My Word 
By Mike Rule

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Mark 10"29-31)

In last week’s article I shared an honest glimpse of my heart and life. Things are not easy and there are so many opportunities to die to my own selfish agendas, and embrace Jesus. I wish I could say I get it right all the time, but I don’t. I whine and complain a lot. I’m like the son in Matthew 21:28-32 who said, "No way, I won’t do THAT!" but then thought the better of it and went out and did what was asked of him anyway. I am learning to be more thankful than ever that Jesus is patient with us. I’m glad that He sees beyond our emotions and knows that He is the deepest desire of our hearts.

I recently conversed with a friend about some of the miraculous things we have seen God do in people’s lives over the past few months. I also shared how I have felt beaten down. His response was very encouraging. He reminded me that the things that work death in me are the very things that work life in others. If I live, then others die; but if I will die, then others will live. By dying to my selfish desire for comfort, God is keeping me safe to see His power and glory revealed.

This friend then asked me to think of the one word that God uses to keep me dependent: "What is your word? What is the word that will keep you at His feet?" I have pondered and prayed about this question. What has been the one word that has continually brought me to His feet? What has kept me persevering no matter the cost? As I waited upon Him, God slowly revealed that the word that has always kept me near became flesh and dwelt among us. When there seems no way, Jesus is The Way. When the lies confound me, Jesus is The Truth. When the overwhelming reality of death is working in me and around me, Jesus is the Life! Jesus IS…! No man comes to the feet of the Father except through Him. His name is Jesus. Jesus is my word, and Jesus is my Word!

My struggles, trials and difficulties -- which are tailor-made "persecution" for me at this stage of my life -- are all filtered through His fingers of love so that I will be helplessly dependent. They keep me so weak that I cannot even attempt to leave. My own struggles and temptations are what Jesus addressed in Matthew 13 when He explained the parable of the seeds.

"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty."

When my word (Jesus) comes to keep me at the Father’s feet, I may feel any one of these things. I may receive Him with joy, but I am soon tempted to give up. When trouble and persecution come along I might nearly stumble. When the cares of this world feel overwhelming and the financial pressure seems to choke me, it’s tempting to quit. But thanks be to God! He allows us to see these are the things He uses to keep us dependent upon Him! Therefore I pray, "Lord, may it continually be done to me according to your good plan and will. I thank You that You do not listen to me when I whine and complain. I thank You for giving me the desires of my heart – I thank You for giving that special word that keeps me dependent and near -- my word -- the Living Word -- JESUS."