This is Joseph Z and I want to share a very powerful truth with you that I’ve learned over the years. Honestly, I’ve learned a lot through trial and error. Here’s what it is: don’t agree with evil, don’t agree with it. Let me explain. Sometimes you get information or bad news and a bad report, somebody tells you something and you’re trying to sort through what to do and you instantly repeat what they’re saying, and you begin to say what the negative, bad, terrible news is. You say it back or you begin to repeat it. Don’t do that.
Here’s why. If you repeat what is being said, now you’re repeating what they already said. Why say what they’re saying? Why not say something different? Let me give you an example, scripturally speaking in Romans chapter four, the book of Romans chapter four, and all the way over here in verse 17, I want you to see this. Romans 4:17. I’m going jump in right in the middle of this verse where it begins to go into what the Lord is saying. He’s talking to Abraham in verse 17, it says, “As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations, (a father of many nations) in the presence of him who believed God.” Now pay very close attention to what’s said next. This is one of God’s MO’s. One of the things God does well and we want to be like our Father God. Amen? We want to act like Him. We want to be in Christ’s image and this is one of the attributes of God. It says, “In the presence of him who believed God, (and here’s what God does), who gives life to the dead.” Now, this is in reference to when Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham knew God could bring Isaac back from the dead. He knew that God gives life to the dead. And here’s the other point, “and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” “As though they did, as though they did.”
You know, many times we look at things and we see it for what it is and you’re like, “You know what? I’m just trying to be real. I’m just trying to be real. You need to be real. I’m just being real.” God doesn’t want you to be real. God wants you to talk like Him, act like Him, okay? And what I mean by this is is that doesn’t mean you deny that something’s happening. If something challenging is happening, you can acknowledge it. But the rule I choose to live by, and it’s been very effective in my life, is David’s rule. David glanced at Goliath, but he was gazing at God. Let me say that again. I’ll say it the other way. David gazed at God, but he was glancing at Goliath. He knew Goliath was there, he knew what was going on. But remember he never said, “Oh, you’re big, you’re gonna take me out.” It’s like the Veggie Tales song. You know, “You’re big. I’m little.” He didn’t do that. You know what David did? David looked at Goliath and he said, “I have a covenant and today I will do this and I will do this and I will do this” all based on what the Word of God said in his heart.
Now you need to act like God. You get a report, you get something coming against you. You need to act like God and call those things that “be not.” You know, you may “be not” wealthy or financially secure. You may “be not” healthy. You may “be not” having children that are home and in a good relationship with you. You may “be not” married with a healthy marriage or a healthy relationship. You may “be not” a lot of things, but God, please hear me, God calls those things that “be not” as though they were. And I want to encourage you with that today.
Look at the circumstances and call the things that “be not.” You “be not” this, you “be not” that. It “be not” well, but don’t call it that. Call what “be not” as though it were, or as though you wanted it to be. And there’s a great saying that goes with that. Every time you say something, make sure you just add the phrase right at the end of that sentence, “and that’s exactly how I want it to be.” If you say, “I don’t feel good,” then add the phrase, “that’s exactly how I want it to be.” If you say, “You know what? I’m blessed,” then you say, “and that’s exactly how I want it to be,” because you’ll have what you say when you mix it with faith, and your heart and your mouth connect, something good will happen to you if you use it properly. Call those things that “be not” as though they were. Man, I hope this helps you today. Jesus is Lord. I’m Joseph Z and I look forward to talking to you again very soon.
Friend, there’s a heart, there’s a life, there’s a person, there’s a real person that needs to hear the good use of Jesus Christ at this very moment. Today, I appeal to you to join with us and become a media missionary, sow financially into GOD TV, and let’s take this good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Through your giving, through your prayer, through your support, this world is going to be changed and the good news of Jesus Christ is going to be heard around the world. God bless you.