20 Minutes
Foremost in this last time God’s people who are assured of His word have
purpose without apology. We are to have no diversion from the great work
of preaching the word of God. God’s purpose in the world to come and His
purpose in the present world are intricately intertwined. We must situate
ourselves in the framework of confidence by reminding ourselves that the
God of the bible is a God of purpose. And not just general purposes but
specific ones. He is the supreme, strategic planner of the universe. He does
nothing in a random or haphazard manner. And His purposes extend from
eternity past to eternity future, encompassing not only the ultimate destiny of
His creation, but our individual personal lives, as well. God called Abraham
to assignment in establishing his people as the Hebrews. He later revealed
Himself in a deeper way to Moses to bring His nation, Israel. God’s last day
purpose is supremely set in Jesus who gave himself up that we may be
commissioned to display His grace and glory in this present time. We are His
workmanship, zealous for good works. We are called to the special
assignment to primarily manifest the change of heart and character that
comes from the new birth - the process of becoming holy in daily life through
grateful, spirit-empowered obedience. We are coming to the occasion to
employ all our thoughts, and cares, and time. There is the time coming
where, not when, we will abandon all except what is assigned.
Acts 6:2
We are assigned to glorify God. We are assigned to be like Christ. To exist
to do good.To expand the kingdom of God. We must come to reason to know
of the strong inner impulse toward our assigned course of action, especially
as it is accompanied by conviction of divine influence. Our purpose is broad,
collectively, our calling is specific, individually, because it lines up with the
gifts given by God and our abilities. Calling is something more than a
position. To be called is to accept and fulfill our God-given purpose.God calls
us to become the persons He created us to be, and to do the things He
designed us to do. He will partner with us as we prayerfully move forward.
This process is a spiritual journey on an apostolic level in which we will learn
new things about ourself and about our relationship with the Lord. We must
realize that we are named in being called. God called the light and He named
it day. He called the firmament and named it heaven. He called the dry land
and named it earth. The beloved of God are called to be saints. And God
says...
II Chronicles 7:14
Acts 15:14
The truth is plain: God is pursuing with omnipotent delight a worldwide
purpose of gathering a people for His name from every tribe and language
and nation. He has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the fame of His name
among the nations. Do we understand what God’s word and God’s name is
to do for us?
Psalms 138:2
As this scripture is reasoned with, remember, neither is there salvation in any
other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved. This text is not speaking about the specific
designation of God. It does not say “all thy names”. Its about the reputation
of God. The word “all” makes sense. It is referring to all of God’s reputation
and fame. Our assignment is “truth” and we must come to the truth in all
things...all things, especially the word of God. Do you agree? Let us reason.
Is “thy word” in this text referring to the bible as a whole, or is it referring to
something specific that God says or promises? What is the name being
praised for? Lovingkindness and truth. An unfailing loyal love, and a
faithfulness, a trustworthiness and a reliability that is of God. We are learning
of the promises of God...the covenant promises. God put His reputation on
the line by making this astonishing, unprecedented and undeserved
covenant with His people; and by keeping this covenant, He surpasses His
own reputation in the world as God. God’s covenant promise is so vast that
it exceeds how we have previously thought to worship Him. Please share
these thoughts with me. God has put His name, His reputation on the line by
giving out His Word, His promise. He has made a promise, a covenant in
particular: if He were to fail to keep it, His character would be besmirched. In
other words, His character is only as good as His Word. If God can’t keep
His own promises, then His reputation as an omnipotent and truthful God
suffers. It really is an incredible statement, and one that we frankly see
worked out in our lives all the time. We know God is faithful, but the extent
to which He actually keeps His promises in our lives is truly remarkable and
far beyond what we could even know, let alone expect of a God with such an
immutable faithfulness like His. Now I see why it is so very fundamental that
verse 1 be our praise, our worship for God with all the sincerity and zeal that
is within me, with uprightness of intention and fervency of affection, with all
inward impressions agreeing with my outward expressions. Our assignment
is to be this with all freedom and boldness in the presence of whomever,
keeping always the eye of faith toward Jesus Christ, the holy temple of God.
There is so much that God reveals to us by His word. God’s name...we are
still in the discovery stage of who He is...but this truth is sure...God has
made Himself known to us in many ways in creation and providence, but
most clearly by His word. When we come to reason the revealed truth of this
word, we become the chosen. Think about this...what came first, the word
or the scripture?
Genesis 15:1
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the bible, and the bible was with God, and the bible was
God. The bible was in the beginning with God. All things were made through
the bible, and without the bible nothing was made that was made.
In the beginning was Christ Jesus, and Jesus Christ was with God, and
Jesus Christ was God. Christ was in the beginning with God. All things were
made through Jesus Christ, and without Jesus Christ nothing was made that
was made.
His name is called The Word of God. His name is not called Bible.
Understand wisely the power of the Word, and the assigned commission
given us concerning the Word. Are we to be like the bible or are we to be like
the Word?
Hebrews 4:12
Certainly, this is not referring to the bible. The bible contains dead letters. It
cannot discern the thoughts and intents of the readers. That is Jesus’
speciality. Jesus says: “I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts.” It is
Jesus, and not the bible, that is the Word of God. We are assigned to so
know the word of God as to have spiritual discernment to identify Jesus in
others. Too many are trying to live by the bible rather than by every word of
God. Eternal life is not in the scripture.
John 5:39, 40
John 6:63
But do not take exception with the bible, the written word of God. It is
produced by the Holy Spirit, who works primarily, though not exclusively
through holy scripture, which He uses to enlighten our minds and kindle faith
in our hearts. Jesus is himself the eternal Word and could produce the mind
of God without having recourse to the writings of the bible. But he puts honor
upon the scripture, and, to set us an example, he appealed to what is written
in the law; and he says this to Satan, taking it for granted that he knew well
enough what was written. It is possible that those who are the devil's children
may yet know very well what is written in God's book; the devils believe and
tremble. This method we must take when at any time we are tempted to sin,
or at any time we have the opportunity to witness. We rely upon the word...It
is written.
The full expression of the Word of God is that which we hear from God’s
mouth, not read. That is why so many fail to come to the revealed truth of
the word of God. The word is that which is said, is spoken. Inspiration is that
which is given to the mind.
Mark 14:30, 72
Jesus spoke the word. The Holy Spirit brought the word back to Peter’s mind.
Romans 10:17
Faith is determined by what is revealed by hearing the word. That’s why two
people may hear the same truth, but one comes away with a revelation and
the other doesn’t. Who of the Godhead guides into all truth?
John 16:13
The Word speaks the word. The Holy Spirit fulfills it.
Isaiah 40:3
Luke 3:2-4
Matthew 3:1, 3, 13
Comfort(?) was sent to Isaiah to speak of Jesus’ coming to John. The Word
came.
There are some things in the scripture that God wants us to press for a
revelation of His specific word. It is the Holy Spirit that gives a deep meaning
to what is spoken. We are assigned to study to rightly divide the word.
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