A Solid Foundation (part 3)

The Inspired Word of God Transforms!

2.20.2022

Review

I’ve started a series about making sure that you are prepared for tough times.

Don’t just drift or coast in life – plan and prepare!

Planning is an important part of your future – financially, in your marriage, with your children, and with your interior life.

What we are inside shines when we are in a hard place!

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Your foundation will determine your future!

Do you have a solid conviction that, regardless of what happens, you will make it through it?

Are you spiritually, mentally, and physically prepared for huge challenges that upset routine?

The Word can give you an ability to hold steady in the coming storms.

Matthew 7:24-29

Do you have a sand or stone foundation?

Seven things about the Word to make a part of your life.

1. God’s Word can bring stability to your life.

Isaiah 33:6 (NKJV)

Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure.

2. Ask God for a hunger for the Word.

Our hungers in life follow what we give attention to!

TODAY – The Inspired Word of God Transforms!

3. Know that the Bible is the Inspired Word of God.

Once you are settled that the Bible is inspired by God and given for you to live by, life will be different for you.

Until then, you will be swayed by other people’s opinions and by the current culture.

If how you live your life daily identifies and agrees more with current trends than Bible truth, then you may not be a real believer!

BINO – believer in name only…

When we change on the inside, outward things are different to us!

The New Birth brings radical personal change to human life. Regardless of who you have been or how you have lived, your future can be tremendously different!

John 3:3 (NLT)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

John 3:6-8 (NLT)

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

If your deepest cravings have not changed, you are most likely not born again.

When you are born again, you repel on the inside what God doesn’t like. It’s like oil and water to you. It just doesn’t blend with the new you!

Oh, you still have the flesh to deal with, and temptations still come, but on the inside, you just don’t want the things you did before Jesus changed you!

1 John 3:9 (AMPC)

No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him.

Most TV shows have now become disgusting to me.

MOST movies have become disgusting…

If you are not bothered right now by our American lifestyle and emphasis, you are probably deeply infected by it, having little within you that repels it!

The Bible has lost its place in American culture, and we are in a downward spiral.

Mediocrity is knocking at our doors!

If I have heard the Bible or read the Bible, but do nothing with it, then the Bible means nothing to me. If I hear it but don’t apply it, it means nothing. Its inspiration means little to nothing to me if I do not practice it.

Colleges are geared to train students to be anti-God, anti-Bible…anti-marriage, pro-liberal sexuality where sex anywhere with anybody and any relationship I want is perfectly fine.

Why? They do not believe in the inspiration of the Bible.

If you turn the population away from God, the morals of the Bible, the racial love and respect for each other from the Bible, then the nation becomes easily controlled. When there are no standards the populace is easily swayed!

Belief in the Bible is what made us great. We are losing our edge because we have laid it aside.

Listen to what has been said about the Bible in our past in America:

These kinds of attitudes are what made this nation a great nation.

George Washington

Above all, the pure light of revelation has had an influence on mankind, and increased the blessings of society. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.

Thomas Jefferson

I have always said that a studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.

Theodore Roosevelt

Almost every man who has by his lifework added to the sum of human achievement . . . has based his lifework largely upon the teachings of the Bible.

Ulysses S. Grant

To the influence of this Book we are indebted for the progress made in civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The young must be taught, and they must be taught truly if the spring-waters of democracy are to be kept untainted . . . The influence of the Scriptures in the early days of the Republic is plainly revealed in the writing and thinking of the men who made the nation possible . . . They found in the Scriptures that which shaped their course and determined their action.

Samuel Colgate – Manufacturer/Philanthropist

The only spiritual light in the world comes through Jesus Christ and the inspired Book . . . Without His presence and the teachings of the Bible we would be enshrouded in moral darkness and despair . . . nations without Christ, contrasted with those where Christ is accepted, reveal so marked a difference that no arguments are needed.

Daniel Webster

The Bible is the Book of faith, and a Book of doctrine, and a Book of morals, and a Book of religion, of special revelation from God; but it is also a Book which teaches man his responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow man.

We Call the Bible Inspired.

That alone sets it apart from everything else we read.

It is not like anything else you read.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMPC)

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

*2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG)

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another — showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.

17 Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

Theopneustos;

divinely breathed in: — given by inspiration of God; God breathed.

It is as much the Word of God as it would be if you felt His breath on your face as He spoke it.

God fills you with Himself when His Word gets into you.

Example: When you blow up a balloon, some of who you are enters that balloon. It is filled with your breath, which has your DNA.

God’s DNA enters you when you get into the Word!

The Bible came through 40 people from all walks of life over a period of 1600 or so years, and nothing in its original languages contradicts.

Dake, Finis. God’s Plan for Man (Kindle Locations 531-535). Dake Publishing, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

These books of the Bible were written by men from all walks of life, such as kings, priests, judges, lawyers, princes, shepherds, soldiers, courtiers, statesmen, musicians, inventors, singers, poets, preachers, prophets, fishermen, farmers, tentmakers, publicans, physicians, rich men and poor men. They were written in various lands of three continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa. They were written in different ages and by many men, some who never saw each other or knew what the others wrote on the same subjects. Yet when their writings became one book, there is not one contradiction among them.

If an ancient book has 5 or so copies that survive the millennia of time, we say that it is authentic. The Bible has over 2000 copies that have survived that much time! It is a Divinely inspired Book that God has placed in our hands to direct us to Him!

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV)

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, (21) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT)

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Jinis Finnings Dake – God’s Plan For Man

It is the book that contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories true, and its decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your feet in righteousness and true holiness. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, and devotionally. Study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously. Read it through and through until it becomes part of your being and generates faith that will move mountains. It is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a world of pleasure. It is given to you in this life, will be opened at the judgment, and will last forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the least to the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

(Dake, Finis. God’s Plan for Man (Kindle Locations 426-427). Dake Publishing, Inc.. Kindle Edition).

Back in my teens, I made a decision that I would allow the Bible to be my infallible rule of faith and practice.

I made a decision that it would govern me and guide me. That my decisions would be based on God’s will for me as revealed in the Word of God.

That means that now, I choose to judge my thoughts, words, actions, and choices by the foundation of the Bible. That alone has changed who I am and how I live.

For ME, The Bible is the inspired Word of God! I have chosen in my life to believe in the verbal, plenary (complete) inspiration of the Bible.

Do you believe that the Bible is inspired?

Have you made a personal choice to live by its teachings?

Are you going to choose to live by the Word even though it is culturally unpopular?

The cultural winds are blowing now, my friends. Now, for the sake of our children, we must stand up for what is right.

The Bible is not just for church services. We are to live by it every single day!

It’s no longer enough just to say I believe. Now, if you believe you must ACT like you do.

Now, when you act like you believe the Bible, there are people who will criticize you. Are you ready?

When fear comes, you must act in faith and resist it. Are you actively resisting fear right now?

When calamity comes, you must act like God is giving you wisdom and taking care of you.

We are right on the edge of some tough things happening. Are you going to be upset and swayed by what happens, or are you going to choose to rest in the peace of God and the joy of the Lord?

James 1:2-4 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:2-4 (PHILLIPS)

When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.

It takes the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word to us in a balanced way…

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NKJV)

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (15) But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. (16) For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (TPT)

Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit.

4. The Word is designed to take Jesus and the Father’s place in their physical absence.

John 14:21-23 (NLT)

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (22) Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” (23) Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

The Word is a spiritual substance that creates things!

John 6:63 (NLT)

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Matthew 4:4 (MEV)

But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (AMP)

1And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].

It removes fears and creates faith!

It removes years of self-doubt, self-hatred, and anger, and replaces it with a knowing that you’re loved and accepted by God that creates a steady life foundation.

It creates a sense of security in God’s forgiveness of sin that breeds a holy and humble boldness to stand before God and ask for the impossible!

It crushes lust, pornography addiction, adultery thoughts, and replaces them with purity and a marriage fidelity.

It crushes sickness and disease and replaces it with health and wholeness.

It removes animosity, racial prejudice and replaces it with a love that creates peace in relationships.

It creates an atmosphere where strife and discord cannot stay, and where love grows and becomes strong.

It removes envy, hatred, unforgiveness, and bitterness, and replaces them with a love that sees the best in each person!

It creates an atmosphere of honesty that cannot be deceived by lying and deception!

It creates an atmosphere where the Kingdom of heaven manifests and where demon spirits must leave.

It creates an overwhelming peace that can bring a person through the most difficult challenges on earth!

Begin NOW to disconnect from your dependence on feelings and circumstances. Now is the time to prepare for times that nothing is going right.

Smith Wigglesworth

God’s Word is 1) supernatural in origin; 2) eternal in duration; 3) inexpressible in valor; 4) infinite in scope; 5) regenerative in power; 6) infallible in authority; 7) universal in application; and 8) inspired in totality.” He exhorted his hearers to: “Read it through; write it down; pray it in; work it out; pass it on…The Word of God changes a man until he becomes an Epistle of God.”

(Brown, Michael. Whatever Happened to the Power of God? & It’s Time to Rock the Boat (Kindle Locations 2589-2597). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition).

Action Points:

1. Do you act as though the Bible is God’s inspired word to you?

2. Are the opinions of culture and others more important to you than what the Bible says?