The Word of God by Carolyn Vardell

THE

WORD OF GOD

Words of Exhortation, Edification, and Comfort You are My portion and My inheritance. I found you in a desert land, in the howling void of the wilderness. I kept circling around you, penetratingly scanned you, kept you as the pupil of My eye. As an eagle that stirs up her nest and flutters over her young, I spread abroad My wings; I took you; I bore you on My pinions. I alone led you; there was no foreign god with you. I have sworn by My right hand and by My mighty arm: Surely I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and the invading sons of aliens shall not drink your new wine for which you have toiled. But you who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise Me; and you who have brought in the vintage shall drink it at the feasts celebrated in the courts of My sanctuary. You have been sought out and redeemed. You are My holy people, never forsaken. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and you shall be to Me for a name of renown, for an everlasting sign of jubilant exaltation and a memorial to My praise that shall not be cut off. Behold, you and the children I give you are for signs and for wonders that are to take place among the people from Me, the Lord of Hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion. I have made you to ride on the high places of the earth. I have made you to eat the increase of the field. I have made you to suck honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock, butter and curds of the herd, and milk of the flock, with fat of lambs, with the finest of the wheat. I have made you to drink the pure blood of the grapes. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew and approved of you as My chosen instruments; and before you were born, I separated and set you apart, consecrating you, and I appointed you as ministers to the nations. Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway, gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the peoples. You shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. I am the Lord your God. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms, to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. Gird up your loins; arise and tell them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed and break down at the sight of their faces, lest I confound you before them and permit you to be overcome. For I, behold, I have made you this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the rulers on the earth and in the heavenlies, giving you divine strength which no hostile power can overcome. And they shall fight against you, but they shall not finally prevail against you, for I am with you to deliver you. Thus says the Lord Who created 1

you and He Who formed you: Fear not, for I have redeemed you -- ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives. I have called you by your name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned or scorched, nor shall the flame kindle upon you. I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your. Saviour. You are precious in My sight, and honored, and I love you. You are called by My name. I have created you for My glory. I have formed you, and I have made you. Fear not. I am your strength, your personal bravery, and your invincible army; I will make your feet like hinds' feet, and I will make you to walk -- not to stand still in terror, but to walk -- and make progress upon your high places. As you braid together with Me, your strength and power will be changed and renewed; you will lift your wings and mount up close to Me, as eagles mount up to the sun; you will run and not be weary; you will walk and not faint or become tired. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. I, the Lord, have called you for a righteous purpose and in righteousness. I have taken you by the hand and have kept you. I have given you for a covenant to the people, for a light to the nations; to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison. Sing to Me a new song, and My praise from the end of the earth! I am the Lord; that is My name, and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images. Seek first My kingdom and My righteousness, and then all the other things will be given you besides. Give, and gifts will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together to make room for more, and running over will I cause men to give to you. For with the same measure you use when you confer benefits on others, it will be measured back to you. Know of a surety that whatever good you do for others, you will receive your reward from Me. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if you will steadfastly believe in Me, you will yourself be able to do the things that I did; and you will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. I will do -- I Myself will grant -- whatever you may ask in My name, presenting all I AM, so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in and through the Son. Yes, I will grant and will do for you whatever you shall ask in My name, presenting all I AM. Therefore, go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news to every creature of the whole human race, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse the lepers; drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany you because you believe in My name: you will drive out demons; you will speak in new tongues; you will pick up serpents and be unharmed; and even if you drink 2

anything deadly, it will not hurt you; you will lay your hands on the sick, and they will have themselves well. I will work with you and confirm the message you preach with signs and miracles following. My Spirit rests upon you -- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of Me. And He makes you of quick understanding, and your delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of Me. And you will not judge by the sight of your eyes, neither decide by the hearing of your ears; but with righteousness and justice shall you judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor and downtrodden of the earth; and you will smite the earth and the oppressor with the rod of your mouth; and with the breath of your lips you will slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of your waist, and faithfulness the girdle of your loins. My Spirit is upon you, because I have anointed you to preach the good news to the poor; I have sent you to announce release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed, who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity; to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord. You will be able to console, comfort, and encourage others in their trouble, calamity, and affliction with the same consolation and encouragement that you received from Me. A bruised reed you will not break, and a dimly burning wick you will not quench. Behold, you are My servants, whom I uphold; My elect ones in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon you; you will bring forth justice and right, and reveal truth to the nations. This is the fasted life that I have chosen for you: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every enslaving yoke, to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house. When you see the naked, cover him; and hide not yourself from the needs of your own flesh and blood. Then your light shall break forth as the morning, and your healing, your restoration, and the power of a new life shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness shall go before you conducting you to peace and prosperity, and My glory shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and I will answer; you shall cry, and I will say, "Here I AM." If you take away from your midst yokes of oppression wherever you find them, the finger pointed in scorn toward the oppressed or the godly, and every form of false, harsh, unjust, and wicked speaking; and if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry, and satisfy the need of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in darkness and your obscurity and gloom be as the noonday. I will guide you continually, and satisfy you in drought and in dry places, and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of buildings that 3

have laid waste for many generations; and you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. If you turn away your foot from doing your own pleasure, if you call My rest a spiritual delight, if you honor Me by not going your own way, seeking or finding your own pleasure, or speaking with your own words, then shall you delight yourself in Me, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage promised to you ... FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN IT! BE IT UNTO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD Deuteronomy 32:9-14 Isaiah 62:8-10, 12 Isaiah 55:13 Isaiah 8:18 Jeremiah 1:5, 8, 10, 17-19 Psalm 81:10 Matthew 10:27 Isaiah 43:1-7 Habakkuk 3:19 Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah 42:6-10 Matthew 6:33 Luke 6:38 Ephesians 6:8 John 14:12-14 Mark 16:15-20 Matthew 10:7-8 Isaiah 11:2-5 Luke 4:18-19 2 Corinthians 1:4 Isaiah 42:1-3 Isaiah 58:6-14 Luke 1:38

GOD SENT His WORD God sent Jesus, Whose name is The Word' and The Word of God2, and He confirmed and secured God's Word3; and now He lives to watch over God's Word and to perform it4. God sent His Covenant', His Will6, His purpose and His Word that speaks and 8 9 it happens , His Word of all-authority , His Word that accomplishes and prospers itself'', His Word that is eternal and exalted even above His name'', His Word that comes to pass'2.

AND HEALED THEM God's Word is life and health to all our flesh' -- dispelling all dis-ease and in its place giving wholeness, soundness, safety, preservation, healing, deliverance, restoration, and pardon.

AND DELIVERED THEM FROM THEIR DESTRUCTIONS No matter... what who why where how long how bad how serious how difficult how hopeless how deep how strong how ugly

Nothing is... too big too proud too far gone too far too old too evil too hard too strong too late too abysmal too bound too gross

God spoke and sent forth His Word that healed you, and rescued you from the pit and destruction -pulled you back from the brink of death, (Psa. 107:20 Amplified and The Message Bible)

References: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

John 1:1,14 Rev. 19:13 Heb. 8:8 - 10:23 Jere. 1:12 Amplified Heb. 6:16-20 Jn. 4:34; 1 Jn. 5:14 Jere. 29:11-13 Amplified Gen. 1:3; Rom. 4:17-21 Num. 23:19; Mt. 8:8-10 Isa. 55:11 1 Pet. 1:25; Psa. 138:2 Isa. 46:1lb; 48:3 Prov. 4:22

Thus saith the LORD . . . So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: 

it shall not return unto Me void, but



it shall accomplish that which I please, and



it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

every word is My power!

In EVERY word is My power! In every WORD is My power! In every word IS My power! In every word is MY power! In every word is My POWER!

In every word is My power!

In Ev'ry Word Is My Power

Isaiah 55:10-15

Rain and snow come from Heaven, Cause the earth to bloom and grow, Water and make it to bring forth Bread for us to eat and seed to sow. Rain makes the earth to produce as God planned it. Without the rain, there'd be no golden grain. So shall, so shall My Word be that goeth out before Me— lt won't return unto Me without producing plenty. But it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it— Water and cause your faith to spring forth from in your spirit. Hear it, receive it, believe it, My children; And decide to live as if I speak to you the Truth. You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace. Instead of thorn and briar shall come up fir and myrtle; And it shall be to the Lord for a name— For an everlasting sign shall never be cut off! I am watching o'er My Word to perform it In ev'ry word is My power. In ev'ry word is My power. In ev'ry word is My power.

© 06/12/06. Written down by Carolyn Vardell, 06/03/79. Scribe hereby gives her permission for it to be freely reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen.

God's Word is truth. Jesus is the Truth. E verything

else — everything else —

is just a fact. . . whether accurate or inaccurate.

TRUTH

only comes from God, and

God's Truth

—

His Word

—

is the only thing that will change the facts.

This is my Covenant with You, Father. This is my inheritance . . . as Your child. I am who it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living seed of the Word of God. I will NEVER be the same! I will not receive any limitation no matter who says it. I will check out everything 1 hear with the Word of God, and I'll believe the Word of my God. I confess my body is refreshed, my mind is alert, and my heart is receptive. I won't leave here like I came in Jesus' Name! So be it! Portions are quoted from John Osteen

God's Formula for Success... "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you! Be strong and confident and of good courage... Only be strong, and very courageous, that you may DO according to all the Word... Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and DO according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous; be not afraid, neither be dismayed;

for... the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:5-9 Amplified

F A V O R

ATHER

LMIGHTILY

ALIDATES

EALM

TO GRANT OFFICIAL SANCTION TO BY MARKING

KINGDOM, SPHERE, DOMAIN

How to Make MEDITATION Work The Spirit of Truth reveals His Word to us on the subject at hand— for example, healing . . .

W ithout H arm Or L ack E verywhere

We get the Word-picture of how that healing will look manifested in us.

H olding O nto P romised E xpectation

We believe God is Who He says He is and that He will do what He said because the Blood Covenant guarantees He will.

T horoughly R est U pon S ure T ruth

We refuse to doubt by looking at any other picture, but we hold fast to the previews of coming attractions in our Word-picture.

D ecides On U nbeliefB ypassing T ruth

This 100% believing hooks up with God's power, and substance is given to the Word-picture in us.

F ather A lways I nfallibly T akes H old

This isn't a long-time-coming, hang-in-there thing! That's not the Bible pattern—but rather, immediately, suddenly, and straightway, especially where our Blood Covenant inheritance is concerned. And, if we could see it all from the spiritual perspective, we'd realize that's how and when we've received everything that we've ever received from God. Saying the Word but picturing something else with the eyes of our heart (in our thoughts) is not believing. Also, expecting the manifestation "some day" is not believing, when what we need is already in our inheritance (which is already on deposit in our redemption account). It's a law that we receive according to our faith—Word results….or according to our unbelief—world results. When we meditate in the Word day and night and diligently refuse all doubt— thought, habit, assumption, tradition, symptom, or fear that limits or contradicts God's Wordby superseding the doubt with the Word of our Blood Covenant God, then Bible-believing-faith is what is left! As we stay in God's presence and as we listen and hearken to the voice of the Holy Spirit of Truth and nothing else and no one else, we will believe and doubt not. That is giving our undivided attention to His words, inclining, our heart-ear unto His sayings, letting them not depart from our eyes, and keeping them in the midst of our heart with all diligence. The manifested Word is what we have! Our God said so! "If you have faith and doubt not. . . ." (Matt. 21:21) If we'll do our part, He's Covenanted in blood to do His part! "ALL things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23) ALL means ALL—no asterisk and no exceptions. We receive whosoever's report we believe—it's our choice. Those that are diligently seeking Him have the Word-picture inside, and they know—Blood Covenant confidence know—that He is firm in adherence to His promises. Blood Covenant confidence destroys doubt and paints the hope-picture, and the Blood Covenant guarantees its manifestation.

Jesus said . . .

to those who believed on Him,

John 8:31-32

“If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

[I looked up every Greek verb and noun in the above verses in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, tracing each one back to the primary root word. The following is the result of that study:]

“IF you stay in a place of expectancy and resist destructive forces regarding what I’ve said and Who I am, you are truly Mine: you will know what I know–– no exceptions–– and that truth will make you exempt and liberated from all that once held you captive.”

CONTINUE (3306) to stay (in a given place, state, relation, or expectancy): abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for) It’s the same word that is in... where it reads... Mt. 26:38 tarry ye here and watch with Me [Jesus]... Lk. 1:56 Mary abode with her [Elizabeth] about 3 months... Jn. 1:38-40 Master, where dwellest Thou? They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day... Jn. 6:56 he that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood dwelleth in Me and I in him... Jn. 14:10 the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works... Jn. 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you...except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me... Jn. 15:7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you... Jn. 15:11 that My joy might remain in you... Rom. 9:11 the purpose of God according to election might stand... Heb. 10:34 and an enduring substance... WORD (3056) logos [from 3004 lego (prim. verb) prop. to lay forth, i.e., (fig.) relate (in words); by impl. to mean:ask, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter] something said (incl. the thought); by impl. a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; spec. (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e., Christ): account, cause, communication, doctrine, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, reason, saying, speech, talk, thing, tidings, utterance, word, work CHRIST (5547) anointed, i.e., the Messiah (a characterizing word occurring in place of the name of Jesus): Christ. [from 5548 contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e., (by impl.) to consecrate: anoint {akin to 5530 (middle of a prim. verb) to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, “graze” [touch slightly], light upon, etc.), i.e., (by impl.) to employ or (by extens.) to act towards one in a given manner: entreat, use}] DISCIPLE (3101) [from 3129 (from prim. verb) to learn (in any way): learn, understand] a learner, i.e., pupil: disciple [Webster] one who accepts, adheres to, and assists in spreading the doctrines of another INDEED (230) [adv. from 227 true (as not concealing)] truly: indeed, surely, of a surety, truly, of a (in) truth, verily, very [In gospels when Jesus said “verily, verily,” it was the word 281 [of Hebrew origin #543 sure; abstr. faithfulness; adv. truly: Amen, so be it, truth] prop. firm, i.e., (fig.) trustworthy; adv. surely (often as interjection so be it): amen, verily] KNOW (1097) a prol. form of a prim. verb; to know absolutely, in a great variety of applications with many implications (as follows): allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand TRUTH (225) [from 227 true (as not concealing)] truth: true, truth, verity MAKE YOU FREE (1659) [from 1658 unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e., (as a citizen) not a slave, or (gen.) exempt (from obligation or liability): free (man, woman); at liberty] to liberate, i.e., (fig.) to exempt (from moral, certain, or mortal liability): deliver, make free

The Foundation of All Jesus' Parables The parable of the soils — It's usually referred to as "the parable of the sower —but it's the SOIL that makes the difference...there's nothing that changes in the SOWER or the SEED. It's found in Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20, and Luke 8:5-15. Each account adds more information to complete the total picture. Have you ever thought about the fact that good soil doesn't get that way automatically...nor does it stay that way automatically? There are always birds flying around just waiting to snatch a seed away before it can get into the dirt and begin to do its thing. Rocks seem to have a way of multiplying and turning up just where you don't want them to. We all know how prevalent weeds are—why, they grow quicker than the good stuff...if they're not pulled up by the roots! Farming and gardening are 24-7-366 occupations. Jesus said this parable is the "foundation" of all other parables—"Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables?" (Luke 4:13) So, it behooves us to really grasp what He was saying. It's so practical...yet, so profound. It should be taught to every new Christian so they aren't deluded into thinking everything's just going to be hunky-dory now that they're "saved." No way! When the WORD of God is heard, one of four things happens to it: 1.

Falls by the way side soil—hard soil [hard-hearted, stiff-necked], trodden down [not valued]. This person hears the Word but doesn't understand it, and the wicked one swoops down and takes it away so he won't believe and be saved. Wow! Jesus tells it plainly... that's the power of the Word—to believe and be made whole (no matter the subject)! Abram's only responsibility when the covenant was being entered into between God and himself...was to "keep the birds away" from the split-open animals.

Falls upon rocky soil—no depth of soil, scorched by the heart, no root, lacked moisture, withered away. This person hears the Word and receives it with joy; but because he has no root in himself, he endures/believes for a while...but when tribulation/affliction/persecution [pressure] arises because of the Word, by and by he is offended...falls away.

Falls among thorns/weeds—heard, went forth, got choked, and yielded no fruit. This person hears the Word, but he allows the Word to get choked by the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and lusts [pressure to disobey the Word of 1

God] of other things. The thorns/weeds are allowed to enter in and grow. They choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful...that is, he brings no fruit to perfection [maturity]. 4. Falls into good ground—sprang up, increased, brought forth. This person hears the Word, understands it, and in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keeps it, increases...and bears fruit—x30-, x60-, x100-fold. Notice—in the good ground, the soil is identified as being the heart. This person  has kept his heart soft/supple/pliable/contrite and has kept the enemy away  by casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and  by bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4);  has moved every rock [that would cause offense] off-site, has kept the soil deep for good roots, and has made sure the ground is regularly watered by the water of the Word;  has pulled out every thorn/weed when it first rears up its ugly head—never giving a choking symptom a second chance;  has jealously guarded and protected the Word ["keeps it"] and refuses to allow it to be watered down or a "Plan B" to be settled for. That's why he brings forth full-term fruit—and the different percentages may be referring to "according to your faith, so be it unto you." As I look at this parable and remember times when I didn't bring forth fruit, I can easily pinpoint which soil my heart was and where I blew it. "Father, I acknowledge what I did, and I know You've already forgiven me in Jesus at Calvary. Now, I believe You to be my strength and warn me by Your Spirit so that I do not snag my pants twice on that nail. Thank You." Peter— Luke 22:31-32 – And the Lord said... "Simon, Simon, behold, satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted [changed your mind and direction], strengthen thy brethren." This is so very encouraging to me. Jesus KNEW what Peter was going to be tempted with, KNEW the choice he would make [Peter's heart was "rocky" soil], KNEW how convicted he would be and didn't want him to throw in the towel...but Jesus also KNEW 2

the plan He and Father had for Peter's life...and He said to Peter what He says to all of us... The enemy is going to try to sift you like wheat, and you're going to stumble and fall into his trap. BUT . . . I have prayed for you so that you won't jump ship and drown. When you get back online [Notice: I didn't say if, I said when...because I know your heart—the real you], you'll be able to strengthen those around you yes, the same ones who know what you did... but they will also see what My love and power can do to change a man. You will still fulfill what I have planned for you from before the foundation of the world. You're mine...and always will be. I love you. God doesn't love us any less when we stumble, anymore than we love our children any less when they don't do what we have instructed them to do. We want everything to be right again...so our fellowship is restored. God sends laborers across our path (people to speak truth to us, He brings scriptures to our remembrance, He whispers to us, etc.), shows us how to get back online, and strengthens us to do it. He doesn't want us bombarded and tormented with condemnation and all the other vulture-like varmints that hound us when we're entrapped. He wants us to walk in victory and in fellowship with Him, face to face. Stumbling doesn't affect our relationship, but we allow it to affect our fellowship...because we feel condemned and want to run from God—when what we need to do is run to Him for help. He loves us unconditionally—no strings attached, no matter what.

Keep on listening, Keep on shining . . . and Do what you know to do.

HEAR and DO... HEAR therefore... and be watchful to DO My Word; that it may be well with you, and that you may increase exceedingly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. HEAR... the Lord our God is one Lord the only Lord... and you shall love the Lord your God with all your mind and heart, and with your entire being, and with all your might. and these words... shall be first in your own mind and heart; then you shall whet and sharpen them, so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the minds and hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as forehead bands between your eyes. and you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates! Deut. 6:3-9

" OUCH . . . HALLELUJAH " I was watching an excellent Word-teacher years ago on television. She was standing right at the edge of the platform and made a straight-and-narrow statement from the Bible that really hit the nail on the head. An attentive listener on the front row immediately responded with, "Ouch! Hallelujah!" The listener's voice was picked up by the teacher's lapel microphone. It was one of those "God moments" that come from His heart right into every listening and contrite heart! "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? . . . "For they verily for a few days chastened us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous ("Ouch!"): nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby ("Hallelujah!")." Hebrews 12:6-7, 10-11

BEEN THERE... DONE THAT. KNOW MORE... NO MORE!

"Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 1 1 9: 1 1

The Mature . . .

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. —King James But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law. —Amplified Solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong. —The Message By practice the mature have trained their judgment to distinguish and select what is excellent. —Strong's and Webster

I AM

THE RESULT OF

WHAT I'VE BEEN TAUGHT I am the result of what I've been taught...what I've heard. I've been taught by family, friends, teachers, the world, the Church, and by God the Holy Spirit. I've believed what I've been taughtâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; for truth...to faith, or for lies...to unbelief. My heart (spirit) is full of what I've believed. My mouth speaks what is in my heart. My words determine what happens in my lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; for death and life are in the power of the tongue. What I am today is the result of my words, which came from my heart, which came from what I heard, which came from what I was taught. Therefore, I am the result of what I've been taught. Jesus said, "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matthew 12:34-37 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Don't use what you're experiencing * to "reason away" what God has said. BELIEVE His Word! He has spoken His Word, and He's covenanted to perform His Word... and nothing else. * or anyone else is experiencing

God Is Faithful [ Webster's definition of faithful —firm in adherence to promises ]

Gen. 21:1 — The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. Gen. 28:15 — I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. Exo. 2:24; 6:4-5 — And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan. I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Lev. 26:44-45 — When they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors. Num. 23:19 — God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Deut. 4:31 — For the LORD thy God...he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. Deut. 7:8-9 — Because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. Deut. 9:5 — Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but...that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers. Josh. 21:44-45 — And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Josh. 23:14 — Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Judg. 21:45 — There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. 2 Sam. 7:28 — O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant. 2 Sam. 23:5 — Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. 1 Kings 8:20, 23-24, 56 — And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. Who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise., which he promised by the hand of Moses. 2 Kings 8:19 — The LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, and to his children. 2 Kings 10:10 — Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the Lord hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah. 2 Kings 13:23 — The LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence. 1 Chron. 28:20 — The LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 2 Chron. 21:7 — Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever. Nehe. 1:5 — And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments. 2

Nehe. 9:7-8 — Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him... and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous. Psa. 9:10 — And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psa. 18:30 — As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psa. 19:9 — The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. Psa. 25:10 — All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psa. 31:5 — Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psa. 33:4 — The word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psa. 40:10 — I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Psa. 89:1-2, 5, 8, 14, 24, 28, 33-34 — With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations...thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. The heavens shall praise...thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Mercy and truth shall go before thy face. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him...my mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. My lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Psa. 92:2 — To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Psa. 94:14 — For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. Psa. 98:3 — He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. Psa. 100:5 — His truth endureth to all generations.

Psa. 103:17 — The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children. Psa. 105:8, 42 — He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. He remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. Psa. 111:5, 7-9 — He will ever be mindful of his covenant. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Psa. 117:2 — The truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Psa. 119:65, 89-90 — Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations. Psa. 132:11 - The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it. Psa. 138:2 — I will...praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Psa. 146:6 - ...which keepeth truth for ever... Isa. 11:5 — And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. Isa. 14:24, 27 — The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isa. 25:1 — Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isa. 38:7 — And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken. Isa. 40:5 — And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isa. 42:16 — And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 4

Isa. 44:21— O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. Isa. 46:9-11 — Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isa. 48:3 — I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Isa. 49:7, 16 — Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Isa. 51:6, 8 — The heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. Isa. 54:9-10 — For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. Isa. 55:11 — So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Jere. 29:10 — For thus saith the LORD, that after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. Jere. 32:40 — I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good... Jere. 33:14, 20-21 — Behold the days come saith the LORD that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. Thus saith the LORD: If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant... 5

Lam. 3:23 — Great is thy faithfulness. Ezek. 16:60, 62 — Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. Ezek. 37:14 — ...then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. Dan. 9:4 — And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments... Hos. 2:19-20 — I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. Mic. 7:20 — Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. Hag. 2:5 — According to the word that I have covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you; fear ye not. Zech. 9:11 — By the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Mal. 3:6 — For I am the LORD, I change not... Luke 1:45; Heb. 11:11 — And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord...because she judged him faithful who had promised. Luke 1:54-55, 68-70, 72-73 — He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever... for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets...to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham. John 8:26 — He that sent me is true...

Acts 13:32-33 — The promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children... Acts 27:25 — Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Rom. 3:3-4 — For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, and every man a liar... Rom. 4:19-21 — And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Rom. 11:2, 29 — God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom. 15:8 — Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers... 1 Cor. 1:9 — God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor. 10:13 — God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 2 Cor. 1:20 — All the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen... 1 Thess. 5:24 — Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 2 Tim. 1:12 — ...for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Tim. 2:13, 19 — If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. Titus 1:2 — In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began... Heb. 6:13-19 — For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For when men 7

verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil... Heb. 10:23 — Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised)... 1 Pet. 4:19 — Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 2 Pet. 3:9 — The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness... 1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 5:14-15 — And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Rev. 6:10 — And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true... Rev. 15:3 — And they sing the song...of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are they ways...

Be It Unto Me Be it unto me according to Your Word.* Be it unto me according to Your Word. It's up to You do to the thing* that I have heard. Be it unto me according to Your Word.

"Word" in Luke 1:38 and "thing" in Luke 2:15 are rhema in the Greekâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; which means *

the spoken Word of God revealed and alive in me.

When this poem (and song) came to me, it sounded like a chorus, and I kept waiting for the verses. But Father showed me that He wants this song to be sung by the individual or congregation as their response to His speaking to them through a rhema from the Word or a manifestation of the Holy Spirit (tongues and interpretation or a prophecy). He will sing the "verses,"

and this "chorus" will be the people's response. Amen.

ÂŠ 06/12/06. Written down by Carolyn Vardell, 09/24/83. Scribe hereby gives her permission for it to be freely reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen.

When You Pray Now it's time to pray, child, fellowship with God. You can stand before Him, righteous in His Son. All the old is passed away; you have been made new; You're His child, and now your Father wants to talk with you. Stand there bold in Jesus' nameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;bought with His own blood. You have the faith to take what's yours, promised in His Word. Hold it up before Him, child; show Him what you've read. He is God, He cannot lie! He'll do just what He said! Now be still and listen .... He will talk to you. He will speak of secrets and His love for you. He will show you of His Word and of things to come. Thank Him for this fellowship...and love Him and His Son.

06/12/06. Written down by Carolyn Vardell, 10/05/75. Scribe hereby gives her permission for it to be freely reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen. ÂŠ

Prayer-Waiting

You'll never, NEVER, NEVER Go to God to cast your care And hear Him say, "You'll have to wait.. I hear another's prayer! He needs Me more than you do, Child. I'll call you when I'm through. I'll help you then... please understand... He's superseded you."

NEVER

Jeremiah 33:3 Psalm 91:15

ÂŠ 03/08/05. Written down by Carolyn Vardell on 05/07/87. Scribe hereby gives her permission for it to be freely reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen.

THE WORD shall... When you go, the Word shall LEAD you; when you sleep, it shall KEEP you, and when you waken, it shall TALK with you. Proverbs 6:22 Amplified

For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. Job 33:14-17 (also read verses 18-33)

PLANS... The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the wise answer of the tongue. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits the thoughts and intents of the heart. Roll your works upon the Lord commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and so shall your plans be established and succeed. When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come. Many plans are in a man's mind, Lord's purpose for him stand.

but it is the that will

O Lord, I know that the determination of the way of a man is not in himself. It is not in man... even in a strong man and a man at his best to direct his own steps. Man's steps are ordered by the Lord... The steps of a good man are directed and established of the Lord, when He delights in his way, and He busies Himself with his every step. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him. Pr. 16:1-3,7,9; 19:20-21; Jere. 10:23; Pr. 20:24; Psa. 37:23-24

My Petition I made out a list of my desires and my needs, And I found in God's Word what He had said about these. Then I got down to pray...my petition to make, And I came before God, of His wealth to partake. In my mind's eye, I saw a large conference room there And a table... with God at the end... in a chair. Then Jesus came in, and He spoke lovingly… And He sat at God's right...Intercessor to be. But then... Someone came in that I did not expect! "Father, where will He sit? There's no chair at Your left." He just spoke to the Others, very cordial, you see, And He walked 'round the table, and He came up to me. He pulled up a chair... and put His arm around me, And said, "Don't be afraid! I will speak now for thee... For I've been here before, and I know what to say... And I tell you right now…..We will get these today!" Oh, the scriptures came fast of what the Spirit would be... How He'd take of the Word and reveal it to me... How He'd help me to pray...He would help when I'm weak… So I gave Him the list, and I just let Him speak. Jesus said, "When you pray, that's the time to believe!" And He said, "Whatsoever you ask, you'll receive!" And I have everything that I asked for that day! What a privilege to use Jesus' name .... …..and to pray!

reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen.

Two or Three... THE LAW said, "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15) JESUS said, "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every work may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." THE LAW and JESUS did not want one person to be held responsible for passing judgment on another person, so the requirement was for there to be two or three witnesses to pass down the sentenceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether to say the defendant was guilty (to bind him)...or not guilty (to loose him). After upholding the pattern established by Moses, JESUS then confirmed that He would be present in the midst of such a court proceeding...watching over the Word to perform it. These scriptures have nothing to do with prayer. God hears you when you are ... just you.

ITH-

ORDS

Be it unto me... according to Your Word. Luke 1:38