, will you be ready when such a time comes?

       

David was not prepared for the moment of decision that came upon him. His mind was preoccupied with restlessness, loneliness, and worries, and it was at that moment that temptation and sin crept in. We can guard ourselves against these moments of weakness by remembering one simple word: H – A – L – T.

       

First, never allow yourself to get too HUNGRY. When the body is weak from lack of food, poor decisions will surely follow. You must respect your body and provide the sustenance it needs.

       

Second, never allow yourself to get too ANGRY. Anger clouds your judgment and can lead to regrettable decisions.

       

Third, never allow yourself to get too LONELY. When you feel isolated from others, you may find yourself willing to do anything to feel accepted or loved.

       

Fourth, never allow yourself to get too TIRED. Sleep is an absolute essential for wise decisions. When you deprive your mind and body of its necessary “down time,” you can be sure that the result will be poor choices.

       

Of course, you cannot always prevent these things, but there is one thing you can do: commit right now to never make important decisions when you are too hungry, angry, lonely, or  tired. Instead, be honest with yourself, and admit that you are unprepared to make sound judgments at those times; then, hold off on the decision until you can approach it with prayer, patience, and godly wisdom.

 

  • 1.
  • And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
  • 2.
  • And it came to pass in an eveningtide , that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
  • 3.
  • And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said , Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
  • 4.
  • And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
  • 5.
  • And the woman conceived , and sent and told David, and said , I am with child.
  • 6.
  • And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
  • 7.
  • And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
  • 8.
  • And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
  • 9.
  • But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
  • 10.
  • And when they had told David, saying , Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
  • 11.
  • And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink , and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
  • 12.
  • And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart . So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
  • 13.
  • And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk : and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
  • 14.
  • And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
  • 15.
  • And he wrote in the letter, saying , Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten , and die .
  • 16.
  • And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
  • 17.
  • And the men of the city went out , and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
  • 18.
  • Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
  • 19.
  • And charged the messenger, saying , When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
  • 20.
  • And if so be that the king’s wrath arise , and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight ? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
  • 21.
  • Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
  • 22.
  • So the messenger went , and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.
  • 23.
  • And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
  • 24.
  • And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead , and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
  • 25.
  • Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
  • 26.
  • And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead , she mourned for her husband.
  • 27.
  • And when the mourning was past , David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.