Divide His Word for His Final Word

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“ -2 Timothy 2:15

I woke up with a word God gave me. I will obey and share a personal story that happened to me. I know in my spirit God is wrestling with someone today to do that which is right. Regardless, the outcome.

This above scripture is one that should make any believer stop, listen, and obey. Honestly, I never understood why people are bent high in doing things their way. That command is simple and clear.

1. Be diligent! This means we are to be persistent in our walk with God. We are to be dedicated and committed to Him and Him alone. We are to serve Him with a zealous spirit. Standing strong, untiring, always persevering, with intent to do that which is right. This is where it first starts if you want to be approved by God. In life, if you want anything you must be diligent, too. I don’t know anyone who made it without diligence. Why would we be surprised at this verse? It works the same way with God.

2. Present yourself! Very easy this part. Be available and ready. What for? To speak truth. To stand for truth, honor, and defend that which is right. If you know what’s right you don’t have to be ashamed about anything. When you speak truth, even if what is said about you is negative, it doesn’t matter. God will always bring to light what is hidden. All you have to do is always be ready, keeping at hand the Word of God. His Word will always set the record straight.

3. Dividing! This is an interesting word. The Greek word is "orthotomeo," which means "to cut straight." You see that? In other words, cut to the chase. Say it straight up. “Let me give it to you straight.” We are to hold a straight course in only one way. In other words it’s a one way street. Wow! That’s powerful right there. We don’t ever move, under no circumstance from the Word of God. Regardless, of the cost.

I just explained three very important and easy steps we must take to be approved by God. Now, are they easy to do? I believe so because I happen to not care what people say or do, not because I’m disrespectful but because I will never go against the word of God. Having said this, let me share my devastating story or at least that’s what I thought.

In 2010, ten years ago. I was sitting in a board room, holding a Strategic Planning Committee meeting for LDW. In attendance were powerful individuals, who held key positions to not only make but carry out my plans and to bring about the goals I was trying to achieve. Then, a guest brought a friend. There was no confidential or sensitive information; I allowed the guest to sit in on the meeting. I didn’t foresee what could possibly go wrong.

The guest was a publishing company who I was going to work with to publish my books on education. We had several meetings, books had been evaluated, the contract drawn. I wasn’t to thrilled with the contract, but to get the books published by a reputable publisher was more important. Was it the best contract? No! Could I live with it? Yes! The publisher was ok.

Then the unthinkable happened! The publisher asked a question. The question was politically charged. It really should never been asked. It had nothing to do with my goals. I answered back politically correct. That wasn’t enough. Before the next question got asked, God began to speak to me, too. “This person (I don’t want to reveal the identity but God called by name) has an agenda. The agenda is to get you to say what you really believe. Do not be afraid; speak that which is right before me. You will not be publishing your books with this company; after you answer the question, (the person) will ask you next.” People, I got sick in the stomach. You know that sick feeling? My assistant was in the room. She knew by the look on my face something was wrong. I gave her my signal look. Within one split second, the publisher asked the question, God just finished telling me I would be asked.

There was a hush around the table. There were over 20 people in that board room. Each one began to talk, trying hard to help me remain silent and not answer the question. My assistant, tried pulling me out of the room with “an emergency.” I went out with her in the hall. “Teresa, do you see what’s happening in there? You cannot answer that question. What’s your plan of action?” I told her, “God already told me that question would be asked. I’m to answer it truthfully, and it will cost me the contract. It’s ok. I’m going to stand for truth.” We went back into the board room.

The publisher said, “Teresa, everyone in this room answered my question but you, what do you think? My mouth just opened. I can’t remember up to this day what I said, but I said the truth. I knew it wasn’t me talking at that moment, meaning, I knew what I said was a revelation of the Spirit of God. Everyone around the table was in agreement, including the person who had brought this guest. My answer was not pleasing to the publisher. I say publisher but the person was a representative of the publishing company. I’m very sure the publishing company had no idea of what happened. They called me two years later. The president of that publishing company called me personally to once again submit my books. I declined.

You can imagine the outcome. That person called me the next day and told me to destroy the contract I had received because my work didn’t go along with the books they were interested in publishing after all. I said, “No worries. God bless you and the company and increase you. Very nice meeting you.” I hung up the phone, walked into my assistant’s office, closed her office door behind me, had her pull out the contracts, and prayed over that contract. I laid my hands on those contracts, thanked God for that opportunity, thanked Him for stopping whatever was ahead, and thanked Him for bringing me another publisher whenever He saw fit. I asked her to destroy the contract and went back to my office.

Fast forward 6 years later. I was on vacation, driving to Epcot. I was praying as I was driving. God said, “It’s time for those books to be published. Call Nick, and tell him you want to publish with him.” I was arguing with God. “No way, God! He’s the best. He will never consider that. I can’t do that” God said, “Are you going to not do what I asked you to do? I told you to call him.” I told my kids and friend, who was in the car what God told me to do. I made my call, and Nick said yes on the spot.

Let me tell you something. It took 6 years after that incident to get the books published. God brought me not just one publisher but three-Atwood Publishing, Rowan and Littlefield, and Vernon Press-a thousand times more respected publishing companies than the one I lost. And, I only made one call. Please understand this is not bragging. I’m pointing very real truths. I do not write a book and hope the publishers say yes to it. I know the book will be published before it even gets submitted because I got the approval from them first. Now, the publisher calls us to write. Only God can do that. God honored that moment in my life as I know He will continue to do.

Interestingly, I found out while writing this, the very year I published the books, they sold the publishing company. God only knows what would have happened to my books then. I didn’t know until writing this devotion. Now I know God is trying to get someone’s attention. Stand up, and speak truth. Don’t matter what or who you lose in the process. Godly people will stand by you.

You see, we must be diligent to be approved by God. We then divide His Word in total truth no matter what the outcome might look like. I lost the contract with one, but gained three more, never mind two others in my Christian publishing, five for one. I’m the winner here.

Friends, never compromise. You might lose more than a contract. Maybe a marriage proposal, a friendship, a job, whatever. Learn to divide the Word of God and walk down a one way street. God always has final WORD get that? You divide the WORD rightly, and He will give you HIS final WORD! One way streets are often important, too.

Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

Founder and President of Thread of Hope, Inc.

#TopicArticle #christianliving #calling #character #livingsacrifice