Receiving and Acting on God's Timely Message
Bishop Leonard Chatham
Have you ever felt stuck, unsure of your next move, or desperate for guidance? We all face seasons where we need a fresh word from God to light our path. As Bishop Leonard Chatham powerfully reminds us, "God has a plan for your life!" But how do we position ourselves to receive and act on God's timely message?
God's Word Never Fails
First, we must have complete confidence in God's word. As the sermon emphasizes, "If God promised it to you, it will come to pass." This echoes the truth found in 1 Kings 8:56, which declares, "Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave." When we truly believe this, it changes how we approach every situation in life.
Bishop Chatham challenges us: "You can never go beyond what you see." Like Abraham in Genesis 15, we need to lift our eyes to see God's vision for our lives. What has God shown you? What promises are you clinging to? Remember, "If you believe what you see in God as a vision, it will come to pass."
Hiding God's Word in Our Hearts
It's not enough to simply hear God's word; we must internalize it. As David wrote in Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." The sermon vividly illustrates this: "Some people need to have a secret place to where that whenever they go to do wrong, they could reach in that secret place and you can look at it and you can say, that's wrong. That's right."
When we hide God's word in our hearts, it becomes our constant companion and guide. It keeps us from stumbling and gives us the strength to persevere. As Bishop Chatham exclaims, "If you got the word of God, he won't let you make a mistake."
A Seasonal Word
God doesn't just speak generally; He gives us specific words for our current season. The sermon asks, "Anybody ever had a seasonal word? Look at somebody say, I need a seasonal word. I need a word that's right for my season."
Proverbs 15:23 reminds us, "A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!" Have you experienced the joy of receiving just the right word at just the right time? It's like having an itch scratched in a place you couldn't reach yourself. As Bishop Chatham colorfully puts it, "That's what I'm talking about. The Holy Ghost scratch you. That's why you need to be scratched."
Speaking a Word in Season
Not only do we need to receive seasonal words, but we also need to learn how to speak them to others. Isaiah 50:4 says, "The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary." This takes discipline and a heart attuned to God's Spirit.
The sermon challenges us: "It takes real discipline to stand up in the middle of your enemies. To know they hate you and to say, I bless you in the name of the Lord." Are you willing to speak life and blessing, even to those who mistreat you?
A Timely Word
Finally, we need timely words that keep us aligned with God's purpose and destiny for our lives. As the sermon states, "Timely words gives you the opportunity to make sure yourself is ready for what is coming after you."
Hebrews 1:1-4 reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate example of speaking and embodying God's timely word. As we follow Christ, we too can speak with authority and see God's purposes unfold in our lives and the lives of others.
Putting It Into Practice:
Meditate daily on God's promises. Write down specific promises that apply to your current situation and declare them out loud.
Memorize Scripture. Choose key verses that speak to your needs and commit them to memory.
Ask God for a "seasonal word." Spend time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to give you specific guidance for this season of your life.
Practice speaking words of encouragement. Look for opportunities to offer a timely, uplifting word to someone each day.
Align your prayers with your position in Christ. As the sermon urges, "Stand up from your position and say, I don't have it yet, but it's on the way."
Remember, you have authority in Christ. It's time to stop praying from your circumstances and start praying from your position in Christ. As you do, watch how God's timely word transforms your life and the lives of those around you.
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