You know how you read things out of the Bible and even hear various scriptures from church on Sunday, etc. and sometimes they come alive and sometimes they don't, at least that particular time? I'm one who reflects on what I hear for a long time.
Well, for at least 3 years now, I've heard Job 22:28 recited often at my church (www.fambible.org) and it has come alive to some degree in my heart.First, lets go to Job 22:28: (Here are the various translations)
NIV- What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.
KJV-Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
NASB -You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.
NIV-What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.Now lets look at Romans 4:19-21 NIV
19. Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead.
20. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21. being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
This scripture is talking about the promise Abraham and Sarah received from God. We know that a period of 20 years passed from the promise to the manifestation of the promise. We also know that Abraham tried to help God (I can't identify - LOL) and had Ishmael (not the promised child). So, knowing that Abraham tried to help God, we can safely assume that Abraham's becoming fully persuaded was a journey in and of itself. I know some of the promises God has given me, but there are times that I question...well did God really say (sounds like the serpent in the garden), because the wait has been so long? The goal of the enemy is to steal the Word! He can only do this by deceiving us. Unfortunately, the enemy is very good at what he does and I think we as the body of Christ underestimate his skill. In fact, we choose to meditate on the things the enemy says (and the enemy can also be ourselves - our own self doubt and past experiences that are dictating our future), rather than what God has said!!! Our past does not dictate our future unless we decide it should! It is our decision!!! God has given us the power to decide and decree! In Genesis we see that God gave man dominion in the earth. That means we have authority! What are we deciding and decreeing? It's been said time and time again how "God is in control." Well, I disagree with that. Psalms 115:16 KJV says, The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
Well you ask, what about God's sovereignty? Ok, His sovereignty is declared in Revelation. We know the end! That's God's sovereignty! Let's look at part of the prayer Jesus prayed - Our Father who art in heaven hallowed it be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Let's really look at that right now. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Wow...Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth AS IT IS in heaven! It doesn't say in heaven as it is in earth!!! What is in heaven? Is there sickness there? Is there disease? Is there sadness? Are there tears? Is there rape? Is there pornography? Is there evil? What is in heaven? The Bible declares it is a perfect place! No tears, no sickness, no disease, no sadness, nothing evil! So why do God's kids think that He teaches them lessons through sickness and disease? Why do God's kids think He kills people and takes precious family members from us? Can we learn in these circumstances in life? Absolutely, however if we believe that God is the cause of our circumstances or somehow allowing them, then how are we supposed to be "overcomers" as He declares we are? I don't serve a bi-polar God!
You may be asking, well what about Job? Well, what about Job? Go back to the original translation and you will find that God didn't ALLOW the things in Job's life; Job allowed them! I did an in depth study of Job years ago because I was taught that God allowed all the horrible things that happened in my life and yet these same people told me that I could trust God with all my heart! Are you kidding me? Oh yes, let me trust a God that would allow me to be molested and raped!!! Uh...don't think so!!! God did not allow it. Man made a choice and I was at the receiving end of that choice. Well you may argue, God could have stopped it! I disagree again...He's given us dominion!
However, GOD REDEEMS IT!!! He has that authority when we give it to Him!!! When I realized this powerful truth, it set me free to love God without reservation! It set me free to LOVE HIM because He first loved me! Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-13! This is the very essence and nature of God! It is not what He does, it is who He is!!! When I realized that God was really for me and not against me and that He had an amazing plan for my life and I really did have purpose it made all the difference in the world in my decision making! (Thought I forgot what my message was about huh?) As my heart has really come alive to the revelation of deciding and decreeing, and as I am becoming fully persuaded, things are being established for me, as the Word declares! As we begin to recognize and come alive on the inside of us of who God really is, we will begin to decide that His plan really is something that will fulfill us.
When I was a little girl all I wanted to do was sing! I sang all the time. As I grew older, I was pursuing music and then something changed everything. My best friend committed suicide. He was a lead singer in a band and basically I followed him everywhere he played. I met so many talented musicians and really started to network. My roommate at the time was also a lead singer for a band and the guy had a flippin' amazing voice! I was surrounded by music. We would stay up late and just sing with him playing his acoustic guitar. It was such a fulfilling time in those moments. After my best friend committed suicide, I wanted nothing to do with music! Nothing! Later after committing my life back to the Lord (which was a journey in and of itself) I began to sing a little here and there in church. My pastor at the time told me that was my calling. I ran from it! I just wanted to sing once in awhile. I enjoyed singing on the worship team and that was taken from me when I went through a really difficult time in my life. Music was becoming my love again, but it was snatched from me! Later, I left that church and went to Family Bible. I was there about 6 months and was asked to sing with the Worship Team and I agreed. However, I was afraid to be passionate about it because of my past experiences! I didn't want to get hurt again. I served but was not fulfilled because I wouldn't let my heart become too attached (as hard as that was). I later stepped down because I just couldn't love love love it! Nearly a year went by and I was dead inside. God had instructed me to work on my music and here I was running from it again. Then something happened this past November. Jill, our worship leader came up to me and said "Tammy, it's time." "I want you back on the team." My heart crumbled inside and this fear came up in me...when I was about to respond with "no" the Lord quickened my heart and said "do it afraid." My no, became an "I'll try." On the night of my first practice with the team something happened. I can't explain it other than, I once again had a passion come alive in me. It was even more powerful than when I was a little girl! I made a decision! I said "God, my voice is Yours and I won't run anymore." I decided and decreed I would not run! This happened in November this past year. I also received a Word from the Lord through Pastor Ron Allen. He called me off the stage at church one night and said that he was calling me out and separating me because God was going to take me places in worship and we ain't seen nothing yet! He also came against any hindrances that have kept me from doing what I was called to do. Jill also gave me a Word that night. She said the Lord told her I had her mantle. I just said "yes" to God and decided and decreed that my voice was His and things are being established for me!
In December, Gena, a friend of mine wanted me to come and audition for a band that was looking for a lead singer. I said Ok. We went together and my audition piece was "Anyway" by Martina McBride. When I sang that song in the studio their response was "Holy @#!* that was better than sex!" It was so funny! Since then these amazing guys are working their butts off to get me out there. These are guys that know the music biz and I'm just letting God open doors.
So, with this LONG note, I want to encourage you to ask yourself "What is it that you need to decide and decree about your life?" What dreams do you have that you've forgotten about or just pushed aside as if they don't matter anymore? What passions do you have that you've run from because you think it's just a stupid dream? Let me tell you, God puts those dreams in you for a purpose. His gifts and callings are never revoked!!! Listen to me! God has a specific plan for your life that will fulfill you! He will establish it for you if you decide and decree - FULLY PERSUADED...no waivering! I waivered for years and years...it was only when I became fully persuaded that doors began to open! God is now redeeming the time that was lost!! Get on living your passions and dreams...We've got work that needs to be done!!! TDahl
