In order to be strong in The Lord, we must stir ourselves up. Note that I said stir ourselves up. That’s our job not God’s. There are many Christians asking and waiting for God to stir them up but according to the Word we must stir ourselves up.
He paid the price and gave us everything needed to stir ourselves up, but He will not do it for us. It must be our choice. He will teach us how and will strengthen us so that we can stir ourselves up, but it must be our choice to do so.
2nd Timothy 1: 6 – 7 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.(NKJV)
In order to stir ourselves up we must remove the things that hinder us from being stirred up.
As soon as we start to stir ourselves up the Holy Spirit within us joins in with us as we continue to stir ourselves up. He strengthens and refreshes us as we stir.
2nd Timothy 1: 6 – 7 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. (7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.(Amplified Classic)
Hebrews 12: 12 – 13 So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands and strengthen your feeble and palsied and tottering knees, (13)And cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet [yes, make them safe and upright and happy paths that go in the right direction], so that the lame and halting [limbs] may not be put out of joint, but rather may be cured. (Amplified Classic)
Philippians 2: 13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (Amplified Classic)
Isaiah 41: 10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. (Amplified Classic)
The Living Word must abide in our hearts in order for it to bring forth the manifestation or harvest. The Living Word must abide in the heart or there can be no harvest.
The only way that satan can prevent the Living Word from bringing forth harvest is to get the believer to move away from the Living Word. Satan must prevent the Living Word from abiding in the heart of the believer otherwise The Living Word will come to harvest. He cannot prevent it from bringing forth harvest unless he can deceive the believer into moving away and letting go of the Abiding Living Word.
That is why it is so vital that we understand the Abiding Word and that we Guard Our Hearts above all that we guard.
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
If we do not guard our hearts the Living Word will not be able to come to harvest or manifestation. It is our job to guard our hearts not God’s.
Ephesians 6: 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 3: 16 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (Amplified Classic)
1st Corinthians 15: 57 – 58 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.(58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. (Amplified Classic)
2nd Corinthians 4: 16 – 18 Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. (17) For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!] (18) Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. (Amplified Classic)
Philippians 4: 12 – 13I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. (13) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].(Amplified Classic)
2nd Timothy 1: 6 – 7 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. (7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.(Amplified Classic)
Jude 20 – 21 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;(21) Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)–[which will bring you] unto life eternal. (Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
2nd Thessalians 3: 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. (NKJV)
We must govern what we focus on.
Galatians 6: 9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due timeand at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.(Amplified Classic)
Philippians 4: 8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverenceand is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].(Amplified Classic)
By these two scriptures we can see that we can chose and govern whether or not we allow ourselves to become weary and faint.
We have the right, authority, and the ability to choose what we think on. We can govern what we focus on.
Setting our Love and keeping it set on our Loving Heavenly Father and focusing on our Love Walk will prevent weariness. It will cripple the enemies ability to use weariness against us.
Weariness opens the door to the enemy. Satan watches for opportunities when we are weary. He will even help us become weary if we allow him to.
We must be consistently constant in guarding our hearts, attending to His Word, and not become weary in well doing.
Weariness is one of the issues that we all face from time to time. Weariness can be a major hindrance in our lives. We must guard our hearts against weariness.
The Word has a lot to say about becoming weary and fainting and how to overcome and prevent it.
Weariness effects our prayer life, our faith, our strength, our peace, our rest, our relationships, and even our health.
There is a difference between being tired and weariness. Being tired is normally due to physical exertion like working hard. Being tired is normally physical. Weariness is normally mental or spiritual. Stress, worry, and fear lead to weariness which can become depression.
However, being physically tired all the time can lead to stress, worry, and fear then become weariness if we allow it to take place.
Most of us focus so much on the problems and issues of life that it leads us into stress, worry, and fear. We can then become depressed and lose heart. We are focusing on the wrong things.
Weariness is a major weapon of the enemy. If we allow it to operate in our lives satan will be able to use it against us. We must guard our hearts against weariness.
What we focus and meditate on is what we will become. We have the right and power to choose and change what we focus and meditate on.
Luke 18: 1 ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up). (Amplified Classic)
Prayer and Worship that is based on God’s Living Word will help position us to focus on the right things. Prayer and Worship will help to strengthen us to the place where we will not faint, lose heart, and give up.
Philippians 4: 6 – 7 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (7) And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.(Amplified Classic)
We must above all guard our hearts in order for the Living Word to abide in our hearts. If the Living Seed of The Living Word does not abide in our hearts, it cannot bring forth Life.
We must decide how big our want to is. God has already made His decision and provided for a 100% harvest. He will back our decision. No decision is a decision.
Whatever is abiding will bring forth fruit for good or evil
Colossians 3: 1 – 2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (NKJV)
Colossians 3: 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (NKJV)
Colossians 3: 8 – 17 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (9) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, (10) and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, (11) where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.(14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.(15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (NKJV)
Colossians 3: 23 – 24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, (24) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (NKJV)
We must be consistently constant attending to His Word and not become weary in well doing.
What do we need to do to guard our hearts so that the Word will abide?
Proverbs 4: 24 – 27 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. (25) Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.(26) Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. (27) Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. (Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 is in the context of a commandment.
Attend or give attention to – This means that there is an action required on our part. Not just listen to them but to do what they say, apply them.
In order for the Word to bring forth the life and health we must do the following:
1- Attend to His Word (Amplified = consent and submit)
2- Let them not depart from our sight
3- Keep them in the center of our heart
4- Keep and guard our heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard for out of it flow the springs of life
5- Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you
6- Let your eyes look right on with fixed purpose, and let your gaze be straight before you
7- Consider well the path of your feet
8- Let all your ways be established and ordered aright.
What do we need to do to guard our hearts so that the Word will abide?
Proverbs 4: 24 – 27 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. (25) Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.(26) Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. (27) Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. (Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 is in the context of a commandment
Attend or give attention to – This means that there is an action required on our part. Not just listen to them but to do what they say, apply them.
In order for the Word to bring forth the life and health we must do the following:
1- Attend to His Word (Amplified = consent and submit)
2- Let them not depart from our sight
3- Keep them in the center of our heart
4- Keep and guard our heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard for out of it flow the springs of life
5- Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you
6- Let your eyes look right on with fixed purpose, and let your gaze be straight before you
7- Consider well the path of your feet
8- Let all your ways be established and ordered aright.
Proverbs 4: 20 – 23(Amplified Classic) My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. (22) For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
The promise is that the Word is able to bring Life and Health to all our flesh. We need to do the rest of what is contained in these verses to get the promise to work
The power to walk in Life and Health is contained in God’s Word. The Word that we attend to or the Word that abides will bring forth life and health to all our flesh.
Whatever is abiding will bring forth fruit for good or evil
Luke 6: 43 – 45 For a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit, neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (44) For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. (45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth the good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth the evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (NKJV)
John 15: 7(Amplified Classic) If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
We are to abide in Him and His Word is to abide in us. Both are by our choice.
Our Love Walk and the Abiding Word are determining factors for fruit bearing
A major hindrance and possibly the #1 hindrance is our lack of walking the love walk because Faith works by Love.
Galatians 5: 6 (Amplified Bible) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
(KJV) faith which worketh by love.
If we are not walking in love our faith will not work.
Without our faith the Word cannot be activated.
Without our faith the Word will be dormant and unable to bring forth life or fruit.
“The Abiding Seed of the Word”. If the Living Seed of The Living Word does not abide it cannot bring forth Life.
Once the Believer has the seed of the Living Word planted in His Heart and activated by the Faith of that Believer that seed will bring forth life unless it is prevented from abiding.
Our enemy satan does everything that he can to prevent the Living Word of God from abiding in the heart of the Believer. The only chance that he has is to deceive the Believer into making a choice to not allow the Living Word to abide in His heart.
If satan is unable to deceive the Believer, the Living Abiding Word in the heart of the Believer will come to manifestation. Satan cannot stop the Living Word from coming to pass any other way.
John 15: 7(Amplified Classic) If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Abide – The Greek word used here is “meno” It means to stay in a given place, state, or expectancy – To abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry for.
IF – If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you. We are to abide in Him and His Word is to abide in us. Both are by our choice.
John 1: 1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. (Amplified Classic)
Not only is God Himself the source of The Living Word but The Living Word IS God Himself. God and His Word are One.
God IS Love! The Being Love. Absolute Love.
1st John 4: 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NKJV)
1st John 4: 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (NKJV)
Because God IS Love, The Being, and God and His Word are One then God’s Word IS Love.
Because God Is absolute Life and God and His Word are One then God’s Word Is Alive, absolute Life.
Because God and His Living Word are One and God cannot lie God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth.
God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth. His Word is His bond.
Just as God never changes God’s Nature or Ways do not change; neither does His Word.
Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
God’s Living Word has Absolute Integrity. God’s Living Word is Absolute Truth.
Psalm 111: 7 – 8 The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice [faithful and right]; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy). (8) They stand fast and are established forever and ever and are done in [absolute] truth and uprightness. (Amplified Classic)
Just as God never changes God’s Nature or Ways do not change; neither does His Word. God’s Word has absolute integrity. His Word is His bond. His Word Is Absolute Truth
Not only is God Himself the source of The Living Word but The Living Word IS God Himself. God and His Word are One.
John 1: 1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. (Amplified Classic)
All that God does is done by, in, and through His Word. Everything no matter what it is conforms to His Word.
John 1: 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. (Amplified Classic)
God’s Words are Containers of God’s Life
The Word of God is alive that is why God’s Words are containers of God’s Life, God’s Word is alive; therefore, it brings forth life.
John 6: 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (NKJV)
Hebrews 4: 12 – 13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)
God’s Living Word Is Absolute Life and therefore His Living Word Is Absolute Truth.
Just as God never changes God’s Nature or Ways do not change; neither does His Word. God’s Word has absolute integrity. His Word is His bond. His Word Is Absolute Truth
As long as you live by the Word of God, you never have to be in the dark again. You never have to remain in confusion about which path to take. You never have to grope blindly along, struggling to find your own way.
The Word of God will give you all the light you need every day of your life if you’ll allow it to?
Build your faith in that Word and renew your commitment to it
If we are to live a consistent Christian Life, we must put on the new nature or new man.
In order to put on the new, we must take off the old.
Ephesians 4: 22 – 24 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (23) And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (24) And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. (Amplified Classic)
In order to put on the new nature or the new man we must renew our minds by the Living Word.
Colossians 3: 9b – 17 (NKJV) (9b) since you have put off the old man with his deeds, (10) and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, (11) where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.(14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.(15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him
If we are to live a consistent Christian Life, we must renew our minds.
Ephesian 4: 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (Amplified Classic)
Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
2nd Corinthians 4: 16 – 18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NKJV)
God Himself Is Life. Since God and His Word are One then God’s Word Is Life. Absolute Life.
The Living Word is like a Seed. Just as a seed contains life in itself, so does the Living Word. The Living Word contains the Life that it needs to bring itself to pass. But that life must be activated. We are the ones who activate that life by applying our Faith to the Word.
John 6: 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (NKJV)
This Living Word of God is constantly at work in us who believe It.
1st Thessalonians 2: 13 And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]. (Amplified Classic)
God Himself has invited each of us into the secret place of His rest. We are the ones who must choose to enter the place of His rest.
Part of God’s own Rest is His Communion with Man. This is one of God’s Greatest Desires.
It was and still is God’s intention that all His people would dwell in the secret place of His rest. But we must choose to enter that place of rest.
Hebrews 4: 10 – 11 For he who has once entered [God’s] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own. (11)Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell]. (Amplified Classic)
Psalm 91: 1 – 2 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (2) I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! (Amplified Classic)
In order to enter His Rest we must first come to Him, We must bring our lives just as they are! We must be born again. He will then qualify us to enter His Rest.
John 3: 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”(NKJV)
John 3: 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (NKJV)
If we have not received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we cannot enter the Secret Place of God’s Rest.
Anyone who is Born Again can enter into The Secret Place of God’s Rest but We must walk the Love Walk and be Spiritually Minded
Romans 8: 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (NKJV)
The Word says that we are to dwell, live, and abide continuously in The Secret Place of God’s Rest.In Order to dwell, live, and abide in The Secret Place of God’s Rest, The Word must live and abide in our hearts. The Word must be first place and final authority in every area of our lives.
John 8: 31 – 32 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. (32) And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. (Amplified Classic)
John 17: 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.(Amplified Classic)
It is the abiding Word that you know in your heart that sets you free.
John 15: 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (Amplified Classic)
When we study the Word, meditate on the Word, confess the Word, and apply our faith to the Word, it comes alive in our hearts or spirit man.
As we meditate on the Living Word the Holy Spirit will enlighten our understanding. As He enlightens our understanding we grow in the knowledge of Who God really Is and His Ways. We also grow in the knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus and what our ways are supposed to be. We become the light in a dark and hurting world revealing Jesus.
Psalm 119: 130 The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. (Amplified Classic)
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