Talk, Walk, Talk

Given August 22, 2007
I'm sure you've heard the expression, "You gotta walk the talk!" See what you think about this: You can talk it after you walk it, but you have to talk it before you walk it, to see it. Man, does that statement make you squint your eyes and shake your head? Well, let me try to explain what it means.

It is said in Romans 4:17 that God, "calls things that are not as though they were." God told Abraham that He had made him the father of many nations. Abraham believed God and, I imagine, he went around saying, "I'm the father of many nations.", even though he was a hundred and his wife was barren. He was talking it BEFORE he saw it or walked it. He kept on talking it until he saw it, which was his son Issac. Then, after he'd talked it, and saw it, he could then walk it.

Abraham talked and walked by faith at first, saw his faith come to life in Issac, then he could put his arm around the boy and talk it some more. Then, I imagine, he said something like, "Look what the Lord has done!"

"It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.' With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak. 2 Corinthians 4:13". If we speak the promises of God, believe what we say, and walk in it, then we can talk about it afterward and give God the glory!

Bill I Know

Given September 5, 2007
During the closing prayer at church last night, our pastor made mention of us, as believers, being able to cast out devils, speak with other tongues, and lay hands on the sick and see them recover, Mark 16:17-18. It reminded me that we should be taking more control over things in the earth than we are.

The verse in Acts 19 came to mind where seven sons of Sceva tried to cast out a devil using Jesus' and Paul's credentials and got whuped, (a southwest Virginia term). The evil spirit said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Acts 19:15". As a believer, I want to be known by the evil spirits and have them say, "Uh oh, there's that Dotson guy. Don't mess with him, let's get outta here."

Do we really believe we can get to that point? What did Jesus say? "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12". He that believes, those who believe...

I heard it said by a famous preacher regarding Mark 16, "These signs shall follow those who believe that these signs shall follow them." We've got to believe! Jesus I know, Paul I know, and Bill I know. May it be so Lord.

The 3-Strand Cord

Given July 30, 2007
We've been hearing a series of teachings at church on the power of our words and it has been very enlightening. The things we say every day have an impact on our lives. There is a relationship between our words, the Word of God, and our faith. The following image shows what I mean:
The Bible says, "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT". Do you see this? God's Word is absolute truth, our words must line up with that truth, and be woven in with our faith. Look at that cord, it cannot be easily broken, if at all.

For whatever situation you're praying about, find out what God's Word says about it, agree with that, add your faith, (unwavering, James 1:6), and speak words of victory and see it come to pass!

Cast Your Care

Given July 17, 2007
We live in a world with troubles, don't we? Every day, news stories chronicle trouble somewhere and even if it's not too bad, it's still something we may have concern over. But that's just the way it is. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. John 16:33", but He ended that statement by assuring us, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." He's already taken care if it. So why do we still have "care" over these things?

So, if we're in the middle of trouble, and Jesus has overcome it already, we shouldn't worry about at all. We can, (and that's important), we CAN toss the anxiety of it over to Jesus and sit back and let Him handle it. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7". We have the choice of letting Jesus take care of it or trying to do it ourselves. Here's one way of looking at it. When Satan comes knocking on your door, just say, "Jesus, will you get that please?"

Optimist or Pessimist

Given June 25, 2007
I heard a story on this day about a fisherman who took a skillet with him on a fishing trip. He was planning on catching some fish. He was optimistic. Probably, he had caught fish before and believed he would again.

The kingdom of God works that way as well. When we are praying or believing for something, how do we act; what do we say? If we really believe the Word of God as displayed in the Bible, we will behave and speak in a certain way; you might say we'll be optimistic. Are you praying for a job...? thank God for it and begin doing, James 1:22, things related to your new job. Are you sick...? thank God for your healing and begin speaking those things that are not as though they were, Romans 4:17.

I won't say too much about being pessimistic but, if you listen, you'll hear Christian brothers and sisters, and even ourselves, talking this way often. Watch out and don't do this. Believe what God says, act on it, speak it and see it come to pass, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24". Don't pay any attention to the lies and temptations of the devil.

The daughter of a friend I worked with was praying for a new job. The next week at church, she gave a tithe on the salary of the new job. You know what happened, she got the job! Is that optimism, (faith), or what?

Truth or Fact?

Given January 13, 2007
We've all heard the expression, "Tell it like it is", and that's supposed to be a good thing. Tell the truth, don't sugar-coat it, be honest. Well, let's look at what is truth and what is fact.

Christians believe, or we should believe, that the Words of God are absolute truth. Right? However, in this world, there are certain facts that are evident. I'll use sickness as an example. It is a fact that there could be cancer cells in your body. The medical tests, PET scans, etc. would show this. But, the Word of God says, "and with His stripes we are healed, Isaiah 53:5", which is truth. So, what's real, the facts or the truth?

I submit to you that the Bible is the ultimate truth and our words can change the facts. "Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak, 2 Corinthians 4:13, Amplified Version". I've heard testimonies galore and have experienced it in my own body that our words, based on our faith, can change the facts. If we believe God's Word is true, we must speak it without doubt or fear and see it come to pass.

Moses told Pharaoh, "Be it according to thy word...Exodus 8:10" when Pharaoh said get rid of the frogs tomorrow. Abraham practiced this when he did as God did and, "...spoke those things that were not as though they were, Romans 4:17". We can do it too. You can have what you say, so don't keep saying what you have. Think about it.

Truth or fact? Find out what God's Word says about your situation and speak His words over it. You can change fact by speaking the truth! Tell it like God says it is and don't give up!

I Doubt It

Given November 7, 2006
Have you ever met a person who was negative? Boy, I have! They complain about everything, speak gloom & doom, and find fault in the best of situations. "Hey, is it going to be a good day?" - "I doubt it." "Are you going to get that job?" - "I doubt it." There's not much faith there, if any, and they don't receive much from God.

Jesus said, (paraphrased), "...whosoever shall say... and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe ... he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23". Believing or doubting is important to our prayers being answered. If we believe what the Word of God says about our situation and don't consider that there is another alternative, Jesus said, we will have what we say; what we pray.

But if we are not fully persuaded as Abraham was, we'll be like this guy: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1: 6-8".

"Are you going to get well?" - "Yes, by His stripes I'm healed!". "Are you going to Heaven?" - Yes, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved". "Aren't you in some trouble?" - "Yeah but God told me He'd be with me in trouble; and He'd deliver me". There's no doubt about it!

Walk This Way

Given May 2, 2007
God has provided a way for each of us. I wrote about this recently relating to some erroneous advice I'd given my boys about their future and recently God showed me another way to look at it.

Isaiah 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it"." So, I get the picture of a path laid before me, it's a good road and I can see pretty far up ahead. That's not too hard to follow especially if God is behind me encouraging me to go on.

But, what about when the way ahead is really foggy and you can't see where you're going? You're almost walking blindly into who knows what. That's where trust and faith comes in. We don't need to see where we're going if God has planned our journey and is behind us telling us to keep moving. God told Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. Genesis 12:1". Abram didn't know where he was going but he trusted God to know what was best for him and his family. We must do the same. If we trust God and keep moving, eventually the fog will disipate and the path will be clear. Besides, there may be distractions along the path God doesn't want us to see.

I will be entering into the ranks of the retired soon and I was sort of whining to God in prayer recently about Him not telling me yet what He's got planned for me. The scripture above immediately came to mind along with the phrase, "You'll know when we get there." Okay!

Spiritual Pep Talk

Given April 3, 2005

Being a former athlete and coach, I've been involved in many a pep talk. They're designed to, well... pep you up, and get you ready for the game. A good coach can really inspire you to go out there, do your best, and be confident you can defeat your opponent. Right?

I've discovered I can do the same thing to myself as I get ready to face each day. I give myself a spiritual pep talk from the Word of God as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning! And, sometimes during the day as well. It goes something like this:

• I am a child of God. 1 John 3: 2
• I’m an heir of God and joint heir with Christ. Romans 8: 16-17
• He has made me a king and a priest. Revelation. 5:10
• I look like God. Genesis 1:26
• The Spirit of God dwells in me. 1 Corinthians 3: 16
• I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me. Romans 8: 37
• He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4: 4
• I’m the head and not the tail; above only, and not be beneath. Deuteronomy 28: 13
• By His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53: 5
• I am His workmanship. Ephesians 2: 10
• I have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2: 16
• Behold, I have authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me. Luke 10: 19
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4;13
• My God shall supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:19
• The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10

By the time I get downstairs, I'm fired up and ready to meet whatever the day brings. Memorize some of these verses or find your own and try it yourself. You'll "scripture" yourself happy, confident, and powerful!