Rumor

Job 28:20-28
20 "Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds of the air.
22 Destruction and Death say,
'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'
23 God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.
28 And he said to man,
'The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.   NIV

Have you ever been at a church where rumor's run rampant?
Consider the gossip behind this rumor! Remember from the Bible about rumors that are mentioned? Let's start with Jesus!  We find rumors in Mark 1!

Mark 1:23-29  Amplified

Just at that time there was in their synagogue a man [ who was in the power] of an unclean spirit; and now [immediately] he raised a deep and terrible cry from the depths of his throat, saying, 24 what have You to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are---the Holy One of God! 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hush up (be muzzled, gagged), and come out of him! 26 And the unclean spirit, throwing the man into convulsions and screeching with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all so amazed, and almost terrified that they kept questioning and demanding one of another, saying What is this? What new (fresh) teaching! With authority He gives orders even to the unclean spirits and they obey Him! 28 And immediately rumors concerning Him spread [everywhere] throughout all the region surrounding Galilee.

The fear of the Lord is wisdom........and it is to shun evil and gain the understanding of God. In coming to His thoughts and ways are certainly higher than ours. But remaining in Him, we grow in His wisdom of righteous living and walk into the understanding of those inclinations that we learned early in life and lean toward while living in a fallen world. For when we understand His way that is right and security to us, He will certainly guard those paths of justice and preserve our way. (Proverbs 2:8-9)
In remaining in Him we gain the understanding of living that righteous life that has the hallmark of justice. And those inclinations of family given to us over periods of generations is stopped by His Word of power in our lives.

In the scripture passage above from the book of Mark and chapter 1, we find a man who was under the power of an unclean spirit. And it evidently was a loud speaking spirit, indeed. For it's screeching sounds are indicated in verse 26. And in verse 27 we find that they (who looked on) were all amazed and almost terrified that they kept questioning and demanding one of another, saying, What is this? What new (fresh) teaching! With authority He gives even orders to the unclean spirits and they obey Him!

to be amazed: thambeo....NT: 2285 to stupefy, to astound

So what amazed the people more? Was it that He, Jesus cast out the unclean spirit or that He spoke with authority or could it have been both things? For it certainly was fresh teaching to them and they considered this a teaching to them!

Have you seen a child surprised about something that almost scares them? They run to the closest parent and start asking questions immediately. I remember our grand-child the first time she saw the Easter Bunny. She knew it to not be a good thing. She was terrified!  She turned inward toward her mom and tightened her grip on mother's neck. This is the scene I picture here in this moment of time. These folks had never seen such authority and order! He is teaching from the Word of God, the Holy Scripture and then ministers to a man who was demon possessed.  Imagine what life was being given in those moments before those people and they saw it as "fresh"!

Then in verse 28..............immediately rumors concerning Him spread [everywhere] through all the region surrounding Galilee.

And it was spread, from ear to ear and am certain many added their own flavor of what occurred although they were not there to see the actual happening. RUMORS!

They are generally spread by those who really have no relationship with the person being talked about. They care nothing about the person but are so readily available to have their say about the ordeal or happening concerning the "person" ! 

It then turns to gossip and ugliness. When they could follow Jesus and see the authority He walked in, yet the word, the rumor they spoke went out through the region surrounding Galilee. In that event some saw good and other's did not.

Luke 4:31-37

31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. 32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. 33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, 

Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. 36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, "What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 37 And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.     NKJV

Again we see this in Luke 4. They were all amazed and spoke among themselves. "What a word this is!" "For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out."

And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

In the KJV the word given was "fame" and in the NKJV we see " report ".......in looking up fame in the Greek.........we find it listed as an : echo.....uncertain, noisy...........loud and confused...also roar: rumor

What is they say: familiarity breeds contempt?
And people can be vicious.............they can say really stupid things:

Well, I know you, and God will never use you! You know I knew your parents and they were not quality people.  Well, I know your background and God is looking for the faithful. 

But God is looking for the humble in heart who will do His bidding.

What we may view with our own eyes may not be the next Billy Graham, but may be the very guy God is growing up to walk with Him.

Then another speaks more ugliness............................ Ah, but who is mentoring you.....????.......well, you really need someone to mentor you...........!!!
Come on guys, we have the Holy Spirit living in our hearts. Remember Him, who was hovering over the face of the earth.............brooding and brought order into all the chaos that covered that face of the earth?

I like this one: "Well you scared me!" or "They overwhelm me..........and ......well, I am not coming back!"                 I wonder how many Jesus heard speak those same sentiments.

In this day and hour, we must be those who abide in the Word of God. We should not live by rumors and those confused echos of a fallen world. For if we truly we live, then we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We live by the Holy Spirit Who lives in our hearts and relays to us the things we must know for all our tomorrow's. It is not about, "well, he said, or she said", but it is about Jesus who went about doing good and healing all that were the sick.

Acts 10:38-43

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."  NKJV


Do our lives look like His life?

 Jesus came openly and spoke but not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after he arose from the dead.

Even so today, God speaks to His chosen and those He is establishing. It is Him that we give the new (fresh) that is entirely His Word. It is no fairy tale, contains no magic dust, but it is power to bring healing to all who are the oppressed by the devil.

For truly God is with us who obey His every command, and who keep the faithful walk by His side and minister weekly to those who come to hear God and to praise His name.

Don't party with those who want to spread the "rumor". Don't spend time to start gossip about something you know nothing about. If people want to know what God is doing, then they need to ask Him. And He will listen when their heart is for Him and not for the sake of gossip. Go visit "person" where the "happening" is going on. Go and look for His kingdom and it will be there for the kingdom of God has come. You should experience His presence there!

 BUT IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT, THEN YES GO CHECK OUT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING HEALED AND THE PEOPLE ARE BEING SET FREE TO BE ALL GOD PLANNED FOR THEM THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
Yes, rumors are going to fly and we, even the church we attend will hear them, but we speak what we have heard from the Father. We abide in Him to bring His presence to the lost and the dying. Where does your heart reside? Will you be overwhelmed in the presence of God?

Jesus spoke this:

Matthew 12:25-28
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.   NIV

If we are truly in God's house and the demons are leaving people, then the "kingdom of God" has come upon us. If that is not happening in your services, then run, don't walk till you find His presence and abide in Him. For He is not far from any of us...........

Acts 17:26-28

 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'   NIV

If we are the saved, then we abide in Him to hear Him speak. We abide in Him to teach with a freshness.........that gently breeze of the Holy Spirit and proclaim His goodness. 

Acts 19:11-18

11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.  NKJV

It is evident that rumors held this together. For we see Paul working the unusual because he had a relationship with God. Diseases would leave and evil spirits would exit men. But it tells us in this passage that there were those who would "try to exorcise" in the name of Jesus. The Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. And they said this: : 'we exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.'  YIKES!

Now that is stupid!

Then we find there were these 7 sons of Sceva. And he, Sceva was a Jewish chief priest. And the person they chose evidently had a particularly powerful demon for the demon within this person wrestled them, tore their clothes off them, and prevailed over them, and these 7 sons fled naked.

Now we know demons have no power over those who are the truly saved. And they are those who know what authority of which they walk. Jesus gave that to us. See Luke 10:19.

Luke 10:19-20

 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."   NKJV

The spirits are subject to us! But our services are anything but setting captives free. It is let's have some food here and party like it is 1999.  Now many came after seeing this thing. For in verse 17 it became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus. Fear fell on them! And the name of Jesus was magnified. I wonder who was there speaking over these people after these events.

It certainly turned out well. For now there was the evidence that what Paul did and spoke in His name. And God's word prevailed and not the other way round. No, God was shown to be real!

If we do not depart from sin and try this in a service, then disaster will ensue! These who failed kept their own ways and doing, they kept their sin and it almost killed them!

Proverbs 1:28-32

28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer;

they will look for me but will not find me. 

29 Since they hated knowledge 

and did not choose to fear the LORD, 

30 since they would not accept my advice 

and spurned my rebuke, 

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways 

and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety 

and be at ease, without fear of harm."    NIV

In verse 32 in the Amplified reads this way: For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them.
And verse 33 reads this way: But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.

In closing:
Some people just go looking for disaster. They see someone do something in Jesus' name and think they can do it, even though they have to prayer time with Him and have not read the Word of God in months. Those who choose God will walk in power. They will have His knowledge and do exploits for Him. They will follow Him no matter what, and as they listen to Him, He will cause them to live in safety, in ease and without fear of harm. Those who choose the rumors, that confusion of man will follow after disaster and fall into pits. Let's not be careless in the things of God!
Let's be counted with the wise who have the fear of the Lord. That is to hate: evil, pride, arrogance and the evil way.  (evil way is the perverted and twisted speech)

Proverbs 8:13

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way

And the perverse mouth I hate.  NKJV

THOSE IN THE POWER OF GOD: ARE THE FAITHFUL, THEY ARE THE ANOINTED WHO KNOW WHAT AUTHORITY THEY WALK IN AND THEY TRUST HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY FORWARD!

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Responding in Faith

What is fighting the "good fight of faith"?
Scripture tells us that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith!

Hebrews 12:1-2.....................12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NKJV

When we read verse 12, we are to lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us to run an endurance race that is set before us! That race is a life journey, a walk of faith with the Lord entrusting our every step into His confident hands!

1 Timothy 6:11-16.................11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.    NKJV

Lay hold of a life that pursues righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith holding onto that eternal life through Jesus.

Matthew 27:11-14.....................11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. 

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge-to the great amazement of the governor. 

NIV

Life can seem unfair! But as we see with Jesus, we must choose how to deal with people in fairness, patience, truth, gentleness, righteousness and godliness seasoned with much love!
What if Jesus chose to speak against those bringing accusations? What if He wanted His say at that moment in time? What if He just let "loose" and told them it was about Him? No, because Jesus was led by love to forgive and to continue obeying His Father who directed Him to the Cross!

If there is something going on in the workplace or at home, do we look at the circumstance instead of looking into the face of Jesus?

Do we throw all caution to the wind, so to speak and dwell on the circumstance or situation or will we keep the faith and keep a good confession in the presence of many witnesses?

Will we confess:

Ephesians 5:1…..I am Your follower.

Ephesians 5:2……. I walk in love.

Ephesians 5:8….. I am light in You.

Ephesians 5:15…. I walk circumspectly.

Ephesians 5:18…...I am filled with the Spirit.

Revelation 12:11…..I am an overcomer.

1 Peter 2:24…..I am healed.

John 8:36….I am free.

Matthew 5:13…...I am salt.

1 Corinthians 6:11 amp……..I am consecrated.

1 Corinthians 6:11…...I am sanctified.

1 John 5:4….. I am victorious.

Everything You say about me is true, Lord. In Your name I pray. amen

Or will we let it "all hang out"? Will our words, sound like God our Father or the world?

It is important to fight with the faith in God's Word. To do anything else is like committing a spiritual suicide. We should always be determined to respond by holding onto joy in Jesus.

So what if it looks like things will never change? NOW would not be the time to stop believing! Only meditating on the world's view of things can lead people into bitterness and conjure a false view of God. God is good and He is good all the time, every day and in every circumstance. We must align ourselves with His truth and thoughts by confessing what He says about us. Bitterness about a situation will only cause one to lose direction in life and that moves one into the "enemy's camp".

Psalm 68:1-3......Let God arise,

Let His enemies be scattered;

Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 

2 As smoke is driven away,

So drive them away;

As wax melts before the fire,

So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 

3 But let the righteous be glad;

Let them rejoice before God;

Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. 

NKJV

Bitterness about a situation will cause one to be a wanderer with no certain path on which to walk.

Isaiah 38:15-19............15 "What shall I say?

He has both spoken to me,

And He Himself has done it.

I shall walk carefully all my years 

In the bitterness of my soul. 

16 O LORD, by these things men live;

And in all these things is the life of my spirit;

So You will restore me and make me live. 

17 Indeed it was for my own peace 

That I had great bitterness;

But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption,

For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. 

18 For Sheol cannot thank You,

Death cannot praise You;

Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. 

19 The living, the living man, he shall praise You,

As I do this day;

The father shall make known Your truth to the children.   NKJV

In verse 17, the writer tells of us choosing his peace but his peace had great bitterness. But he goes on to tell that the Lord delivered his soul from that corruption, that sin which ensnares one.

Here we find that the Lord restores us day by day not to wander in bitterness of the soul but to live. He wants us alive to Him and give thanks for His goodness in delivering us from the things of the world.

We must understand that "bitterness" is a self-inflected venom that will kill.  Staying in bitterness will only lead one into more troubles and forget how to forgive others.

How does our faith measure up today? Is our trust in God alone? Do I think God needs my help to get things moving in this situation or circumstance at home or in the workplace? Do I think I need it done "my way"? Am I declaring it is "all about me"? Yikes! That would be a bad place to be in the journey of life. Are we putting on the confession to many witnesses of those listed above like being one who walks in love, is filled with the Spirit, am an overcomer or does something else spew out of our mouths? Am I thinking I deserve something that was given to someone else? Do I think I need to speak every thought I think out loud?

When we choose to say that we walk circumspectly, we walk as in the way of the Lord being mindful of others. It is bringing others to His word as well. To be an example of what a "Christian" looks like in living life, and not as a distraction, or something that belongs of this world.
Ephesians 5:15...."see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as the wise."
"Circumspectly"...... Greek word..."Akribos"....means diligently, perfectly, circumspectly......
"see then"..........Greek words "Blepo oun" .......take heed, take action or make sure
"walk" ....Greek word..."peripateo" ....to live, or to be occupied with"

TAKE HEED TO BE OCCUPIED WITH DILIGENT, PERFECT (INSTRUCTION)


Confessing God's Word, His power, His goodness and faithfulness to us is a choice even when it appears that bullets are flying in our direction. The Word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever. It will always remain the same in the face of any cultural disintegration, and moral upheaval. It is following Jesus daily and keeping that faith which brings victory to us in any circumstance or situation.

The choices we make today toward holding onto the Author and the Finisher of our FAITH will instill in us a strength and courage to know that we are walking the way Jesus walked. This walk involves not only us but in also involves all our future generations!

1 John 5:4….. I am victorious.

Father, today in Jesus' name, I pray for those who are bowed down. May their hearts take courage to know that You are their strength. Your thoughts and ways are the way to life with joy and peace. Father thank You for all who read and pray this out today. May they know You have not given them a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I pray Father they would hold onto Your thoughts, feelings and purposes for them from Your heart. I pray they will be renewed with the fresh mental and spiritual attitude as they run to Your Word of safety.
Father, thank You that Your children are set free from every evil work. We praise You that the joy of the Lord is our strength and stronghold!
The things of this world are put to death today. Our fellowship, we pray is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Today we are alive from the dead and we walk circumspectly with others understanding there are witnesses to our faith walk. We move away from that which is past and move forward into the future, to that which lies ahead. Yes we strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which You are calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us! Our hope is in You. That hope which never disappoints or deludes or shames us for YOUR love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. Whatever the circumstance we face today, Lord we roll that work upon You, commit and trust it wholly to You; and believe that You will cause our thoughts to be come agreeable to Your will and so our plans will be established and succeed. Amen.


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