Word for Wednesday with Rita Langeland

What kind of soldier are you? In the New Testament we see multiple metaphors comparing the Christian walk to military service; sharing in hardship, fighting spiritual battles, wearing the armor of God, and so on. We also see the story of Jesus healing the servant of a Roman centurion, and commending him for his faith. The centurion knew the power of authority, and asked Jesus to "just say the word!"

 Often when God gives us instruction, leading, or guidance, we are only shown the next step. We do not necessarily know the timeline, or have the answers for every concern that may come to mind. However, we must trust that our Father God not only knows all things, but also has our best interests at heart. We just have to take that first step of obedience, no matter how illogical it may seem to our own minds, or how it may appear to those around us. 

Did you know that God offers his children a package of amazing benefits? The writer of Psalm 103:2 exhorts us to "Praise the Lord... and forget not ALL HIS BENEFITS;" and then proceeds to list these many benefits that our Father God graciously bestows on those who seek Him. This one-of-a-kind "benefit package" includes forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion, and longevity! 

Your actions are seed! You will reap a harvest as a result of those actions, whether good or bad. Proverbs 1:31 shows us that we will reap the fruit of our lifestyle, in other words, the outcomes of our actions will become evident in our lives. We want to sow seeds through our actions that are consistent with the word of God so that we can reap a harvest of blessings and righteousness, not just for our own blessing, but also for those around us. 

God's law of Sowing and Reaping applies to our words, which are very powerful forms of "seed." This includes words we speak regarding ourselves. If we sow negativity towards ourselves through our words, we will reap a "cursed" harvest of failure, loss or death in those areas of our lives. If we speak blessings over ourselves in alignment with Scripture, we will reap a harvest of blessings, just as God intended for our lives! Which harvest do you want to see in your life? 

Throughout the Bible we see the power of the spoken word. From God creating the universe with his words, to Jesus raising the dead with only a word. Many scriptures point out the power of our tongues, and the gravity of our spoken words. Every word we speak is a seed planted, whether for building up or tearing down. Are we sowing seeds through our words that will lead to a harvest of life, peace, health, unity, success and love? Or are we tearing down ourselves and those around us words that will result in harvest of hurt, disunity, sickness, failure, death, and destruction?

Since the creation of the earth, the principle of sowing and reaping has been active in both the physical and spiritual realms. Many terms are used in modern culture to describe this cause and effect phenomenon and this powerful concept is operating in our lives whether we are are aware of it or not. The Bible clearly states that what a person sows, that they will also reap, this applies equally to natural farming as it does to our efforts, words, actions, thoughts, and relationships. Thankfully we have many Biblical scriptures to guide us in how to sow good seeds and how to pull up bad seeds! 

 What would God say about you in a conversation with a third party? He knows your every thought, sin, and misdeed. However, there is no reason to hide in shame, as God sees your heart's desire for Him, and has thrown our sins into the Sea of Forgetfulness. We too can be like King David, who despite his many transgressions, God called a man after His own heart. 

We all know that almost nothing in this earthly life can be counted on to stand the test of time. However, the Bible shows us that there are two things that WILL last forever - God's word and His unfailing love! 

Are you facing a "mountain of a problem" in your life? Psalm 97 tells us that "mountains melt like wax in the presence of the Lord." God wants us to bring our "mountains" into his presence through prayer, and we will see God move on our behalf in a miraculous way! 

 In Psalm 77:14 the author states, "You are the God who works wonders." When God wants to do something wondrous in the earth, He must find someone who will willingly come into agreement with Him. There are two vital keys to agreeing with God - faith and submission. We must have faith that God can and will do something wondrous, and we must submit to His will and calling, in the same ways that Noah, Moses, and Mary the mother of Jesus did. God wants to use your life to do wonders on the earth today, but only if you are willing to agree! 

When trouble comes, where do you run for shelter? In Psalm 91 we see a promise of long life for any person who chooses to take shelter in the Most High! This is a key t

We continue in our examination of Biblical keys to a long and prosperous life. In today's message we will discuss the Psalmist's instructions in Psalm 34:14 to "turn away from evil" and "seek peace." There are many aspects of our earthly existence that we do not have control over. However, two things we can control are what we watch and listen to and how we interact with other believers. 

 Throughout history people have chased fame, fortune and even the Fountain of Youth. However, The Bible plainly gives a simple key to anyone who desires to live a long and prosperous life in Psalm 34:12-13 - "keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!" Today's society is full of people "speaking evil" and "telling lies" both in the media and on social platforms, however we should pursue this Biblical injunction to avoid such activity, and in return we will receive the blessing of a long and prosperous life! 

 Modern life is fast-paced with constant activity, stressors, uncertainties, and opportunities for anxiety that can easily prevent you from obtaining the rest that every human needs to survive, let alone thrive. However, are you aware that God promises quality rest to his people? Psalm 127:2 clearly states that God "grants sleep to those He loves!" 

Do you believe that you have had a vision or dream from God regarding a greater purpose for your life, but it has not come to fruition? Did you pursue a calling from the Lord that was derailed in some way, or simply seems impossible? The story of Abraham in Genesis 17 shows us a Biblical "hero" who also felt this way, specifically regarding God's promise of many children and his offspring becoming a great nation. Despite many natural obstacles that made Abraham's vision appear impossible and essentially dead, God restored this vision, and it certainly came to pass. Allow the Lord to restore your vision! 

God desires that our family relationships, no matter how difficult or broken they may be, be restored to wholeness. No situation or circumstance is too difficult for the Lord to restore in your family, He is the restorer of the years the locust has eaten (referring to complete destruction), as we see in Joel 2:25. We also see God's desire for restored family relationships in the parable Jesus told of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11. Your family is NOT TOO DYSFUNCTIONAL for God to restore!! Let us believe and receive that 2023 is the the Year of Restoration! Share this with a friend who needs to hear this encouraging message! 

This is an encouraging word for the coming year, for those who will take hold of it, regardless of earthly circumstances! There are many promises and examples for us in the Word of God regarding the restoration of various aspects of our earthly lives, including; former prosperity (Zecaraiah 9:12), years lost (Joel 2:25), physical health (Psalm 41:3), mental and emotional well-being (Psalm 23:3), relationship with God (Lamentations 5:21), joy of salvation (Psalm 51:12), and former positions of influence/leadership (Daniel 4:36)! The Lord will restore these things that have been stolen and consumed in our lives, we just have to take these promises by faith!

In this fallen world we will face crises at some point. However, in the Word of God we find keys to overcoming crises we may face. One of these keys is voicing our thanksgiving and praise of the Lord for his provision and goodness to us in the past and present. In 2 Chronicles 20, we see the King of Judah facing an invasion by overwhelming military forces. The Lord instructed him to lead his people in a time of thanksgiving and praise to God, and then place the worship teams at the front of the army at the start of battle. As the they praised and thanked God, the enemy turned on one another and God's people were delivered miraculously without ever fighting the physical battle! 

Are we living life grumpy, or are we grateful? We live in a self-centered society, with an expectation for our needs and wants to be met speedily. However we may find ourselves complaining with our words or in our hearts, forgetting to give thanks for God's love, care and provision in our lives. We must reject this outlook, and regularly self-evaluate our hearts to maintain a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness for the many blessings with which our Father God has blessed us. When we focus on our list of "thanks" rather than our list of "wants" - our hearts will remain right toward the Lord. It is impossible to remain grumpy when you are thanking the Lord for His blessings!! 

Believers have a powerful spiritual weapon to counter difficult circumstances - THANKFULNESS! Several examples in the Bible show us the power of thankfulness to literally change earthly circumstances. We see this principle in Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas are giving thanks to God while imprisoned after being falsely accused and beaten. God sent an earthquake that destroyed the prison and loosed the chains that bound them. Not only were they freed physically but their evangelistic mission "took off" with the conversion and baptism of the jailer and his family. This miraculous turn of events was initiated by Paul and Silas's determination to "give thanks in every circumstance" (I Thess. 5:18). 

Did you know that anxiety can be quickly overcome by thankfulness? In recent years, contemporary scientists have caught up with the truth found in God's Word, finding that their subjects' anxiety levels improve when they express gratitude. We see this "prescription" written in the Bible nearly 2000 years ago; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds" (Philippians 4:6-7).

One of the most obvious battles in the Christian life is that of FAITH - Whether we will take God at His Word and believe what He says is true and that it will come to pass or whether we will doubt and thereby jeopardize losing the thing God longs to give us! How many times have we prayed a prayer with no real expectation of God delivering the answer we have requested? The psalmist shows us the proper outlook to emulate in Psalm 62:5 - "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him."  

Throughout the Bible we see the mention of the universal truth of sowing and reaping applied to both the physical and the spiritual realms. Galatians 6:7 plainly states that "whatever a person sows, that will he also reap." We must choose the "seed" of our spoken word wisely - so that we reap a harvest of life, health, peace! Many believers overlook the importance of their words, but Deut. 22:19 instructs us to avoid "mixing our seed." This means we must avoid speaking both blessing and cursing from the same mouth as James 3:10 exhorts us. 

Did you know that your words have power to influence your earthly circumstances and should therefore be chosen with care? We see this plainly in Psalm 13:3, that if we guard our mouths, we will preserve our lives. We must embrace this Biblical truth that our words are powerful and can either preserve or destroy. Once again we are reminded in Proverbs 18:21, that death and life are in the power of the tongue! 

What type of words are you using with your family, friends or co-workers? The Bible instructs us in Ephesians 4:29 that our words must minister grace to those around us. We should not be tearing down our family, friends or co-workers with angry or sarcastic words - but rather building them up with gracious speech. We know that our words are immensely powerful - let us use our words to strengthen our relationships, not destroy them! 

Did you know that what you speak is a matter of life or death? Many people are under the false impression that their words do not matter, or have no power. Proverbs 18:21 clearly refutes this view, stating, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." Our spoken words impact three realms - the spiritual realm, the soulish realm, and the physical realm. In this message we will examine corroborating evidence showing the immense importance of what we choose to speak, and the power of life and death found in our words. Let us choose to speak life! 

Your words are so important! Throughout the scriptures it is clear that God placed a high premium on words. In the Bible we see the power of words; God created the earth with words, and Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead with words. In James 3, our tongues are likened to a rudder, steering the course of our lives, this can be for blessing or destruction. Our words are like seeds, and we want to sow words consistent with the Lord's ways, and reap a harvest of righteousness in our lives! 

How strong is your "inner foundation?" Early in our lives our inner foundation is built and formed. Just like a building, that foundation may be weak or strong. With the Lord's help and by acting upon His words, our foundation can be strengthened! It does not need to remain weak. We want to be like the man Jesus spoke of in Luke 6:46-49, who built his house on the rock, with a deep foundation capable of withstanding any flood, without being shaken!

In this fallen world we are inundated by unkind acts and words regularly. As believers we must reject the fleshly desire to respond negatively and instead "put on kindness" as the scripture exhorts us. We must make the decision to imitate Christ's model, choosing to be kind, even when it costs us something. Showing kindness as a part of our daily lifestyle will be a true witness of the light of Christ within us. 

Where do you put your trust? Is it in your spouse, another person, your job, your savings? The death of a loved one or a financial downturn can be extremely devastating if you do not put your complete trust in your Father God. The Bible is clear that we must not rely on the "world's system" or any person, as Psalm 118:8 points out "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans." Instead, we will only find security when we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and do not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). 

 It is clear that hard times have come to the earth at various places and times, and the Bible shows us these occurrences will continue. However, for the believer, those who proactively put their faith and trust in the Lord, there are many promises of deliverance and safety found in the Word of God, and not one of those promises will fail (Joshua 21:45)! The Bible clearly states that God will deliver us, provide for us in famine, and enable our escape from death. We do not have to fear hard times! 

Loving, or even treating kindly, someone who is mistreating you can be extremely difficult. However, Jesus taught his followers to reject the cultural norms of that time, just as we must do today and love our enemies, and pray for those who mistreat us (Matt. 5-43-45). This simple, yet powerful act is nearly impossible without God's help, as it goes counter to our human nature. If we choose to apply Jesus's teaching on this topic to our own life, it will change everything! 

If we want to clearly and accurately hear the voice of God, there are a few simple steps we see in the Bible that can help to prepare our hearts. We must put aside distractions, surrender our will, take authority over the devil's lies, invite the Lord to speak to us, and be willing to wait patiently. With these simple steps we will be ready to hear the voice of our Good Shepherd as promised in John 10:27, "my sheep hear my voice." 

Today we will discuss potential hindrances many Christians battle when desiring to hear God's voice. Among these "hindrances" are believing Satan's lies regarding hearing the voice of God, the feeling of "I used to hear God," and the spiritual "clutter" that can block our hearing of God's voice.I want to encourage you that you can overcome these hindrances to clearly and accurately hear the voice of our "Good Shepherd." Remember - Jesus promised us in John 10:16; "they will hear My voice."

 In this video we continue our series on Hearing the Voice of God, to help you grow in your pursuit of hearing God's voice. In John 10:27 Jesus tells us that we can hear the voice of God, just as sheep know the voice of their shepherd. I want to encourage you that you can develop the "hearing ear" of your heart, to clearly and accurately hear the voice of our "Good Shepherd." Jesus promised us this very thing in John 10:16; "they will hear My voice." 

There are many voices constantly bombarding us with all kinds of ideas and notions throughout each day. But as believers, we can stand on John 10:27 where Jesus is speaking to his disciples, saying "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." We must develop our ability to hear and obey the voice of God so that we will live and not die and also so that we can impart truth, encouragement, and healing to those around us.

In Isaiah 65:24 the Lord says, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." We can pray confidently in faith knowing that God will indeed answer our prayers as we petition him according to his will! God will even provide for you in seemingly impossible earthly circumstances. 1 John 5:14-15 states "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." Let this encouragement boost your faith and confidence in the Lord today!!

Psalms 68:20 says "Your God is a God of Deliverances" - that is a plural word! We are not just promised a one time deliverance or one time salvation. Instead, the Bible promises a wonder working God who is an ongoing deliverer for those who trust in Him!

We are currently surrounded by the constant messaging of hopelessness through the news and social media. Maybe you are in a position due to natural circumstances that appear "hopeless" or have friends that are constantly speaking the impending doom of the country, economy, or their own personal situation. God wants us to put our hope (a steady optimism about the future) in Him! Our hope is in God's faithfulness and His promises, not earthly circumstances, other people, or human institutions. Hebrews 6:19 says that this hope in the Lord is the anchor of our souls! 

Speaking God's truths, found in the Bible, to our "facts," will cause our earthly factual circumstances to change! Kingdom principles supersede earthly "facts" - when we stand on the promises of God we will see changes in our earthly situations. 

A question is asked in Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" So the question we must ask ourselves today is this - are we ready to agree with God in order to accomplish His will, both in our lives and in the lives of the people He wants us to reach? God has good plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11), but you have to be walking in agreement with Him if you want to see those plans come to pass!

It is easy to make excuses for why we cannot do something; lack of time, money, abilities and so on. However, when it comes to following God's leading, or making excuses as to why we cannot do so, we must remember the Bible is replete with story after story of individuals who appeared ill-equipped in the natural, but yet experienced great things from the Lord. It was their obedience to God's instruction to "step out" that led to amazing miracles. Don't focus on what you "don't have" - time, finances, gifting, talents, etc. - instead focus on what the Lord has given you, and use those things for His Glory! 

Are you facing a "storm" in life right now? Storms come to everyone in this fallen world, but if your life is built on the "rock" of Jesus - you will stand strong and come out victorious! We have authority to speak to these "storms" and command "peace be still!" 

Psalm 121 says "the Lord is your Shade... He will keep you from ALL Evil!" I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. 

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." With so much external input all around us, we have to make time and place to hear the voice of God! 

This holiday season clothe yourself in compassion (Colossians 3:12-14) as you interact with people in your life who require extra grace! Clothing yourself in compassion will not only help you "just get through" those Christmas gatherings, but also help you to walk in love toward those around you just as Christ has toward each of us! 

Maybe someone has betrayed you, stolen from you, hurt you or treated you poorly. This is a sad reality of the fallen world we live in. Many people carry these burdens of past hurts or offenses in their hearts. This short message offers encouragement and some practical steps to enable you to forgive those who have hurt you, and move past holding those offenses in your heart. Are you ready to be released from the heaviness of offense? The Bible has the keys we need to live free from offense!

Many non-believers are rightly critical of so-called "believers" who talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Don't let "Christian" hypocrites keep you from following Jesus Christ. Jesus himself had no kind words for hypocrites! They are not representing the Bible, Jesus or his teachings! Turn to Jesus and follow him, he is the way, the truth and the life, regardless of what other people may say or do. 

Do you feel that you are past the point of no return?  Have you hurt someone or committed sins that are so terrible you feel God could never forgive you? Or  maybe you feel as if you could never forgive yourself for your past misdeeds? These are all lies the devil is constantly using to keep people from experiencing the life-altering love and forgiveness of Father God, who sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins on the cross! No one is too far gone... no one!

 If we are believing for God to change our story, we must make a conscious decision to surrender bitterness, hatred, offense and anger at those who have wronged us in the past. We must not allow any spiritual hindrance in our lives that could block or prevent God from moving miraculously on our behalf. Like Hannah, mother of Samuel in the Old Testament, or modern hero Nelson Mandela, our hearts must be right if we desire to see God change our story!