The Long Cold Winter

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  For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn't return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do. Isaiah 55:10'11 WEB.
  
  After the long cold winter, our grass was a dead brown. The yard looked pretty hopeless. Then one evening in the spring, we had a huge rain. The grass seemed to spring to life overnight and soon became a lush green that grew so high I needed to cut it. It wasn't dead. It just needed rain.
  
  The Lord said that His word is like that. When He speaks a word, it will accomplish what He pleases. This includes the written word we call the Bible (Logos), as well as spoken words (Rhema: an utterance). The Rhema is a current, living word from God. Jesus said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). That "word" (Rhema) means "every utterance from the mouth of God."
  
  If you feel that God hasn't spoken to man in the last two thousand years, then you may have an issue with this. That's fine, but Jesus said many times, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matt. 11:15, Matt. 13:9, Matt. 13:43, Mark 4:9, Mark 4:23, Mark 7:16, Luke 8:8, Luke 14:35, Rev. 2:7, Rev. 2:11, Rev. 2:17, Rev. 2:29, Rev. 3:6, Rev. 3:13, Rev. 3:22). So apparently, not everyone has their spiritual ears open.
  
  In my own life, I've found that one word from God changes everything. When the Lord speaks to you, the circumstances no longer matter. Once, after being without work for several months, we began preparing to move out of our home. I felt so abandoned and alone that I didn't even pray anymore. Our computer business had dried up, and I couldn't find a job anywhere. I was so angry and frustrated, and spiritually, I was in a very dark place.
  
  I went into my prayer room one morning and sat down. Without saying anything, I suddenly had an open vision of myself entering a boxing ring and pulling the gloves on. The camera view began behind me, and it looked like I was alone. But then the view panned around to my face, and I could see the Lord standing behind me, like a coach or a manager. Then He spoke these words to me:
  
  "You are not alone, for I am in your corner, and I have prepared you for this day. Now get in there and fight!"
  
  His presence settled over me. It put me in tears, and I knew right then that everything was going to be alright. I came out of the prayer room and told my wife, Sylvia, that everything would be OK. That was a Tuesday morning. Things happened very quickly after that, and by Friday morning, I found myself working as a pastor in the ministry. Then a friend stepped in and paid all of our bills for the month without us asking them. That one word from God changed everything for us. It opened doors, brought peace, and it brought provision. It turned despair into hope and joy.
  
  Many of us are dry and parched in our spirit, just like that grass, and life looks pretty hopeless. Pains, hurts, disappointments, and the lack of the Lord's presence, slowly dry us up inside. The fun, the excitement, and the wonder of knowing God can become distant memories.
  
  God's presence can restore that joy. In minutes what looked hopeless and dead can become a renewed vision and a restoration of life. His word accomplishes what it was meant to do, and it is unstoppable. His word is the final word. One gentle whisper from the Lord can be life-changing. Why do we look in so many other places for the answer? Prepare your hearts for the rain, for the long cold winter is over when spring comes.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let me hear Your voice in a clear, unmistakable way that I understand. I want to serve You with all of my heart and surrender my will to You. Use me, Lord, teach me. Lead me, and I will follow You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
  
  Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
  
  
  

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