Thank you for joining me today! I pray the message in this teaching will bring positive and encouraging changes for you in your walk with the Lord. The Lord has anointed His Word and the Holy Spirit is a great Teacher. In Christ, Eric

A number of years ago, we sang a chorus in our church written by Ron Kenoly called, “Whose Report Shall You Believe.” The chorus, repeated four times, goes like this:

(Worship leader) “Whose report will you believe?”

(Congregation) “We shall believe the report of the Lord.

The Old Testament verse referenced is found in Isaiah 53:1, “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” The Hebrew word translated ‘report’ is shemuswah and means: the report that reached us, news, tidings. The word ‘arm’ in this verse, zerowa means, divine strength. Lord is the word Yehovah, the Jewish national name of God: Jehovah.

In the New Testament, we have a cross-reference written by Paul quoting Isaiah 53:1 in Romans 10:16, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" The Greek word akoe translated ‘report’ means : message, specifically the preaching of the gospel. You notice, Paul stated, that not all who heard the report believed it.

When Paul, a prisoner, was being transported to Italy, they faced foul weather and disastrous circumstances. The angel of God came to Paul and gave him a ‘report’ or message from the Lord. The angel told Paul that he and his shipmates would be delivered through the storm, even though the ship would be lost. Paul declared to those on the ship, “for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” (Acts 27: 20-25)

Then, we see this amazingly promising and reassuring prophetic word written by the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 55:11 (NASB20), “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it”. God’s Word will always accomplish what He desires when spoken by God or His messenger. (As we saw when the angel spoke to Paul on the ship.)

Then, Ezekiel 12:25 reveals, “For I am the LORD, I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it,” says the Lord GOD’”

Mary believed God’s Word spoken to her by the angel Gabriel about conceiving the Son of God, and when she went to see Elizabeth, Elizabeth prophesied, these words over Mary found in Luke 1:45, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." You see, Mary believed that what she was told would come to pass (she believed the report of the Lord) and thus was blessed!

Scripture also reveals that not one word of His promises will ever fail! 1 Kings 8:56 (NIV), “Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” Could you imagine how our life would change if we actually accepted that truth? We are such an emotion-driven people. Think about how you respond to receiving bad news at the doctor’s office, having someone pull out in front of you and causing a fender bender, losing a job, and seeing half empty shelves at your grocery store! What about having a ‘friend’ spread lies about you, or having someone steal your stuff? How do those actions or voices affect you? Do you get angry, depressed, anxious, fearful, or do you “Cast your care on the Lord, knowing that He cares for you.”? (1 Peter 5:7)

There are so many voices in the earth today, sometimes it is difficult to know who to believe. I believe we would be astounded if we realized how many people are deceived and have chosen to follow the wrong voice. A voice that has not come from the Lord, but the voice of the great deceiver, the one who completely desires to draw you away from your walk and relationship with the Lord. Whose report do you believe?

We are promised that if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God and He will give it to those who believe. James 1:5-8 (ESV), “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach (shame), and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Do you notice that this promise is conditional? The first thing I notice is, we must choose to ask, next, we must have faith (trust and confidence in God or Christ), and then, if we do not doubt (be at variance with one’s self, hesitate), He will give wisdom generously. He gives ‘without reproach’ - it is okay for you to admit you need wisdom.

There is only one source of absolute truth. John 8:31 and 32, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, aletheia the Greek word for ‘truth’ in this verse means: the truth respecting God and the execution of His purpose through Christ.

Look at what John 17:17 declares, :"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

God’s Word is our instruction in righteousness and teaches us how to please Him. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Romans 12:2b (NLT) reveals how God’s Word, His report, will change us into a new person by changing the way we think. This verse lets us know absolutely the importance of His ‘report’. It tells us, “… let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” Do you see it? God’s Word is His will! When we know His Word and will, it changes the way we think!

We do have a big part to play.

James 2:23 (NLT) states, “And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed (trusted absolutely) God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." He was even called the friend of God.” Romans 4:20 and 21 (NLT), “Abraham never wavered in believing (trusting absolutely) God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. I have to ask you. Is this where you live? Do you fully believe, or trust absolutely that God will do whatever His Word promises? Abraham , the Father of our faith, believed God and was then used by god to be a blessing to the whole world. (Romans 4:16).

We can believe man, the devil, or God. Joshua 24:15b states “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” I will additionally state along with my family, “As for me and my house, we will believe the Lord.”

In speaking with people from all walks of life, I found that many do not know God’s Word. Neither do they look to it for their wisdom when making decisions. If this describes you, now is the time to make a change. His Word is always right and will never lead you astray.

Two things will happen if you do not know the Word of God. You will not recognize his voice (and open yourself to all kinds of deception) and His Word will not be your guide.

God requires us to bellieve Him. Additionally, look at 2 Timothy 2:15. It reveals (New Revised Standard Version), “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.” To believe Him and to rightly explain the word of truth, we must know His Word.

Joshua 1:8 (NLT), “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Proverbs 30:5a (ESV), “Every word of God proves true.”

“Death and Life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21a)

I would like to wrap up with some questions.

Do you speak truth to and about yourself? (Some times we can be our own worst critic.)

Do you speak His report to those around you and yourself?

Do you speak, study, and know the Words of Life, the words that will help you withstand the “report” of your enemy (satan)? His report will cause you to walk in fear, insecurity, doubt, and anxiety. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)

We all speak, however we all need to speak life and Truth!

It is never too late to turn over a new leaf. It is never too late to speak positive words of life and truth.

To succeed in this life, there is only one ‘report’ or message to believe and that is God’s Word!

We were created to walk with Him and heed His will. The enemy would try and deceive us at every turn. So, we must choose. Deuteronomy 30:19 and 20 (ESV), “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Tell me, Whose Report Will You Believe?

Unless otherwise noted all of the Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version.

NIV New International Version

NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020

NLT New Living Translation

ESV English Standard Version