This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 28. In yesterday’s message I provided you a recap of the story of Abraham. The point of the message centered around the fact that faith must be birthed in the heart of God. For us to truly live by faith, we must be pursuing things that God planned for us before the world began, not selfish desires birthed in our own heart as part of our own plans.
In the takeaways portion of the message I mentioned a few things that I said I would further elaborate on today. That is what I will do. Let’s get into it.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Listening is the seed for learning.
a) Abraham did not have a Bible to read or a Pastor to follow. Abraham of significance that happened in Abraham’s life came as a result of God’s leading. He was led of the God to do what he did. He did not come with his own life’s story. It was God who called him out of Ur. It was God who said he was going to be a father of many nations. It was God who promised to make his name great and to bless all the families of the earth through his lineage. Like Abraham, God made plans for you before the world began. The key to your success is the same thing that was the key to Abraham’s success: hearing from God and having the faith to DO whatever He tells you to do.
b) The ultimate goal for the believer is to be led of the Holy Spirit in all things. This is how Jesus lived and this is how we are supposed to live.
c) Paul said, “The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them.” (Romans 8:14 ERV).
d) After contrasting the fruit of the Spirit (godliness) and the fruit of the flesh (sin), Paul said, “So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants.” (Galatians 5:16 ERV). God delivered you from the power of sin the day you were Born-Again. But you won’t live FREE from sin until you learn to be led of the Holy Spirit.
e) When you read the Bible you are reading what God SAID. This is key and critical. The Bible contains the character, attributes and nature of God. The more you read the Bible the more you get to know God for who He is. Further, the more you get to know God, the easier it will be to identify His voice, which is why you should be reading the Bible in the first place. Knowing what God SAID in the past is good, but hearing what HE IS SAYING in the present is much better. As you learn to listen to the Holy Spirit, your listening will prove critical to your learning.
2. Knowledge is the seed for change.
a) You won’t change into what God designed if you are ignorant of what He planned.
b) If you are ignorant of what God planned for you before the world began, you will never change into who You destined you to be.
c) Life in Christ is a life that must be committed to lifelong learning. There are layers and layers of revelation to the Word of God. The more Word you get down in your heart and the more experiences you have with God, the more knowledge you will have concerning Him, yourself, and what God has called you to do. Once you are equipped with that knowledge, you are positioned to change/evolve into the person God called you to be.
3. Revelation is seed for faith.
a) Faith begins where the will of God is known. If you don’t know what God planned or what He wants to do in any given situation, you are not equipped to truly release your faith for God to perform. Because that point, you don’t know what you are supposed to be asking for or agreeing with.
b) Jesus said that He only said those things He heard the Father say. He only did those things He saw the Father do (See John 5:19 & 30). This is the way we are supposed to live.
c) Jesus made it clear that He could literally DO NOTHING without hearing from the Father first. Jesus was not on this planet to do His bidding. He was here to accomplish the will of the Father. It is the same with us.
d) God sent us to this planet to accomplish what He planned for us before the world began. To get it done we will have to do it by faith. We will have to stand on what God promised, even in the face of extreme opposition. But that won’t happen if you don’t know what God promised and if you don’t know what He is leading you to do. If you are not hearing from God you don’t know what to ask for in prayer, what actions to take on a daily basis, or what to say when God sets up divine appointments for you. Revelation is the authorization for your faith. Without it you may not be in faith. You may simply be hoping and wishing for things to happen.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I expect to experience all You planned. But I cannot pursue something I am ignorant of. So I declare what You have already decreed. I am Your sheep. I hear Your voice. I am led of Your Spirit. I do what You lead me to do. I say what You lead me to say. I go where You lead me to go. I impact lives as I am led of You. I am a conduit of Your glory and Your grace in the earth. I believe You will use me this day, and every day, to touch lives in a way that only You can! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
