Unbound and Unshaken

[0:00] A pastor's reflections, unbound and unshaken. John 6, 20-21 But he saith unto them, It is I, be not afraid.

[0:11] ! Then they willingly received him.! But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying,! Save they to whom it is given.

[0:24] James 1, 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness, and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

[0:36] God's word has a remarkable ability to speak truth in whatever situation it may find itself. Do you realize that there has never been a time that God's word has not spoken truth?

[0:49] Never once has the truth of God's word been stifled or stopped. Never has it been beaten or bound. 2 Timothy 2, 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds.

[1:04] But the word of God is not bound. Paul writes to Timothy that he has found himself in a situation where not only is he bound, but he has been perceived and treated as if he is an evildoer.

[1:18] He has for all intents and purposes been defeated in his efforts to be a minister of the gospel. However, in the midst of Paul's storm of defeat, he has discovered something remarkable.

[1:34] God's word is not defeated. God's word is not bound. While Paul lay in bonds, God's word was still free. That word was just as free and effective to do its work when Paul was bound as it was to work when Paul was free.

[1:52] Paul's condition and circumstances could not stop the word of God from having effect. 1 Thessalonians 1, 6 Just like Paul or the apostles in the storm on the Sea of Galilee, we can find ourselves in circumstances and situations that, at face value, would appear to prevent us from receiving God's word.

[2:27] When Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5, 18, In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you, we may ask ourselves, How?

[2:40] How will I give thanks in this circumstance in which I am bound? How will I give thanks in this storm in which I am being blown? Hebrews 4, 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful.

[2:57] God's word is able to cut through any storm and circumvent any circumstance, no matter how blown or bound I may feel. It is not that God's word will not or cannot have an effect, but will I receive the word?

[3:13] In the circumstance or storm that I find myself in. We seem to expect that God's word will mean ease and comfort and deliverance. But God's word is not about improving our circumstances, but improving us in our circumstances.

[3:31] Will God's word deliver me? Absolutely. But will I allow it to deliver me in my storm? Or will I only receive God's word if it delivers me out of my storm?

[3:46] God's word is not bound, and neither are you. There is no bondage that can keep you from receiving God's word. John 8, 36 If the sun therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

[4:03] Will you receive that, even in this storm and this circumstance that you find yourself in right now? Father, thank you that my circumstances and storms do not prevent the word of God from speaking its life-giving truth and freedom to my heart.

[4:22] Thank you that like Paul, my body may be bound, but my spirit is free. Calm my stormy heart with your word. Amen.