Many people today are speaking out about the messages in churches today. They are being watered down so that they will not offend anyone.  The numbers are more important than conviction of sin . They stay away from the hot topics of today because they want to be politically correct.

I have been thinking about  this and the word of God. I found notes from a sermon from Gateway Church in Texas that I took earlier this year. Reading back through them really speaks volumes about what the word of God is and what it is not.

Five hundred years ago Martin Luther posted 95 things he found that he did not agree with in the Catholic church . He nailed it to the church door in Germany. The Pope told him you have to recant what you have done. Luther’s answer,” The church was veering away from scripture. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the scriptures, I cannot recant my views because my conscience is captive to the word of God.”

My conscience is captive to the word of God ~ Wow~

I wish we all as Christ followers could say that with truth and conviction. I keep saying that there is going to come a time soon in the United State of America where we are going to be  persecuted and mocked like we have never known before just because we are Christians. We have to know the foundation on which we stand.

We must believe that scripture can bind our conscience to God. What else can do that for you? If you doubt God’s love for you , go to scripture and it tells you of His love. The word of God will get inside of you and begin to work. Only something that is alive can get inside you and work. The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

If we love God’s word, we will let God’s word read us. The word of God can only change us if we read it.

We come to God’s word to be educated and  increase in knowledge . What we love is primary. I Corinthians 8:1 tells us that knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Simply stated knowledge without love will birth arrogance. We will become arrogant about how much we know.

2 Timothy 3:16- All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Sometimes scriptures encourages us. Some scripture corrects us and BOTH come from a loving God.

Today we hear if there is a loving God then why do bad things happen? We go and acquire what we perceive we are lacking.  We sometimes carry the attitude that says, God, if you love me you will do this_______> God is saying, “Have you not seen what I have done for you? I have given you my only Son that you may have ever lasting life.”

When we can get to the point when we can say , “I don’t know why this is happening, but I do know, He will never leave me or forsake me. He is faithful to me. ” When we get to that point we are getting to what God wants for us.  For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

One of the most common mistakes we make is making judgment about God before He is finished with His work. Don’t make a judgment about God. The escape from wrong thinking, the escape from sin is to KNOW God’s promises.  Deuteronomy 11:18-21 tells us to fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds, tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you get up. Write them down on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers.

I pray for each one of us to have a new desire for God’s words.  May we increase in knowledge and truth so we can demonstrate this new-found knowledge with love. May we fall on our knees and pray like never before. Pray for the brothers and sisters in Christ that are being persecuted for being a Jesus follower. One day, here in America,  we are going to need someone praying for us being persecuted for believing in Christ. Prayer UNITES ~ Prayer is a game changer ~ Prayer is the key ~ Prayer is the answer ~ Prayer is required ~

I pray for courage and BOLDNESS ~ I found this description of boldness.

Boldness is being willing to take risks in the service of what matters. It means being courageous, speaking or acting in the face of possible danger or rebuke. Boldness, does not mean lacking fear or anxiety, rather it means pushing past these to do what is right- or what makes your heart sing.

Boldness helps us to translate our values into tangible actions. When we are bold, we are willing to risk shame and etiquette for what is right.  We dare to publicly fail if needed be and our willingness to risk failure leads at times to exhilarating successes. Clarity about our purpose and passions make us bold.

Jesus, we call upon your name, there is no other name. We ask for courage and boldness to stand firm on your word.  May we put on the armor of God and fight this spiritual battle that is happening in the flesh. I pray for victory for our brothers and sisters in Christ over seas. I pray for the strongholds to be broken and the enemy to flee in Jesus name. Lord, protect these precious warriors. Give them protection, give them refuge, give them provision. You are a mighty fortress. May they find the shelter of you Lord, the Sovereign God.  Most of all give them peace that only comes from you.  We cry out to you, hear their prayers. Hear our prayers.  Lord, make our mission clear. Lord, may we STAND and STAND FIRM in Christ ALONE ~ Amen.