Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלהים) says:
I owed you nothing but I have given you everything. You owed Me everything but you could give Me nothing. But when you and I agree and join together in love, together we can have and do everything. And how do you join with Me? My grace and your faith. And those together produce eternal life, not only in you, but also in those who will receive My Word from you.
But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:6-8.
And where do you find grace? In My gift of Jesus. Grace is My divine life pouring into you giving you skill and answers, strength and might.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:14; 16-17.
In every situation and circumstance you face in your life now upon the earth there is an answer, a right one to make all work together for your good and for a Kingdom result for all, and a wrong one that either just fails to see the truth that is in My Word come to pass or leads to chaos and disaster and every evil work.
What do you do when you thought you had the answer in My Word and you declared it boldly but what you thought should happen did not? The sick person was not healed but died, the dead person did not rise when you called them back, the promotion, home, increase, or whatever else you were believing for did not come when you expected. Do you question and blame Me? Do you give up and never try again? No, that is not the correct response. I do not lie. Remember, I give grace to the humble but I resist the proud.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:19-20.
When you get the wrong result for the Words you spoke don’t quit and say the Word does not work, that is the first three kinds of soil in the first parable My Son told in which the seed of My Word was never allowed to grow to harvest. You must look to your leader, teacher, and the master of faith, who while on earth as a man like you in all things (but, though tempted as you are by the adversary, He never sinned (and you can learn from Him how to handle that as well)) what He spoke out always came to pass. I performed His Word. He is My Word but there is a Word that is appropriate, living and working, for the proper time.
A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23.
When you read My apostle Paul’s thoughts on overcoming the adversary he tells you to put on My full armor and stand. Stand on what? My Word, the truth. But you have a whole Book of them. It is not just the written Word you are looking to, though that is very good and the right thing to do as a start for knowing My general Will, but go farther. Go beyond the Word to the author of the Word. The One who spoke the Word has the answer. Jesus told you, when a mountain is in your way, what do you do first? “Have faith in God.” And then you speak to the mountain. And then you pray the good result. And to have success in the prayer you must be free of unforgiveness. Mark 11:22-26.
How does faith for everything come? By hearing and hearing My Word. But it is a particular way to hear it. It must be the Word that moves your heart that makes you know that is the answer, YOUR answer.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word (rhema) of Christ (the anointed). Romans 10:17.
Notice, it is the Word of Christ. That is the Greek word “Christos (Χριστός),” which simply means anointed or Anointed One. “As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27. That is the Holy Spirit who guides you to all truth and brings to your remembrance what Jesus said.
“These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:25-26,
My Spirit will bring to your remembrance just the Word you need at that moment at the throne of grace.
And in in the original Greek in which Romans 10:17 was first written, the word I use in this passage for “Word” is rhema and not logos. You translate both as “word” but there is a difference. Rhema (ῥῆμα) is from rhéō, which means “to speak”, and it is a spoken word, made by the living voice, generally used for a direct communication from Me to you personally by My Spirit in you that becomes a dynamic, living word birthing faith in your heart, that is, enlightening the eyes of your heart, and it is heard with the ears of your heart giving you the knowledge of just what to do with no fear. The Spirit will bring to your remembrance My Word that is the answer to your situation. And when you know that Word you can act on it with no doubts in perfect success.
When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12.
When Gabriel brought My message to Mary to be the mother of the Messiah (Christ) she defined that word to her as “rhema.” It quickened in her heart from the logos (word that expresses My Will and overall thoughts and motives both written and spoken, used about My Words in the Bible as written and sermons and teachings that express My commandments and desires for your conduct and success, Jesus is called “Logo” for He is the true expression of My Word) she knew from the prophecy of Isaiah about the virgin with child and the child born to you on whose shoulder dominion rests that would rule from the throne of David, but now that logo became personal to her, it quickened the fulfillment of it in her heart. And she said “Let it be done to me according to your Word (rhema).” A spiritual hearing that goes with the divine inbirthing of faith. She was confident of the result and nothing could move her. It had lit her lamp.
You know My Will is to heal and to raise from the dead. You know My Will is to give you good things and for you to prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers by walking in the truth. But you need the faith that solves the crisis, temptation, test, contrary circumstance that has arisen at that moment.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author (archégos (ἀρχηγός): from arxḗ, “the first” and ágō, “to lead”, meaning the first in a long procession; a file-leader who pioneers the way for many others to follow. It does not strictly mean “author,” but rather “a person who is originator or founder of a movement and continues as the leader – i.e. pioneer leader, founding leader”) and perfecter (teleiótés (τελειότης): perfection, completeness, maturity, bringing a process to completion) of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2.
Now look to Jesus, He is your leader, your teacher, and author of your faith, for He is My Word become flesh but as one like you He shows you how to speak to the adverse situation. He has overcome the world by faith. And His Words never fell to the ground but always got the result for which they were sent. What did He do that made Him so successful? And you know I said the same about Samuel. He never said a word that fell short of being fulfilled.
Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” . . . Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, because the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the Word of the LORD. 1 Samuel 3:10:19-21.
Why was it that no words of theirs failed? Jesus explains.
For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me. John 12:49-50.
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. John 14:10.
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. John 5:19-20.
This is the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus. My prophets could not mix anything with the words I gave them. It was important they release just what I spoke into the earth so I could perform it.
“When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:22.
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21.
Jesus never just went off to cure or lay hands or command a demon out of anyone unless I had directed Him to do so. Every person He healed or addressed, He only did as I directed. You notice in the five porticoes at Bethesda there were many sick people but He only went to one. Many people died in Israel during His time there but I only tell you of three that He raised up.
He spent whole nights in prayer in deep fellowship with Me obtaining direction for His Words and actions each day. You will note when the woman caught in adultery was presented before Him He did not answer immediately but waited for My direction. And I gave Him instructions on what to write with His finger on stone as I once had done for the first written Word of Mine with Moses. There were also times that He taught when I tell you He healed everyone in the huge crowd that was ill or disabled. But you know they came to hear and be healed. They came with faith, like the woman who touched the edge of His garment and pulled the healing power out into herself by faith. If you are open and full of faith you can become a conduit of power to others who come with faith. Like when they laid the sick in the street and Peter passed by and his shadow would cause them to be healed.
Jesus showed you that in any situation, before you speak or do a work you must consult with Me if you want to make your way prosperous and successful. And I gave Joshua the same instruction when he was about to go in to take the promised land to speak only the words I gave him and not to deviate off the path I showed him. Joshua 1:7-9. And you see him consulting Me before battles and decisions, except once and that ended in him getting taken in by a lie of the Gibeonites and failing to carry out My command with them. However, I honored the covenant he had made with them.
Faith comes by hearing and seeing with your heart before you act. While it is profitable to declare My Words of healing, provision and peace in general over yourself and others, please understand there are many factors involved when you pray so you want to pray in the most effective way and that is the prayer of faith.
The prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. James 5:15.
What will get results is the level of faith in your heart and the heart of the recipient. There is the condition of their heart and of their life. Once Judas let Satan enter and take over his heart, Jesus did not cast out the devil from him or raise him from the dead. He let him go his own way. He knew it would result in no result no matter what He said or had faith for. It looks like a failure of My Word but it was not. Jesus never spoke healing into the Pharisees or laid hands on them. He tried to speak the Word to them that would touch their hearts but it did not. He let them go.
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:14.
He tried to speak healing into the people of Nazareth but He could not heal them. They had rejected the Word from Him. There was no faith there.
And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. Luke 4:23-30.
Do not just begin shooting off every healing or prosperity scripture you have ever heard when a particular trial comes and guaranteeing the immediate result. It is good to hear them often, every day if you are in need of healing and getting your mind and faith strong by feeding it with healing Scriptures. For a particular trial, read the pertinent Scriptures until you get the word that lights up your heart and jumps off the page like it is the only one there and you know that is your answer. You pounce on it like spoil in battle. Then you speak that and watch the miracle come to pass. If you like ask Me for three scriptures (two or three witnesses in My Word) that light up in you as directly applying to your need. Rely on the Holy Spirit to teach you, guide you to the truth that sets you free, and bring to your remembrance the apt Word that is timely.
I rejoice at Your Word, as one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:162.
So in everything, have no anxiety but make your need known to Me. The very first thing you should do when trouble strikes, and Jesus told you it will in this life, is get quiet and hear from Me. “Be still and know that I am God.” Meaning you know where to look for the answer for that need. You have to hear and see first with your heart. The righteous live by faith. The do not retreat but go forward in faith.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:15.
Now let Me give you guidance on this in two Scriptures that tell you exactly what to do, one from the Old and one from the New Testament:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8.
Come to Me first. Trust Me to give you the Word and guide you and do not think you know everything. Acknowledge Me in all your ways with thanksgiving and praise for the answer and the result before you even know it. Acknowledge that I am the LORD who looks ahead and provides and am present as your helper. I lead you in righteous paths for My Name’s sake, paths that give glory and bring the Kingdom to earth. Do not question Me that things are not just as you plan but seek My honor and glory, do not demean Me to others attributing an evil result to Me, turn away from evil. I did tell you to cast out demons in Jesus’ Name and not to let Satan have any part in you. Remember how the Israelites thought My promises had failed when after the tremendous victory in Jericho they were defeated by a very small number in the town of Ai? They accused Me of not performing My promises and said they might as well give up then (and they had only just begun), but I told them My promises were sure but they could not walk in them while they were sinning against Me. They had let the destroyer into their camp by sin. Once they got the sin out, i.e., got the devil out of their camp they went back on the victory trail.
And the second instruction:
For the word of God is living and working and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:12-16.
Right before this passage the discussion is how the Israelites failed to enter My rest because of doubt and unbelief, they did not faith in My promise. But the Word of promise I had given them was not an idle word, it was living and working, judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart, it is by the Word your actions are rightly judged, that is, how they line up with My Word.
He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. John 12:48.
And you come to Me through Jesus your High Priest forever. He is the only way to Me and He is a new and living way right into the Holy of Holies. And there you seek Me first with confidence in any situation, trial, test, or just a good day and receive mercy (forgiveness, supply, healing, blessing) and find grace (My life in you to give wisdom and skill) just when you need it. Come to receive the implanted Word which has the power to save your souls.
You need grace, the abundance of grace, to do the work you were designed to do. You can do nothing without Me, everything with Me, and I give it by grace but you take it by faith.
I love you. Always remember in everything and anything seek Me first and the rest will get in line for success.