Running with God's Word: Faith, Action, and Expectation

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of God's Word

God's word is not merely a routine for believers; it is the foundation of our direction and hope. When God speaks, His word accomplishes what it is sent to do, providing healing and deliverance. We must cherish both personal and corporate words, as they guide our lives and communities. Personal words are those God speaks directly to us, while corporate words are for a group, like a church or a nation. Both are vital, and we must pay attention to them. The story of Caleb, who remembered the personal word spoken to him by Moses, illustrates how God's word can shape our lives. God's word is a promise, and He is committed to fulfilling it. [21:21]

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What personal or corporate word from God have you received that you need to cherish and act upon today?

Day 2: Diligently Seeking and Believing in God's Word

To run with God's word, we must diligently seek it, as Jesus did. Finding our word requires intentional searching and reading. Once found, we must believe in it wholeheartedly, for belief is the foundation of faith and action. This involves not just reading the scriptures but allowing them to speak to our hearts and guide our actions. Belief in God's word is not passive; it requires active engagement and trust in His promises. As we seek and believe, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His guidance and blessings. [37:30]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to seek God's word more diligently and believe in its promises for your life?

Day 3: Boldly Declaring God's Word

Our declarations should reflect our beliefs. We are encouraged to declare not just what we can afford but what we believe. An earthly declaration triggers a heavenly preparation, aligning our desires with God's promises. Declaring God's word involves speaking it out loud, affirming our faith, and aligning our words with His truth. This act of declaration is a powerful expression of faith that can bring about change in our lives and circumstances. It is a way of partnering with God in His work and inviting His presence into our situations. [50:09]

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." (Psalm 107:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one promise from God's word that you can declare boldly today, trusting in His power to bring it to fruition?

Day 4: Preparing to Act on God's Word

Acting on God's word involves preparing ourselves for His blessings, making room for His work, and being open to new opportunities. We must cleanse our lives of anything that hinders His blessings and be ready to embrace new phases. This preparation requires intentionality and a willingness to let go of the old to make way for the new. It involves aligning our actions with our declarations and being proactive in our faith journey. By preparing to act on God's word, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and fulfill His purposes in our lives. [01:09:27]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you need to cleanse or prepare to make room for God's blessings and new opportunities?

Day 5: Receiving God's Word with Expectation

We must receive God's word with hope and expectation, praying for its fulfillment and trusting in His faithfulness. God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure. As we journey through this year, let us be committed to seeking, believing, declaring, and acting on His word. Receiving God's word with expectation means having a posture of readiness and anticipation for what He will do. It involves trusting in His timing and being patient as we wait for His promises to unfold. By maintaining an attitude of expectation, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open our hearts to His work in our lives. [47:34]

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." (Micah 7:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of expectation and trust in God's timing for the promises you are waiting to see fulfilled?

Sermon Summary

Taking a deep breath, I reflect on the profound journey we embarked on today, exploring the significance of running with God's word in our lives. God's word is not just a routine for believers; it is the compass that provides direction and hope. When God speaks, His word does not return void but accomplishes what it is sent to do. This year, we are called to run with God's word, understanding its power and the difference between personal and corporate words. Personal words are those God speaks directly to us, while corporate words are for a group, like a church or a nation. Both are vital, and we must pay attention to them.

We delved into the story of Caleb, who remembered the personal word spoken to him by Moses, and how it shaped his life. Similarly, we must remember and cherish the words God speaks to us. God's word is a promise, and He is committed to fulfilling it. We are encouraged to tie our desires to His word, for that is where His commitment lies. The story of Sarah's visitation by God, as He had promised, reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure.

To run with God's word, we must first seek it diligently, as Jesus did when He found the scripture that spoke to His mission. We must believe in the word we find, declare it boldly, and act on it with faith. Our declarations should align with our beliefs, and we should not limit ourselves to what we can afford but declare what we believe. Acting on God's word involves preparing ourselves for the blessings He has in store, making room for His work in our lives, and being open to new phases and opportunities.

Finally, we must receive God's word with expectation, praying for its fulfillment and trusting in His faithfulness. As we journey through this year, let us be committed to seeking, believing, declaring, and acting on God's word, knowing that He is faithful to do as He has spoken.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of God's Word: God's word is not just a routine; it is the foundation of our direction and hope. When God speaks, His word accomplishes what it is sent to do, providing healing and deliverance. We must cherish both personal and corporate words, as they guide our lives and communities. [21:21]
2. Seeking and Believing in God's Word: To run with God's word, we must diligently seek it, as Jesus did. Finding our word requires intentional searching and reading. Once found, we must believe in it wholeheartedly, for belief is the foundation of faith and action. [37:30]
3. Declaring God's Word: Our declarations should reflect our beliefs. We are encouraged to declare not just what we can afford but what we believe. An earthly declaration triggers a heavenly preparation, aligning our desires with God's promises. [50:09]
4. Acting on God's Word: Acting on God's word involves preparing ourselves for His blessings, making room for His work, and being open to new opportunities. We must cleanse our lives of anything that hinders His blessings and be ready to embrace new phases. [69:27]
5. Receiving God's Word with Expectation: We must receive God's word with hope and expectation, praying for its fulfillment and trusting in His faithfulness. God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure. As we journey through this year, let us be committed to seeking, believing, declaring, and acting on His word. [47:34]
** [47:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Importance of God's Word
[03:45] - Personal and Corporate Words
[07:20] - Caleb's Personal Word
[12:00] - God's Commitment to His Word
[16:30] - Seeking God's Word
[21:21] - Believing in God's Word
[25:45] - Declaring God's Word
[30:10] - Acting on God's Word
[37:30] - Receiving God's Word
[42:00] - Making Room for God's Blessings
[47:34] - Expectation and Fulfillment
[52:18] - Trusting in God's Timing
[57:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
[62:30] - Closing Remarks

Sermon Clips

The way God speaks to you will determine how you act in the world. When you have God's word, you will have direction. When you lack God's word, you will lack direction. When you have God's word, it becomes the hope around which your expectation is built. When you don't have God's word, whatever anybody tells you is what you will follow. So God's word is very critical in the life of a believer, particularly at the beginning of a year. It's important to know what God is saying, and that's why this morning I'm speaking to you on the topic running with God's word in this year. [00:00:57] (49 seconds) Edit Clip

So he speaks, he sends his word. But when his words land with you, number one, it can be your word. Number two, it can be our word. Now, when it's your word, it's a personal word to you, his word to you. Number two, it can be our word when it's to a group of people. For example, God can speak concerning a family. For example, God can speak about a church. God can speak concerning a nation. So his word spoken to you, my word, come and say my word. [00:04:16] (42 seconds) Edit Clip

Wow, this is beautiful. What did the Lord speak to here? The house of Israel. That's a corporate word. And I was preaching last week somewhere, and I said to them, when you belong to a house, pay attention to the word over that house. You know, when we're going to start this ministry, one of the things the Lord said to me, and those of you that have been here for some time, you must have heard it from me, the Lord said to me, a lame man cannot walk by himself, but if he enters an aircraft, he will fly. [00:12:02] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

What gets God to do it as he has said? What gets him to do it as he has spoken? There's nothing you need in your life that his power cannot accomplish. There's nothing you need in your life that his glory cannot make happen. You know, when our son Joshua was going to look for admission, he had finished his secondary school two years ago, and a few things were on my mind. Number one, I wanted him to school outside. [00:12:45] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

Some of them will come by God giving you, but some of them will come by you looking for them. In the name of Jesus, the desire, the thirst, the hunger to look for what will change your story, may the Lord give to you. Look for your word, look for our word. Now, it's my responsibility as God's servant of this house to listen to what God is saying concerning the house, and that which he has spoken, we have declared unto you. Amen. [00:29:51] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

You begin to say good things concerning yourself. Hallelujah. I'm healthy, I'm whole, I'm rich, I'm not broken, I'm well connected, I'm the righteousness of God in him. Didn't you learn from Jesus Christ? He was very clear about his identity. He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me. You see, I am the last. As long as I'm in the world, I am the light of the world. [00:56:58] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

God may God help his people. These ones came back and said, we looked at ourselves, we were like grasshoppers in front of them. So grasshoppers, okay. Everyone that saw themselves as grasshoppers died as grasshoppers in the wilderness. But this one said, we are able, let's go at once. We can't wait. How can I see a head this big and throw a stone and miss it? Let's go. And those people that said, let's go, they went. You are going this year. [00:59:40] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

Don't just stick to the little you know about yourself. God is trying to introduce you to new seasons, to new cycles. You keep on defining yourself by the old you. When God wants to, oh my God, he wants to expose the new you. You can't get new blessings if you keep defining yourself the old way. There's always a phase. Come on, say there's a phase. And there are some of you. God has been speaking to you that I need to move you into a new phase. [01:11:35] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

Open up. Hallelujah. Let me round up now. Lastly, receive your word. Receive your word. Come and say, I receive my word. Raise your right hand to heaven and say, Lord, I receive my word. Shout it loud, say, I receive my word. Yeah, receive your word. Personalize it. Hope for it. Expect it. It's not yet your word if you don't expect it to happen. Hey, pastor, every year this is how the thing is. Okay, that means that this year will be the way that's always been for you. [01:13:26] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

And you know, we read before in Joshua 14, when Caleb said, you know what the Lord spoke through Moses concerning me and you. Then in Joshua chapter 14 and in verse 12, he went again and he said, give me this mountain. Give me this mountain. Now therefore, give me this mountain. Wherefore the Lord, whereof the Lord speak in that day. Give me this mountain. That's what you do when you want to act on your work. You take the mountains. [01:16:54] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

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