This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with a mini-series within it entitled “Focusing on the Word”. We are walking our way through the first half of the first psalm. Let’s get back to it. The Bible says:
(Psalm 1:1-3 KJV) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
(Psalm 1:1-3 ERV) “Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.”
Today we will continue to focus in on the line: “he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water”, or “they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The Bible contains 66 books of God’s will documented. There are people all over the world seeking God’s will, claiming they can’t discover it, while at the same time carrying a Bible in their hands. The Word of God contains the will of God on paper. Read it slowly, prayerfully and carefully. As you read what God said (back then) you will be in position to hear what He is saying to you today.
- Not only did God speak in His Word, but He still speaks today. Whenever I receive a prophetic Word I write it down. I have a document with the prophecies or “Words” I have received from God over the years. I go back to that document from time to time and read it carefully and prayerfully. Some have come to pass, some have not yet. Those words, released by God to me, are just as much His Word as the Words documented in the Bible. My role and responsibility is to meditate what He said, to keep it before my eyes, to keep it on my heart, to believe every Word shall come to pass in my life in the fulness of time, and to live by faith, believing what God said, even when I cannot validate it with my senses.
- The picture of the tree planted by the rivers of water is a picture of sustained success and divine prosperity. This tree has what it needs to grow and prosper. This tree stands tall and strong. This tree can withstand the storms of life. This tree is steadfast, because it is planted alongside the water. It feeds from the river daily and throughout the day. The water is its source. The water is its strength. You and I are supposed to be that tree. The water is the Word of God. When we meditate and medicate on God’s Word day and night, we are equipped to stand and withstand everything that comes our way.
- Look at the picture of the “Blessed Man” the psalmist paints for us in Psalm 1. Why is he prospering? Why is everything he does successful? Because he DELIGHTS in the Word of God and he meditates the Word day and night. He is like a tree with a constant supply of what it needs to grow and develop – he cannot and will not be moved! This can be your testimony if you give your attention/focus to the Word of God continually.
- What are you doing with the Word of God? You can have a Bible on your coffee table, in your car, on your phone, on your tablet and at your office, but if you don’t READ and MEDITATE the Word all those Bibles will do you no good.
- God expects you to read what He said, to document what He is saying, and to then give His words DEEP THOUGHT. If you give your attention and focus to God and His Word, you will begin to receive things by revelation that far exceed anything you could have ever received by education. When you give the Word of God DEEP THOUGHT, you open your heart and mind to receive DOWNLOADS from heaven. And what you receive from heaven will produce divine success in the earth.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by giving my attention to Your Word. I meditate and medicate on Your Word day and night. I give Your Word DEEP THOUGHT. I read what You said and I do so with my heart open to hear what You are saying. As you speak to me I write Your spoken words down. Those spoken words become Your Word to me. They are as much Your Word as the Words documented in the Bible. Every Word You have spoken to me shall come to pass in the fulness of Your timing. I receive Your Word. I meditate it over and over again. As I do, You speak to me. You give me DOWNLOADS from heaven. You give me revelation that exceeds my education. You give me insight, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I am successful in all that I do, because I give You and Your Word first place. You make me like that tree. I am the BLESSED MAN of Psalm 1. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
