TWI #80--Walk it out

The Word Illustrated #80
© Pamyla Floyd
9/29/2011

Jesus saith unto him, Rise; take up thy bed, and walk – John 5:8

Heavenly father in the name of Jesus we seek you; our deliverer, our strength, our encourager. You are everything to us. We know that through your divine power, you have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of you who has called us to glory and virtue. We want to be healed in every area of our lives and made whole from this day forward. We thank you for doing it, this day AMEN.

I‘ve come to a conclusion, and in doing so, I had to make a decision. Totally persuaded by the word of God, I began to fully understand “Thy will be done”. The more I read the word, meditate on it, and delve deeper to study what is unfamiliar to me, the more my faith grows. At some point, I made a conscious decision as whether I would believe the word of God or not. It was the difference between life and death; standing in faith, or walking away. It is that serious for me, but it hasn’t always been so.

I received Christ in 1996, and one of the things that I needed to deal with right away¸ was the moodiness that ruled my life. It did not line up with the word of God, nor glorified Him in any way. But, because I was a babe in Christ and knew nothing about the power of God, I assumed that I had to live with it. I would go from one extreme to the other, driven of course, by events and voices from my past. I would be happy one minute, sad, angry or volatile the next. My emotional state dictated my days, made my nights long, and was destructive to all of my relationships.

People were never sure of how to approach me, because they didn’t know how I would react. I was often ‘the last one to find out’ things that should have been shared with me. But glory to God! He put a couple of faithful women who knew His word, and were committed to stand with me. It took consistent prayer and fasting, along with confessing the word of God over my life, which brought victory in defeating the thing designed to destroy me.

Luke 17:12-19, has the story about the ten lepers who cried out for Jesus to heal them. In verse 14 Jesus told them to go show themselves to the Priests. It further states “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed”. One definition of cleanse is to free from defilement. Notice that the lepers didn’t just stand still, they had to do something. After they heard the word they had to move, activating their faith, which brought forth their deliverance and healing. I’m pretty sure they were that they were talking to each other about what Jesus said to them!

We too, after hearing the word, have to get moving by saying what God says, getting it in us and walking in faith. The Centurion told Jesus, “Lord just speak the word only”. We have the living word of God, in our hands. We can find scriptures (word) to stand on, concerning the things that plague us in our lives. We have to walk it out. That is how we will receive healing, deliverance, and breakthrough promises from God.

There is a commercial that states, “There’s an App for that!” Well, I’m here to tell you that, for everything you are facing or dealing with in your life, there’s a word for that! Jesus is the answer to all of our problems. According to the word, we have not because we ask not.

Learn to walk it out:

1—Acknowledge the Lord and seek His help--John 4:24 (He knows and He cares)

2—Find supporting scripture to stand on—Isaiah 40:8 (His word is alive)

3¬—Meditate on the word—Joshua 1:8 (Say the word out loud, think about it, and get it in you)

4¬—RELEASE YOUR FAITH—Mark 11:22-24 (It doesn’t matter what our circumstances say, say what God says)

He has spoken the word. Now it is up to us, either we will receive it; and have abundance of life, or we won’t.

Reference Scriptures:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever—Psalms 23:6

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,-- Luke 4:18

God bless,

Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com
Note: The photograph is of 3 tuttles that have walked onto a downed tree. I guess you could say that they are walking it out :)

Free October desktop here

TWI #79--Shine!

The Word Illustrated #79
© Pamyla Floyd
9/23/2011

And whatsoever ye do, it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

Shine

There are a lot of things that easily puts a smile on our faces; the warmth of the early morning sun, the smile of a child, seeing people who are in love. I could go on and on. These are just a few of the things that make us ‘shine’. But what if the day is dreary, the child continually cries and instead of returning a smile, people are scowling at us? If we really have the joy of the Lord on the inside of us, none of these will keep us from returning a smile.

Its what’s on the inside, that internal force that causes us to shine, no matter where we are, who we are around, or the circumstances we find ourselves in. Matthew 5:16 says to let your light so shine before men, so they would see your good works and glorify God in heaven. Satan bombards us with various trials and situations intended to steal our joy, but Jesus has conquered the world, so that through Him, we would be more than conquerors. We are called to stand, and if we ask, He will give us the strength to do so.

We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us, and there is nothing or anyone that can pluck us from the Lord’s hand, John 10:28. But to shine, that means to not focus on our own situations and circumstances and continue to run this race that has been set before us. Each of us must get to the point in our walk, where the childish things are put away. We must grow and mature and become more selfless and less selfish. We can reach out and make a difference in the lives of others, even when we are in pain.

Someone needs to hear the testimony of how the Lord is bringing you through a trying time. Someone needs to know that what they are facing is only temporary, that God has not forgotten them, and that joy comes in the morning. I was talking with my co pastor about the storms of life one day, and she pointed out that sometimes our blessings are wrapped up in storm clouds! Wow what a revelation! I have not looked at storms the same. We all have a word of encouragement to share. Shine!

As long as you have breath in your body and are awakened to see another day, you have the chance to stand in the gap and bless someone. I resolved to serve the Lord all the days of my life. That includes the times when things are not so sunny in my own life. I will not let temporary circumstances, turn the course of my life, away from the Lord. With all that you have in you, just shine for the Lord. Our God is faithful and He is just. The promises God made you are not voided, because they have not come to pass yet; nor were they ismissed because disaster struck. He is not slack concerning His promises. II Peter 3:9a

He knows where we are at all times, abd He knows what we have need of. He loves and cares for each of us, and is NOT a respecter of persons. Would you learn anything, grow or be able to help someone else if everything went your way? None of us would be of much good if we lived a life like this. Let’s take the focus off of ourselves and Shine! Give of yourself no matter where you are. You are sure to be surprised at what He has, with your name on it.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference scriptures:
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season—Psalms 145:14-15

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God—I Corinthians 2:5


*Note* the image is of a 3D dog standing tall and proud next to the word Shine. Both are on a reflective surface.

Get your free September desktop here

TWI #78 -- Merciful

The Word Illustrated #78
© Pamyla Floyd
9/14/2011

The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works—Psalms 145:9

Merciful God

You and I, need to know within ourselves; not just have head knowledge, but know deep within the crevices of our hearts that no matter who says what, no matter what twists and turns come our way, that our God is faithful, just, and true to His word. He loves us with a love that surpasses all that we know and understand. He cares so much about us, that He tells us to cast our cares on him. He promised to never leave nor forsake us. If we face job loss on a beautiful sunny day, does the day turn stormy, windy, rainy and cold, or are we able through Christ to see it as it really is? According to the word of God, we shall have what we say. We have to choose carefully what we let come out of our mouths.

Change in our relationship with Him happens because we moved. Whether the move takes place in our hearts, our thinking, or a physical walk away from Him, we are the ones who carved the wedge and placed it between ourselves and Him. We move when we stop saying what God says,stop living as He says etc. God is in control and He is the author and finisher of our faith. There is nothing that goes on with us, that catches Him by surprise. So, if we lose our job, it is not because He wants us to suffer or because He wants us poor. Maybe He wants to take us to new heights and now we have the knowledge needed to handle the new position. He knows what we have need before we ask. Are we asking? Do we always know what we need? I know that I don’t.

He doesn’t want us living in lack, hungry, sick, broke, busted and disgusted. He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants--Psalms 35:27. Our God, the great I AM, can do a ‘suddenly’ in our lives and command the blessing to break forth at any time. It has already been commanded, but it is waiting for us to catch up. Are you ready? Please understand that although your body may be hurting, or your finances may not fruitfully multiplying; because of the promises of God, we can stand on His word and claim what He says is already ours.

I can hear some of you already saying, “But I trust the Lord, I study the word, I do as He says, I don’t see so and so having it so easy”. It is not going to be easy. There are saints who don’t know the word of God, and those who know it, but choose not to live by it. satan has no problem with them, because they are already living defeated lives. They are like the disciples in John 6:66, who went back, and walked with Jesus no more. But, to you the faithful to God, who know and stand on His word, who pray and seek Him, you are a threat to the kingdom of darkness. he comes at you so hard, because he wants to shut you down. He keeps putting distorted images in front of you, trying to sow seeds of doubt and unbelief in your life. Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Keep meditating on the word You will see the salvation of the Lord, faithful is our God almighty.

Keep standing, keep praying, praising, thanking and blessing His name! Resolve above all to stand, and if you ask, He will give you the strength to do so! Now, after all that you have gone through, is your day ruined? Can you thank Him for what He is about to ‘suddenly’ do in your life? Your future’s so bright, you have to wear shades!

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

*Note* The image is of a beautiful golden and orange sunrise over the expanding ocean. This was originally named Madrid Morning

Get your free September desktop that I created here

TWI #77 -- What do you see?

The Word Illustrated #77
© Pamyla Floyd
08/22/2011

What do you see?

Father in the name of Jesus we come with thanksgiving and praise to your name! We thank you for being our healer, our provider, our strength, our peace, and our joy. We praise you for all that you are, and for all that you have done, in Jesus name. AMEN

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever -- Genesis 13:15

I know that I have said it many times before, but all of us regardless of who we are, will face undesirable situations and circumstances in our walk. No one ever said it was going to be easy, peachy and trouble free. If you are one of the few who believed this, then please let me apologize. Whether the challenge is in our relationships, finances, our health or other areas, we must have faith in God, and believe that He will see us through. God told Abram that He would give him all the land that he saw, both to him and to his seed forever. I received an awesome revelation concerning this scripture. In my daily prayer time, I had been seeking the Lord about the things we see (our land).

You see, it really doesn’t matter what is going on around us. What matters is our reaction or default. Our outcome greatly depends on what we say or do. First we must believe that God is, and because He exists, He is who He says he is. Next, we need to know his word. It is through His word that we come to know Him, and to know that the word of God is our sword. Everything else changes, but God’s word never changes. Now because we know that His word never changes, we also know that we can stand on His word. What promises are you standing on?

We have to have faith that sees past our circumstances. So if you have faith, what do you see? Some of you may be faced with health challenges. Do you see yourself stuck in that place and getting worse, or do you see yourself happy, healed and whole? If your relationships are in disarray, do you see them staying that way, or can you see them reconciled, and successful to all involved? What do you see? We mustn’t forget that Jesus is our advocate, and intercedes on our behalf.

He took our place on the cross, so that we could ‘see’ beyond our circumstances, and over into the Promised Land. Because of what he did, we have a hope and a future. He could have come down, but love kept Him there. We have an adversary who is relentless, using lies and deception, to make us fall away from the truth. What is the truth? The truth is that Jesus promised to never leave nor forsake us, that there are more who stand with us, than those who are against us; that we are joint heirs with Christ, and that we are the seed of Abraham, and that we win!

Does knowing all of this makes things easier? No. But we are told to work out our salvation. Remember satan was in heaven at one time, so he knows how God loves us, and that he has wonderful plans for us. If we don’t know what God says about us, we will be defeated every time. Following are some ways to change our view and begin seeing differently.

Know. Meditate. Think. Stand
1. We have to know what the word of God says for ourselves ¬- So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God—Romans 10:17

2. We have to meditate on the word - 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 – Joshua 1:8

3. Our thinking needs to line up with the word of God - As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he? Proverbs 23:7a

4. We stand on what we know to be true - Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand – Ephesians 6:13

If we are hearing the right things (the word of God) our faith increases. If we are thinking (meditating) on the right things, we will see them come to life. By the same token, if we meditate on the wrong things, we will see them come to life. For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me-- Job 3:25. Now what do you see?

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

*Note* The image is of a full and lush tree. One side is red, and the other side is gold. What do you see?