Daily Bread - NOV/19/07

Ephesians 4:15 - But speaking the truth in love we may grow up into Christ in all things who is Himself the head.

Our individual growth in the things pertaining to the spiritual life demands that we speak the truth. There is only one source of truth and that is the word of God. Our confession is very important to the results that we get. Our willingness to agree with the truth and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord resulted in our salvation. We learn from Paul in this same context that our confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10; Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 12:37). Words are so important to God that He used them to create the heavens and the earth and everything that is in them (Psalms 33:6,9; Hebrews 11:3). If we are going to have the things that God has purposed for us to have then we must believe what He has said. Whatever it is that we believe is ultimately what we are going to speak. Too many times God's people speak out of fear and distrust instead of love and confidence. The things that we see and hear have such an impact on us that we forget what God said He would do if we would only believe. If we are willing to believe the love that God has for us then we know that He is going to take the best of care of us. In the midst of the crisis and the circumstances we can rise above it all through knowing and believing what God has said. If we agree with Him and confess what His word has declared then our faith will flow out with divine authority through the acknowledgement of every good thing that is in us (Philemon 1:6). If we hold fast to the confession of our faith we will have the divine provision for everything that we need because God is faithful who has promised (Hebrews 10:23; 4:14; Philippians 4:19).

I have heard many people say, "life is difficult." Actually, life is not difficult; circumstances are difficult; life is wonderful. The natural life is so important to each one of us we will desperately struggle to hold on to it. The abundant life that we have received in Christ Jesus should be even more important. The abundant life that we have been given in Christ Jesus has supplied us with a quality of life that affords us all of the blessings and provisions of God (Ephesians 1:2; Romans 5:17,21; 8:2; Galatians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Psalms 84:11). Through Christ Jesus we have been richly supplied with everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3; Philippians 4:19; Ephesians 3:16). It is our choice whether we allow circumstance to rule our lives or we allow the word of God to rule us. The facts are that whatever we are most convinced of - whether it be the circumstances or the promises of God - will be what we ultimately speak out. We have heard how God will supply our every need and how that He will cause all grace to abound to us so that we will have all sufficiency in all things, but when the difficult situations arise, do we speak according to God's word? If we are willing to be doers of the word and not hearers only then the circumstances will have to conform to the word of God and will not be able to affect us (Matthew 7:24-26). If the life of God is going to dominate our lives then we must allow God's word to have the final say in everything that we believe.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, and the faith that comes to us by the word of God will make the difference in every adverse circumstance. Therefore, let the love relationship that has been established between you and the Lord Jesus produce a confession of truth. Our defense against false beliefs in every dimension of our lives is the word of truth. Do not be carried about with every wind of doctrine and troubling situation but rather be firmly established in the word of His truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 6:7; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; John 17:17).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org