Jeremiah 37:17 – “Now King Zedekiah sent and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, “Is there a word from the Lord?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was consumed with the question, “Is there any Word from the LORD?”  The Bible and history are filled with examples of the power and importance of hearing a Word from God!

In 2 Chronicles 19:2-4, a Word from God changed Jehoshaphat’s trajectory and life! It altered the course of the nation. We need a Sure Word today!  2 Chronicles 20:1 reveals that reality.  It begins, “After this…”   After what? The Word Jehoshaphat received.

Jehoshaphat faced the problem by going into the Temple to pray.  He got the bad report, and rather than allowing it to consume him, he sought God.  His reaction to a bad report was to seek God’s report.   His response was prayer! He made his Request to God.   His prayer was not to cause God to remember or instruct or enlighten God, but to remind himself of God’s covenant promises.

In 2 Chronicles 20:20 (perfect vision), he responded to the Rhema he had received.   A Rhema is not a formula to get God to move; it is a call to action on our part.   He Heard God.    He believed what He heard.  He rejoiced in what he heard and believed. Then, He Received the promise and provision.

His response to the Rhema should be ours. He received with Reverence, then worshipped, with rejoicing, and waited!  That’s the hard part. When the Rhema does not happen immediately or in our time frame, we reject it. That shipwrecks the purpose and prevents the provision, stripping us of the power.

Is there a Word from God?  YES! Will we hear it?  That depends on us.  Will we listen? Will we obey? Will we live as if it is a present reality?   Does God have a Now Word for Us?   We need to receive it, believe it, rejoice in it, and wait for it!  God has a plan and purpose for you!

LORD, give us your Word and the courage to act upon it!

1 Kings 18:38 – “Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, Elijah and the prophets of Baal came to my attention. Then, the Gospel of Luke completed the musing.

On Mt. Carmel, the confrontation between Elijah and Jezebel’s spiritual army offers powerful insight and encouragement.   In 1 Kings 18:38, we read, “Then the fire of the LORD fell…”  The fire is important, but don’t miss the “then.”  What led up to the Fire Falling! What brought the Fire?

The first thing Elijah did was challenge the people about their commitment. The second was to rebuild God’s altar.   Not just any altar but the altar of sacrifice and commitment to God.  This signifies giving God a place in the heart.  The third thing was to saturate the altar and sacrifice with water (prayer).   The fourth thing was a recommitment and review of the Covenant. The fifth thing was a simple prayer – Then the Fire Fell!  The sixth thing was the removal of the evil. If we want the Fire, we must restore the altar!

In Luke 17, we have a powerful message on restoring the altar and having the Fire!  You will say, “What?”    I contend that is the message.   Jesus taught about forgiveness!  I suggest that forgiveness is rebuilding the altar.

The disciples were stunned by the message of constant perpetual forgiveness from us to others (the same forgiveness we get from God).   Then in verses 7-10, what seems unrelated is germane.  The doing of responsibility is tied to forgiveness and rebuilding the altar.

It is a message that we dare not think we are super saints if we practice forgiveness.   No, it is simply doing what is expected and required.  It is normal Christianity.  It’s impossible for the flesh, but possible through God.

We want the Fire, but we fail to rebuild the altar, soak it with prayer, and then follow through.   Fire!   Where is the Fire?

LORD, help us to have the Fire of God!

Luke 5:39 – “And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I was drawn to the thought of being SATISFIED!   Please understand that being satisfied is not the same as being complacent.  

There are two types of satisfaction. That is especially true when it comes to spiritual matters.   Luke 5:39 – “And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.'”

Think about that.  The purposes of God require continual growth in grace and understanding of the things of God.   It requires being stretched and expanded so we can mature in Christ. It requires stepping out onto unfamiliar ground and into uncharted waters, totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. It requires new wine and new wineskins. It requires pruning, correction, and dying to self.  It does not feel safe because it does not allow routine and the status quo.

However, many believers are satisfied with the old wine and the continuation of the old.  It is safe! They are satisfied with the status quo.  They are satisfied to have the routine, the familiar, and live in the confidence of what they know and are accustomed to having.

If we are going to see the Kingdom Come and the Will Done, here and now, then the status quo is unacceptable!   If we are to have active faith in operation, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to shake us and shape us. New Wine in New Wineskins!

Luke 5:17-20 is the account of the paralytic brought by 4 men and let down through the roof to Jesus. In v. 20, Jesus SAW their faith! Saw It? What did He see? He saw what they did. He saw their persistence. He saw their expectations. He saw New Wineskins presented to house the New Wine of healing. Status Quo was a resounding NO for them. Healing was the goal, and nothing would hinder them. They said NO to Status Quo. How about us?

Lord help us to seek satisfaction, but never allow ourselves to become complacent!

Matthew 12:34 – “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, one word echoed in my mind – Overflow.   That began yesterday.  Today, as I read about David at a time, his men considered stoning him, and he encouraged himself in the LORD. (1 Samuel 30:6)

Then I read in Mark 16:15-18, Jesus’ Commission, Promise, and bequeathal of Power. This assignment was monumental and mountainous.   As I read, the Spirit reminded me of the word “Overflow.”  In Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45, Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

• Abundance (perisseuma) = abundance, surplus, overflow.
• Heart (kardia) = heart, but not the physical organ. Rather, the seat of thought or being.

Our words justify and condemn us. Our words are a reflection of who and what we are. Our words are thoughts brought to life and light.   The question is, what is overflowing in our hearts? What is the surplus in our hearts?

To fulfill our assignment, we must become saturated with Jesus and His Spirit. Out of that surplus (the uncontainable deposit in us), we speak and act.  It’s time to examine the overflow!  Are we fulfilling our assignment?  If not, could it be that we are not saturated enough to overflow? What is most important in life?  That’s what we are filled with!

Lord, help us to seek You above everything! Help us to become crammed full of You and Your Spirit. Help us to overflow with You! We overflow with something; let it be You!