Do You Have A Word For Me?

Do You Have A Word For Me?

“And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”

Acts 20:22-23

Especially during times of crisis, desperation, confusion, lack of understanding to the will of God, or uncertainty of the direction that one should take, we often hear people saying “Do you have a word for me?”  These people find themselves at a crossroad and are desperate to hear from God.  Such occasions are found in the Book of Acts.

A Word From Acts

q  In Acts 2 Peter had an answer for the questioning crowd who asked “What meaneth this?”  He responded, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel...” (Acts 2:16)

q  The lame man who asked in Acts 3, “Anything for me?” received his healing.

q  In Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira didn’t enjoy the word they received through the man of God.  Let’s say its revelation of what they had done knocked them dead.

q  Gamaliel in Acts 5 gave the people a word when he said,  “If this is of God you can’t stop it and if it is not from God it will stop itself.” 

q  The Apostles in Acts 6 received a word when they said, “Hey, you find some deacons.  We ‘re going to pray and preach.” 

q  Ananias in Acts 9 received a word that he should go to Strait Street and minister to the former Christian killer, Saul. 

q  Peter had his theology straightened out with a vision, and a word that three men were standing at the gate.  He was told to go with them and preach to the Gentiles, considered by Jews to be unclean.  Cornelius had received a word to send the men in the first place.  I imagine that Peter looked for a quick word from the Lord when the National Board called him in to explain his actions. 

q  In Acts 15 when they had their Jerusalem Summit, James had a word from the Lord, quoting the prophets, and peace was maintained in the church when there could have been a church split. 

q  In Acts 16, Paul in a crossroads of where to preach next was directed to “…Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” (16:9)

q  In Acts 18 Paul received the first of three encouraging words “For I am with thee.”  By Acts 20 he isn’t receiving such encouraging news from others;  “The Holy Ghost has been giving the news in every city that bonds and afflictions are waiting for me in Jerusalem.”  He is better encouraged when he receives a word through an angel right in the middle of fears of possible shipwreck.  “No life will be lost, only the ship.” 

It places us in an awkward position when someone who has confidence in our walk in the Spirit comes up to us and asks, “Do you have a word for me?”  We must be careful to speak only when the Holy Spirit speaks to us and be honest to the person when we have not heard anything from God. It is especially awkward when God has spoken about someone’s situation, in the past, thus building up the person’s confidence, and later they ask if you have received a word about their present situation. 

Then there are those that come up to you and inquire, “I know that God speaks to you.  Has the Lord revealed anything to you about me?  Has the Lord told you anything about my problem?”  This can be quite intimidating.

Man of God

Elisha stayed frequently in the home of a wealthy Shunammite woman.  She and her husband made him a prophet’s chamber and fed him.  One day Elisha gave her a word from the Lord that she was going to have a child.  She refers to him as a “man of God.”  She conceives and gives birth to a son.  When the child grows up he develops a headache and dies.  She puts her son on the bed of the “man of God.”  2 Kings 4 refers to Elisha repeatedly as the “man of God.”   This reference to Elisha can be the highest tribute paid to any minister of the gospel.  He knew God, and God knew him.  The Spirit of the Lord was upon him and he was greatly used in the Spirit.  His ministry was confirmed by signs following and many miracles.  Yet, when the Shunammite woman came rushing to him in desperation, and God had not spoken, look at his response.

“And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away.  And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.”

(2 Kings 4:27)

Speak What God Speaks

This verse reveals to us the proper response when the Lord has not spoken to us about a person’s situation.  “…The Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.” (4:27) 

We should be careful to speak only what the Spirit has spoken to us and not add our own understanding and input.  Let us not be like the interpreter who was hired to translate for a missionary during his travels.  One night while preaching, the missionary noticed that the interpreter was going on and on, despite his own short statements.  Finally the missionary stopped and said, “It seems to be taking you a lot longer to say what takes me only seconds.  Are you sure you are translating me correctly?” 

“Oh, no, sir!” he said proudly, “I am greatly improving on what you are saying.”

We too stand in the place where we are interpreting the message from the Spirit and we cannot add to it, or improve upon it.  We need only speak what God has given to us to speak; at the time that He wants us to speak it. 

We know that the Bible is the complete revelation of God to man in sixty-six books.  We know it as the Scriptures, the Word of God, or the Holy Bible.  It is complete and sufficient.  Any word given in this day must be in full agreement with the Word of God and its context.  Any  “word” concerning salvation that goes beyond, distorts or is contrary to the Scripture must always be rejected. 

A Look at the Word

Two Greek words in the New Testament are translated “word”.  One is “Logos” and the other “Rhema.”  The “Logos” is the “Word” and refers to the Bible.  It is forever settled in heaven.

“But the word of the Lord endureth forever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”  (1 Peter 1:25)

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”  (Psalm 119:89)

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of God shall stand for ever.”  (Isaiah 40:8)

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”  (Luke 21:33)

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

The “Rhema” is a “word from the Word.”  It is a part of the Word of God.  Here the reference is not to the whole Bible but to a particular portion of the Bible, maybe even one word, phrase, or verse.  The Spirit could bring this to our remembrance in a time of need or someone might mention this to us and it inspires our faith.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.”  (Romans 10:17) 

This increases our faith because it is a specific portion of the Word that is applied to our individual situation and ministers to our need.

No true “rhema” spoken today will ever be in conflict with the Word of God.

How to Receive Direction

The best way to receive direction in any situation is to receive it directly from the Lord.  He has established a relationship with you and will want to speak to you.  Others may then confirm to you what God has already revealed to you, thus assuring you that you have heard properly.  The Old Testament is full of such phrases as “The Lord spoke,” “The Lord has spoken,” “God said,”  “The Word of the Lord came unto me saying,” etc.  Just as He spoke to men of old He continues to speak to people today (who want to listen).

Words received should be confirmed.  “...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”  (2 Corinthians 13:1)

In order to hear from God we can read the Word of God.  The Scripture will become illuminated to us and we will receive direction.  We can pray and fast for God’s direction and will in our lives. 

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”  (Jeremiah 33:3) 

Through knowing Jesus Christ in a personal relationship, we can become sensitive to Him and He will speak to us.