Joshua 1:1-3 – “After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: ² “Moses my servant is dead.  Get ready! Cross the Jordan River. Lead these people into the land that I am ready to hand over to them. ³ I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses.”

Today is a day of discovery and encounter. Divine appointments are prepared, and we need to be alert so we don’t miss the angelic visitation and guidance. As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God, the Holy Spirit challenged and brought me under conviction.

I heard this: “Life words are not idle words.”  Immediately, I was impressed with the thought: Do we truly honor God’s Words as life words, or do we live as though they are idle words?   Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”   God’s Words are All Life Words!

Joshua had been in training for 40 years when Moses died.   That presented a problem and a possibility.   The problem was that he had become dependent upon Moses.  He had become comfortable being the assistant with no responsibility.  Moses had become his connection to God.  Moses was his safe place.

His assignment was to lead the nation into its inheritance.   For him to become what he had been trained to become, he had to face some harsh realities.   His security blanket (Moses) was gone.   The man who had inspired courage in him was gone.   The man whose wisdom led, provided for, and protected him was gone.   God said, “Son, Moses is dead, so you get ready; it’s on you now!”

When Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan, the kings in the region (Joshua 5:1) lost their courage and could not even breathe for fear of the Israelites.   That’s another reason we need the miraculous today.   It brings fear into the hearts and reveals God.

When Peter and John saw the lame man at the Gate Beautiful, they demonstrated a powerful truth.  They acted on the Life Words of Jesus.  Peter saw and heard the need. Peter gave the directive, “Look at us.” That caused expectations to rise in the lame man’s heart.  That expectation was essential in his healing.   He did not get what he expected, but he expected.   Expectation is fertile ground for faith to bear fruit.

Peter declared faith, speaking healing with a directive: “In the name of Jesus, stand up and walk.”   Those Life Words were seeds, but the powerful principle is seen in what Peter did.   He could have just spoken those words and walked away.  The man might or might not have walked.   But Peter believed in the power of the Name of Jesus and took the man by the hand, pulling him up.  Faith exploded, and healing was manifested.

Let me suggest that this principle crosses into every dimension of life.  The command from the Words of Life must be accompanied by action.  Action reveals the presence or absence of faith (confidence in God’s truthfulness).   

What we say is important, but what we do in conjunction with that declaration is revelatory.   If we have the Words of Life and regard them as Life Words, not idle words, we will not only say what God says but act upon them and consider them done!  If we see them as completed, we will act in harmony with that confidence.

No word of God is an idle word.   Every word from God is a Life Word!  That is another reason to study God’s Word and develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit so He can make God’s Life Words realities in our lives.

It’s time to embrace the Word and exercise our bequeathed authority.  The kingdom calls for it, the devil fears it, and the world needs it.  Be courageous.  You have God’s Life Words!

Have a fantastic Friday and rejoice as you keep your eye on the Eastern Sky.  Sunday is coming!