As we transition out of summer into the autumn months and the holiday season, there will be a temptation to slow down and take it easy. The year is winding down, but this is not a time for believers to slow down – there is still work to be done in 2022, and there are still things to stand for and receive by faith.
We often say of the month of March, “It’ll come in like a lion and go out like a lamb,” but during the first part of this year something dropped in my heart, that 2022 would be the opposite, that “It would come in like a lamb and go out like a lion.” The Spirit of God has been emphasizing to me that in these last three months before we enter into 2023, if we will claim and stand on it, that we will experience a time of double. So, what do you need today? Do you need healing? Do you need peace and direction? Do you need finances? Whatever it is, you can see it before the year is out. How? By getting God’s Word in your mouth.
We, as members of the “name-it-and-claim-it” group, put a strong emphasis on the written Word of God. Why do we do this? Because Jesus Himself did, and He instructed us to do the same. Many people, Christians even, will take issue with the premium we place on the Word of God because they think emphasizing the written Word will belittle the Living Word, but Jesus said it Himself in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” To keep means to know, to observe, to meditate, to protect, to keep close. So that is precisely what we must do, to the best of our ability. If it’s important to Jesus, it should be important to the entirety of His Body, the Church. While this appears to be a big doctrinal difference, even God emphasizes the Word above His own name!
Psalm 138:1, “I will praise thee with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above thy name.”
Notice this phrase, “Before all other gods”. There are a lot of “gods” or forces vying for your attention these days. The news, the economy, politicians – all of which are working to rob you of your focus and your hope – but the truth remains; the power of these so-called gods pales in comparison to that of our God!
The Name of Jesus is far greater than any other name, yet there is still something that is elevated above that, and that is His Word. In other words, God has made His Word higher than the whole of His reputation.
God does not care what people and the world think of Him. He is committed to His Word and performs His Word to the fullest. God performs His Word to the fullest, without ever asking anyone’s opinion. His Word is a love letter, a bequeathal to us, and His signature is signed in the Blood.
The Bible is God speaking to you. Many pray, “Lord, send me a word!” when God already has. By constantly feeding on God’s Word, we will never lack for direction in our lives or answers to situations. Then, when the time comes where a need arises, the right Word will rise out of your spirit.
In Mark 5:25 there is a story we all know well, the story of the woman with the issue of blood. This woman is known as a woman of great faith, and rightly so. But where did this faith come from? Her faith was great enough to touch God and take what she desperately needed, healing. What produces that kind of faith? Not popular opinion of God, but rather His Word, the undying, never changing Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the word of God!
She didn’t just hear about Jesus, but she heard the words that were setting a nation on fire, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind!” These words inspired something in her, and she began to act on it. She began to speak, “When I touch Him, I’ll be healed.” We don’t know how many times she spoke this to herself, but we do know that her words produced enough expectation in her that when she reached out for what she wanted, she would not be denied. Hearing the Word and getting it in your mouth will produce the same outcome in your testimony–you will not be denied!
There are many people crying out to God right now. There are many people who are going to church, yet still suffering. There are many people who will never step into all that God has for them because they think they have to fully understand every aspect of their miracle in order to receive, but that is a lie from the enemy meant to drive you away from the Word and keep you silent. You don’t have to understand–you just have to speak the Word that was meant to be spoken by you. It truly is simple. Speak, and the understanding and faith will come. In Mark 5, we find that there is a difference between thronging and touching. If we want to touch God with our faith, we must magnify His Word in our lives to be greater than our troubles, our struggles, and our adversities. If we will magnify His Word above all else, we will be in good company – because that was how Jesus lived.