The Word of God
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT
330,222,422 Americans as of 2020
9% = 29,720,018
Approx. 205,000,000 proclaimed believers of Jesus in America
29,720,018 = 14%
Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:6-8
If we are not careful and intentional, the world’s noise is what will define our hearts, not the Word of God
“…Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 NLT
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. John 5:39-40
The reason people don’t believe that it has any power today is that we have stopped mixing our studying of the bible with faith
1. READING THE BIBLE DRAWS US CLOSER TO GOD
“IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD.” JOHN 1:1-5 NIV
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you...” James 4:8 NLT
2. READING THE BIBLE GIVES US DIRECTION
“I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO TEACHES YOU WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU AND LEADS YOU ALONG THE PATHS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW.” ISAIAH 48:17 NLT
“I WILL GUIDE YOU ALONG THE BEST PATHWAY FOR YOUR LIFE. I WILL ADVISE YOU AND WATCH OVER YOU.” PSALM 32:8 NLT
“YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO GUIDE MY FEET AND A LIGHT FOR MY PATH.” PSALM 119:105 NLT
IF WE FOLLOW GOD’S GUIDANCE IT WILL LEAD US TO PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
3. READING THE BIBLE BRINGS US HEALING
“MY CHILD, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT I SAY. LISTEN CAREFULLY TO MY WORDS. DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THEM. LET THEM PENETRATE DEEP INTO YOUR HEART, FOR THEY BRING LIFE TO THOSE WHO FIND THEM, AND HEALING TO THEIR WHOLE BODY.” PROVERBS 4:20-22 NLT
“YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE” JOHN 8:32
4. READING THE BIBLE GIVES US NOURISHMENT
“PEOPLE DO NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.” MATTHEW 4:4 NLT
5. READING THE BIBLE REMINDS US OF WHAT GOD THINKS OF US
“I KNEW YOU BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN YOUR MOTHER’S WOMB. BEFORE YOU WERE BORN I SET YOU APART AND APPOINTED YOU AS MY PROPHET TO THE NATIONS.” JEREMIAH 1:5 NLT
“..BUT YOU ARE GOD’S CHOSEN TREASURE – PRIESTS WHO ARE KINGS, A SPIRITUAL ‘NATION’ SET APART AS GOD’S DEVOTED ONES. HE CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS TO EXPERIENCE HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT, AND NOW HE CLAIMS YOU AS HIS VERY OWN…”1 PETER 2:9 TPT
1. GET A BIBLE THAT MAKES SENSE TO YOU
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4. BE INTENTIONAL & PRIORITIZE
➡ READ THE TRUTH
➡ MEMORIZE THE TRUTH
➡ MEDITATE ON TRUTH
➡ UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:18-19
✓HOW WIDE IS THE LOVE OF GOD
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12
✓HOW LONG IS THE LOVE OF GOD
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me John 10:28
✓HOW DEEP IS THE LOVE OF GOD
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form. Philippians 2:7
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:38-39
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
✓HOW HIGH IS THE LOVE OF GOD
Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God…. 2 Corinthians 2:15 NLT
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Mark 12:30 NLT
“I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1 NLT
THE KEY TO A THRIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS TRUST, WHICH IS DISPLAYED THROUGH ABANDONMENT TO GOD. THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF WORSHIP.
Now he brought me back to the entrance to the Temple. I saw water pouring out from under the Temple porch to the east (the Temple faced east). The water poured from the south side of the Temple, south of the altar. He then took me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the gate complex on the east. The water was gushing from under the south front of the Temple. He walked to the east with a measuring tape and measured off fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water waist-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet. By now it was a river over my head, water to swim in, water no one could possibly walk through. He said, “Son of man, have you had a good look?” Ezekiel 47:1-7 MSG
4 LEVELS OF CONTROL
He walked to the east with a measuring tape and measured off fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was ankle-deep. Ezekiel 47:3 MSG
Be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6-8 NLT
He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was knee-deep. Ezekiel 47:4 MSG
The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:25 NLT
So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? Galatians 4:9 NLT
He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water waist-deep. Ezekiel 47:4 MSG
Taste and see that the lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the lord will lack no good thing. Psalms 34:8-10 NLT
He measured off another fifteen hundred feet. By now it was a river over my head, water to swim in, water no one could possibly walk through. Ezekiel 47:5 MSG
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:24-25 NLT
THE REWARDS OF SURRENDER
Then he took me back to the riverbank. While sitting on the bank, I noticed a lot of trees on both sides of the river. He told me, “This water flows east, descends to the Arabah and then into the sea, the sea of stagnant waters. When it empties into those waters, the sea will become fresh. Wherever the river flows, life will flourish—great schools of fish—because the river is turning the salt sea into fresh water. Where the river flows, life abounds. Fishermen will stand shoulder to shoulder along the shore from En-gedi all the way north to En-eglaim, casting their nets. The sea will teem with fish of all kinds, like the fish of the Great Mediterranean. “The swamps and marshes won’t become fresh. They’ll stay salty. “But the river itself, on both banks, will grow fruit trees of all kinds. Their leaves won’t wither, the fruit won’t fail. Every month they’ll bear fresh fruit because the river from the Sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:7-12 MSG
Wherever the river flows, life will flourish…; Where the river flows, life abounds. Ezekiel 47:8-9 MSG
WHEN WE ABANDON OURSELVES TO GOD’S WILL & PRESENCE WE BECOME THE CHURCH. THEN WE GET TO BE A PART OF SEEING SOULS SAVED & PEOPLE HEALED.
HOW TO HAVE A LIFESTYLE OF WORSHIP
1. INCORPORATE GOD IN YOUR LIFE
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NLT
2. CHOOSE TO REMAIN COMMITTED
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18 NLT
3. BE OBEDIENT
Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:15-16 NLT
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:21 NLT
4. SHOW REVERENCE
But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. John 4:23 NLT
He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalms 147:10-11 NLT
Fear of the lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. Proverbs 19:23 NLT
….True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” John 4:23 NLT
REASONS WE STRUGGLE
“The problem is most people overestimate or underestimate spiritual warfare. Funny how the devil likes when we over believe or under believe just don't bible believe” C.S. Lewis
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 NLT
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NLT
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:13 NLT
KNOWING YOUR SPIRITUAL CLIMATE IS CRITICAL TO RECEIVING THE VICTORY THAT IS ALREADY YOURS.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 NIV
…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT
EFFECTIVE WARFARE PRAYERS
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 2 Corinthians 10:1;3 NLT
1. WE MUST GET OUR HEARTS RIGHT
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil; Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:11:13-17 NLT
CHARACTER ALWAYS TRUMPS KNOWLEDGE
2. WE MUST FIGHT WITH THE RIGHT WEAPONS
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons… 2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT
OUR FOUR PRIMARY WEAPONS
…Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 NLT
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:10-11NLT
He launches his promises earthward—how swift and sure they come! Psalms 147:15 MSG
WE NEED TO REPEAT GOD’S PROMISES UNTIL WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S PROMISE
Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands—Psalms 149:6 NLT
Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:14 NLT
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Philippians 2:9-10 NLT
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. Revelations 12:11 NLT
3. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE REAL BATTLE
…knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT
Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Amos 5:14 NLT
Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life. Ephesians 4:22 NLT
But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe—until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings. Luke 11:20-22 NLT
When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. Luke 11:24-26 NLT
4. WE MUST HAVE THE RIGHT FOCUS
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT
ACTION STEPS
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 NLT
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14
He launches his promises earthward—how swift and sure they come! Psalms 147:15 MSG
WE NEED TO REPEAT GOD’S PROMISES UNTIL WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S PROMISES.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 NLT
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:2 NLT
I love you I hate you
We are having baby I wish you were never born
You look great You've gained weight
I’m giving you a raise You are incompetent
I see potential in you. You are a failure
You’re smart You’re stupid
You make me happy You annoy me
I forgive you I should have never married you
I do I want a divorce
WHEN WE PULL THE TRIGGER OF NEGATIVE WORDS TOWARDS SOMEONE IT’S LIKE SPIRITUALLY SHOOTING THEM. WE BECOME LIFE-TAKING!
So the lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. Genesis 2:19-20 NLT
THE TRUTH OF WORDS
1. THEY FLOW FROM OUR THOUGHTS
Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 NLT
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT
2. THEY SHAPE OUR FUTURE
WE MUST STOP SPEAKING NEGATIVITY INTO A LIFE THAT IS FILLED WITH POSSIBILITIES.
MIRACLES ARE RESTING ON THE TIP OF OUR TONGUES, AND WE HAVE TO WAKE THEM UP AND START SPEAKING THE PROMISES OF GOD AND HIS GOD-ORDAINED DESIGN IN OUR LIFE!
This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. Numbers 13:27 NLT
But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!… But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”…We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Numbers 13:28;30-31;33 NLT
WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY SPEAK ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO BE IN LIFE.
3. THEY LEAD TO VICTORY
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:35-40 NLT
Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Mark 4:35 NLT
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 NLT
WHEN WE PRAISE AND THANK GOD WE SEE BEYOND OUR CURRENT REALITY AND INTO OUR GOD-GIVEN DESTINY
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
ACTION STEPS
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 NLT
…Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom, and I have clear direction for my life.
I am blessed with creativity, courage, ability, and with abundance.
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control, and self-discipline.
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, and with faith, favor, and fulfillment.
I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion, and divine protection.
I am blessed with an obedient heart and with a positive outlook on life.
I declare that any curse that has ever been spoken over me, any negative evil word that has ever come against me, is broken right now.
I am blessed in the city.
I am blessed in the country.
I am blessed when I go in.
I am blessed when I come out.
Everything I put my hands on is going to prosper and succeed.
I claim these promises in the powerful name of Jesus!
HEAVEN MOVES POWERFULLY THROUGH OUR PRAYERS
And when the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures saw the Lamb had taken the scroll, they fell facedown at the feet of the Lamb and worshiped him. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls brimming full of sweet fragrant incense—which are the prayers of God’s holy lovers. Revelation 5:8 TPT
(The Angel) was given a great quantity of incense to offer up, consisting of the prayers of God’s holy people, upon the golden altar that is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the holy ones billowed up before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel filled the golden incense burner with coals of fire from the altar and hurled it onto the earth Revelation 8:3-5 TPT
CONTINUAL PRAYERS CAUSE A RELEASING OF THE MOVE OF GOD
So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Matthew 6:33 TPT
Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door. Matthew 7:7-8 TPT
Tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! Elijah was a man with human frailties, just like all of us, but he prayed and received supernatural answers. James 5:16-17 NLT