Many years ago, I was asked to sing at a wedding. The day before the wedding, I lost my voice. I didn’t know what to do. I prayed to the Lord and asked him to intervene. I was feeling discouraged, and I needed healing! The Lord pointed me to Matthew 8. If you aren’t familiar with this chapter, I encourage you to read it. It covers many miracles from Jesus. Many healings, calming of the stormy sea, and casting out of demons. I went to the chapter and read it. I was encouraged by all the stories, but when I tried to speak, my voice was still in bad shape. I felt the urging of the Holy Spirit, “Read it again”. And so, I did. Again, and again. I couldn’t speak out loud, but I mouthed the words, eager to obey the direction of the Lord. I read it seven times in all before I was released to stop reading. Still, my voice was gone. A verse came to mind out of Ephesians 6 “having done everything, stand”. This verse means, having done all your heavenly Father has asked of you, stand firm on your faith that He will do His part. Stand firm on the Living Word. I went to bed that night, and when I woke up the next morning my voice was totally restored!
That story is one of many times I have spoken (in that case mouthed) the Word, stood on the Word, and seen the Word work. We just talked about this a couple of weeks ago in the “Speak It, Believe It, See It” blog post. We decided that since this formula is repeated in the Word, it bears repeating in our preaching and writing as well! Let us show you where to find this in scripture. All these verses, and plenty more, express the need to speak the word and then stand in faith!
Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
Romans 10:9-10 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Hebrews 13:6 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?
We want to encourage you to find ways to incorporate scripture into your daily life. Make speaking the Word a part of your everyday life, all throughout the day! One idea to help do this is to write scripture out on index cards and put them in places like your fridge, your bathroom mirror, or your car. When you come across the card read it out loud!
In order to pick the best verses for you, you must get into the Word and read for yourself. Study scripture and write the ones that speak to and encourage you most! Here are a few verses we recommend!
Matthew 6:33” But seek (aim and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given to you.” The order matters! Seek first (by reading and speaking the word) AND THEN (by faith) all these things will be given to you!
Ephesians 3:20 God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you could ever ask, imagine, or think, according to His power at work in you. To Him be the glory.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in you.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
We are speaking the Word over each of you reading this. We are believing with you! Be encouraged in knowing that your heavenly Father is and has all you need, and He is eager for you to see it and receive it!
