We’ve been talking about what a true disciple of Jesus Christ is supposed to be, and how he’s supposed to live, and how he’s supposed to affect the world around him.

So far, we have covered:

1. The importance of witnessing our faith, shining our light.
2. The importance of speaking the Words of God with authority and faith in our life in order to manifest His promises before our eyes. His Words are seeds.
3. The power of AGAPE love. The power of unselfish love to change the world around us. The compassion, and the heart of God which makes us our brothers’ keeper.

When we look at the many requirements for discipleship that Jesus spelled out, His message seems to polarize everything. His teachings appear extremely constraining and stringent.…but are they? Or was He teaching a principle or a law through each one? Let’s look at some of them…

Jesus expected people to follow Him right away (Mark 1:18) Why? Because a decision not acted upon right away is indecision.

He re-defined parents and family by telling people not to love their family more than Him (Mat 10:37). He even re-defined His own family by saying, “Only those who do the will of My Father are My brothers and sisters” (Mat 12:50). Why? Because once you’re in the kingdom of light, you have a different family. We’re now born AGAIN and children of our Father in heaven. Our brothers and sisters are those of the kingdom.

He told people to let the dead bury the dead (Lk 9:60). Why? Because our commission is to bring LIFE eternal to the dying spiritually.

He told people to not look back (Lk 9:62). Why? Because if you look back, you’ll go back.

He told people to not have any other God before Him (Ex 20:2). Why? Because you can’t serve two masters (Mat 6:24). Because you’ll soon despise the one you’re not serving.

You can’t work for money and for God (Mat 6:24). Why? Because money is made to be a servant, not a God.

If you want to follow Me, you have to deny your own life (Mat 16:24). Why? Because it’s by DYING that you live, except a corn of wheat dies, it cannot bear fruit.

He told people you have to live holy (1Pet 1:15-17). Why? Disobedience brings compromise and you lose focus on your priorities.

You have to live humbly. Why? Pride is the root of all evil (Pro 8:13). It blurs your destiny and godly purpose when you worship your ego.

You can’t live solo-discipleship (1Cor 12:26). Why? Because we’re part of a body. We need each other to help each other. It all operates as one.

You’re gonna get persecution (2Tim 3:12). Why? Because the kingdom of darkness fights light.

You must forgive (Mat 18:21-22). Why? We can’t carry a grudge because you relive it constantly. Plus, you can’t judge righteously. Why? There’s a beam in your own eye (Mat 7:3-5). Plus, man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. ONLY true judgement works, with the Word (Mat 5-7).

Love your enemies (Mat 5:44). Why? They know not what they do. And agape love covers a multitude of sins (1Pet4:8).

Don’t hide your light (Mat 5:14,15). Why? Because it gives light to all in the house.

Don’t fear man (Mat 10:28). Why?  Because it brings a trap (Pro 29:25). And it detracts from reverencing God.

He said not to be ashamed of Him and of His Words (Lk 9:26). Why? It’ll make you deny your convictions…

Beware of Facebook, when all men think well of you (Lk 6:26). Why? Those are not true values, because there’s no worth in the praise of man, but only in pleasing God. Man looks on the outward trends and fashions. But be not conformed to this world, but transformed. Beware of following the crowd. Wide is the gate to destruction (Mat 7:13).

He re-evaluated everything… money, career and ambition. Why? Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and everything else will be added to you (Mat 6:33).

But, if you stop and think about it, He was only telling people to get rid of all the WRONG doings and WRONG priorities that were killing them. He was teaching them values and laws to LIBERATE people from the shackles that were holding them back.  “If you continue OBEYING My Word, then you are TRULY My disciples (kingdom citizens). Because you will know My liberating TRUTH and that’s what will set you FREE” (Jn 8:31,32).

His laws are not constraining and stringent, but they are liberating and guiding. They’re setting us free to advance the kingdom.

He was teaching the laws of the kingdom that are making it possible for people to live in FREEDOM; to no longer be captives of the kingdom of darkness. He was teaching people to focus on the most important things and stick to the priorities that will make their life worth living.

At present, my wife Linda is being trained by our granddaughter who’s a personal trainer in dietary and physical discipline. And every day Linda is testifying to the benefits of the discipline which frees her of muscle weakness and she’s able to develop beneficial habits. You can see discipline as strenuous and constraining or as LIBERATING and emancipating. Discipline creates room for growth and progress. It’s the same with the discipline of a disciple of Christ.

It’s not that difficult to understand. Once you take religiosity out of the gospel, it all comes down to OBEDIENCE to a healthy discipline and walking in the new identity He has given to us.

Once we are born again, we live in a DIFFERENT kingdom and we have a different passport. Jesus preached the kingdom of God. And by His life, His works, His everyday sample, He advanced the kingdom. Not only by talking.

Jesus then said, “I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven” (Mt 18:18). Basically, He gave us the authority to advance the kingdom of heaven on earth against the kingdom of darkness.

This means that once we know the truth, we’re empowered and we can perform the works of God. That new Man gives us a new citizenship, with a new passport, only ONE passport. The one that opens up every door before us.

But it also comes with a big responsibility. Why? Because once we know these things, we are accountable. We’ve been given responsibility to set the captives free. That was Jesus’ main mission to bring the kingdom of light, and to set the captives FREE.

THAT responsibility makes us our “brother’s keeper”. The compassion of Jesus compels us to love. We help and we give and we provide; –from food and clothing, to healing and salvation–the whole kaboodle. We  care and never stopped caring.

The problem comes when people try to hold on to TWO IDENTITIES. Two passports. While they are “in the world” they continue to be “of the world” while trying to be “of the kingdom” and they keep flip-flopping between the two. And the one takes away the authority of the other. “The carnal mind is enmity with God” (Rom 8:7). And “without (obedient) faith, it’s impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6).

You can’t play by the enemy’s laws in the kingdom of light. That’s what is not working. It becomes religion. It’s all the good principles without the POWER thereof, without the FRUITS and without the WORKS. It’s trying to put a new patch on an old garment. They don’t match.

It’s trying to live Christianity without obedience. James says, “If you know something and you don’t do it that’s a sin” (James 4:17). When you look at it that way, it makes a lot of sinners out of a lot of religious people. Jesus said, “If you know these things, you will be happy IF YOU DO THEM“(Jn 13:17). And He also said “if you don’t do it, it’ll all fall apart. BUT if you’re a DOER, you’ll be set on a rock. Rock-solid faith” (Mat 21:.28-32).

That’s why discipleship cannot be confused with religion. “How terrible for you, teachers of the law [scribes] and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You close the door for people to enter the kingdom of heaven (by your lack of example). You yourselves don’t enter, and you stop others who are trying to enter” (Mat 23:13).

They say “the best leaders lead by EXAMPLE“.

 We’ve got to DEMONSTRATE the laws of the kingdom. Not by religious principles, but by RESULTS. The WORKS that I do, shall you do also. How? By OBEYing My teachings.

OBEDIENCE to the Word brings understanding and clarity. Understanding is so important. “Those who have understanding will be given more, and they will have all they need. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them” (Mat 13:12). If we don’t understand, the enemy comes and steals the Word at 13:19).  “And with all thy getting, get understanding” (Pro 4.7). It’s by DOING it that you GET it.

Operating according to the laws of the kingdom should become second nature to us. Obedience to the Word has to be our default position.– plain vanilla simple!

In the kingdom of God, we don’t worry. Why? Because of Psalm 91 and because of Luke 11:19. We don’t concern ourselves about money.  Why? Because of what Jesus said about the sparrows (Matt:26). We don’t walk in fear.  Why? Because He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of powerful AGAPE love, and courage and a sound mind (2Tim 1:7). We forgive people 490 times because of Mat 18:21-35.

We LIVE the kingdom, we walk differently, we talk differently and we SHOW the kingdom. Jesus came to bring the kingdom of heaven on earth and he demonstrated it.

We have a new set of rules and laws and they WORK. We can be blessed to BLISS. And it’s TRUE! And it WORKS! We have access to so much power, so much wisdom, so much revelation. We’ve been made righteous. “The prayer of a righteous man avails MUCH”. AWAKE to your righteousness (1 Cor 15:34).

People have to SEE the kingdom in YOU. You have to be full of testimonies. Full of the ACTS of the apostles.

I told you that I would try to lead you through the number of exercises to spell out the different disciplines of a disciple. To be a Christian requires following Christ. –Essentially, to be imitators of Christ.

This next one is one of the most powerful tools in the DISCIPLE’S ARSENAL, and we must learn HOW to use it and use it all the time.

For the longest time, I saw myself as a begging missionary. I was involved in different aspects of missionary work for a number of years, but I always saw myself “in need”. Never could I have conceived the thought that I could be a GIVER or a LENDER, yet the Bible says very specifically that we are supposed to be “the head and not the tail, givers and not beggars, lenders and not borrowers” (Deut 28:13).

That fear and that troublesome worry somehow got my wife and I weighed down with a $30,000 debt a few years ago which we just didn’t know how we could ever repay.

(By the way, debts are very dangerous because they’re twice as hard to repay;– because while you have to work for your daily needs, you have to work doubly hard to get on top of a pile of debts).

But I learned a very important lesson from the Word in recent years. It is in regards to how much weight your WORDS carry. I would always say derogatory things about my finances. And particularly about my ability to make money. I started so many businesses and ventures, and still I could not get ahead.

So I made a concerted effort to totally CHANGE my attitude, and especially my MOUTH, and I learned to CALL on things that are NOT as though they were.

Unfortunately, we tend to look at the circumstances with our physical eyes and we limit our faith to that. But we’re supposed to CALL on the things that are NOT, to make them MATERIALIZE.  WOW… ! That was a revelation to me.

Romans 4:17 spells out this principle very clearly. Paul refers to God talking to Abraham and calling into existence the things that did not exist’. “I have made you (notice the past tense) a father of many nations” God had already settled the matter when speaking it to Abraham. Words are seeds and they will bear fruit in their due season.

This is so important to understand because that’s HOW you can make MIRACLES happen. Jesus even said that this is the most important parable of the Bible. How, our words bear fruit. Words are seeds. WHAT WE SAY COMES TO PASS.

This is especially true when we use God’s Word to proclaim His promises into our lives. When there’s nothing in sight, you can plant a seed and it will grow. Of course as the parable says, your heart has to be fertile with FAITH.

Look what it says in 1st Corinthians 1:27. God has chosen the foolish things to confound the mighty…, and the things that are not (yet manifest, not yet revealed), to bring to nought ( to nothing) the things that ARE (manifest, the things that we SEE). I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE. Your SPEAKING the things that are NOT (yet) will ELIMINATE the things that are.

So to complain about our finances, is to look at a parched ground and say nothing’s ever going to grow here. Rather, change your speech into talking well about your finances and how God prospers you, and how everything you touch turns to gold, will simply put seeds into the ground for your finances to flourish. It’s part of renewing our mind. You’ve got to RENEW your mouth too. You’ve got to ONLY say the things of God. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth”. (Joshua 1:8).

Abraham was forced to SAY that he was the “father of many nations” because God changed his name to Abram ( which means “father of many nations”).  When the farmer plants a seed, he virtually calls a harvest of what that seed is supposed to produce.

JESUS DID JUST THAT when he called the water, WINE. When he called the few loaves and fishes into a large quantity that was enough to feed over 5,000 people.

He even called Lazarus into life (Jn 11:4). He SPOKE the desired outcome to the fig tree, in the same manner, He SPOKE to the Sea. He SPOKE to the crippled lady in the temple, and he said “be healed of thy infirmity”. All throughout His ministry, Jesus CALLED the desired result into EXISTENCE.

In Mark 11:23, Jesus mentioned 3x the word “SAY” when speaking to this mountain to be moved.

Material things actually respond to our words. You can speak what you desire. “Whatsoever things you DESIRE when you pray believe that you receive them and you shall have them”.  CALL them to you in FAITH.

Remember when Jesus “marveled” at the centurion’s revelation to “Speak the WORD only”. I don’t think that Jesus  marveled only at the fact that he understood the power of WORDS, but also the power of AUTHORITY. We have authority through our words. This is the law in “binding and losing”. You must SPEAK it. You can’t make your Christian life WORK without speaking the desired outcome in FAITH.

As a Christian disciple you’re speaking with the AUTHORITY of Christ.

BTW, our finances have tripled in this last year, our debts are all paid off, I’ve become a giver and I have more business than I have personnel to help me get it done. And more importantly, I’ve written 2 more books.

So this is our HOMEWORK for today. Can we commit to changing our speech? FROM HEREON, We will CALL THE DESIRED END into existence and believe.

Call your body into full health?

Call your wallet abundant.

Call your children/loved ones into God’s destiny.

Call whatever harvest you want.

This is HOW miracles HAPPEN. You can SPEAK them into EXISTENCE. The same as when you call a dog to come, you expect the dog to come.

But you must do it with your VOICE. NOT JUST WISH IT. It’s your VOICE that has the atomic power. God created the world by Words. And we are made after the image of God. We have the same ability and power.

Make it a habit to CALL the will of God in heaven, into EXISTENCE on earth. These are the keys of the kingdom… to bind and to lose on earth, and heaven will back up what you SAY. It’s a law of the Kingdom. Put it into practice in your life.

Rom 10:8 “The Word of God is near you; it is in YOUR MOUTH and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning FAITH that we PROCLAIM“.

The Word of God in your mouth, mixed with faith is as powerful as when Jesus spoke. And it is one of the MOST POWERFUL TOOLS in the disciple’s ARSENAL.

To further enforce this point read: “The POWER of PROCLAMATIONS“

One of the most important lessons that all of us Christians need to learn is the importance of confessing what God says. Once born again, we live in a different Kingdom than the world’s kingdom and we must speak the things of God. Proverbs 6:2 says “you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth”

We really need to make an effort not to speak as people in the world speak. Words are the most powerful thing in the universe. If we speak words of faith they will put you over, but if we speak words of fear they will defeat you.

Jesus said in Mark 9:23 “if you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes”. This is not theory. It is a fact. Actually it’s a spiritual law. God himself never does anything without saying it first. God released his faith in words.

We are to be imitators of God as children imitate their parents.--Ephesians 5:1. To imitate God you must talk like Him and act like Him. Just look at the principles That Jesus operated by while here on earth. He spoke to the wind, He spoke to the sea, He spoke to the fig tree, He spoke to demons and He even spoke to dead men. And all were obedient to what He said.

Jesus was imitating His Father, and got the same results as His Father. The same as we should imitate the Father by speaking the promises of God. In John 14:12, Jesus said “he who believes in me the works (miracles) that I do, will he do also and greater works will he do”.

The principles of Faith are based on spiritual laws. They work for whoever will apply these laws. You send them in motion by the words of your mouth. Stop a minute and ask yourself… Do I really want all the negative things that I come out of my mouth to come to pass? –Because everything that you say will happen exactly as you say it.

Be not conformed, but be transformed by the words of faith that you speak, knowing that God’s words are alive evermore, and they carry an incorruptible seed. Believe, and obtain, that your Joy may be full and you shall be complete in Him.

So why not make a habit of speaking the promises of God in your life; for your family, for your work, and everything that you do and say. Spoken words program your spirit either to success or defeat. Words are containers that carry faith, or fear. –and they produce after their kind, the SAME as seeds.

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 16:19, “and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in heaven”. You bind and you loose by your words. So the question is: what words will you establish on earth? The power of binding and loosing is in your hands.. ACTUALLY in your MOUTH.

Confess victory in the face of apparent defeat. Confess abondance in the face of apparent lack. And SEE the changes taking place around you.

Remember God told us that we can have what we say but instead we say what we have. Let’s change that.

It is also through our SPEAKING that we create our own world. Even quantum physics has proven the power of words on the world around us. Plants respond to words. Animals and even our body responds to BLESSINGS or cursings.

Out of our mouth proceed blessings or curses. They give life or they take away life. Eph 4:29 says: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

When Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he empowered evil in his life and in his mouth. By losing his connection with the Creator of life, he made connection with lies and with death.

However, even though born again, our tongue is NOT YET TAMED into the new creature, the same with our mind. That’s why I didn’t need to renew our mind…Mt 12:34b says: “ Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

James says, “our tongue is an unruly member” (Jam 3:8). People who constantly curse their situation and circumstances and people around them end up living a cursed life.

James says that our words are the actual rudder of our destiny. So there is a lot of power in our words, the power of life or death.

There are only a few times in the Bible where Jesus actually “marveled”. One of these times is when a centurion who felt unworthy for Jesus to come into his house and heal his servant, said, “Just SPEAK the WORD only”  (Mt 8:8-13.)  Jesus was so amazed that even a man of the world had understood the concept of authority through the SPOKEN WORD.

It is our word spoken to different situations that actually has the authority to change things.

That’s also how you empower your negative thoughts, by saying your unbelief. Jesus said, “Take no thought ‘SAYING’” (Mat 6:25). You actually empower what you think by saying it. Your mouth spits out seeds of life or of death. And your mind becomes the ground for seeds. It goes with everything you take in; TV, news, conversations, books, etc. The MORE the reason to read the Word of God whose seed is powerful and incorruptible.

God expects us to walk in integrity. The Bible refers to integrity as “the pure in heart” or “blameless”. It doesn’t mean sinless or perfect. God is more interested in the direction of our hearts, in our motives more than in what we do. He wants us to be TRUE, THROUGH AND THROUGH. He’s interested in building our CHARACTER. 

Our lives should not be departmentalized whereby we are one person in career, a different person in family, yet a different person with friends, and again different in business. INTEGRITY means you are who you are before whoever. You wear no mask. 

Your reputation before man should be the same as it is before God. “He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known” (Pro 10:9). 

The person who walks in integrity speaks truth from his heart, he refuses to slander others, will not listen to gossip, will not cast slur on his fellow man, will honor those who fear the Lord and will keep his promise even if it hurts him. He will also lend money freely without interest (Ex 22:25) and will not be bribed by money, compliments or favors (Pro 6:25). God expects every area of our life to be treated with the same excellence of character. It is an excellent spirit that gets promotion (Luke 16:11). 

Joseph had an excellent spirit even in the worst of situations. He was serving God not Potiphar; he had an excellent spirit in jail which led him to be in charge of the jail. He had an excellent spirit when he was second in command of the mightiest nation on earth. 

God is looking for the right attitude to promote. He will use anyone with the right attitude (Psalm 75:6, 7). It is God who promotes. And He gives it to the humble and to the faithful. God is no respecter of persons. 

Daniel also was faithful to God from his youth and consequently God gave him favor and wisdom above all sages. So it doesn’t all have to do with how smart we are, or how educated we are, but with our excellence of spirit (1 Cor 1:26).  

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. —Col 3:23  

Boldness is one awesome gift that the Holy Spirit empowers us with: unashamed boldness (Acts 1:8).  We have the conviction to SPEAK OUT and to STAND UP for what we believe is right and true and loving, and that’s why Christians must be bold in speaking out their faith unashamedly.

If you truly believe in something, it will show in the way you live and in your demeanor. Your belief becomes a CONVICTION of the heart and you stand by it. So the life of a Christian is a manifestation, an example of faith lived out. It will show the world Who you’re in love with! Most people will only believe the Bible if it’s bound in SHOE LEATHER. They will only believe it if you live it. Once your heart has been filled with the love of God, you want to do unto others as has been done unto you. Mt 5:16 says “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.

You want others to also partake of His loving kindness. It goes further than telling them about God’s love. You can become the love of God expressed to them in many ways:  helping, listening, understanding, forgiving, teaching, nurturing, and guiding, and the list goes on.

Here’s the easiest way to start: Let’s COMMIT today to encourage EVERYONE We meet. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. (Acts 1:8).

 

You cannot really be a Christian without manifesting your faith. You cannot really be filled with his light and hide it under a bushel. We as Christians must learn to make every encounter a divine appointment; knowing that God wants to love every person we meet. So if we are not used to witnessing our faith, we must ask the Lord to help us get over whatever hurdle is in the way.

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mk 16:15-18)

Our testimony is our greatest witness when telling others about our faith. Once you have been exposed to the light, to true love and truth, we feel compelled to talk about it!

The Apostle Paul said, “The love of God compels me” (2Cor 5:14-15). God’s Spirit will show you those who are lost, and in your heart you will be drawn to bring them into God’s Kingdom also. So witnessing is simply testifying of the great joy and the awesome change that has taken place in your heart. In any court of law, witnesses are some of the most powerful assets to any case, because they are a firsthand account. It is the same in God’s Kingdom.

The great commission that Jesus has left us is the privilege to share with others the good news that Christ has come to redeem mankind, meaning that anyone can be reconciled to God, the father. And anyone can live the abundant life of the kingdom now, through faith in Jesus.

Plus, we get to be a light to the world and share His love and truth along with the joy, happiness and fulfilment that He brought into our hearts through our newborn nature. We get to share God’s grace with everyone we meet, so they too can live as enlightened a life as we live. They too can enter and enjoy the kingdom of heaven now. Is there any greater calling in life? It is both the greatest opportunity and the greatest responsibility. Because if we don’t, how else will they know?

The Bible says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them” (Pro 3:27). Every day God gives us opportunities to show kindness to people around us. Our choice is to be the light of the world or to be self-centered? Even a word of encouragement, a pat on the back, an errand done for them, any of those could mean a lot; it could mean God’s love manifested.

We’re ALL on a MISSION once we’ve come into God’s kingdom. People say, ‘I work at a secular job’. Actually, it’s only secular if we don’t bring God in it. But if we do, it becomes our MISSION. Since we are the light of the world, everyone we come in contact with is a ‘divine appointment’.

Christian parents have one of the greatest missions ever given to man, because they’re constantly imparting their values to their children. So in many respects, we’re all in full-time ministry.

 

Contrary to the teachings of modern education, absolutes do exist in our world.

I’ve been thinking about the state of the world and how so many of the younger generation have lost respect for God and humanity. I believe that modern education is largely responsible for this downward trend because young people today are taught that there are no absolutes. That’s the underlying principle of modern education: There are no absolutes-nothing is certain.

I’m convinced that the whole purpose of this principle is to destroy confidence in God-the Absolute! Look how the secularists have attacked each major field that proves the existence of a perfect God.

The first thing they attacked was religion itself, and their attack was subtle: No religion is necessarily wrong, therefore no religion is necessarily right. Various religions are just religions, probably fabrications of man anyway, so how can anyone say which is right or which is wrong? In other words, there are no religious absolutes. The whole idea is aimed, of course, at destroying faith in God.

Having gotten rid of God and religion, they had to come up with a different set of beliefs. Hence evolution is being taught as fact in our schools today and our kids cannot object to it. They attacked creation in the same way: They had to try to prove there were no laws, no plan, and no purpose; therefore there was no Planner. Creation became meaningless, chaotic evolution. “It all just happened by accident!”

History is another area of study that proves the existence of God. God’s law of retribution, as seen in the rise and fall of empires because of their righteousness or wickedness, is one of the surest proofs that God exists and has rules. So the secularists had to debunk history. In history books it is now popular to say that men and women who have previously been considered great were really villains, to debunk all the godly, heroic characters of history.

The same was even done with music, to the point that music was no longer music-it was just noise. It didn’t have to be harmonious; it didn’t have to be pleasant. There was no such thing as good or bad music, because there were no more rules.

Look at art: Modernistic art is total confusion-no rules, no beauty, no nothing! Just absolute confusion! It doesn’t even have to mean anything. It doesn’t have to have any sense or meaning or order. See, if they can destroy the meaning, if they can prove to people that there’s no meaning to anything, then there’s no order, there’s no purpose and no plan, therefore there’s no Planner.

Both art and music used to follow very strict laws to produce real beauty, but both art and music have abandoned the rules. They’ve thrown away the laws, and the result has been total ugly confusion-noise, chaos, bedlam, ugliness, crudity! Music no longer needs to be melodic, and much of it is just sound, noise, bedlam! Art no longer needs to be artistic, and much of it is no more than chaotic splotches of color and ugly, meaningless forms.

Everything that has any rules or order or plan or purpose proves that there is some kind of Ruler who makes the rules and establishes the order and plans things with a purpose, and such things have to be attacked in order to destroy any faith in the absolute, and therefore in God. Their theme song is “It Ain’t Necessarily So!” “The things that you read in that Bible, they ain’t necessarily so! And history ain’t necessarily so; religion ain’t necessarily so; philosophy ain’t necessarily so; Creation ain’t necessarily so; music ain’t necessarily so; art ain’t necessarily so; nothing is necessarily so, they say, because there ain’t no so!”

If they can prove that each of these fields is imperfect, this supports their claim that the perfect doesn’t exist-therefore God doesn’t exist. It all goes back to the godless premise that if there are no rules, then there is no Ruler.

Sexuality is being challenged in the same way. There are no male or female. But a whole lot of choices in between just to accommodate every compromise from the absolute truth that God created male and female.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). But if nothing is so, as some would have us believe, then nothing is true and there is no Christ! So to disprove the existence of God they had to disprove the existence of truth and rhyme and reason, order, plan, laws, rules, etc.

To get rid of God, they had to get rid of the absolutes, the right and the wrong and the meaning and reason for things; and the result is total chaos, insanity, madness!

Of course, the perpetrators of this crime against humanity would disagree with me on that, too, because a popular school of thought in psychology today is that nobody is really sane or necessarily insane; they’re just different from you or me. Who is to judge who is sane and who is insane?

To have social order, you must have laws and rules; and to have laws and rules, the ones who make them and the ones expected to obey them have to believe that some things are right and some things are wrong; and if some things are right and some things are wrong, then there must be some ultimate Lawmaker or Rule-giver, which would have to be God.

So therefore the godless must eventually and ultimately become total anarchists who obey no rules or laws, recognize no order, find no meaning, follow no plan, and have no purpose-no nothing! In so doing, they are helping the Devil accomplish his ultimate purpose for creating all this chaos and confusion: the destruction of God’s creation.

In the face of all this, a truly revolutionary education today would be a back-to-God education. We must go back to real faith in the Bible, back to creation in science, back to genuine love in philosophy, back to a plan in history, back to truth in language, beauty in art, harmony in music, right and wrong in behavior, order in government, and God-the Creator of all things, the Designer, the Planner-in everything, so that life again means something. God is the only One who can give real meaning to living, so let’s get back to God in our education, in every subject and every field.

Let’s get back to sanity and reasoning, back to a pattern for existence made by a divine Designer who makes the plans according to rules. He brings about order with government in the place of lawlessness and disorder. He gives meaning to the universe and purpose to the planets. He brings love to our hearts and peace to our minds and health to our bodies and rest to our spirits and happiness to our lives and joy to our souls, and He teaches us that “the fear [reverence] of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

We must see God in everything to give it meaning, reason, purpose, plan, design, and a goal-the perfection of the kingdom of God! The godless would bring us to chaos and total destruction, but we, the faithful, must try to bring peace and order and the design for living given us by the Great Designer in His rules and laws, rights and wrongs and absolutes, without which there can be no peace or order or true happiness.

Thank God for the absolutes and the rules of the Ruler, that we may know the difference between right and wrong, and find happiness through His love and His loving laws and reasonable rules. May God help you to “know Him, whom to know is life eternal” (John 17:3)-and absolute!

Jesus said, “the Words that i speak unto you, they are SPIRIT & they are LIFE!”— (John 6:63)

        The main key to Christian strength is spelled out in John 15. “Abide in me and I in you”. The Word is Jesus, the Word is God, the Word is spirit, and the Word is life! Without the Word, you’re simply without Jesus, you’re without Spirit, you’re without Life, you’re dead!

Jesus is the Word and you have to have a dose of Him every day. You must have a good feeding and feasting on God’s Word every single day. Just like you have to eat in order to have physical strength, you have to eat of the Word to have spiritual strength.

        “As newborn babes, DESIRE the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.”— 1Pet.2:2 . That’s a picture of a baby who must have its mother’s milk in order to LIVE. Without receiving nourishment from the good, wholesome, nourishing, encouraging & feeding Truth of God’s Word, you will STARVE & eventually DIE spiritually!

        It’s dangerous to neglect the Word! The minute you start crowding the Word out of your lives, you’re getting too busy! You’ll never have the spiritual strength and stamina or the spirit to live out Christ’s life unless you yourself are drinking in the Word and being spiritually nourished and strengthened by it yourself first.

        When we’re weak in faith it’s because we’re weak in the Word! And it’s our own fault if we’re weak in the Word. We’re either not reading the Word, or not receiving the Word!

        The secret of power and victory and overcoming and fruitfulness and fire and life and warmth and light and leadership, everything, is the Word! And the lack of it is the secret of backsliding and failure and coldness and darkness and weakness and dying spiritually.

        The Word and Jesus must always have first place in your heart and your thoughts and your time. This is our whole duty and our whole obligation and our whole job, to love God and to love others. God considers His Word even more important than His Name! His Word is very important, beloved, and you had better not neglect it nor in any way fail to receive it, believe it, act on it and obey it! There’s nothing more important than the Word!

        That’s what’s wrong with most weak Christians: They’ve neglected the Word & have grown weaker & weaker until they’re defeated by the World. They’ve neglected their only hope of victory, the Life, light, strength & power of the Word!

        Every Christian has the Word right there at their fingertips. They have endless strength, instruction, encouragement, and the answer to all their problems. Everyone of us has it equally available. It just depends on how hungry we are, how willing we are to take the time to read and study and absorb and believe and put it into practice. It’s got to be to where we depend on it.

        What does it mean when you depend on something? It means you rely on it, you need it, you miss it when you don’t have it, you can’t live without it. For example, in the flesh, we depend on food, water, and oxygen. The Word is even more necessary than our daily food or sleep or exercising. If we tried to go without those things, we wouldn’t last long, would we? That’s how foolish it is to try to go without the Word!

        The Word is the foundation of our spiritual lives, and knowing and depending on the Word is absolutely crucial if we want to be successful for the Lord!

        No one has ever accomplished much for the Lord without spending a lot of tile in the Word, studying it, believing it, and living it. If somehow you haven’t dwelt in the Word, kept the Word, taught your children the Word and made them examples of the Word, then you have failed! If you are not absorbing the Word yourself and living the Word and preaching the Word and practicing the Word and making your kids good examples of the Word, you’re missing the whole message!

        Spiritual strength comes from abiding in the Word. For these are the true christian soldiers–those who desire true strength, those who have the faith to put other things aside and to feast upon the strengthening Spirit that comes from the Word.

        It is those who are in the Word, who read it avidly, and obey and follow it, who continue to grow and move forward. But those who allow themselves to lose their fire for the Word, who grow familiar with it and think it isn’t necessary to study and absorb it every day, those will not stay strong and healthy in spirit. They will slowly grow weaker, and when the big tests come along, they won’t have the power to give them faith and strength of spirit.   

        The Word of God is our spiritual sword that drives away & defeats the Devil every time we use it! When Jesus Himself was tempted by the Devil, He fought back with the Word! (See  Mat.4:1-10).

Maybe you don’t see how you can possibly take more time in the Word when there’s so much to do and so few to do it, but … you cannot possibly afford to not take this time! If the Word is the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, what on earth could possibly be keeping you away from it? … If the Word is the key to every door, the secret to every mystery, if it’s power and victory and light and life, what could hold you back from taking the time in His Word?

        If you put the Word first, the Lord will always give you time somehow to take care of the other things. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you”. You must rid yourselves of all that stands in the way of this. Detach yourselves from other things that clutter your life–the cares of the world, the pride of life, anything that opposes My Word.

        It’s simply a law of God! If you want to prosper, if you want to be blessed, if you want power and plenty and provision–then you’d better keep His law. Make it sacred! Make it untouchable! Make it sacrosanct [inviolable]! Make it indispensable! Make it imperative! And by all means, at all costs, make it happen! Do it!

        The bare minimum of daily Word time for any Christian should be one-and-a-half hours a day–although the preferred would be two hours. Why? It’s your spiritual lifeline.

        The Enemy is always trying to hinder or disrupt your time in the Word, and even destroy it if you’ll let him. If he can’t convince you to not read the Word, he’ll try to squelch the power and effect of the Word in your life through familiarity or a lack of hunger.

        A lot has to do with your own DESIRE to hear from the Lord & your own personal HUNGER & RECEPTIVITY. “BLESSED are they which do HUNGER & THIRST after righteousness, for THEY shall be filled. For He hath filled the HUNGRY with good things, but the rich (full) He hath sent empty away!“– Mat.5:6 ;  Luk.1:53 . If you read His Word prayerfully, & sincerely ask God to guide you, He always answers the hungry heart!

        So much has to do with your ATTITUDE. The Scribes & the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were fluent in Scripture, they knew it by heart, they copied it all the time by hand. But because they were so self-satisfied & self-righteous. Unless the Holy Spirit reveals some things to you, enlightens your mind, you can be totally BLIND to certain truths that have been right there in front of you all the time! But if you earnestly pray, as David did, “OPEN THOU MINE EYES that I may behold WONDROUS things out of Thy Law” ( Psa.119:18 ),

        When the Holy Spirit quickens a passage or verse to you, applying it to your own personal situation, it brings the Word to LIFE! The Lord will bring His Word to life & give you things personally, answers to your problems & prayers, as you read His Word. When He applies it to a situation, it suddenly becomes ALIVE! It’s no longer just mere words any more, or words that just run through your HEAD, but all of a sudden it hits your HEART & you really get the POINT! “The ENTRANCE of Thy Word giveth LIGHT, it giveth UNDERSTANDING to the simple!”- (Psa.119:130).

In Psalm 119, David talks so much about God’s WORDS, & that’s where he got his strength & his life & his wisdom & his power & his victory. David lived in the Word night & day, as we should also.

Real study time is not only reading time, but LISTENING TO GOD TIME also. The minute you begin to stop, look & listen to the Lord’s recorded WRITTEN Word, you are immediately putting yourself in the position of being willing to LISTEN, so then the Lord can begin to speak to you & give you His LIVING Word!

You can miss a lot of the meaning, the real depth of what the Lord’s talking about, unless you STOP to really THINK about it sometimes & APPLY the Word to your personal situation. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a WORKMAN that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth!”-– 2Tim.2:15 .

        If you will diligently & prayerfully labour in His Word, He will greatly reward you, & you will agree with David, who exclaimed, “Thy Word is BETTER unto me than THOUSANDS of gold & silver!”— Psa.119:72 .

        There is changing power in the Word. But in order for it to work, you have to imbibe it. You have to swallow it, believe it, accept it. And then you have to do it, follow it, implement it. “if ye CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then are ye MY DISCIPLES INDEED, & ye shall KNOW THE TRUTH, & the truth shall MAKE YOU FREE!”-– JN.8:31,32

Jesus said, “One thing is needful, & Mary hath chosen that good part which shall NEVER be taken away from her!”– Luk.10:42 . What is the “good part” that Mary chose?-The WORD! She sat at Jesus’ feet & listened to His Words! This is something that is so needful, so necessary, you’ve simply GOT to do it!–To rest in the Lord & sit at His feet & hear from Him & His Word.

        That good part, that one thing that is needful, that’s the one thing that God requires and looks at more than any other obedience or good deed or even sacrificial deed that you do, is your time spent with Jesus, sitting down at His feet to learn of Him.

        If you don’t respect the Word, you’d better watch out! … You’re offending God! He’s not going to stand for indifference to His Word. You believe in Jesus as much as you absorb His Word. It’s that simple.

If you don’t hold on to the Word for dear life, you’re going to find yourself slipping into the oblivion of little or no usefulness to the Lord. He wants to use you, but He can only do so if you keep your mind stayed on Him and His Word.

        The Word is what keeps you separate from the world!—“I have given them thy word, & the world hath hated them because they are not of the world. sanctify them through thy truth: THY WORD IS TRUTH!”— JN.17:14,17 .

        The Word keeps you from backsliding—“the law of his God is in his heart, NONE OF HIS STEPS SHALL SLIDE!”— Psa.37:31

The Word is the greatest force in the universe! Why? Because the Word is the creative force of the whole universe.

        Don’t do without the Word…

 

I am Born of God –Confession

I have a NEW IDENTITY. Because I believe in Christ, I am born again of the spirit, I am a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2Cor 5:17).

I put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of God who created me. (Col 3:10). Therefore I put off, concerning my former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and I am renewed in the spirit of my mind, and I put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:22-24). I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20).

I have confessed with my mouth the Lord Jesus and I believe in my heart that God has raised Him from the dead, therefore I am saved. For with the heart I believe unto righteousness, and with the mouth my confession is made unto salvation. (Ro 10:9, 10). And if I am a child of God , then I am an heir—heir of God and joint heir with Christ, if indeed I suffer with Him, that I may also be glorified together with Him. (Ro 8:17).

I have been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. (1Pt 1:23). Therefore I was buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so I also should walk in newness of life. (Ro 6:4)

I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, I forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13,14). As a newborn babe, I desire the pure milk of the word, that I may grow thereby. 1Pt 2:2. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in me, whom I have from God, and I am not my own? For I was bought at a price; therefore I glorify God in my body and in my spirit, which are God’s. (1Cor 6:19-20).

Blessed be the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused me to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1Pt 1:3). If then I was raised with Christ, I now seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. I set my mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For I have died, and my life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3: 1-3).

I am a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that I may proclaim the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1Pt 2:9). I’ve been (re)created by God in His own image; in the image of God He created me; male and female He created them. (Gen 1:27)

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. And I believe in Him, so though I may die, I will live. Because whoever lives and believes in Him shall never die. (Jn 11:25, 26). There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Act 4:12).

For God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son to redeem me, and because I believe in Him, I will not perish but have everlasting life. (Jn 3:16). Because I believe in the Son I have everlasting life, but he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (Jn 3:36).

And this is eternal life, that I will know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ( Jn 17:3. Jesus said  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. ( Jn 14:6. Because I received Him, He gave me the right to become a child of God, to all those who believe in His name. ( Jn 1:12.

Because I’ve been born again, I can see the kingdom of God.( Jn 3:3b). I Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore I  am saved. ( Act 16:31). There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. ( 1Tim 2:5). Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out”. Therefore I will never be cast out. ( Jn 6:37).

Jesus gave me eternal life because I heard His voice, and I shall never perish; neither shall I ever be snatched out of His hand. ( Jn 10:27-28). I am now reconciled to God through Christ’s death and saved through Christ’s life. ( Ro 5:10)

I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus. ( 1 Pt 1:18-19)

I am redeemed from the curse of the law. ( Gal 3:13)

I am a child of God and a co-heir with (Christ. Ro 8:17)

I am no longer a slave to sin. (Ro 6:6)

I am a saint. (Eph 1:1)

I am set free from sin and a slave of righteousness. (Ro 6:18)

I am forgiven through Christ. (Acts 13:39)

I am righteous in Christ.( 2Cor 5:21)

I am indwelled by Christ. His Spirit lives in me. (Jn 14:20)

I am free in Christ. (Ro 8:2)

I am free from condemnation. (Ro 8:1)

I am a branch of the True Vine and I am chosen and appointed by Christ to go and bear fruit. (John 15:15,16)

I am the salt of the earth. (Mat 5:13)

I am the light of the world. (Mat 5:14)

I am valuable to God. (Mat 6:26)

I am more than a conqueror through Christ. (Ro 8:37)

I am accepted by Christ. (Ro 15: 7)

I have the mind of Christ. (1Cor 2:16)

I am a temple of God. His Spirit lives in me. (1Cor 3:16)

I am washed, justified, and sanctified through Christ. (1Cor 6:11)

I am part of Christ’s body. (2Cor 12:27)

I am the fragrance of Christ. (2Cor 2:15)

I am an ambassador for Christ of reconciliation. (2Cor 5:20)

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing. (Eph  1:3)

I am anointed with the Holy Spirit.(Jn 15:9)

I am loved. (1Jn 2:27)

I am sanctified by the truth. (Jn 17:17)

I am protected from the evil one. (Jn 17:15)

I am holy through Christ.(1Pt 1:16)

I am free from darkness. (Isa 61:1)

I am a beloved of God. (Ro 1:7)

I am justified by faith. (Ro 5:1)

I am not forsaken. (Heb 13:5)

I am alive in Christ. (Ro 6:11)

I am rescued by Jesus.(1Thes 1:10)

I am a new creation – a new species of being that has never existed before. (2 Cor 5:17)

I am now joined to the Lord and I am one spirit with Him (1 Cor 6:17).

I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live (Gal 2:20).

In Him my old sinful self was crucified so that sin might lose its power in my life (Rom 6:6).

When Jesus died, I died (Rom 6:8).

When Jesus rose, I rose. In Him I am now raised up (Eph 2:6).

In Him I am now made alive together with Christ  (Eph 2:5).

With Him I am now seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6).

In Him I am now far above all principalities, power, might and dominion and every name that is named.

In Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily and I am complete in Him (Col 2:9-10).

Christ is in me, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).

I died and my life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3).

In Him I have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7).

In Him I find acceptance, grace and favor (Eph 1:6).

In Him I am created to be His workmanship in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10).

In Him I am made alive (Eph 2:1).

 

‘In Jesus’ –Confession

– John Osteen

In Jesus I reign in life (Rom. 5:17). In Jesus I walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). In Jesus I am alive unto God (Rom. 6:11). In Jesus I bring forth fruits unto God (Rom. 7:4). In Jesus I have no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). In Jesus I have been made free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).

In Jesus I live by the law of the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2). In Jesus I am a child of God (Rom. 8:16). In Jesus I am an heir of God (Rom. 8:17). In Jesus I am a joint-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17). In Jesus I freely receive all things from God (Rom. 8:32). In Jesus I am more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37).

In Jesus nothing can separate me from the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39). In Jesus I am sanctified (1 Cor. 1:2). In Jesus I am enriched in all knowledge (1 Cor. 1:5). In Jesus I have wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30). In Jesus I have righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30). In Jesus I have sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30).

In Jesus I have redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). In Jesus I shall be resurrected (1 Cor. 15:20-22). In Jesus I have victory over death (1 Cor. 15:57). In Jesus all the promises of God are “Yes” and “Amen” to me (2 Cor. 1:20). In Jesus I am established (2 Cor. 1:21).

In Jesus I am anointed of God (2 Cor. 1:21). In Jesus I always triumph (2 Cor. 2:14). In Jesus I am a sweet fragrance to God (2 Cor. 2:15). In Jesus my mind is renewed and enlightened (2 Cor. 3:14). In Jesus I am a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). In Jesus I have the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18).

In Jesus I am an ambassador for God (2 Cor. 5:20). In Jesus I am made the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). In Jesus I live by the power of God (2 Cor. 13:4). In Jesus I have liberty (Gal. 2:4). In Jesus I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13). In Jesus I have the blessing of Abraham (Gal. 3:14).

In Jesus I am a son of God (Gal. 4:7). In Jesus I have faith which works by love (Gal. 5:6). In Jesus I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3). In Jesus I have been chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). In Jesus I am accepted of God (Eph. 1:6). In Jesus I have the life of God (Eph. 2:5).

In Jesus I now sit in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). In Jesus I have the exceeding riches of God’s grace and kindness (Eph. 2:7). In Jesus I am His workmanship (Eph. 2:10). In Jesus I am created for good works (Eph. 2:10). In Jesus I am built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:22). In Jesus I have boldness and access with confidence before God (Eph. 3:12).

In Jesus I am a shining light (Eph. 5:8). In Jesus I am strong in the power of God ’s might (Eph. 6:10). In Jesus I have the high calling of God (Phil. 3:14). In Jesus I do not worry (Phil 4:6). In Jesus I have the peace of God which passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). In Jesus I have the peace of God which guards my heart and mind (Phil. 4:7).

In Jesus I have strength (Phil. 4:13). In Jesus I can do all things (Phil. 4:13). In Jesus all my needs are met according to God ’s riches in glory (Phil. 4:19). In Jesus I have been delivered from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13). In Jesus I have been translated into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:13).

In Jesus I have redemption through His blood (Col. 1:14). In Jesus I have forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14). In Jesus I am reconciled to God (Col. 1:20). In Jesus I have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). In Jesus I am made complete and perfect (Col. 2:10). In Jesus my life is hid with Him in God (Col. 3:3).

In Jesus I have abundant love (1 Tim. 1:14). In Jesus I have obtained salvation with eternal glory (2 Tim. 2:10). In Jesus I am saved to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25). In Jesus I have eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12). In Jesus I have an eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:12). In Jesus I am made perfect in every good work to do His will (Heb. 13:21).

In Jesus I have abundant mercy from God (1 Peter 1:3). In Jesus I have a lively hope (1 Peter 1:3). In Jesus I have joy unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8). In Jesus I am a holy priest of God (1 Peter 2:5). In Jesus I am settled (1 Peter 5:10). In Jesus I have fellowship with all believers (1 John 1:7).

In Jesus I have received the anointing which teaches me all things (1 John 2:27). In Jesus I have the Spirit of God (1 John 3:24). In Jesus I have overcome the devil, the flesh and the world (1 John 4:4). In Jesus God dwells in me (1 John 4:15). In Jesus I have the love of God (1 John 4:16). In Jesus I have no fear (1 John 4:18).

In Jesus I overcome the world (1 John 5:4). In Jesus I have victory (1 John 5:4). In Jesus I have understanding (1 John 5:20). In Jesus I know God (1 John 5:20).

My Relationship with the Lord  – Confession

My dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that You desire my love for You, with all of my heart, with all of my soul and with all of my might!  (Deut 6:5)  And I do love you!  (Mt 22:37) My soul longs for You, to know You more and more (Psa 42:1,2). My soul follows You, listening to Your voice, seeking Your face  (Ps 63:8).  You are my God and I will seek You early, to see Your power and Your glory in my spirit  (Ps 63:1-4). Thank You for the strength you give me, that my strength is renewed as I wait on You  (Is 40:29-30). I can be very strong in You as I take time for You!  My spirit will be strengthened and I will rise to new levels of faith!  (Eph 3:16).

I believe that the spoken Word out of my mouth will work for me and release Your ability within me and cause Your Word and Your power to become available in and to me (Jn 6:63).  I desire to let Your Word dwell in me richly! (Col 3:16). I believe that as I meditate on Your Word day and night, that you will make my way prosperous and my life will bear the fruit that You desire!  (Jos 1:8). I believe that it is Your love for me that has freed me from sin (Ro8:2).  I believe in Jesus and I do not doubt His love for me (Heb 4:14).

I believe that I am seated with Christ in Heavenly places and that I operate now in the Kingdom of Your dear Son, Jesus (Eph 2:6, Col 1:13). I know that I hear Your voice, and the voice of my Shepherd, Jesus. I will not follow a stranger!  (Jn 10:27).  Your love is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit and His love abides in me richly.  I keep myself in the Kingdom of Light, in love, in the Word, and Satan does not touch me!  My shield of faith quenches his fiery darts because You are greater than he that is in the world!  (Ro 5:5; IJn 4:16; IJn 5:18; Ps 91:13; Eph 6:16; IJn 4:4).

Walking In Victory –Confession

Thank You, Jesus, for saving me!–And for sending me Your Holy Spirit!  He will teach me all things!  (Jn 14:26).

I am born of God and I overcome the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even my faith (1 John 5:4).

Thank You, Heavenly Father, that my life can be victorious as I live close to you!  I can be triumphant in Jesus!  (2 Cor 2:14) (1 Cor 15:57). Thank You, Jesus for setting me free. “Whom the Son hath set free is free indeed” (John 8:36).  I am now free from the bondage of this world!  In Your Word I can learn the power of this freedom!  Freedom from every physical, mental and emotional sickness of the world. I am an overcomer in every area of my life (Rev 12:11). I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). I boldly declare that I am free!

Healing of Cancer –Confession

The eyes of the Lord are toward the [uncompromisingly] righteous and His ears are open to their cry. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles (Psalm 34:15, 17).

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:2, 3, 5).

I shall live and not die, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord (Psalm 118:17).

He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Psalm 107:20).

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (curing their pains and their sorrows)  (Psalm 147:3).

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:20-23).

Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains (of punishment), yet we (ignorantly) considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God (as if with leprosy). But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement (needful to obtain) peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes (that wounded) Him, we are healed and made whole (Isaiah 53:4, 5).

Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you (conducting you to peace and prosperity), and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8).

The Spirit of God is killing the cancer cells. My body’s cells are strong and alive.

And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people. So the report of Him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed them (Matthew 4:23, 24).

When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a Word and restored to health all who were sick. And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He Himself took our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases’ (Matthew 8:16, 17).

And behold, a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment; for she kept saying to herself, “If I only can touch His garment, I shall be restored to health.” Jesus turned around and, seeing her, He said, “Take courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And at once the woman was restored to health (Matthew 9:20, 22).

When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick (Matthew 14:14).

And a great multitude came to Him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they put them down at His feet; and He cured them (Matthew 15:30).

And great throngs accompanied Him, and He cured them there (Matthew 19:2).

And He cured many who were afflicted with various diseases; and He drove out many demons, but would not allow the demons to talk because they knew Him (Mark 1:34).

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has restored you to health. Go in peace and be continually healed and freed from your [distressing bodily] disease” (Mark 5:34).

And Jesus said, “If you can believe, why, all things are possible to him who believes! (Mark 9:23).

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has healed you” . And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road (Mark 10:52).

And these attesting signs will go with those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well (Mark 16:17, 18).

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (John 10:10).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders. And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name. And the prayer of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven (James 5:14, 15).

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed (I Peter 2:24).

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and that your body may keep well, even as your soul keeps well and prospers (3 John 1:2).

Confession

I am healed. I will live and not die. I will fulfill my destiny. I will fulfill my calling. I will live out my days in Jesus Name. My faith in God is strong. I pay no attention to my body. I am healed. I will live a good life.

I am motivated and strong. I hear the voice of God and I obey His commands. My faith is alive, working, and strong. My faith is growing faster than the cancer. I curse the cancer cells and they are dying in Jesus Name. The cancer cells are dying and my cells are being renewed every day.

Lord, I hear Your voice. I have the faith to win this battle. I will win. I will overcome through faith in God. I have the victory. The treatments and medications are working and I will not have any side effects.

God’s mercy and grace is sufficient for me. His power is burning out the cancer in my body. His mercy overshadows all that I am and all that I do. Lord, I receive Your mercy. I receive Your healing for me.

My hope is in God and in His promises alone. I will be healed. I will be whole. God is big enough. God is faithful enough. Jesus paid the price for my healing on the Cross and I will receive it. Jesus and I will not have this healing stolen from us.

I curse this sickness and I curse its effects. I will be made whole. I will not suffer long-term damage. I will not suffer side effects from the treatments. I refuse this sickness in my body and I curse it in Jesus Name. It will come to an end.

I will be healed from this cancer. I will be cancer free in Jesus Name! I am going to live and not die. The power of God is real. It is working in my body. It is healing me. It is restoring me. The Spirit of God is killing the cancer cells. My body’s cells are strong and alive. I am alive and well. I am healthy and whole.

It does not matter what I feel like. It does not matter what my mind thinks. My heart knows that I am whole. My heart knows that I am healed in Jesus Name.

God is alive. God is real. His word is real. His Word is healing me. His word will do it. I am healed in Jesus Name!

Healing –Confession

by Hilton Sutton

1. By His stripes I am healed. a. Before: (Isaiah 53:4, 5 b. After: I Peter 2:24)
2. I am a member of the Body of Christ and Satan has no power over me, for I overcome evil with good. (I Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:21)
3. I am of God, and have overcome Satan. For greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.( I John 4:4)
4. I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Lord, Your Word – Authority – and Your Holy Spirit they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:1-2)
5. I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me.( Isaiah 54:14) and God has not given me a spirit of fear.( II Timothy 1:7)
6. No weapon formed against me shall prosper, for my righteousness is of the Lord. And, whatsoever I do will prosper. For, I’m like a tree that’s planted by the rivers of water. (Isaiah 54:17; Psalm 1:3)
7. I am delivered from the evils of this present world, for, it is the will of God concerning me. (Galatians 1:4)
8. He, by His power, has given to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him. II (Peter 1:1-4)
9. And whatever you do in Word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)
10. Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 a. Romans 8:31)– God is for me b. (Romans 8:37)– I am more than a conqueror
11. No evil will befall me; neither shall any plague come near my dwelling. For the Lord has given His angels charge over me and they keep me in all my ways, and in my pathway is life and there is no death. (Psalms 91:10, 11; (Proverbs 12:28)
12. I am a doer of the Word of God and am blessed in my deeds. I am happy in those things, which I do because I am a doer of the Word of God. (James 1:22)
13. I take the shield of faith and I quench every fiery dart that the wicked one brings against me. (Ephesians 6:14–18)
14. I put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-20)
15. Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Therefore, I forbid any sickness or disease to come upon this body. Every disease, germ, and every virus that touches this body dies instantly in the name of Jesus. Every organ and every tissue of this body functions in the perfection to which God created it to function, and I forbid any malfunction in this body, in the name of Jesus. (Galatians 3:13, Romans 8:11, Genesis 1:31, Matthew 16:19)
16. Jesus took my infirmities and bore my sickness. (Matthew 8:17)
17. I am an overcomer and I overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.( Revelation 12:11). I refuse to yield to symptoms.
18. I am submitted to God and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the name of Jesus. (James 4:7)
19. I delight myself in the Lord and He gives me the desires of my heart.( Psalms 37:3-5)
20. It is true unto me according to the Word of God. (Psalms 119:25)
21. With what measure I give, it is measured unto me. I sow bountifully, therefore, I reap bountifully. I give cheerfully, and my God has made all grace abound toward me, and I, having all sufficiency for all things, do abound to all good works. (II Corinthians 9:6-8)
22. There is no lack, for my God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.( Phil. 4:19 Deuteronomy 30:14-16)
23. The Lord is my shepherd and I do not want because Jesus was made poor, that I through His poverty might have abundance. For, He came that I might have life and have it more abundantly. (Psalms 23:1; II Corinthians 8:9; John 10:10)
24. And I, having received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, do reign in life by Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)
25. The Word of God is forever settled in heaven. Therefore, I establish His Word upon this earth. TRUTH changes facts! (Psalms 119:89)
26. Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Christ has redeemed me from poverty, Christ has redeemed me from sickness, and Christ has redeemed me from spiritual death. (Gal. 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
27. For poverty He has given me wealth, for sickness He has given me health, for death He has given me eternal life.( II Corinthians 8:9; Isaiah 53:5, 6; John 10:10; John 5:24)
28. The Lord has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant, and Abraham’s blessings are mine. (Psalms 35:27; Galatians 3:14)
29. The Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, abides in me and teaches me all things, and He guides me into all truth. Therefore, I confess I have perfect knowledge of every situation and every circumstance that I come upon. For I have the wisdom of God. (John 16:13 James 1:5)
30. I trust in the Lord with all my heart; and I lean not unto my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5; Philippians 1:6)
31. In all my ways I acknowledge Him and He directs my path. (Proverbs 3:6)
32. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. (Philippians 1:6; Colossians 2:10, 4:13; Psalms 138:8)
33. I let the Word of Christ dwell in me richly in all wisdom for His Word is truth. (Colossians 3:16)
34. I do follow the good shepherd and I know His voice and the voice of a stranger I will not follow. (John 10:4, 5)
35. Jesus is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore, I confess I have the wisdom of God, and I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.( I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21)
36. I am filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.( Colossians 1:9)
37. I am a new creation in Christ, I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Therefore, I have the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God is formed within me. (II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; I Corinthians 2:16)
38. I have put off the old man and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created me. (Colossians 3:10, 11)
39. I have received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened. And I am not conformed to this world but am transformed by the renewing of my mind. My mind is renewed by the Word of God.( Ephesians 1:17, 18; Romans 12:2)
40. Because I study the Word, I am increasing in the knowledge of God; I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power. (Colossians 1:10, 11)
41. Thank God, I am delivered from the power of darkness and I am translated into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Colossians 1:13-14)
42. I am born of God and I have world-overcoming faith residing on the inside of me. For greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world.( I John 5:4, 5; 1 John 4:4)
43. I will do all things through Christ which strengthened me. (Philippians 4:13)
44. The joy of the Lord is my strength. The Lord is the strength of my life. (Nehemiah 8:10; Psalms 27:1)
45. The peace of God which passes all understanding keeps my heart and my mind through Christ Jesus. And all things that are good and pure and perfect and lovely and good report, I think on these things. (Philippians 4:7, 8)
46. I let the peace of God rule in my heart and I refuse to worry about anything. (Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15)
47. I let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but that which is good to edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearer. I grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby I am sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:29, 30)
48. I speak of truth of the Word of God in love and I grow up into the Lord Jesus Christ in all things. I grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. (Ephesians 4:15; I Peter 3:18)
49. No man shall take me out of His hand, for I have eternal life. I am more than a conqueror. (John 10:29, 30; Romans 8:37.)
50. I will not let the Word of God depart from before my eyes, for it is life to me; for I have found it and it is health and healing to all my flesh.(Proverbs 4:21, 22)
51. God has sent His Word for my healing and deliverance. (Psalms 107:20)
52. God is on my side. God is for me now, who can be against me? He has given unto me all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Therefore I am a partaker of His divine nature. (II Corinthians 6:16; Romans 8:31, John 10:10; II Peter 1:3-5)
53. Jesus gave me the authority to use His name. And that which I bind on earth is bound in heaven. And that which I loose on earth is loosed in heaven. Therefore, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I bind the principalities, the powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world. I bind and cast down spiritual wickedness in high places and render them harmless and ineffective against me, in the name of Jesus. (Matthew 16:19; John 16:23, 24; Ephesians 6:13)
54. My physical body was purchased by the sacrifice of Jesus and it is no longer mine, but the Father’s. (I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Peter 1:18-21)
55. I am complete in Jesus who is the head of all principality and power. For I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which Christ has before ordained that I should walk therein. (Colossians 2:10; Ephesians 2:9-10)

Praying for Your Children –Confession

Father I confess Your Word over my children. I confess that my children are taught of the Lord and great is their peace and undisturbed composure.(Is 54:13)

My children grow in wisdom and stature and have favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

I have trained up my children in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Your angels keep charge over my children to accompany and defend them and preserve them in all their ways. (Ps 91:2)

You Lord are their refuge and fortress. You are their glory and the triumph of their heads. (Ps 91)

I confess that my children delight themselves in the Lord and You give them the desires of their heart.(Ps 37:4)

I confess that my children are willing and obedient and they eat the best of the land. (Is 1:19)

I confess that my children obey their parents in the Lord. My children honor, esteem, and value as precious their parents, for this is the first command with promise, that it may be well with my children and they may live long on the earth. (Eph 6:2)

My children choose life and love you Lord and obey Your voice and cling to You; for You are their life and the length of their days.

I plead the blood of the Lord Jesus on my children, my (future) grandchildren, and all those You have given me in this life.

Taken from a confession book by my Church Pastor

 

The favor of God –Confession 

 –Bill Winston

 

Proverbs Chapter 18: 21 says this -”Death and life come on are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall what? Eat the fruit their own.

And I expect doors to open.

I expect folks to call me on the phone and I get a blessing.

I decree from this moment forward,

I see myself the way God sees me.

I am highly favored of the Lord

I am crowned with glory and honor

I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus

I am reigning as a king in life through the one man Jesus Christ the Messiah

Now in Jesus name,

I declare by faith that I walk in divine favor

I have preferential treatment, supernatural increase,

I have restoration,

I have prominence,

I have petitions granted.

 

Laws change, policies and rules change and battles won which I do not have to fight

Why? All because the favor of God is upon me.

The blessing and favor of God is on my life

And every morning when I arise, I will speak and expect divine favor to go before me and surround me as with a shield with goodwill and pleasures forevermore.

 

Doors are now open for me that men have said are impossible to open.

No obstacle can stop me.

No hindrances can delay me

I am honored by my father as I receive genuine favor that comes directly from God.

I’m special to him.

I am the object of his affection.

I am the apple of his eye.

I am blessed, and highly favored of the Lord.

And so be it, right now in Jesus name,

 

Faith – -Confession

  Mark Hankins

I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus is my Lord. (Romans 10:9, 10). I have been born again. God is my very own Father, and I am His very own child. (Romans 8:14, 15)

I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are new. (II Corinthians 5:17)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

I know I have eternal life. The very life and nature of God is in me.(I John 5:11, 12)

By the blood of Jesus, I overcome all the works of the devil.( Revelation 12:11)

Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

 

Jesus said He would never leave me nor forsake me, so I can boldly say, “The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:5)

It is God who works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.( II Corinthians 5:21)

My God supplies all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want or lack for an good thing. (Psalm 23:1)

The Lord is the strength of my life. I am strong in the Lord. (Psalm 27:1)

Now thanks be unto God, who always causes me to triumph in Christ and makes manifest the savor of His knowledge by me in every place. (II Corinthians 2:14)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. I am complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9,10)

For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)

I say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and I do not doubt in my heart. I believe that those things that I say shall come to pass. I will have whatever I say. (Mark 11:23)

 

Faith for Prosperity – -Confession

Kenneth E. Hagin

 

As born-again believers, we are redeemed from the curse of the law and are heirs to Abraham’s blessing and God’s promises of prosperity.

For many years I did not understand that it is God’s will for His children to prosper. I thought as many do that poverty was a characteristic of humility – that in order to be humble one must be poor. I thought that a righteous man could not be wealthy and that a wealthy man could not be righteous. Any promise in the scriptures regarding financial blessing applied only to the Jews, I thought. But no, God is no respecter of persons, and every promise of God can be claimed by and for each one of us.

God wants His children to “prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (III John 2).

“But,” someone might say, “the Bible says that money is the root of all evil.” However, the Bible does not say that at all.( I Timothy 6:10) says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” A person can be guilty of that sin and not have one dime.

I have heard people say, “Well, I guess I’m just another Job.” Some people think that poor old Job went through life poverty stricken, sick, and afflicted. However, the entire Book of Job happened within a period of nine months, and the last chapter says that God turned Job’s captivity, and that “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).

When the thieves broke in and stole Job’s things, he was captive of Satan. When the fire fell and burned up his crops, he was in captivity to Satan. When the storm came and blew the house down on his children and they were killed, when Job was smitten with boils from his head to his feet, when his wife turned against him and said, “Curse God and die,” Job was in captivity to Satan. But God turned Job’s captivity.

If you think you are another Job, that means you’ll be one of the richest men around. You’ll have twice as much as you’ve ever had, and you will be healed and live to be old. Job lived one hundred years after the events recorded in the Bible. If you are another Job, you are going to prosper

Redeemed From the Curse of the Law

Galatians 3:13, 14, 29

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The above scriptures tell us that “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.” What, then, is the curse of the law? We turn for this answer to the first five books of the Old Testament, referred to as the Pentateuch, or the Books of the Law. There we learn that the curse, or punishment for breaking God’s law, is threefold: poverty, sickness, and the second death. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of poverty. He has redeemed us from the curse of sickness. He has redeemed us from the curse of death – spiritual death now and physical death when Jesus comes again. We need have no fear of the second death.

Abraham’s Blessing

Just as the curse is three-fold in nature, so was Abraham’s blessing. First, it was a material, financial blessing. Second, it was a physical blessing. Third, it was a spiritual blessing. The New Testament scripture, (III John 2), agrees that God wants us to have material, physical, and spiritual prosperity; for it says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” Too many people are under the impression that any promises in the Bible for material blessing and prosperity refer only to the Jews. However, this verse was written to New Testament Christians.

The word “Jew” is a short term or a nickname for “Judah.” The Israelites were never called Jews until after the split of the tribes. Judah didn’t have any more promise of material and financial blessing than the other tribes of Israel. They received or inherited the blessing through their father Jacob. Jacob inherited the blessing through his father Isaac. Isaac inherited the blessing through his father Abraham. So it is not the Jews’ blessing or promise. It is not Israel’s blessing. It is Abraham’s blessing. And that blessing is mine. “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ …” (Galatians 3:14). In this third chapter of Galatians we also read in verse 7, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” If we are born-again Christians, “then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

After these scriptures became plain to me and I saw what belonged to me as a child of God, through faith in Him, other scriptures began to open up to me. Everything belongs to God and is at His disposal, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills … for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof” (Psalm 50:10, 12). “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof …” (Psalm 24:1). God created everything, then He made man, Adam, and gave him dominion over all of it. God made it all for His man Adam. He gave Adam dominion over the cattle on a thousand hills, over the silver and gold, over the world and the fullness thereof. In other words, Adam was the god of this world.

But Adam committed high treason and sold out to Satan. Thus Satan became the god of this world. Jesus, however, came to redeem us from Satan’s power and dominion over us. Romans 5:17 says, “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” The Amplified version of the scripture reads, “They shall reign as kings in life, by one Jesus Christ.” We are to reign as kings in life. That means that we have dominion over our lives. We are to dominate, not to be dominated. Circumstances are not to dominate you. You are to dominate circumstances. Poverty is not to rule and reign over you. You are to rule and reign over poverty. Disease and sickness are not to rule and reign over you. You are to rule and reign over sickness. We are to reign as kings in life by Christ Jesus, in whom we have our redemption.

Deuteronomy 28:1-8, 11, 12

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle …

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shall thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face…

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto …

11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods …

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season and to bless all the work of thine hand …

The first part of Deuteronomy 28 lists the many ways the Lord would bless His people if they would obey Him. He promised to bless their children, their crops and cattle, He promised to bless and protect them in battle, He promised to make them “plenteous in goods,” and to bless them in “all that thou settest thine hand unto.”

This blessing was all-inclusive, but it was also conditional. They must keep all of God’s commandments. They must be a holy people, not straying from Him and seeking after other gods, but serving Him with all their heart. The remainder of this chapter, verses 15 through 68, lists the curses that would fall upon His people if they did not keep His commandments.

When I first realized this truth and saw the prosperity, material and spiritual, that God has planned for His people, and that every born-again believer in Christ is an heir to this promise, I could hardly contain my joy. I was so thrilled to find out that I was redeemed from the curse of the law, from the curse of poverty, and that Abraham’s blessing was mine. We as Christians need not suffer financial setbacks; we need not be captive to poverty or sickness. God has provided healing and prosperity for His children if they will obey His commandments.

When Jesus was here on earth He said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11). How many of us who are parents want our children to go through life hungry, sick, or afflicted, never having enough to get along? No parent wants that. In fact, we work and sacrifice to try to help our children get a better education than we had so they can make a better living than we did.

God put all the cattle here, all the silver and gold, and is it reasonable to think that He did all of this only for the ungodly? Certainly He loves the sinner, but does He love the sinner more than His own children? No. God put all these things here for His people. He said to Israel, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). And if God wants His children to eat the best, He wants them to wear the best clothing, He wants them to drive the best cars, and He wants them to have the best of everything.

Proven Through Personal Experience

When this truth became real to my heart, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Don’t pray for money anymore. You have authority through my name to claim prosperity. I have already put gold, silver, and cattle on a thousand hills for my man Adam, and I gave him dominion over it. After he sold out to Satan, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, came to redeem you from the hand of the enemy and to remove you from the curse of the law. Now, instead of praying that I would do it, because I have made provision for your needs, all you need do is say, ‘Satan, take your hands off my money.’ Just claim what you need. You reign in life by Christ Jesus.”

In the next church I went to I said, “Lord, if I get what I need here this will have to work. The last time I was here I received only about $60 a week. I am going to claim $150 for this week.” Then I said, “Satan, take your hands off my money, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” You see, you never believe for the possible, because you believe for the impossible. I was supposed to be in this church for just a week, but as it turned out I was there ten days. I claimed $200 for these ten days. The pastor did not beg for money at all, but he simply passed the offering plates; and, when the offering was counted, I had $240.

After that when I would go into churches to hold meetings, finances came in easily; and many times the pastor would say in amazement, “That is the biggest offering this church has ever given to an evangelist. “And I had made no strong pleas at all. I had the key that unlocks the door.

Thank God, we are not under the curse, for Jesus has set us free! “For sickness I have health, for poverty wealth, since Jesus has ransomed me.”

Memory Text: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (III John 2).

 

Dominate your circumstances

–Veronica Winston

Father, thank you. That as I decree these things they are established on to me and your light shines upon my ways.

Thank you that the communication of my faith becomes effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in me in Christ Jesus.

I thank you that I sowed to the spirit and of the Spirit reap life everlasting. For my God creates the fruit of my lips I bring forth exceedingly much fruit, and my fruit remains.

I keep my heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.

I am born of incorruptible seed and I walk and live by faith.

Wisdom leaves me when I go, keeps me when I sleep and speaks with me when I wake.

I refuse to accept any lies from the devil

The Holy Spirit is my teacher and guides me into all truth by God’s promises, I partake of his divine nature and I’ve escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust

The Word of God is in my mouth, in my mouth, in my heart, and in my mind is quickening my body and I live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Affliction, persecution, cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches and lust of other things – you will not enter my heart or steal the word for me.

I cast you out of my life I refute you and give you no place in Jesus name.

Thank you Father that my life is built on a rock and no storm of life can make me fall

I am the seed of Abraham

And I am blessed above all people

I am born of God and I said not

I’m begotten of God

I keep myself and that wicked one touches me not

There shall no evil befall me

I choose to enjoy God’s best for my life and will not put up with any harassment from the enemy

I plead the blood of Jesus over me and my family, our homes and possessions.

I bind Satan and all his spirits and forbid their operation in our lives

No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper

God has made a hedge about us, our houses and all that we have on every side

He’s blessed the work of our hands and our substance is increased in the land

I am clothed with the armor of light and have put off the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of God.

I know the truth – the belt of truth, believe the truth, shield the faith and speak the truth, sword of the spirit I’m right with God, breast plate of righteousness bring peace to others, shoes of the gospel of peace.

I’m safe from all evil – helmet of salvation.

The favor of God goes before me to support me, endorse me, assist me To make things easier to provide advantages to provide advantages and open doors and to show special privileges to the point that it will be noticeable.

I hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord my God and observe to do according to all his commandments which he commands me this day.

And the Lord my God has sent me on high above all nations of the earth and all these blessings are coming upon me and overtaking me because I hearken to the voice of the Lord my God

I let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth but that which is good to edifying and that minister’s grace to the hearer.

Life is choice driven and I choose life in every decision

I have the mind of Christ, the wisdom of God and my memory is blessed.

God satisfies my mouth with good things so that my youth is renewed like the Eagles

Christ has redeemed from the curse of the law and I am blessed in every area of life.

The blessing of Abraham has come upon me in my household and I believe we have received our full inheritance.

I turned at the reproof of wisdom

I love knowledge and choose the fear of the Lord.

I hearken to wisdom, dwell safely and I’m quiet from fear of evil

God keeps my pads of judgment and preserves the way of the saints.

I keep sound wisdom and discretion. Wisdom resides in my heart and knowledge is pleasant to my soul.

Discretion preserves me understanding keeps me and delivers me from all evil

My ways are ways of pleasantness and all my path in peace

Thank you Father I always find wisdom for she says I love them that love me and those that seek me early shall find me.

I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not to my own understanding.

In all my ways I acknowledge him and he directs my path

God loves me and corrects me and I’m not weary of his correction.

I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and I love my neighbor as myself.

My voice shall bow here in the morning Lord.

In the morning while I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up

I will lie down in peace and my sleep will be sweet any time of day or night.

 

Filled With the Fullness of God —Confession

Say this boldly to yourself as much as you can every day for 10 days:

I am filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding and I walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, and I give thanks to the Father, who has made me able to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered me from the power of darkness and He has translated me into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom I have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:9-14).

I am filled with the fullness of God because I know the love of Christ that passes all knowledge (Ephesians 3:19).

The eyes of my understanding are enlightened and I know what is the hope of His plan and calling for my life and the richness of His inheritance in me, and I know what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward me when I believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in the Heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named both in this age and in the next (Ephesians 1:18-21).

Don’t stop speaking it until it comes out of your pores. Do not worry if you do not ‘feel’ anything. The word of God is not emotional but spiritual. After a few days, you will sense a change in your heart. This is where the Spirit of God always starts to work. Keep going. What is happening there is massive. This new life is better than you think but you have to ‘put on’ your new God-self. Speak it to yourself over and over for 10 days and let God change you.

 

Prosperity –Confession

I confess boldly that it is Your will that I prosper. It says in Your Word that You delight Yourself in the prosperity of Your servant. (Ps 35:27)

You said in Your Word that You pray above all things that I prosper and be in good health even as my soul prospers. I believe that Jesus Christ, who was rich, was made poor for me that I through His poverty may be made rich. (2 Cor 8:9, 3 Jn 2)

Lord, I meditate upon Your Word. I delight in Your Word and I am like a tree planted by the rivers of water. My leaf does not fade. I bring forth fruit in its season.

I am being a blessing to people today. (Ps 1)I am winning souls today. I am encouraging people today. My leaf does not wither. My life is full of strength. God’s strength.

I boldly declare that I prosper. I am not defeated, but I am prospering and victorious.

I am prospering in my mind, in my body, in my spirit, and in my finances.

I am prospering in my marriage (my relationships, both past and present), and in every area of my life. Whatever I do prospers.

I have given and it is given unto me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. I have an abundant supply. (Luke 6:38)

My God does supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)

The floodgates of heaven are opened over me and I am receiving a blessing that I cannot contain. (Mal 3:10)

I confess that I walk in God’s favor today in all my business dealings and with people. God’s favor rests upon me.(Ps 5:12) I have God’s favor and blessing on me.

God favors me today. I am a success today. I have God’s special favor upon me today. He makes His face to shine upon me today. He is gracious to me today. (Luke 2:52, Num 6:25-26) I expect something to happen to me today.

God delights in my success and prosperity.(Ps 35:28)

With God all things are possible. So I walk today expecting God’s favor and success to be upon me! (Mark 9:23)

I am blessed coming in and blessed going out. I am the head and not the tail, I am above and not beneath. (Deut 28:2-14)

Jesus has redeemed me from the curse of lack and poverty and want. I am blessed because of Him!(Gal 3:13) I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed, I AM BLESSED!

Taken from a confession book by my Church Pastor – Faith Has a Voice

 

Health and Healing – –Confession

by John Osteen

By Rev. John Osteen (Father of Joel Osteen, and Founder of Lakewood Church)

I fear the Lord and I prolong my days. I keep my heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life. (Prov. 4:23; 10:27)

My desire is only of the Lord and it is a tree of life. I fear the Lord and He is my fountain of life. I have a sound heart and it is the life of my flesh. (Prov. 13:12; Prov. 14:27, 30)

I have a merry heart and it does good like a medicine. My belly is satisfied by the fruit of my mouth, and with the increase of my lips I am filled. Death and life are in the power of my tongue. I speak the life-giving words of God and I receive life and health in my body. (Prov. 17:22; Prov. 18:20-21)

Jesus Christ has borne my sicknesses and carried my pain. He was stricken, smitten of God and afflicted for me. He was wounded for my transgressions and He was bruised for my guilt and iniquities. The chastisement needed to obtain peace and well-being for me was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him, I am healed and made whole. I now have perfect health in my body. (Isa. 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24)

The will of God is done on earth as it is done in heaven. There is no sickness in heaven; therefore, I am not sick at all on the earth. Jesus was never sick on this earth. Jesus is in me and His life flows in me. As He was in the world so am I in this world. I am healthy as Jesus was healthy upon this earth. (Matt. 6:10; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 4:17)

Jesus destroyed the works of the devil, which were diseases, sicknesses, and bodily infirmities; therefore, all the works of the devil upon my body are destroyed and I have perfect health in Jesus Christ. (Matt. 8:17; 1 John 3:8; Acts 10:38)

I am justified by my words. I have the faith of Jesus Christ in me, for Jesus is in me, and He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. I speak unto the mountains of sickness and disease and they obey my words and leave. I have authority and power over all disease and sickness; I command them to leave and they obey my words. I lay my hands on the sick and they recover. (Matt. 12:37; Heb. 12:2; Mark 11:23; Matt. 10:1; Mark 16:18)

I believe in God and all His promises, and all things are possible unto me. All the promises of God are Yes unto me for Christ has paid the price for all of them. (Mark 9:23; 2 Cor. 1:20)

I believe that all those things I say shall come to pass. All things which I desire, when I pray, I believe that I have received them and I have them. (Mark 11:23-24)

Whatsoever I ask in the Name of Jesus, Jesus himself does it that the Father may be glorified in the Son. When I ask for anything in the Name of Jesus, Jesus says He will do it. (John 14:13-14)

The Father loves Jesus Christ and gives Him all that He asks. The Father loves me as much as He loves Jesus and gives me everything that I ask. (John 16:23-27; 17:23)

All authority in heaven and earth is given unto Jesus Christ. I have faith in the power and authority of the Name of Jesus Christ and through His Name I am made perfectly whole. (Matt. 28:18; Acts 3:16)

The Spirit of God who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwells in me, and He who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, also quickens and gives life to my mortal body through His Spirit who now dwells in me. (Rom. 8:11)

I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in my heart that God has raised Him from the dead and I am healed. For with my heart I believe unto righteousness and with my mouth confession is made unto healing and health. (Rom 10:9,10; Mark 5:23; Acts 14:9)

My health springs forth and the glory of the Lord is revealed in me. The Lord brings me health and cure, and reveals unto me the abundance of peace and truth. (Isa. 58:8; John 17:22; Jer. 33:6)

I sow to the Spirit and reap of the Spirit life everlasting. I sow words of health and healing every day and daily reap health in my physical body. (Gal. 6:8-9)

Jesus has destroyed Satan and spoiled all his principalities and powers, and they no longer have any power in me. In the Name of Jesus, I have power over them and over all their works of sickness and disease. (Heb. 2:14; Col. 2:14-15; Mark 16:17-18)

The word is near me, even in my heart and in my mouth; that is the word of faith which I speak. (Rom. 10:8)

It is the will of God that I should prosper and be in perfect health even as my soul prospers. (3 John 2)

My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and all the fullness of God dwells in me. I glorify God in my body and in my spirit which are His. (1 Cor 6:19-20; Eph. 3:19).

 

Who I am in God –Confession

I am born of God. (1 John 5:1)I am OF God. (1 John 4:6)I am a spirit being – born of God.

I am a spirit, I have a soul, and I live in a body, but I am first a spirit being – BORN OF GOD. (1 Thess 5:23)

I am a new creature in Christ, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17)

I have a new nature. It’s the nature of God. It’s the nature of love, for love is of God. (1 John 4:7)

I have a nature of faith, because faith works by love, and the love of God has been SHED ABROAD in my heart by the Holy Ghost, who has been given to me.(Romans 5:5)

I have been given the privilege of becoming a child of God. I am God’s very own child and God is my very own Father. (John 1:12 & Romans 8:15)

Because I am His child, I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:17)

Because I am in Christ Jesus- right now – there is no spirit of condemnation in me. (Romans 8:1)

I have faith in God. I believe in Him , and I am in Him. I believe He is able and faithful.

I am justified by FAITH; therefore I have peace with God. (Romans 5:17)

I am in Christ and He is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore, I am righteous in Christ Jesus and I have His wisdom. I am sanctified and redeemed by His blood. (1 Cor 1:30)

I have the wisdom of God. I fear Him and His wisdom has been given to me.

I have received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness and I reign in this life through Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:17) I receive and reign through Jesus Christ.

I have been delivered from the power and dominion of darkness (Satan) and I have been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. (Col 1:13)

I have been crucified with Christ and I have been raised up together with Him and made to sit down together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Far above all principality, power, might, and dominion.(Eph 2:5&6, Eph 1:21)

I am presented to God holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight, and right now I am freely accepted by Him through His grace. (Col 1:22, Eph 1:6, Eph 2:8)

I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, and I stand holy and without blame before Him in love. (Eph 1:3&4)

Change your life –Confession

Father, I thank you for giving me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You. I thank you for opening the eyes of my understanding, that I might know the hope and plan of Your calling in my life, the riches of Your glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of Your power to me who believes. (Eph 1:18-19)

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father from Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. I pray that according to the riches of Your glory I might be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in my inner man. I pray that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And that being rooted and grounded in love I may be able to comprehend with all the saints, the breadth, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ. And I will know by experience the love that surpasses all understanding, that I may be filled with all the very fullness of God. (Eph 3:16-19)

Father, I pray that I would be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, and that I would walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. That I would be strengthened with all might, according to Your glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering, with joyfulness. (Col 1:9-11)

I know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed unto His death. That by any means I may obtain to the resurrection of the dead, not that I have already obtained or am already perfect, but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. I do not count myself to have apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:10)

A famous Christian who always gave God first place in his everyday decisions was William Gladstone, who was England’s Prime Minister three times and was one of the most famous British political leaders of the 1800’s.

The story is told of how every day as he went up the steps of the Parliament building, he would stop and witness to the little newsboy there about Jesus’ Love!

        But one day as he and his secretary were going into Parliament, another little newsboy rushed up to them, exclaiming, “Please, Sir, you know the boy who sells you papers here? Yesterday he was run over by a carriage and he’s badly hurt. He’s going to die, and he’s asking for you to come and get him IN.” The Minister questioned, “What do you mean, `get him in’?” The lad replied, “You know, get him in to HEAVEN!” His secretary, however, protested, “No, no, no, you don’t have TIME to go see a dying newsboy!

        You know how important your speech today is! It could change the course of English history!”

Gladstone hesitated only a moment, then said, “ONE immortal soul is worth MORE than my speech in Parliament!” So off to the little garret he went where the newsboy lay crushed and dying on a rough mat in the corner. With tears streaming down his face, Gladstone led the boy in a prayer to receive Jesus! The newsboy looked up into the great man’s face and whispered, “I knew you’d come. Thank you for getting me in!” Then he closed his eyes and went to be with Jesus!

An hour or two later, Gladstone made it back to Parliament where a heated discussion was raging! He was late and had almost missed his turn to speak, but not quite! He spoke eloquently!–And WON the debate! Afterwards his secretary said, “Sir, how COULD you have gone off and bothered with that little newsboy and risked missing your delivery of SUCH an important speech?”

        Gladstone replied, “This speech today WAS a very important & good thing, but getting that newsboy SAVED and into Heaven was a BETTER, MORE important thing! GOD knew I was going to be able to get back in time for that speech! He was testing me to see if I’d put HIS work first!”–What a lesson on the correct sense of values!

 

An evangelist once told a former shoe salesman turned preacher: “Dwight L. Moody, there is no limit to what God can do with a man who is yielded and willing to do His will!”

Moody looked him in the eye and replied, “By the grace of God, I am determined to be that man!”-And he was!

A short while later, Moody moved to Chicago where he began telling others about Jesus and what He had done for him.

Moody was soon so thrilled to find that he could lead other folks to the Lord, that he quit the shoe business and began serving Him full time. He went on to become one of the world’s greatest evangelists. By the time he died in 1899, Moody had led tens of thousands of people to Jesus, and started a number of the ministries that are still going strong today.

But what if Moody had not determined to yield to the Lord? What a sad loss it would have been, not only for him, but also for millions who have since heard the Gospel as a result of that single, resolute decision!

The same holds true for each of us: If we are not yielded and open to God’s will in our lives, if we are not willing to do whatever He may ask of us, we’ll never be all that God wants us to be or accomplish all that He wants us to do. That would be very sad, not only for us personally, but also for all those that the Lord wants us to reach and help with His love.

“Am I willing to sign a blank sheet of paper and let God fill it in without my even knowing what His program is going to be?”

“But,” you may argue, “I could never do anything great for the Lord, like Moody did! I’m no flaming evangelist or outstanding soul winner.” Well, neither was Moody to begin with. He was just a poor farm boy and a below-average student that never made it past the fifth or sixth grade, who became bored with life on the farm and moved to the big city of Boston. After several weeks in the city, he set a new goal for himself: to become a big businessman and to make $100,000 [the equivalent of today’s millionaire]. Giving his life to God’s service was the last thing on his mind!

In fact, when Moody was first saved, he was so completely ignorant of God’s Word and truth that one church committee refused him membership. Some of his friends later said that of all the people they had known, they could hardly think of anyone who seemed less likely to ever become a strong Christian, much less to go on to do what he did for the Lord.

But when Dwight Moody found Jesus and realized how much the Lord had given for him, then he determined to give his life to the Lord and to do whatever God would ask of him. The Bible tells us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). This is the secret of success of not just Moody, but of every man or woman whom God has ever used to the full: They drew close to the Lord and relied solely upon Him and His power and His Word for guidance, strength, and inspiration.

Despite all of our faults, weaknesses, and inabilities, there really is no limit to what God can do with us if we will simply turn our lives over to Him and be willing to let Him make us what He wants us to be. Of course, that is a very big “if,” because we each have our own free will, and we can choose to either yield to Him and “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), or we can seek first our own desires and plans and ways.

The choice is ours, and whether or not we have His full blessing and His help will depend on whether or not we are willing to give Him first place in our lives.

Many Christians today seem to be more concerned about having God accept what they want to do than they are about accepting what God wants them to do. They’re trying to put their programs across to God, to get Him to sign His name and give His approval to their plans. The question they should be asking themselves is not, “Can I present my program to God for His signature?” or even, “Am I willing to be presented with God’s program for my signature?” but rather, “Am I willing to sign a blank sheet of paper and let God fill it in without my even knowing what His program is going to be?” That’s the real test of yieldedness!

If you’re willing to be what God wants you to be-not what you are, but what God wants you to be-then He can mightily use you. God knows you can’t do it yourself. You have to turn your life, your mind, your heart, your everything over to the Lord and let Him make it for you! When you finally get to the point where you surrender to Him, where you let go of your own way and let God have His, then God has a chance to step in and do it-and He will! Just give Him a chance.

When you’re giving your all to the Lord, then you don’t need to worry about anything. Your entire life is in His hands, under His loving care, and the Devil has nothing that He can get a hold of or lay claim to. In fact, to really overcome the Devil, submission to God’s will is exactly what the Lord requires. “Submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

There is no limit to what God can do with a man who is yielded and willing to do His will.

But as long as there are any areas of your life that you’re not willing to yield to the Lord, if there’s even one little part that you refuse to surrender, the enemy of your soul can use that against you. This is why God’s Word tells us to give no place to the Devil (Ephesians 4:27).

It’s like the story of Huddersfield: A rich landowner decided to buy the entire village of Huddersfield, and over time he bought every piece of land in the area-every piece, that is, except one little plot. One stubborn old farmer refused to sell his tiny piece of land, and nothing would change his mind. The landowner even offered the farmer much more money than his property was actually worth, but the farmer was so fond of his land that he absolutely refused to sell. When the landowner finally gave up, he tried to encourage himself by saying, “What difference does just one little plot of land make? I’ve bought everything else, so Huddersfield is mine. It belongs to me!”

But the stubborn old farmer overheard him and said, “Oh, no it doesn’t! We own Huddersfield. It belongs to you and me!”

Don’t let the Devil be able to say that of you to God! “Aha! Look, God! He’s yielded everything except this one little thing! Even though he belongs mostly to You, a little bit still belongs to me!”

To have real peace of heart and mind, you must commit your all to the Lord. Then, when your will is in perfect harmony with God’s will, He will bless you with His perfect peace.

By David BB.

In the story below, by Les Brown, you will read a beautiful account of one man’s influence on someone who could be viewed as less fortunate. His mentor, Mr. Washington simply challenged him to BE ALL HE COULD BE, because he was truly special!  We are all so important to the Lord.

We are all unique individuals and there will never be another just like you. We are all created by God for a specific purpose!  First and foremost, we are created to love God! God has faith in us. He has created us for that “unique” purpose and don’t let anyone take that away from you. Not the psychologist, not the doctor, the teacher, the coach, your spouse, not even your parents.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

—Paul Joseph

 

You Are IMPORTANT

by Les Brown

One day in 11th grade, I went into a classroom to wait for a friend of mine. When I went into the room, the teacher, Mr. Washington, suddenly appeared and asked me to go to the board to write something, to work something out. I told him that I couldn’t do it. And he said, “Why not?”

I said, “Because I’m not one of your students.”

He said, “It doesn’t matter. Go to the board anyhow.”

I said, “I can’t do that.”

He said, “Why not?”

And I paused because I was somewhat embarrassed. I said, “Because I’m Educable Mentally Retarded.”

He came from behind his desk and he looked at me and he said, “Don’t ever say that again. Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.”

It was a very liberating moment for me. On one hand, I was humiliated because the other students laughed at me. They knew that I was in Special Education. But on the other hand, I was liberated because he began to bring to my attention that I did not have to live within the context of what another person’s view of me was.

And so Mr. Washington became my mentor. Prior to this experience, I had failed twice in school. I was identified as Educable Mentally Retarded in the fifth grade, was put back from the fifth grade into the fourth grade, and failed again when I was in the eighth grade. So this person, Mr. Washington, made a dramatic difference in my life.

I always say that he operates in the consciousness of Goethe, who said, “Look at a man the way that he is, and he only becomes worse. But look at him as if he were what he could be, and then he becomes what he should be.”

Mr. Washington believed that “Nobody rises to low expectations.” This man always gave students the feeling that he had high expectations for them and we strove-all of the students strove-to live up to what those expectations were.

One day, when I was still a junior, I heard him giving a speech to some graduating seniors. He said to them, “You have greatness within you. You have something special. If just one of you can get a glimpse of a larger vision of yourself, of who you really are, of what it is you bring to the planet, of your special- ness, then in a historical context, the world will never be the same again. You can make your parents proud. You can make your school proud. You can make your community proud. You can touch millions of people’s lives.” He was talking to the seniors, but it seemed like that speech was for me.

I remember when they gave him a standing ovation. Afterwards, I caught up to him in the parking lot and I said, “Mr. Washington, do you remember me? I was in the auditorium when you were talking to the seniors.”

He said, “What were you doing there? You are a junior.”

I said, “I know. But that speech you were giving, I heard your voice coming through the auditorium doors. That speech was for me, sir. You said they had greatness within them. I was in that auditorium. Is there greatness within me, sir?”

He said, “Yes, Mr. Brown.”

“But what about the fact that I failed English and math and history, and I’m going to have to go to summer school? What about that, sir? I’m slower than most kids. I’m not as smart as my brother or my sister who’s going to the University of Miami.”

“It doesn’t matter. It just means that you have to work harder. Your grades don’t determine who you are or what you can produce in your life.”

“I want to buy my mother a home.”

“It’s possible, Mr. Brown. You can do that.” And he turned to walk away again.

“Mr. Washington?”

“What do you want now?”

“Uh, I’m the one, sir. You remember me-remember my name. One day you’re gonna hear it. I’m gonna make you proud. I’m the one, sir.”

School was a real struggle for me. I was passed from one grade to another because I was not a bad kid. I was a nice kid; I was a fun kid. I made people laugh. I was polite. I was respectful. So teachers would pass me on, which was not helpful to me. But Mr. Washington made demands on me. He made me accountable. But he enabled me to believe that I could handle it, that I could do it.

He became my instructor my senior year, even though I was “Special Education”. Normally, Special Ed students don’t take Speech and Drama, but they made special provisions for me to be with him. The principal realized the kind of bonding that had taken place and the impact that he’d made on me, because I had begun to do well academically. For the first time in my life I made the honor roll. I wanted to travel on a trip with the drama department and you had to be on the honor roll in order to make the trip out of town. That was a miracle for me!

Mr. Washington restructured my own picture of who I am. He gave me a larger vision of myself, beyond my mental conditioning and my circumstances.

Years later, I produced five specials that appeared on public television. I had some friends call him when my program, “You Deserve,” was on the educational television channel in Miami. I was sitting by the phone waiting when he called me in Detroit. He said, “May I speak to Mr. Brown, please?”

“Who’s calling?”

“You know who’s calling.”

“Oh, Mr. Washington, it’s you.”

“You were the one, weren’t you?”

“Yes, sir, I was.”

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great.

-Mark Twain (American author, 1835-1910)

        Our very first approach should be to encourage others. Encouragement brings courage in people’s hearts. It lifts them up. And courage brings out faith. And faith pleases God.

        Why not be the one who smiles?

        Why not be the one that holds hands?

        Why not be the listening ear?

        Why not be a hugger?

        There’s a great famine for love in our world. Most people will only believe the Bible that YOU live. Once they see your sample of love, care and concern, they may then open their Bible to read and receive it.

        So why not show God’s love to people? It’s free. “Freely you have received, freely give”. Your heart has been filled with the love of God, so you should do unto others as has been done unto you.

        You should want others to also partake of His loving kindness. It goes further than telling them about God’s love. People are so starved for love. You can become the love of God expressed to them in many ways:  helping, listening, understanding, forgiving, teaching, nurturing, and guiding, and the list goes on.

        Yes it takes a little boldness. Boldness is UNASHAMEDNESS. It means to stand up no matter what others say. Remember Peter and John after the Pentecost? It says, “when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

        They associated BOLDNESS with Jesus. They also said of Jesus, “no one spoke like this before” for “He spoke as one having authority, and not as the scribes”. Jesus was bold.

        One awesome gift that the Holy Spirit empowers us with is: unashamed boldness. It says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

        He gives us the conviction to SPEAK OUT and to STAND UP for what we believe.  Let me turn this sentence around. If we believe, we’ll have the conviction to SPEAK out and to STAND UP.

        We happen to have what’s right and true and the actual secret to LIFE.. we’re the light of the world. But it comes with the responsibility to share it. It says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16).

        That’s why Christians must be bold in speaking out their faith and showing love unashamedly. People are hurting out there.

        Christianity is NOT for the shy. It says, “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mk 8:38).

        If you truly believe in something, it will come out of your mouth and it will show in the way you live and in your demeanor. Paul prayed “that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph 6:19).

        Your faith becomes a CONVICTION of the heart and you stand by it. King David said, “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed” (Ps 119:46).

So the life of a Christian is a manifestation, an example of faith lived out. Smile!!! Show the world Who you’re in love with!

         “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9,10).

        BELIEVING faith is BOLDNESS to show them Jesus. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Ro 1:16).

        “Lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; Proclaim to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” (Isa 40:9b).

It’s impossible to fully understand all that grace entails when you first come to Jesus. “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn 1:17). Grace replaced the law. But we can begin to grasp the whole concept, the same as a child TRUSTS in the love of a parent.

In other words, when you FULLY accept the price that was paid at the cross for you, it makes it easy to understand grace. For as long as you think you must do something to receive His goodness, you step out of grace; because grace is free. It’s a gift. It’s an exchange of your sin-nature for the greatest inheritance ever given to man. He took the punishment that you deserve and gave you the inheritance that He deserves. That’s HUGE…

But once you receive it and accept that Christ lives in you, you can let Him live through you. Paul got it right. He said “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

        It is Christ living through us that is the secret of Christianity. Jesus explained in John 15 that unless we abide in Him and He in us, we can’t bear any fruit. It is not us living for Jesus, but Jesus living through us.

If we don’t get that right, we’ll easily fall into “performance” Christianity. –trying to please God through our service. I’ve been guilty of that for many years as a Christian. You end up working so hard for Christ that you neglect Him and your  time with Him.

        And there are so many side effects to that law-based mentality; you’re constantly comparing yourself with others, You’re slowed down by your failures and mistakes of the past, because they become part of your performance, or lack thereof. And worst, you live in pride, constantly trying to make yourself look good before the Lord and before others.

        It becomes a form of paying Jesus back for what He’s done for us; as if what He paid for on the Cross was not enough. That’s WRONG. It becomes worship through works. It focuses on what we must do, and that puts us under law; trying to be good (enough) to win God’s favor.

        Living in Grace is focusing on what Christ has done, accepting that it is all done. It’s fully trusting; entering into that rest. Only then can we avail ourselves of the supernatural strength of His grace. It’s a total switch in identity. You’re dead, and He lives.

        The only way to do this is to die to ourselves. Jesus said, “if any man will come after me, let him first deny himself”. He’s basically saying “you can’t live out my teachings unless you die to yourself.

You have to let Jesus live through you. He must be the one. You can’t do it in your own effort or in your human strength. The only way to be empowered enough to be like Jesus and do the works of Jesus is to let Jesus live through us. “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Rom 8:10).

        “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing POWER is from God and not from us” (2 Cor 4:7)

        “God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

 

By Paul Joseph

In baseball, the referee is called the umpire. He’s an arbitrary ruler who calls the shots.

The bible says, “let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart” (Cole:15).

In decision making, there are usually many variable options, but the one that falls in line with God’s will is usually the one that provides the most peace in your heart.

In my case, when trying to make an important decision, I will toss a number of options around all throughout the day, but then commit it to the Lord before I go to bed. Oftentimes I will wake up at night, not having peace about a potential option or decision and that to me is the barometer. If I don’t have peace, regardless of everybody’s opinions, or of the consequences, I won’t move.

Jesus said, “Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful” (Jn15:27). Biblical peace is more than just a lack of stress; it is more than a state of tranquility; it’s trust and love completed in one’s heart. It is knowing that God is on your side, and that He wants nothing but the very best for you.

One of the many names of God is Yahweh Shalom (Judges 6:24). His name means the LORD Is Peace. He is the source of peace. The Bible talks about “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phi 4:6) WOW… that’s AWESOME. Our faith in God dispels fear and conquers the evil one along with his lies, leaving us content in whatever life brings along.

When you look at a 3-year-old walking along, holding his father’s hand, it gives you a picture of trust and peace. That child has no fear, no concern, only peace. He is fully trusting in his father’s love.

Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phi 4:6-7). It’s a deep inner rest, a blissful relaxing trust, much like the carefree sleep of a child who has no worries because all their concerns are handled.

The Bible also says, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Heb 4:11). “That” rest refers to the Sabbath rest; the finished work of God.

        It is the REST that comes from our reconciliation with God. It comes from the sacrifice that Jesus made to reunite us with our Father. “That” rest brings us into full peace, redeemed from all our sins, and reconciled to the Father. That sacrifice turned us from “slaves to sin” into fully “adopted children of God”. That’s what “that Peace” is. That’s why it surpasses ALL understanding. It’s an eternal inner rest.

The reason we must “labor” to enter into “that rest” is because our mind is still carnal, constantly looking at the circumstances rather than seeing through the eyes of FAITH, at what Christ has already done to redeem us and to give us that PEACE.

        The carnal mind lives in UNBELIEF. The Bible says, “the carnal mind is enmity against God” (Rom 8:7). The English Standard translation puts it this way, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot”.

        This is the reason why we must labor, constantly making an effort to “exercise” our faith so that we walk not by sight.

        We live very stressful lives, constantly battling in our minds, either with the cares, decisions, worries or fears.  Our mind is not naturally in line with God’s will. We must discipline our thoughts in order to keep them in captivity to the obedience of God’s Word. It is only when we “force” our mind to see things in accordance to our faith, that we enter into “that peace” that surpasses all understanding: the Sabbath REST and PEACE provided by GOD’S grace in the New TESTAMENT.

I have worked with some outstandingly talented people over the years. Great musicians, amazing artists and proficient writers. But there were also some “little people” around them, those unseen and unnoticed helpers that made it all work ever so smoothly, through their willingness to do the common tasks.

God often uses the most obscure, the smallest, even the “cast aside” elements around us to shine into our lives the most beautiful messages, creating more beauty than otherwise would be found.

          A life need not be great to be beautiful. There may be as much beauty in a tiny flower as in a majestic tree, in a little gem as in a great jewel. A life may be very lovely and yet be insignificant in the world’s eyes. A beautiful life is one that fulfils its mission in this world.

Those with only commonplace gifts may often think that they cannot live a beautiful life–cannot be of much help in this world. But the smallest life that fills its place well is beautiful in God’s sight. Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service and character.

          The Touch of The Master’s Hand – By Myra Brooks Welch

 

‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To spend much time on the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bidden for this?” he cried.

“Who’ll start the bidding for me?

A dollar–one dollar; then two–only two:

Two dollars are bidden; say three.

“Three dollars once: Three dollars twice:

Going for three!” But lo!

From the back of the crowd a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin

And tight’ning the loosened strings,

He played a melody passing sweet,

The kind that haunts and clings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was soft and low,

Said, “Now what is bid for the old violin?”

And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars: Who’ll make it two?

Two–two thousand; say three!

Three thousand once, three thousand twice,

Three thousand–gone!” said he.

The people cheered, but some exclaimed,

“We do not quite understand

What changed its worth?” and the answer came:

“‘Twas the touch of the master’s hand.”

And many a man with soul out of tune,

And battered and scarred by sin,

Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd,

Just like the old violin.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand.

O Master! I am the tuneless one:

Lay, lay Thy hand on me.

Transform me now, put a song in my heart

Of melody, Lord, to Thee!

* * *

The great composer, George Frideric Handel had lost his health. His right side was paralyzed. His money was gone. His creditors threatened to imprison him. Handel became so disheartened by his tragic experiences that he almost lost faith and despaired. He came through the ordeal, however, and composed his greatest work, “The Hallelujah Chorus”, the climactic point of his great “Messiah.”

 

 

 

Have you ever noticed that the people who irritate you the most, quite often have the same personalities or odd habits as you do!  It is like the picture, when you point a finger at someone and criticize them, there are 3 fingers pointing back at you! 

Jesus said, “Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what measure ye judge, ye shall be judged.”  And, isn’t it true, that when we take the time to look deeper into that one who is irritating you so, that you can find the reason for their odd or difficult behavior, and you can, in the end, be the closest of friends.  “Love loves the unlovely, and casts a veil over countless sins.” 

I read something ever so beautiful from Virginia B.Berg that touched me deeply and has given me that “deeper look” into the important human quality of not judging others.

Is there someone in your life who’s unjustly hurting you, even wronging you, and there’s not any real cause for it? Does it seem that at times it’s impossible to overcome, because your personalities seem to clash and it just grates on you and irritates you? If so, what are you going to do about it?

Some time ago I was compelled to live with someone like that; they were working in our home at that time. It was someone who was so crude and so rude, with such a temper that they would flare up at the least little thing. It was a constant trial, and such a bitter trial! A number of times I just wanted to tell them what I thought about them!  But at last, I began to draw close to the Lord in the matter, and to throw the whole burden upon Him.

I reasoned that, if Christ lives in me, then He could overcome such a spirit and help me not to want to talk back.-I wouldn’t get so hurt over this situation!

Well, at last I came utterly to the end of myself and threw myself on the Lord. I said, “Lord, it just isn’t in me to get a complete victory and to love this one as I should. The old nature rises up, but Your nature and Your love and Your Spirit can overcome.” I committed the whole thing into His hands so definitely, so utterly, and later there was the greatest change in that person!  Then one night I was thanking the Lord for changing them, because it was such a wonderful answer to prayer.

It was really a miracle! I was thanking the Lord, and the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart-and I thought it was just a little bit of humor on the part of the Lord. He said, “Well, I not only changed them, but I changed you a little bit too!” That’s exactly what will happen in your life when you commit such things to Him

So what are you going to do about these situations, according to God’s Word? Well, here are some Scriptures. God’s Word says, “Recompense to no man evil for evil” (Romans 12:17). And, speaking of Jesus, “When He was reviled, [He] reviled not again” (1 Peter 2:23).

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man” (1 Thessalonians 5:15), and “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Those are precious admonitions from God’s Word!

            Overcome evil with good? How?-By showing the person that you love them. Do them some special favor. Take the initiative and go out of your way to tell them something you like about them! Maybe this person’s heart is hungering for love, or maybe that woman is wanting someone to talk to her and love her. There’s surely some trait that you can admire.

I suppose there are times when all of us come up against difficult people who are somewhat of a trial to us. When this happens, instead of allowing them to make us impatient and irritated, we might well remember the words of the great preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, who said, “They must have been sent into the world, not that I might save their souls, but that they might discipline mine!”

Marriage has to be the most wonderful gift between a man and a woman. On the other hand, the most wonderful gift from God to a man and a woman is a baby. But both of the gifts come with a big responsibility.

It’s a lot of work to raise children and it’s a lot of work to keep a marriage together. But the rewards are so amazing. The rewards of a good marriage make life so AWESOME. It’s as though life is supposed to be that fulfilling.

But what happens when the love has gone stale or the beauty has faded?

I would like to offer one simple word of advice that has worked miracles for me.

My wife and I have been married for 35 years and, like many marriages, we have had our ups and downs. A few years ago, we were plagued with serious troublesome worries that were truly disturbing. This wasn’t directly about our relationship, but both of us were affected by the events. We often woke up at night and would stay awake for hours just thinking about problems.

At the time, we agreed together to force ourselves to only talk about positive things. And to never talk about our worries, nor about fears, nor about problems, none of that. And it totally changed the situation.

Those problems had put a serious strain on our relationship. So, I decided to rebuild my relationship with Linda in my own mind, by using the same principle of saying nothing but good things about Linda and to Linda.

This decision performed two awesome miracles. One, it changed my whole outlook in my own mind and therefore conditioned me to loving her so much more. I fell in love again. But it also did the same for Linda. She became everything that I was complimenting her for, and much more.

The fact of the matter is that we humans are fueled by compliments. No one likes to be criticized, condemned, or blamed, all the time. That does no good for no one.

I even complimented Linda for things that she was not (yet), and she became those things. Just because compliments make us want to be and do better.

It’s been proven in quantum physics that our mind cannot process toxic thoughts. Whenever we’re angry, or grumpy, jealous or bitter, we say the worst things, which oftentimes have no validity or sense. That’s why we are exhorted by the apostle Paul to only think on good things, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think (only) about such things” (Phil 4:8).

I don’t think anyone can have a good marriage unless they apply the biblical principles of self-denial and humility. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10). “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins“ (1 Peter 4:8).

I don’t think you can even make much progress in other areas of your life unless you work on your marriage first. Paul said, “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered“ (1 Peter 3:7:). In other words, the problems you have at home will affect all communication even in your workplace and especially with God. God is not divided.

I happen to be married to a beautiful woman, but beauty and romance can go out of a relationship when circumstantial troubles start piling up. But the tenderness can come back in by simply re-fueling the relationship with beauty of the heart. Let’s face it, beauty without virtue is a flower without perfume. Nothing is more beautiful than cheerfulness even in an older visage. The best facelift of all can be rather inexpensive… Try a smile.

A heart filled with self-denial and humility can reflect more beauty and charm than the outer beauty. Women and men with wit, charm, and warmth, who are interested in others and forget themselves, and who accept each stage of life gracefully, are the true and lasting beauties that make a marriage filled with joy and happiness. Real beauty is not skin-deep, but rather spirit-deep.

Here’s a cute story that will add meaning to what I’m proposing:

At her Golden Wedding celebration, my grandmother told guests the secret of her happy marriage: “On my wedding day, I decided to make a list of ten of my husband’s faults which, for the sake of our marriage, I would overlook.”

    As the guests were leaving, a young matron whose marriage had recently been in difficulty asked my grandmother what some of the faults were that she had seen fit to overlook. Grandmother said, “To tell you the truth, my dear, I never did get around to listing them. But whenever my husband did something that made me hopping mad, I would say to myself, ‘Lucky for him, that’s one of the ten!'”

I’m not sure who wrote the following, but it’ll give you ideas to start complimenting your love.

“If you are for pleasure, marry; if you prize rosy health, marry. A good wife is heaven’s last best gift to a man; his angel of mercy; minister of graces innumerable; his gem of many virtues; his box of jewels; her voice, his sweetest music; her smiles, his brightest day; her kiss, the guardian of innocence; her arms, the pale of his safety; her industry, his surest wealth; her economy, his safest steward; her lips, his faithful counsellors; her bosom, the softest pillow of his cares; and her prayers, the ablest advocates of Heaven’s blessing on his head.”

Start first by looking for GOODNESS in your spouse, and for that matter, in everyone. A person who is good is always beautiful. It’s hard to love someone you don’t respect or admire for something. So learn to say, “I love you” a hundred times a day! –And in a hundred different ways. Success in marriage is much more than finding the right person!–It’s being the right person!

There’s so much truth in the love chapter. (See 1Cor 13)  It’s a Bible chapter that all married couples should memorize. If one of you should think that his/her gifts are more valuable or important than the gifts of the other, consider these verses: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing“.

And before you consider giving up on love, read and apply the rest of the chapter: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1Cor 13: 5-8).

You may say, “Wait a minute, you don’t know my wife.” That has nothing to do with it. I like what Margaret W. Hungerford said, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

You’ve got to look for beauty. Just look for it every day, all day and tell him/her. There’s power in your WORDS. In fact, that’s what performs the miracle. Speak out the compliments. It could be that at first you will need to force yourself to compliment your better-half. But what’s wrong with that? Exercise and training is something we’re all familiar with, and it’s all about forcing yourself.

It’s the same with overcoming bitterness. You’ve harbored so many evil thoughts about the other person, that you have to force yourself to overcome those toxic and evil thoughts. Paul says, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet 4:8). “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col 3:14).

Love is more than just a feeling. It’s a muscle that needs exercise. You’ve got to apply yourself to make it work. I mean work at it! There is a lot of work. Maybe you did not realize that love was gonna be a lot of work when you first got married. Maybe it was love at first sight, but love has many different layers of depth. And it can never be true love unless it has a lot of humility and self-denial mixed with it. 

If you have ever built a campfire you know how It has to be revived when it goes down. You just fan the embers. It’s the same with your marriage. Fan the embers with compliments and appreciation. You’ll be surprised at the results of a full fire of love and romance in your relationship again.

Marriages nowadays have become disposable. But that’s just because people are selfish and basically care only about themselves rather than taking the responsibility to make it work. No one knows how to truly make a marriage work. No one knows how to be a parent. But you can learn.

People pride themselves in learning everything they want from YouTube videos. And they proceed and do it all by themselves. Bravo… So why not decide to learn how to make your marriage work. It’s a lot of work but it’s truly a lot of fulfillment. To have real lasting, enduring and genuine love, it must be based upon a more solid foundation than mere fleshly gratification. It must be an unselfish innate desire to protect and to help and to make someone else happy.

The alternative is selfishness, self-centeredness and a lot of disastrous consequences. So count the cost before choosing divorce. In fact never, ever, consider divorce. Just blot out that word from your conversation–both of you. And just decide to make your marriage work and to make your family work.

What is needed is not a change of partners but a change in partners. Mr. Bailey, a divorce lawyer, lists as the major complaints from the 10,000 people who have passed through his office, in this order: sex, money, children, and trouble with in-laws. But he says that the real problems are selfishness and greed.

How soon marriage counseling sessions would end if husbands & wives were competing in thoughtful self-denial! A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. Marriage is a bit like buying your family home, you’ve got to adapt it, move the furniture around, paint it and even remodel it every so often. “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her“ (Ephesians 5:25).

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you.” – Much Ado About Nothing

“The way we work together is what sets our love apart,

So closely that you can’t tell where I end and where you start.”

– Clint Black.

 

How can you recognize a true Christian from anyone else in society? What’s different about them? Don’t they live amongst other people and work in the same workplaces? If so, what makes their faith special or how are they different?

Here’s a story about a conversation that took place shortly after Jesus died, between some Roman officers. It took place shortly after the disciples had been baptized on the day of Pentecost.

A new Roman governor was appointed in Jerusalem, by the name of Julius Alexis.  When he arrived he met with his predecessor to find out more about the stories that he had been hearing regarding this group of religious fanatics, called the Christians.  He had never met one yet, but only had heard that they were followers of a 33 year old man who had been crucified a few years previous by Pilate who was governor of Jerusalem, who had been enticed by the religious leaders to do away with him.  Yet this one man alone had started a movement which was spreading throughout the whole Roman empire.

        Those Christians were said to have POWER given to them by this messiah of the Jews.  Troubled about this revolutionary group who played an important part in Jerusalem and the surrounding provinces, he asked his predecessor, what is a Christian?  What makes them a Christian?  How do they act?  And what power do they have? In other words, how can one recognize one of those people.

He said, “I have heard all of the bad about them.  I have heard that they are fanatics, bigoted, not interested in the power of Rome, but I have also heard that they are not violent, they ban together…and what else do you know about them?”

Ben Hur replied, “Not only are they not violent, but they are compassionate and merciful.  Not only towards each other, but even towards their enemies.  They are long-suffering.  Most of them are happy, joyous, exceedingly in fact.

You try to catch them in the wrong, but to the contrary, they are truthful, good citizens, they’re honest and have integrity.  They aren’t greedy.  And most of them are self-effaced even tho they speak with boldness and authority.  They sit in the lowest place at meetings, but none-the-less it is as tho they shine, as if they carry a light, a wisdom in their speech.  

        They speak in love as if they look at the heart when speaking to people, rather than the exterior of a man.  They themselves seem to possess so little, yet they say they are extremely ‘rich’ in love, in freedom.

I met one of their leaders recently…a humble woman with kindness in word and in deed.  She greeted me with a blessing.  We ate together and she explained to me something about a corn of wheat dying in order to bear fruit. She was telling me how that is a principle, a moral law to live by–And they live to die to themselves so that their Christ…who apparently resurrected…may live in them and through them.

They live in hope, separated from the riches and the lusts of this world, as if they look at things that we cannot see.  They believe in a spiritual world outside of the world that we see.  They pray together, and they receive much persecution, but they have no fear. They are willing to die as martyrs for the sake of that Kingdom of the Spirit. They call Christ, their King, that man who was crucified, whose body our soldiers could not find after three days.

        They say they are of royal blood, having been accepted in the kingdom of Christ.  You should hear them pray.  They speak in very weird tongues, and they praise their god, whom they say they love with a passion.

“They don’t dress any different than anyone else.  They are very united. They walk humbly, therefore there is no strife.  They don’t envy each other’s possessions and they aren’t proud!  –And even when you try to provoke them, they smile, as if they love and care for you.  They may look meek, but they are like warriors; very focused and very disciplined.

They don’t go to the doctor because most of them are healers through the authority that was given to them by Christ, their Messiah. They’ve healed many of our soldiers’ families, even some of our slaves. You can also meet them in prisons… not as prisoners, but they go encourage and pray for them to be delivered and freed, not from prison as you might think, but from evil spirits…

        You meet them talking to the beggars…and even to the lepers. I have even seen one of them helping those dirty Samaritans, who had been wounded and was about to die, had he not been cared for and that Christian even paid for his hospital bill.

“They are different, alright, because they don’t desire any of the world that we Romans bring through the great teachings of the Emperor, the great Cesar. But on the other hand, they respect our authority.  They are weird to say the least.  But they are peaceful.  They don’t lie, they don’t steal, they don’t vain babble.  They speak evil of no one.  They are kind towards everyone and they forgive whoever might hurt them. 

        Of all citizens, they are the ones that walk in love the most.  They don’t live in debauchery.   I would call them brainwashed by this Jesus doctrine.  And people don’t like the fact that they are so close to each other, almost fitly joined to one another.  They depend on each other.  But on the other hand they are very outgoing and the most generous in our community.

        Not only to the poor.  This woman I had dinner with, paid for my dinner and gave the slave a handsome tip and talked to him as a dignified member of society and told him how God so loved him.  — a slave.

        They have beautiful families and their children are well behaved.  You will never see them drunk, but sometimes you think they are!  They sing and sing so loud!

Of course we obey the orders of our Caesar who has commanded us to kill as many of them in the arenas, but there are so many of them. Lately we have used them as lanterns of fire to light up our streets at night.  But I want you to be prepared, they sing hymns of praise to their God while they burn.  And people are starting to get fed up hearing their loud happy songs while they are trying to sleep.

There is one thing I don’t understand.  They get the most persecution from the religious leaders, the one who ordered their Messiah to be killed.  It is as though those old fogies are envious of the freedom of those Christians.  They call them a ‘sect’ of little Christs. Yet they are the least trouble-makers.

        I’m going to share a sobering thought with you. Sharing our light is not really an option. Suppose you know something that must be shared with others, and you don’t do it. Isn’t there a responsibility there?

        Suppose you witness an accident and the wreck on the road will cause many others to also crash into that wreck because of poor visibility. Don’t you have a responsibility to stand by the side of the road and warn the incoming traffic of the danger?

        Here’s a verse that’s not brought out in many churches that is most sobering, that we must take heed to. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul” (Eze 3:17-19)

        You cannot really be a Christian without manifesting your faith. Faith without “words” is dead. Jesus said, “whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God” (Lk 12:8-9).

        You cannot really be filled with His light and hide it under a bushel. It is not only a privilege but a responsibility as well. Jesus said, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Mt 5:14-15).

        So, we’re SAVED and CHOSEN for an AWESOME purpose and destiny. And the secret of that divine destiny is in losing our life for the sake of others. Jesus explained, “for whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mk 8:35).

        We, as Christians, must learn to make every encounter a divine appointment; knowing that God wants to love on all those that we meet. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher (witnesser)?” (Ro 10:14-15).

        So if we are not used to witnessing our faith, we must ask the Lord to help us get over whatever hurdle is in the way. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15).

        When telling others about our faith, our testimony is our greatest witness. Once you have been exposed to the light, the true love and truth, we feel compelled to talk about it! In any court of law, witnesses are some of the most powerful assets to any case, because they are a firsthand account. It is the same in God’s Kingdom.

        So witnessing is simply testifying of the great joy and the awesome change that has taken place in your heart. The great commission that Jesus has left us is the privilege to share with others the good news that Christ has come to redeem mankind, meaning that anyone can be reconciled to God, the Father. And anyone can live the abundant life of the kingdom now, through faith in Jesus. So sharing our faith is not really an option. Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (Jn 15:8).

        The Apostle Paul said, “The love of God compels me” (2Cor 5:14-15). God’s Spirit will show you those who are lost, and in your heart you will be drawn to love on them and to bring them into God’s Kingdom also. Jesus’ last words were, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-20).

        Plus, we get to share His love and truth along with the joy, happiness and fulfilment that He brought into our hearts through our newborn nature. We get to share God’s grace with everyone we meet, so they too can live as enlightened a life as we live. They too can enter and enjoy the kingdom of heaven now. Is there any greater calling in life? It is both the greatest opportunity and the greatest responsibility. Because if we don’t, how else will they know? Peter said, “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1Pt 3:15b)

        Every day God gives us opportunities to show kindness to people around us. The choice is always to be the light of the world or to be self-centered? So make it a habit to be Christ-conscious instead of self-conscious. It says, “Daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42).

        Even a word of encouragement, a pat on the back, an errand done for them, any of those could mean a lot; it could mean God’s love manifested. “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them” (Pro 3:27).

        We’re ALL on a MISSION once we’ve come into God’s kingdom. People say, ‘but you don’t understand, I work at a secular job’. Actually, it’s only secular if we don’t bring God in it. But if we do, it becomes your MISSION.

        You may not know it but, once you got saved you got “ordained” into the ministry. Jesus said, “you did not choose Me, but I chose you and ordained you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (Jn 15:16).

        Jesus “sent His disciples to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Lk 9:2). That’s the mission and the commission that we’re given, as soon as we get saved.

        Since we are the light of the world, everyone we come in contact with is a ‘divine appointment’. And check out what it says next: “and they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs” (Mk 16:20).

        So, the good news is that the Lord will continue to work with us. This is not something you have to do on your own. That’s why He sent His Holy Spirit so that we have the power and the boldness to be a witness. “You shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

        Even Christian parents have a great mission. They have one of the greatest missions ever given to man, because they’re constantly imparting their values to their children. So in many respects, we’re all in full-time ministry. We’re ALL missionaries.

        Check out the great commission in full as spelled out by Jesus Himself just before ascending into heaven. He said “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mk 16:15-18).

        “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-20)

       This story of Bamboo” is very dear to my heart.

       I have lived a very full life and have often been “at the top”. My gifts and talents have made room for me, along with my devotion and dedication to whatever I gave my heart to.

       However, there have been times when I thought I was of such  “great use” in God’s service and where I thought I was doing so good and in “His highest and best”, only to find out that God saw me, or my mode of operation, in a much different light.

       And I got a taste of life’s BREAKINGS; what is often referred to as the “clay remoulded in the hand of the Potter”.

       Breakings, demotions and downgrades are not what most people aspire to. It says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12:11)

       During those times however, God would speak to my heart in a new way, and often showed me a better way for Him to use me, and while there would be less and less of me, there would always be more of God working through me.

       “He must increase and I must decrease” (John 3:30). That verse seemed to always be on the doorpost of my school of “hard knocks”, and yet, the main principle of growth that has kept me of greater use in His service.

       I’ll let the following story of Bamboo tell you my story.

 

BAMBOO

       Once upon a time in the heart of the Eastern Kingdom lay a beautiful garden. And there in the cool of the day was the Master of the garden, who went for a walk. Of all the dwellers of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a gracious and noble Bamboo.

       Year after year Bamboo grew yet more beautiful and gracious. He was conscious of his Master’s love and watchful delight. Yet he was modest and in all things gentle. Often when Wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would throw aside his dignity. He would dance and sway merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon. He would lead the great dance of the garden which most delighted his Master’s heart.

       One day the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo. With eyes of curious expectancy, Bamboo bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting. The Master spoke: “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you.” …Bamboo said, “Master, I am ready, use me as you want.”

       “Bamboo,” the Master’s voice was grave, “I would be obliged to take you and cut you down.” A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo.

       “Cut … me … down? Me, whom You, Master, have made the most beautiful in all of Your garden? To cut me down? Ah, not that! Not that! Use me for Your joy, O Master, but cut me not down!”

       “Beloved Bamboo,” the Master’s voice grew graver still, “if I do not cut you down, then I cannot use you.”

       The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There came a whisper. Bamboo replied, “Master, if You cannot use me unless You cut me down, then do Your will and cut.”

       “Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also.”

       “Master, Master, spare me! Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust, but would You take from me my leaves and branches also?”

       “Bamboo, alas! If I do not cut them away, I cannot use you.” The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away.

       Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low, “Master, cut away.”

       “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would divide you in two and cut out your heart, for if I do not cut so, I cannot use you.”

       “Master, Master, then cut and divide.”

       So did the Master of the garden take Bamboo and cut him down and hack off his branches and strip off his leaves and divide him in two and cut out his heart. Lifting him gently, he carried him to where there was a spring of fresh, sparkling water in the midst of Master’s dry fields.

       Then putting down one end of Bamboo in the spring, and the other end into the water channel in his field, the Master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo. The spring sang welcome. The clear sparkling water raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo’s torn body into the waiting fields.

       Then the rice was planted and the days went by. The shoots grew. The harvest came. In that day was Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant. But in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world!

       “And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, ‘Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Mt23:11-12)

       “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’” (Mark 8:34-36).

–Author Unknown

 

The most difficult people to interact with are the ones that I call “flatlanders”. They are the narrow-minded ones, the ones that are convinced in their own mind that they are right on the strength of their “own truth”, or what they have decided “works for them” and that becomes all of a sudden their universal truth. And unfortunately, a narrow mind and a wide mouth usually go together. “A fool uttereth all his mind…” (Pro 29:11).

There are a lot of things that we do not see in the physical realm. Air waves and radio waves and TV signals are not seen with the natural eyes. Yet they are all around us. Such it is with the living world of forever rather than the dying world of now, the everlasting realm of eternity rather than the temporary space of time, the fascinating dimension that is largely unseen by us in mortal flesh, rather than this mundane plane which is so temporary.

The Bible calls the flatlander, the “natural man” who refuses to believe that anything such as the spirit world could possibly exist, simply because he’s never seen it or been there. “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him” (1Cor 2:14). And so he says, “There just ain’t no such thing”-simply because he never saw it before.

Even if it were possible to show it to him, it would be so beyond his two-dimensional understanding that he would probably be like the old country farmer, who was told about the giraffe the first time, and he said, “There just ain’t no such thing!”

The Bible tells us to set our affection on things above–Heaven–not on things on the earth, for the things which are seen are only for a time, but the things which are not seen are eternal (Col 3:2; 2Cor 4:18).

All God’s children of faith since the beginning of time have been looking for an unseen world, a “city which has foundations” -eternal foundations- “whose builder and maker is God” (Heb 11:10). Not having received all that God had promised them but having seen those promises from afar, they remained strangers and pilgrims on the earth because they sought a better, heavenly, country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, and He has prepared just such a place for them, the awesome Heavenly City, New Jerusalem, which will come down from God, out of the heavenlies, to rest on planet Earth (Heb 11:13-16; Rev 21:2-3).

But God’s invisible Heavenly kingdom is already in operation and existence, here and now! It not only surrounds us, but is within us. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luk 17:21). And he also said, “the Kingdom of God is at hand” — that means right here and right now. (Mk 1:15)

My wife and I have lived in a number of countries, and of course, there are so many cultural differences all over the world. But whenever you start talking about other cultures and the way they think and operate, some people just fritz. Americans are perhaps the worst when it comes to understanding the rest of the world. They are so centered in their lifestyle and in the consumption of media that everything else is “weird”.

Some of our children also have traveled extensively, and when coming to the USA, they found it difficult to simply start a conversation and have one ask “where are you from?” –or “where were you born?”, it would open such a can of worms, since most people have never gone out of their little town. And sadly, they consider everything outside of their box, almost non-real.

It is the same with the things of the spirit. Nowadays, it has become nearly illegal to talk about God in some countries, it’s just not “politically correct”. Kids don’t hear about God in school, they don’t go to church, and even if they did, they’d get so little feeding and in the end, most people are not aware of the fact that there is a REAL spiritual world around us.

The bible talks about “unspeakable joy” and “peace that passeth all understanding” and “joy inexplicable”... Wow. Who, in this world can offer such things? But they do exist. Those who live by the principles of the kingdom get to taste those things.

Yet, there is a famine for love in the world. The heart of man is the same all over the world. People are yearning for love. Searching for True Love, the kind of love that will add that missing dimension to their life. Jesus said “give and it shall be given unto you, and by the same measure that you give, it shall be given unto you.” (Lk 6:38). Happiness is rarely something that comes to you. It’s when you give it to others that you get it.

That message is so different from what we are taught in the world today, especially in this ‘gimme’ ‘gimme’ generation. Yet, all those of us who have lived a life of giving can testify of that “unspeakable joy” that comes with loving God and Loving his fellow man. We have had a taste of the “peace, that passeth all understanding” that the Word of God promises. And we somehow have resources of love and understanding that seem inexhaustible.

So many in the world today are quick to criticise or question that God exist or the veracity of God’s Word, and yet, when that Word is lived out, we all experience those feelings of fulfillment, of true happiness and satisfaction that comes not from gathering for ourselves, or seeking our own.

When we share God’s love, we are able to forgive because we have been forgiven so, we are able to suffer long because He suffered long for us. We are able to be kind and not be easily provoked, and we are able to rejoice in the truth. We can bear all things, and we can endure all things, because God’s love never fails.We are no longer pushed along, but we are driven, inspired and downright lit up!

That is the reward of God’s servant, and it all starts with caring… And from caring to participating, and from “getting involved” to giving and from giving… we become that seed, the corn of wheat which falls into the ground and dies, and then brings forth much fruit.

All these biblical principles are TRUE and they WORK. But to ‘talk the talk’ is not sufficient. But the one who walks it out gets the RUSH, like Jesus did.

The world of the spirit is one of almost unlimited, so much larger and greater than this world of the physical wherein we live. And that is why it is so difficult for the “flatlanders” to understand the things of the spirit.

Jesus was trying to explain the things of the spirit to a doctor of the law who was trying to comprehend those things with his carnal mind. And he said “that which is spirit is spirit and that which is flesh is flesh” (John 3:6). Because “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom 8:7). The flatlander could not possibly begin to understand it nor those who believe in those things of the spirit. Ours is a whole new world, marvelous and magnificent, that the flatlander does not even know exists, simply because he cannot see it.

The fact of the matter is that the dear little Flatlander, in his pride, hates to admit that there’s anything beyond his level. Poor fellow! How limited his vision, how narrow his realm, how restricted his scope of operation! Since he can’t go anywhere else, he just hates to admit that there is anywhere else. And he is particularly furious with anyone who claims to have been lifted up into that other world and caught a glimpse of what is beyond his own little domain. But just because he doesn’t believe in a realm that is invisible to him, that doesn’t make it not so!

To dismiss the entire spiritual realm like that would be just as absurd as if you were to say, “I don’t believe that New York City or London exist because I’ve never seen them or been there.”           The Bible is full of evidence, stories and positive declarations of the existence of this fifth dimension, the spirit world.

Some of its immortal characters, having passed on into it through death, even came back to tell us about it. Others were lifted up into the realm of the spirit to get a brief glimpse or vision of it, and many received messages from there.

And you can know too! If you really want to know the truth and are willing to admit that others have something you haven’t got but would like, and if you will humbly confess your limitations and ask God to help you find that whole new world, you too can know the indescribable joys, the beautiful scenes, the delightful sounds, and the ecstatic feelings of that marvelous heavenly realm! It’s such a wonderful, happy place; it’s “out of this world”! You’ll love it!

             My wife and I talk to people all the time. And I would venture to say that the most common problem that people suffer from is fear. It is just so sad to see how so many people entertain fear, and it totally conditions their lives. And it is greatly nurtured by the media, since the News only reports bad and sensational stories that make people fear. Social media, and the web are filled with scary pictures and scary stories.

             The fear of failure is probably one of the greatest fears people have. –The fear of failure in life, in love, or in work. The fear of hurting others is also very common, because of our failure, the fear of letting people down, disappointing them, disillusioning them, discouraging them. –The fear that because of our failure, others will also fail and this is the most difficult to bear. The fear of failing ourselves is probably least of all. In a way, that is fear of the truth about ourselves: We don’t want to admit our limitations and shortcomings.

             The reason we don’t like to talk about our fears is because that would expose our innermost selves. Yet, we don’t realize how much fear is subconscious until we analyze it and try to put it into words.

             Being afraid to talk about our fears is one of the worst fears of all, because fear is like a disease: We can’t find the cure until we confess we have it and reveal the symptoms. And it often seems like a shameful disease, because if we’re honest, we know our fears are often the result of our failures-past failures or possible future failures.

             But whatever your fears may be, it pays to face them and draw a line of distinction between the truth and the lie, between reality and the imaginary, between fact and fear.

             It not only pays to face your fears, to acknowledge and confess them, but also to take a positive stand against them. It won’t do a bit of good to try to take the “positive thinking” approach and say, “fear, you just don’t exist, so I’m going to ignore you!” It doesn’t pay to try and say there’s no such thing as evil, sin, or sickness, and just try to ignore the facts. That would be like trying to ignore that you have a disease when you’ve really got it. As long as you try to hide it, you can’t very well find the remedy.

             You have to differentiate between reality and the imaginary, the truth and the lie. It doesn’t do any good to just shut your eyes and hope the problem goes away, or hope that when you open your eyes again you’ll find out it didn’t exist, that it was just your imagination.

             As any military strategist knows, it’s impossible to win a war as long as you stay on the defensive. Defensive warfare is doomed to defeat. To win a war you have to launch an attack; you have to go on the offensive. You have to attack the enemy! You have to take the initiative! You have to attack and invade and overpower! You can’t just sit there and try to ward him off while he attacks and invades, or he’ll eventually overpower you. A passive defense never won a war.

             Attacking initiative is what wins a war. This is why commando and guerrilla warfare is so successful, even when greatly outnumbered and outgunned. By sudden surprise attacks in unexpected places and weak spots in the enemy’s defenses, a few commandos can do a lot of damage. They can hit and run before the enemy even knows what happened, and before the enemy has a chance to retaliate.

             Fear is the exact opposite of faith. People don’t realize that fear actually has power over you, especially if you voice your fears. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Pr 23:7). Most people don’t realize that whatever comes out of their mouth is what they are sowing on their path. If you sow fear, you will reap fear. But if you watch your mouth and your thoughts and don’t allow fear to overpower you, you then can live in faith and reap a harvest of blessings all along your path, just because you keep SAYING good things about your life. “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he SAITH.” (Mk 11:23) Notice that Jesus said 3 times in that verse that it has to do with your SAYING.

Once you realize that fear is the Devil’s tactic to get you NOT to trust God, you can then recognize fear a lot easier.

             ”God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). And, “You [God] will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3). God promises “perfect peace” to those whose minds are fixed on Him, to those who trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3). So if you are troubled by a spirit of fear, put your trust in the Lord. Just tell Satan, “Be gone, Devil! Get out of here! I’m putting my trust in God, in Jesus!” The Bible says that if you submit yourself to God and resist the Devil, he will flee from you (James 4:7). God’s Word makes it clear that we are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12), and that our weapons are not physical, but spiritual and mighty, to the tearing down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). This is a picture of God’s people attacking the spiritual strongholds of the Devil and ripping them apart.

             Jesus said  that ”The gates of Hell shall not prevail (triumph) against it [the Church]” (Matthew 16:18 KJV). What this really means is that the gates of Hell will not be able to defend themselves against the attacking Church. The Devil’s territory, his fortresses, Satan’s strongholds, his gates, will not be able to withstand the onslaughts of God’s people.

             So the picture Christ painted was not of the Church standing fast behind its closed doors while all Hell attacks, but of Hell trembling behind its closed doors, while the Church is in an all-out attack against Hell’s gates, which are collapsing and crumbling under the weight of the power of God through His Church. The people of God are on the offensive. The people of God are invading Hell’s gates. Do you get the picture?

             Jesus said, “I give you authority [power] over all the power of the Enemy” (Luke 10:19). Through Jesus’ name and authority, you have power over the Devil and can order him what to do. The demons and evil spirits are subject unto us; they have no free will of their own. They cannot do as they please (Luke 10:17, 20). They have to do what we tell them to do in Jesus’ name.

             If you love God and know that He loves you, you know that He’s going to take care of you; you know that everything is alright, because God loves you. So why should you be afraid? There’s no reason to fear! His perfect love casts out all such fear (1 John 4:18).

             So face those fears, they are of the devil! Attack him! Resist the Enemy and he’ll flee from you! Face your fears in the power of God’s Spirit, standing on the promises of His Word, and you cannot fail!  How cool is that?

        It is so sad that the pharmaceutical industry is “selling” sickness all over TV programs with ads to try to make you THINK sick, and they are especially marketing to the older folks. What a shame. 

        Both my wife and I are over 70 years of age and are ever so healthy. We just don’t think about being sick. Actually, we don’t accept sickness. And we especially don’t make any sickness “our own”. 

        We won’t say things like “my” arthritis or “my” migraines, or “my” asthma. Once you make it yours, you have accepted the problem instead of fighting it. Actually the best way to fight it is to simply speak health. And not sickness. 

        People don’t realize how much power our THOUGHTS have and especially our WORDS. You would think that people would get a hint from those big marketing companies who know how to put thoughts in your head and speak illness to you. That’s how they are able to sell billions in medication to those people that they have convinced of sickness. The smart thing is to reverse that marketing philosophy by speaking health and focusing your thoughts on your well-being. 

        The Word of God says that laughter is the best medicine. “A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit (accepting defeat) dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

        I love greeting older folks by saying, “good morning young lady”, or “good morning young man”. I get all sorts of reactions… Simply because it says that encouragement is terrific for anyone’s health, including your own. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Pro 3:7,8). 

        Plus reading the Word energizes you. It is spirit and life. “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (Jn.6:63). So if people would you realize the power of reading God’s word and receiving it in their heart and speaking it to themselves, they would be full of life and youth and energy. I read the Word every morning and get so energized by it, you’d think I’m on steroids. “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body“ (Pro 4:20-22).

        And Don’t act smart in your own eyes. Look to the Lord and to his Word, and you’ll be rich in health. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7-8).

        It’s not all about the gym… it’s a lot more about your godly spirit and attitude of heart. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

        This morning we received a video from a friend about this man who started running at 95 years of age and competing in different races for the elderly. And he became world champion at 97. He even fell in love again at that age. I really got inspired by the story of this (young) man. Youth is in the heart. 

        That’s the way we operate. We refuse to even focus on any pain or illness whatsoever. Whenever we hear “it’s flu season, you better get your shots”, we actually verbalized “not for me”. We say it out loud in rejection as to counteract the ill effects on those lies on our mind.

        Remember, the more you focus on something, the more you become a slave to that thought. You get used to it, then you make it yours, and you become a servant of it simply by accepting it. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin (sickness) which leads to death, or to obedience (to the WORD), which leads to righteousness?” (Roman 6:16). 

        If you don’t think that this is true, just try it. Just speak health to your body. I mean verbalize positive thoughts. Yes, use your words to speak to your body. God has made it so that words have creative power. 

        So talk to your illnesses or problems and reject them, refute them, and speak only positivity thoughts and health to yourself and to your problems. Better yet, don’t speak to your problems, speak out your blessings. Focus on how healthy you are, how blessed you are. God lives in possibilities not in impossibilities. “For with God, ALL things are possible”. It even says, “all things are possible to him that believes”. So focus on your Faith. Put your faith into words. Faith without works (words) is dead.

 

        You can PROVE the existence of God by spelling out His well-functioning laws. The world that God created is built on a set of specific and well-defined laws of operation that cannot fail.

        Why should the universe obey orderly principles and laws if there’s no law-giver? Everything in the universe, every plant and animal, every rock, every particle of matter or light wave, is bound by laws, which it has no choice but to obey.

        The most amazing miracle of all is how God established the universe to function on the power of SEEDS. “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding SEED, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose SEED is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so” (Gen 1:11). That’s the biggest unanswered dilemma for the theory of evolution; because explosions (Big Bang) don’t create reproductive objects. 

        But it goes much further than that. While SEEDS are in every created thing, such as plants, animals, insects and even humans. SEEDS are also in words, in habits and in thoughts. The old saying “you reap what you sow” is true not only for the farmer, but for the athlete as well. We each harvest in our life exactly what we sow. Our life becomes the sum-total of our habits, our thoughts and daily rituals. And it’s the power of choice that defines what we sow. 

        God said that He has set before us a CHOICE: LIFE or DEATH.“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose LIFE! Then you and your children will live”(Deut 30;19).

        God has established not only NATURAL LAWS to set the well-functioning of the universe, but also MORAL LAWS to help man manage his life in order to have a fruitful and happy life. Those laws are infallible and immutable principles that can’t fail. They’ll work in your favor if you OBEY them but they will work against you if you BREAK them. And God has embedded those values and principles (moral laws) in His Word.

        Just to BLOW YOUR MIND, here are a few of them: 

1. Your WORDS have power. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Pro 15:4). “Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” (Pro 16:24). “A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook” (Proverbs 18:4).
2. Your THOUGHTS have power. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he“ (Pro 23:8). “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Pro 4:23). “Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — (only) think about such things“ (Philippians 4:8). 
3. Your ASSOCIATION (friends) has power. “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1Cor.15:43). “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
4. Your HABITS control your behavior. “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Rom 6:16). “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Tim 1: 7). “Instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Tit 2:12).
5. Your GENEROSITY has power. “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver“ (1 Cor 9:6-8).  “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:25). “God loves a cheerful giver“ (2 Cor 9:7).
6. Your FORGIVENESS has power. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luk 6:37). “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times“(Mat 18:22). “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many” (Heb 12:11). 
7. Your LOVE has power. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:14). “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1Pet 4:8). “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the (greatest) law”(Rom 13:8).  “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble” (1Jn2:9,10). “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1Cor13:4,5). “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you”(Jn15:12). “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (Jam 3:16).
8. Your PRAISE has power.“He inhabits the praises of His people”  (Ps 22:3). “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” (Ps 103:2-4). “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”(Ps 100:4). “And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long” (Ps 35:28).
9. Your DISCIPLINE has power. “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1Cor 9:27). “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable“(1Cor 9:27). “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher” (Lk 6:4).
10. Your HUMILITY has power. “Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph 4:2). “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45). “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others”(Philippians 2:3-4).
11. Your IMAGINATION has power. “Where there is no vision (dreams), the people perish, but he that keeps the law, happy is he” (Pro 29:18). “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life“ (Pro 4:23). Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (by not remembering His miracles and greatness towards them) (Ps 78:41).
12. Your DOING (action) has power. (You can’t grow unless you exercise your knowledge). “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves“ (Jam 1:22). “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand”  (Mat 7:24-27). “Faith without works is dead”(Jam 2:20).
13. Your FAITH has power. (When you can see the invisible, you can do the impossible). “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). “For we walk by faith, not by sight”(2 Cor 5:7). “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God”(1Corinthians 2:5). “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1John 5:4).

14. Your INTEGRITY has power. “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20:7). “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much”(Luke 16:10). “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22). “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them” (Proverbs 11:3).

        This must have been the mistake made by Adam and Eve, in choosing to DISOBEY. The laws of the universe still worked, but against them rather than for them. May God help us to avail ourselves of the power of those infallible rules that God has set up in our favor.

Live BIG

        God wants us to live courageously and victoriously. If we live in fear we live a small life, because fear causes us to stop and do nothing; the more we rehearse our problems, the bigger they will grow. Fear prevents forward progress. We fear criticism, exposure, the unknown, etc. Send faith to answer when they come to your door. Rehearse the promises and the possibilities of God for your life.

        Our brain was not made for negativity, nor can it handle it. The Word says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Phil4:8) and discipline your mind not to think otherwise.

        If you want to know God’s will for your life, stick your nose in His Word every single day. Make it your top priority to spend time with God every day. God wants to be at the center of your life; not just a part, not the extra bits, but the nucleus. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Pr 3:6).

        Remember, you will center your life on something. If it’s not God, it’ll be some idol that will lead you astray and into living an unfruitful life. Nothing else but God’s Word is strong enough to hold you and your dream together. “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Pr 16:3). 

        The Word of God will EVEN make you smart, smarter than your teachers. “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation” (Ps 119:99). His Word is alive and powerful and will lift your life into a destiny that you never could have dreamed of. Read Psalm 119 regularly in order to understand the full power of God’s Word in your life. 

        God is all powerful for you, nothing is impossible to you. Abide in Him and then, “ask and you shall receive” (Jn 15:7). Discipline your life to the study of the Word and be consistent and give it all you’ve got. Be all in, and persevere. Perseverance is faith under endurance. Jesus told Peter, “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail” (Lk 22:32). 

        Remember you won’t go through life alone, not in your name alone, but in Jesus’s name, filled with His Spirit. He’s given us the power of attorney to use His name. This means you can face obstacles using His credit card, if you may; using His power and His authority. It’s all in the new contract created through the power of the Cross. 

        So let’s not limit God by our small thinking (Ps 78:41). Read His Word and dig out those universal laws created for you. You will discover those laws that will work for you. Remember they’re laws of God and they work always, all ways.

        Just dare to trust God and not your own strength, but “trust in the Lord always” (Pro 3:5). Don’t trust in your war horse (your own abilities) to give you victory (see Ps 33:17,18). Regardless of how weak or how old you are, you can still make the rest of your life the best of your life. 

        Christianity is not a comfortable life, it is a classroom towards the greater goal of life; to learn unselfishness. The whole Bible can be condensed into two sentences: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mk 12:30,31). We find our life by losing it, for the benefit of God and others (see Jn 12:24; Lk 9:23). All the trials of life are to teach us to live unselfishly and be more like Jesus (Ro 8:28). A life of giving and loving.

        We were made in love by a God of love and are meant to live a life of love, for love, through love, and in love in order to give love. Nothing else will be as fulfilling. So why settle for less. Remain a student, a learner and a doer of the discipline of Christ, your whole life. 

        Live your life BIG.

        Don’t fake it, FAITH it, and DREAM BIG.