Take God at His Word

This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by continuing to walk through the parable of the sower.  Jesus said:

“The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people.  Sometimes the teaching falls on the path.  That is like some people who hear the teaching of God.  As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.

Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground.  They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it.  But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives.  They keep it only a short time.  As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.

Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds.  They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want.  This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.

And others are like the seed planted on the good ground.  They hear the teaching and accept it.  Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.”  (Mark 4:13-20 ERV)

For days we have been focused in on the line, “the worries of this life”, or as other translations read, “the cares of this world.”  Today we flow in that same vein with a message about taking God at His Word and entering into His rest.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  When God gives you a Word, He expects you to take Him at His Word.

a)  Most of the time there is a space between the promise you get from God and the performance of the promise.  In that space satan will do all he can to get you to take on “the cares of this world”, because as Jesus explained in this parable, the cares of this world can choke-out the Word in your life.

b)  If you have confidence in God, you believe His Word is good, and because God is who He is you take His Word to be already done, that is called FAITH!

c)  Living by faith means you are living by God’s Word, you have the confidence to take God at His Word, and you resist fear, doubt, worry and unbelief.

2.  You are called to live by faith.  True faith has a rest component to it.  When you are in-faith you are also in-rest, knowing God already did what He said He was going to do.  He did it by His unearned grace.  He did it from the foundations of the world.  Living by faith means you believe it’s already done in heaven and the manifestation of His promise in the earth is merely a matter of time.

3.  Receiving God’s peace is great, but entering into God’s rest takes you to another level.  When you enter into God’s rest concerning something, then that’s it!  As far as you are concerned, it’s a done deal.  No matter how long it actually takes to manifest in the earth, you know the matter is settled in heaven and you are not moved by anything you see.  When you live this way you do not allow “the cares of this world” to choke out the Word.

4.  Once you enter into God’s rest, the pressure of the situation has no power over you.  You don’t take on any care because you are confident in God and what He said.

5.  Once you enter into God’s rest you feel no pressure to “perform” to earn it or deserve it.  You simply believe for it.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a season of refined focus for me.  I bring my life into focus in 2016 by meditating and medicating on Your Word day and night.  Not only do I accept You Word, but I take You at Your Word.  Your Word is good with me.  If You tell me something, then as far as I am concerned, it is already done!  This is how I live by faith.  This is how I am called to live.  And living this way, I get to enter into Your divine rest.  I resist the pressure to perform.  I don’t take on any pressure to attempt to work for it or earn it.  I resist every inkling of fear, doubt and unbelief.  I enter into Your rest.  No more sleepless nights for me!  I rest in You, trust in You and believe in You.  I will accomplish all You have called me to do; not by my power, but only by Your amazing grace!  I live stress-free, worry-free and carefree!  I declare this by faith!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.