The Bible is not literature, although it has many examples of beautiful poetry, and the greatest prose ever written. The Bible is the Word of God, and the ultimate textbook of truth for our lives. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall never pass away." (Mt. 24:35). At this time, with all of the signs pointing to the return of Christ, and with panic and pandemics abounding, the Bible is the textbook that we need to study to understand and withstand the times in which we are living.
As Joshua felt the panic of taking over the leadership of God's people after Moses's death, the LORD gave him a word to sustain him. The LORD told Joshua to "be strong and of a good courage (to strengthen, to prevail, to be resolute, firm, to give strength, to encourage, to retain, hold up, sustain, support, repair)". Being "of good courage", not only strengthens ourselves, but also gives strength and encourages others. Our good courage strengthens, holds up and sustains those things that have become weak and teetering. In the face of frightening circumstances, that good courage, according to the LORD, comes from His Word:
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Josh. 1:7-9
In the above verses to Joshua, the Word of God is to be present in our lives in three forms: we are to meditate upon it, in the same sense as a cow brings back, and chews and chews upon its cud. We are to speak it, as it is to be in our mouths, and we are to do it. This is our prosperity and success in the times of fear and trial.
Psalm 1 describes the blessed man who does not take advice from the ungodly, or give power to sinners and the scornful, but " ..his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Ps. 1:1-3
It is our meditation on the Word of God that keeps us supplied with what we need. Others panic and hoard goods, but those who are imbedded in the Word, never have to fear lack in any way.
The LORD said through His prophet Hosea, that the thing that destroys His people is their lack of knowledge of Him. "...there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land...because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing how thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children...For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD." Hos. 4:1-6, 10
God tells His people, "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction, they will seek me early. Come and let us return unto the LORD...if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
Hos. 5:15-6:1-3 (excerpt)
The people of God have a responsibility in the Word, and in the knowledge of God, especially in times such as these. Those who have become physically sick are filling the hospitals. For those who are spiritually sick, the sinners, they need the Church as their hospital. As was the case with the Pharisees, arrogance, pride and a "holier than thou" attitude, as the Church is sometimes accused of having, delivers the Word of God, and the healing of the sinner to no one.
As Peter so accurately described the lusts of the sinful man, and the scoffers of the last days who mock the seeming delay of the LORD to execute judgment, the apostle wrote that we should be reminded of the words spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament, and the words of the apostles in the New Testament, because God is not slack to keep His word of judgment. The Lord is, however, longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:1-9). The day of the Lord is coming suddenly, like a thief in the night (v. 10), and everything we see around us points to the fact that that day is very soon.
The people of God are called to 2 Chron. 7:12-16, where the LORD promises that if He sends a pestilence, He will hear the prayers of His people if His people will humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. His eyes and ears will once again be turned to His sanctified house (we are the temple of the Holy Spirit). NOW is the time when the people of God are called to bring the relief to the land, knowing, meditating, speaking, and doing the Word of God.
The LORD said through His prophet Hosea, that the thing that destroys His people is their lack of knowledge of Him. "...there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land...because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing how thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children...For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD." Hos. 4:1-6, 10
God tells His people, "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction, they will seek me early. Come and let us return unto the LORD...if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
Hos. 5:15-6:1-3 (excerpt)
The people of God have a responsibility in the Word, and in the knowledge of God, especially in times such as these. Those who have become physically sick are filling the hospitals. For those who are spiritually sick, the sinners, they need the Church as their hospital. As was the case with the Pharisees, arrogance, pride and a "holier than thou" attitude, as the Church is sometimes accused of having, delivers the Word of God, and the healing of the sinner to no one.
As Peter so accurately described the lusts of the sinful man, and the scoffers of the last days who mock the seeming delay of the LORD to execute judgment, the apostle wrote that we should be reminded of the words spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament, and the words of the apostles in the New Testament, because God is not slack to keep His word of judgment. The Lord is, however, longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:1-9). The day of the Lord is coming suddenly, like a thief in the night (v. 10), and everything we see around us points to the fact that that day is very soon.
The people of God are called to 2 Chron. 7:12-16, where the LORD promises that if He sends a pestilence, He will hear the prayers of His people if His people will humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. His eyes and ears will once again be turned to His sanctified house (we are the temple of the Holy Spirit). NOW is the time when the people of God are called to bring the relief to the land, knowing, meditating, speaking, and doing the Word of God.
*The above is based upon the 3/15/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:
Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
You can send your testimonies to:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705.
Sean Stevenson
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