My pastor often says, “if you can achieve your dream on your own, it is not big enough.” God is calling us to go beyond our own abilities, talents, and resources.
Do you have a word you are clinging to for this year, or for the season you are currently in? I am not talking about simply choosing a “word” for the year. While it may start there, I am talking about a Rhema Word from God that you can stand on. Rhema is the spoken Word of God, the utterance. It is living.
Hebrews 4:12 says,
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
So, I ask you again, what Word has the Lord spoken to you? This year, the Lord gave me the word “equipped”. There is no real power in the word equipped. The power comes from God’s Word behind the word equipped. His Word is living and powerful. After He spoke the word equipped to my heart, I began to read Scriptures on equipped. God began speaking so clearly to my heart that He was equipping me. He was and is equipping me for everything I face, every dream He places in my heart, and every obstacle that will confront me. As I began to study, I was drawn to Hebrews 13:20-21. Paul, who is considered to be the author of Hebrews shared these words:
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The word equipped is from the Greek word katartisai. It means to complete or prepare. I want to share with you the definition of equip according to Webster’s dictionary 1828.
- Properly, to dress; to habit. Hence, to furnish with arms, or a complete suit of arms, for military service. Thus we say, to equip men or troops for war; to equip a body of infantry or cavalry. But the word seems to include not only arms, but clothing, baggage, utensils, tents, and all the apparatus of an army, particularly when applied to a body of troops. Hence, to furnish with arms and warlike apparatus; as, to equip a regiment.
- To furnish with men, artillery and munitions of war, as a ship. Hence, in common language, to fit for sea; to furnish with whatever is necessary for a voyage.
The army was not only equipped with weapons but armor, provision, training, and everything they had need of for the battle. There is so much power and promise in the simple word equip! I can walk in full confidence that anything God calls me to do, He will fully and completely equip me. He will not leave me lacking. He is furnishing me with whatever is necessary to the voyage He has called me to. He is supplying me with everything I need, internally and externally. Body, soul, and spirit.
When He tells me to step out of my comfort zone and follow Him, I can count on Him to supply everything I need to say yes and obey.
When I am presented with a challenge, obstacle, or even a temptation, I can trust that He has equipped me.
I wrote a prayer of declaration that I pray every morning.
Father, thank you for fully equipping me to fulfill your plans and purposes for my life. Thank you for equipping me with health, wisdom, creativity, love, compassion, enthusiasm, and joy. You have given me everything I need to say YES to you and fulfill your call on my life – fulfilling the destiny you have planned for me. I say YES to you. All for Your glory.
When challenges arise, I remind myself of the Word God has spoken to me. Here are a few more verses He gave me to remind me that I am fully equipped.
so that the servant of God] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17 NIV
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Equipped is what God spoke to my heart for this time of my life. It is a Word and promise I will treasure forever, but I am intentionally meditating on it during this season.
Do you have a Word that the Lord has spoken to you?
If so, are you keeping that Word in front of you? Are you meditating on it and continually reminding yourself what God has spoken to you. Don’t get hung up on the ‘word’ of the year. Seek God continually and ask Him what Word He has for you now, is this season.
What promises does He want you to hold onto?
His Word is full of promises (8,810!) His promises and yes and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Collette Sawyer
My true passion is the local church. I enjoy encouraging other women to find their hope, joy, peace, and direction in our Lord Jesus. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” That is my heartbeat; drawing near to Him and helping others draw near to Him.