Being ready when real life happens around us.
Father, I call for the supernatural wisdom of God to flow forth unhindered from this lesson, to reveal the hidden things of God and to bring forth the revelation that You would desire to put in the hearts of the study group: that the image of God in the Word should come alive in them, that they may walk in a higher level of faith and understanding of Your Word.
Father, I believe You for the supernatural healing power of God to flow through Your Word to the spirit, soul, and body of every person who studies this lesson with us.
We will begin today’s lesson by studying side by side Psalm 23 and John 10:1-10.
John 10:1-10 (KJV) 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Psalm 23:1-6 (AMP) 1 THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. 4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. 6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
I love the heading for Psalm 40 in the King James Bible.
The Benefits of Confidence in God
Psalm 40:1-5 (KJV) 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Barry Bennett posted this on Facebook this week, “What is Biblical meditation?”
We have all heard the expression, “you are what you eat,” but it is also true to say “you are what you think.”
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Prov. 23:7)
You are what you are today because of the things that you have allowed your heart to dwell on. What you focus on today is building your tomorrow. What is Biblical meditation?
Meditate: to engage in contemplation or reflection, to focus one's thoughts on: reflect or ponder over. To plan or project in the mind
Whether we realize it or not, we all spend a great deal of our time each day in meditation! Far too often we meditate on, think about and ponder over negative circumstances, perceived lack, frustrations, worries and the negative words of others. If we would spend more time meditating on the nature of God, the blessings of the covenant, the promises of God and His Word, it would be life and peace to us!
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Phil. 4:8)
What will you think about today? What holds space in your heart and mind? That will be your future.
Stop listening to just any and everything that the world throughs out, over and over. Try fasting from the news media for two weeks. Look up lyrics to make sure that what you are listening to is worth listening to, or whether you should deny it playtime in your ears. There are all different genres of Christian music, in which lyrics also need to be checked, did God say that? Some tunes are so catchy, cute, beautiful, they get stuck in our head, we ultimately find our minds meditating on them. Be sure it’s not wasted meditation, or even meditation on trash – “Earl Had to Die” by the Dixie Chicks.
Amos 3:3 (KJV) 3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
In this next section, I want you this week to look up Psalm 91, this is my paraphrased version of it as I turn it into a statement to agree with God.
Psalm 91:1-16 (Kimberly’s version-the extended “pestilence can’t come near my dwelling.”)
Because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, I remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand). I readily say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, He Is my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust! Because I do say, and I do trust in Him, He delivers me from the snare of the fowler and from deadly pestilence. Because I fully trust Him, He covers me with His wings and under His wings I find trust and total refuge. His truth and His faithfulness are my shield.
Therefore I am not afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that fly by day, I am not afraid of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand may fall at my right hand, but it shall not come near me. I am only a witness, because I am fully protected in the secret place of the Most High, as I only stand witness to the reward of the wicked.
Because I have made the Lord my refuge, and my Most High is my continual dwelling place, there shall be no evil befall me, nor any plague or calamity come near my body. For He gives His angels special charge over me to accompany and to defend and to preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service. His angels bear me up on their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone. I tread upon the lion and the adder, and trample them under my foot.
Because I have set my love upon Him, He delivers me; He sets me on high, because I know and understand My God, My Jesus, and have personal knowledge of His mercy, love, and kindness—I trust and rely completely on Him, knowing He will never forsake me. I call upon Him, and He answers me; He is with me in my troubles, He delivers me and honors me. With long life He satisfies me and shows me His salvation.
Paraphrased statements from God’s Word to begin speaking in our lives. . .
God’s Prescription to Defeat Worry and Fear
From Charles Capps’ book “The Tongue, A Creative Force.”
Charles says there are no harmful side effects from God’s prescription.
“I am the body of Christ and Satan hath no power over me. For I overcome evil with good” (1 Cor. 12:27; Rom. 12:21).
• • • “I am of God and have overcome him (Satan). For greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
• • • “I will fear no evil for thou art with me Lord, your Word and your Spirit they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4).
• • • “I am far from oppression, and fear does not come nigh me” (Isa. 54:14).
• • • “No weapon formed against me shall prosper, for my righteousness is of the Lord. But whatever I do will prosper for I’m like a tree that’s planted by the rivers of water” (Isa. 54:17; Ps. 1:3).
• • • “I am delivered from the evils of this present world for it is the will of God...” (Gal. 1:4).
• • • “No evil will befall me neither shall any plague come nigh my dwelling. For you have given your angels charge over me and they keep me in all my ways, and in my pathway is life and there is no death” (Ps. 91:10,11; Prov. 12:28).
• • • “I am a doer of the Word of God and am blessed in my deeds. I am happy in those things which I do because I am a doer of the Word of God” (James 1:22).
• • • “I take the shield of faith and I quench every fiery dart that the wicked one brings against me” (Eph. 6:16).
• • • “Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Therefore, I forbid any sickness or disease to come upon this body. Every disease germ and every virus that touches this body dies instantly in the name of Jesus. Every organ and every tissue of this body functions in the perfection to which God created it to function, and I forbid any malfunction in this body, in the name of Jesus” (Gal. 3:13; Rom. 8:11; Gen. 1:30; Matt. 16:19).
• • • “I am an overcomer and I overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony” (Rev. 12:11).
• • • “The devil flees from me because I resist him in the name of Jesus” (James 4:7).
• • • “The Word of God is forever settled in heaven. Therefore, I establish His Word upon this earth” (Ps. 119:89).
• • • “Great is the peace of my children for they are taught of the Lord” (Isa. 54:13).
FOR MATERIAL NEEDS CONFESS THESE THREE TIMES A DAY
“Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Christ has redeemed me from poverty, Christ has redeemed me from sickness, Christ has redeemed me from spiritual death” (Gal. 3:13; Deut. 28).
• • • “For poverty He has given me wealth, for sickness He has given me health, for death He has given me eternal life” (2 Cor. 8:9; John 10:10; John 5:24).
• • • “It is true unto me according to the Word of God” (Ps. 119:25).
• • • “I delight myself in the Lord and He gives me the desires of my heart” (Ps. 37:4).
• • • “I have given and it is given unto me good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, men given unto my bosom” (Luke 6:38).
• • • “With what measure I mete, it is measured unto me. I sow bountifully, therefore I reap bountifully. I give cheerfully, and my God has made all grace abound toward me and I having all sufficiency of all things do abound to all good works” (2 Cor. 9:6-8).
• • • “There is no lack for my God supplieth all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
• • • “The Lord is my shepherd and I DO NOT WANT because Jesus was made poor that I through His poverty might have abundance. For He came that I might have life and have it more abundantly” (Ps. 23:1; 2 Cor. 8:9; John 10:10).
• • • “And I, having received the gift of righteousness do reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17).
• • • “The Lord has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant, and Abraham’s blessings are mine” (Ps. 35:27; Gal. 3:14).
FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE CONFESS THESE THREE TIMES A DAY
“The Spirit of truth abideth in me and teaches me all things and He guides me into all truths. Therefore I confess I have perfect knowledge of every situation and every circumstance that I come up against. For I have the wisdom of God” (John 16:13; James 1:5).
• • • “I trust in the Lord with all of my heart, and I lean not unto my own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).
• • • “In all my ways I acknowledge Him and He directs my path” (Prov. 3:6).
• • • “The Word of God is a lamp unto my feet, it is a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105).
• • • “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me” (Ps. 138:8).
• • • “I let the Word of Christ dwell in me richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16).
• • • “I do follow the good shepherd and I know His voice and the voice of a stranger I will not follow” (John 10:4,5).
• • • “Jesus is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore I confess I have the wisdom of God, and I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21).
• • • “I am filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9).
• • • “I am a new creation in Christ, I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Therefore I have the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God is formed within me” (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10; 1 Cor. 2:16).
• • • “I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him that created me” (Col. 3:10).
• • • “I receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened. And I am not conformed to this world but I am transformed by the renewing of my mind. My mind is renewed by the Word of God” (Eph. 1:17,18; Rom. 12:2).
FOR COMFORT AND STRENGTH CONFESS THESE AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY
“I am increasing in the knowledge of God. I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power” (Col. 1:10,11).
• • • “I am delivered from the power of darkness and I am translated into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Col.1:13).
• • • “I am born of God and I have world overcoming faith residing on the inside of me. For greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world” (1 John 5:4,5; 1 John 4:4).
• • • “I will do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).
• • • “The joy of the Lord is my strength. The Lord is the strength of my life” (Neh. 8:10; Ps. 27:1).
• • • “The peace of God which passeth all understanding keeps my heart and my mind through Christ Jesus. And all things which are good, and pure, and perfect, and lovely, and of good report, I think on these things” (Phil. 4:7,8).
• • • “I speak the truth of the Word of God in love and I grow up into the Lord Jesus Christ in all things” (Eph. 4:15).
• • • “I let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but that which is good to edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearer. I grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby I’m sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:29,30).
• • • “No man shall take me out of his hand for I have eternal life” (John 10:29).
• • • “I let the peace of God rule in my heart and I refuse to worry about anything” (Col. 3:15).
• • • “I will not let the Word of God depart from before my eyes for it is life to me for I have found it and it is health and healing to all my flesh” (Prov. 4:21,22).
• • • “God is on my side. God is in me now, who can be against me? He has given unto me all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Therefore I am a partaker of His divine nature” (2 Cor. 6:16; John 10:10; 2 Peter 1:3,4; Rom. 8:31).
• • • “I am a believer and these signs do follow me. In the name of Jesus I cast out demons, I speak with new tongues, I lay hands on the sick and they do recover” (Mark 16:17,18).
• • • “Jesus gave me the authority to use His name. And that which I bind on earth is bound in heaven. And that which I loose on earth is loosed in heaven. Therefore in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I bind the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world. I bind and cast down spiritual wickedness in high places and render them harmless and ineffective against me in the name of Jesus” (Matt. 16:19; Matt. 18:18; Eph. 6:12).
• • • “I am complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power. For I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that I should walk therein” (Col. 2:10; Eph. 2:10).
God created the universe by the methods which you have just put into motion by the words of your mouth. God released His faith in words. Man is created in the image of God; therefore, man releases his faith in words. Words are the most powerful things in the universe today.
Let me say it again, “The Word of God conceived in the human spirit, formed by the tongue, and spoken out of the mouth becomes creative power that will work for you.” If the body of Christ would only grasp the truths and the principles that are taught in this book and put them in action, they would change this world in twenty-four hours.
Jesus said, “I HAVE TOLD MY PEOPLE THEY CAN HAVE WHAT THEY SAY, BUT MY PEOPLE ARE SAYING WHAT THEY HAVE.” WORDS ARE THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE The words you speak will either put you over in life or hold you in bondage. Many people have been held captive in their circumstances by their own words. The absence of God’s Word in your life will rob you of faith in His ability.
RECEIVE FROM GOD Put yourself in a position to receive God’s best for you by speaking His Word. God’s creative power is still just as it was in the beginning of time, when He stood there and said, “Light — be,” and light was. His Word spoken from your mouth and conceived in your heart becomes a spiritual force releasing His ability within you.
CREATIVE POWER IN YOU Man was created in the image of God and His likeness. Learn to speak His faith-filled words to your situation and see your life transformed. Allow God’s creative power to flow from you. I have told my people they can have what they say, but my people are saying what they have.
* These are not direct quotations from the Bible but these are paraphrased confessions based on the scriptures under them.
Capps, Charles. The Tongue, A Creative Force . Capps Publishing. Kindle Edition.
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