A Nonexistent Thing

Victory Ministries

Walter Kambulow

August 1, 2009

All rights reserved

Burlington, Ontario

Mail to walthope@mail.com

https://walthope.tripod.com/healing.htm

 

Walter Kambulow, is a man like King David, "after God's own heart." I encourage you to read his books. It will fill your souls with hearty spiritual food and give you new strength to live your faith in Jesus. He is Jesus centered and saturated with the Word of God and strong in the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. He is a great fighter for His King and an encourager  of the true Saints. –

He is a man of God with a sincere burden for the Body of Christ and its attack from these wolves in sheep’s clothing.

He spends his time trying to warn the sheep that the Wolves are not coming into the sheep pen, they are already there and ravaging God’s people with their horrible witchcraft powers.

 Dr. Pat Holiday, Jacksonville, Florida

 

Free Christian Ebooks in HTM https://walthope.tripod.com/

The All Sufficient Christ https://walthope.tripod.com/sufficient_christ.htm

I Believe, I Receive https://walthope.tripod.com/i_believe.htm

The Lord Is Very Compassionate https://walthope.tripod.com/compassionate.htm

The Greatest Is Love https://walthope.tripod.com/thegreatest.htm

More Shall Be Given https://walthope.tripod.com/begiven.htm

God’s Will Is Healing https://walthope.tripod.com/healing.htm

God Hears And Answers Prayers https://walthope.tripod.com/answers.htm

In Time of Trouble https://walthope.tripod.com/trouble.htm

Blessed To Be A Blessing  https://walthope.tripod.com/blessed.htm

Our Wonderful Redeemer  https://walthope.tripod.com/redeemer.htm

The LORD Will Hear  https://walthope.tripod.com/hear.htm

Let God Arise  https://walthope.tripod.com/arise.htm

A Nonexistent Thing https://walthope.tripod.com/victory.htm

 

 Mail to walthope@hotmail.com

https://walthope.tripod.com/

 

FACEBOOK: WALTER KAMBULOW

NEW POSTINGS

JESUS IS GOD  http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-1BH
DO IT 
http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-27m
YOU MUST BELIEVE GOD
http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-Fc
A HEALTH AND WEALTH CHRISTIAN 
http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-24v

JESUS HEALS  http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-27K

SUPER VICTORY http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-29y

VICTORY MINISTRIES http://walthope.wordpress.com

 


                                                                              

Content

Introduction

Chapter 1

In Abundance

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Chapter 2

With God Nothing Is Impossible

Chapter 3

Through Faith Obtained Promises

Chapter 4

With Healing In His Wings

Chapter 5

God Will Level The Mountains

Chapter 3

God’s Presence and Rest

It Matters To Him About You

Chapter 6

There Is No God Besides Me

Chapter 7

The Lord Loves Justice

Chapter 8

Exceedingly Abundantly

Chapter 9

Heal, Deliver, Save Me

Chapter 10

The Compassionate Lord

Chapter 11

Just As Your Soul Prosperous

Chapter 12

Fear Him

NO, it’s super Todd!

Chapter 13

God Is Our Refuge And Strength

Chapter 14

He Makes Poor And Makes Rich

Chapter 15

Power To Get Wealth

Chapter 16

The Power Of Christ

Chapter 17

Kept By The Power Of God

Chapter 18

For I Believe God

Chapter 19

Freely You Have Received, Freely Give

Chapter 20

I Will Give You Rest

Chapter 21

But God Was With Him

Chapter 22

Believe It, Accept It, Confess It

Chapter 23

I Have Overcome The World

Chapter 24

He Has Anointed Me

Chapter 25

Are All Workers Of Miracles

Chapter 26

Give Us This Day

Chapter 27

By The Word Of God

Through it All

Chapter 28

Because We Love The Brethren

Chapter 29

He Is My Refuge And My Fortress

Chapter 30

Wait On the Lord

 

 


Introduction

We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.  Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell,  For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.  As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me.  Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.  He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me.  God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God. Psalm 55:16-18

Fear not, for I am with you;  Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'  "Behold, all those who were incensed against you  Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.  You shall seek them and not find them-Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. Isaiah 41:10-12

Courageous bold David, a man of war after God’s own heart who killed Goliath, made himself a great enemy in King Saul who because jealous and did everything to kill King David. But through his struggles and wars with Saul and his house, David trusted and sought God in all things. As a result Saul and his son became a nonexistent thing and  God gave to David Saul’s house and his master's wives into David’s keeping, as well as the house of Israel and Judah and told him, “if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!”  (2 Samuel 12:8)

Consequentially David stated Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” (Psalm 98:1). I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation (Psalm 118:21). David praised God for doing marvelous things for him and giving him with His right hand and His holy arm the victory and becoming his salvation in his real battle with Saul!

Yes the word of God tells us that in this world, our enemies rise against us and devise plans to hurt and harm us (Psalm 41:7). But in these times, the God of Victory is powerful to crush our enemies. When we tell Him of our trials and tribulations, then God will help us and will make them as a non-existent thing. The Lord who gave David victory over his enemies and blessed him abundantly is no respecter of persons and shows partiality to no one. If we hold onto the Lord Jesus Christ like the psalmist David and we shall overcome all our problems and the people who rise against us in victory.


Chapter 1

In Abundance

And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"  He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:  'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,  And seeing you will see and not perceive;  For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing,  And their eyes they have closed,  Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' Matthew 12:10-15

Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them,  "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:23-24

Jesus Christ the author and finisher of the Christian faith told us "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. So the burden to having an abundance or poverty  and even be saved is on us, not on God! We alone determine what we get out of the kingdom of God through God’s word and through His Spirit.  Jesus clearly taught us this in His words:

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.  "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;  "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matthew 13:18-23

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."  And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it." But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. Matthew 9:28-31

And Apostle Paul told us the word of God which is in our mouth and our heart will produce great results including salvation:

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.  For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."   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?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:  "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,  Who bring glad tidings of good things!"  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:9-17

God has provided us with a great and complete salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed, to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:3-4).

God wants us to become complete, stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, be perfect and complete lacking nothing and He is able to sanctify us completely so that our whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  The word “save” comes from the Greek word “sozo,” which means the complete salvation for the spirit, soul and body. The Word of God affects all three parts of the human being.  As a result our soul needs to be renewed, to be re-adjusted to think like the Word, to feel like the Word. When our soul is renewed we will have the full assurance of faith and not only partial assurance, half assurance, quarter assurance.  When the Word of God has its perfect work in us, we will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. We will have a perfect and complete answer to all our prayers, all the things that we want.  Our soul will be lined up with our human spirit, which is born again.   God will come forth to overcome the circumstances in our life when we have the Word of God rooted in our soul. 

Wise King Solomon told us in the book of Proverb says the Word of God will become flesh to our bones.  But it had to flow through our soul.  It has to become a part of our thinking life, the way we think, act and talk. It has to be predominating in our lives and then we will be prosperous and successful just like Jesus told us:

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' “Matthew 4:4

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8

The fruit that we bear has to do with the character of Jesus in our lives, and the character of Jesus will result in the power of God and prosperity and healing in our life.  These things flow from that fruit that is developed in our life.  It’s according to the strength of our inner man that the outward man can function.  And the strength of our inner man is determined by the amount of change or the transformation of the character of Jesus in our inner man.

Jesus Christ is the word made flesh. To abide in Christ is not only to walk and live in His Spirit but to walk and live in accordance to every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. When the Word of God becomes predominate factor in our life, the resulting words that we speak by the Spirit of the LORD will conquer and overcome all things.  When we receive the Word of God we digest it until it becomes a part of us. We allow it to be to be digested by our spirit and to renew our soul until our soul is steadily held by the Word of God.  Then the Word of God produces faith in our human spirit and confidence in the Word of God.  And then we speak forth those things which we desire based on the Word of God and it becomes a reality!

Yes, when the word is the Word and is already on our inside and we can make a decree to any mountain.  And what we decree we believe that our words will come to pass.  And so when we tell the mountain, move from hence forth to yonder it will obey because God’s word shall not return void but will accomplish that for which it is sent. God’s word is unchanging:

So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?  "It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; "but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade." Mark 4:30-32

Since the fall of man the soul of human being have been wavering.  Doubts come from our soul, distress come from our soul and emotions, and all the wrong things that is coming from our soul.  Hence the human soul needs to be girded with the Word of God to be stabilized.  An unstable soul will not receive the promises of God for one tiny doubt will cancel the whole process.  Doubt is the quality of the fallen soul. That is why we need the renewal of the mind and the Word of God to stabilize our soul.  The more Word we have in our life, the more we are stabilized in our soul. We need patience which is not an attribute of our human spirit.  It’s an attribute of a renewed soul and renewed mind.  Patience is an attribute of our human soul according to the Word of God. Hence we count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience and if we let patience have its perfect work, we will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Tribulation works patience, and patience develops character in us. Tribulation works character in our lives.  But it may not be good character.  Whether it’s good character or bad character is determined by how we react to the tribulation.  If in the tribulation or difficulty, we react wrongly and keep on reacting wrongly, it becomes a part of our life and character. Whether we are changed in the wrong character or changed in the good character is determined by how we react.  How we react is determined by our understanding of choices that are available for us. There are always many ways we can choose to react in response.  Now we may have natural feelings and emotions being human in all kind of tribulations.  But we are old enough in life to know that we don’t need to yield to our emotions or to react with our emotions. 

It’s to be noted that between tribulations and character is an important word called perseverance.  The word perseverance also means patience. As we abide in Christ and in His word and His word abides in us, He gives us perseverance or patience.  In other words we get power of God in our life and the character of Jesus from abiding in Christ and His word.  The developing of character comes by experiencing tribulation and tribulation comes from being on this planet earth.  Jesus said in the world you shall receive tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. 

It’s to be noted that between tribulations and character is an important word called perseverance.  The word perseverance also means patience. As we abide in Christ and in His word and His word abides in us, He gives us perseverance or patience.  In other words we get power of God in our life and the character of Jesus from abiding in Christ and His word.  The developing of character comes by experiencing tribulation and tribulation comes from being on this planet earth.  Jesus said in the world you shall receive tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. 

It’s also to be noted that Temptation is not from God but it is more our own internal inclination and weaknesses that need to be overcome.  Temptation is not found in our spirit.  Temptation is found in our soul and our flesh. When those areas are renewed by the Word of God, our human spirit now works together with our soul.  The Holy Spirit becomes available.  He is the free gift of grace and promise of God to our lives.  But He is limited according to what we ask or think, limited according to the limitations of our soul.  Our human soul is a conduit by which the Holy Spirit flows.  Therefore we need to develop our soul in the Word of God.  Then we will be a real man or woman of God who is like Jesus, all our r thoughts are always in line with the Word of God.  The closer we are with Jesus the more our thought conforms to His image.  

If we walk with Jesus we are in perfect will of God.  And we’re doing God’s perfect will. And as a result the power of God will flow in us and through us and God will grant us all our desires.   We can cry out to God for His supernatural help now and the supernatural help comes.  It flows forth from our abiding in Christ our abiding covers all our beings. Our abiding is so strong and the character of Jesus is so strong that we can be poked left, right and center and it doesn’t change our life.  We know how to abide in and have patience in tribulation; we stand like the rock of Gibraltar, against the storm and until we see our desired result. God’s word is unchanging:

"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him  "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts 7:9-10

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.  For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,  2 Corinthians 1:3-10

Yes we might have seasons when we meet with losses and crosses in the world, but the joy of the Lord is still our strength. And He will make our feet like deer's feet, and He will make us walk on our high hills. The great redemptive work of our Lord covers the complete person—body, soul and spirit. It reaches even into the realm of physical necessities. Jesus said to his disciples, “Take no anxious thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, How shall we be clothed? For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31–34).

We don’t live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God and God is our source of our total supply, our provision, our exceeding great reward and all that we need. Through God's grace and Spirit we can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might and stand until the victory and our breakthrough is manifested proving the faithfulness of our God. In the midst of all our troubles Jesus is still a balm for every wound, a cordial for every care. He is still a friend who sticks closer than a brother!

 

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Joseph M. Scriven,

 

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

 

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

 

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

 

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer

Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

 

 

 

Chapter 2

With God Nothing Is Impossible

And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,  as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.  And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. Luke 6:17-19

God, unlike Satan, is omnipresent by way of His Holy Spirit. God can be listening to the prayers of a million Christians around the world at the same time and giving each of them His undivided attention. How can this be? God is the Creator and has that ability. Satan, on the other hand, is created and is very limited. He can only be at one place at a time. As a result he must enlist the aid of his fallen angels. These demonic spirits perform his work.

The bible tells us the desire of the prince of demons is to steal, kill, and destroy. Hence there is a spiritual assignment against every Christian on this earth.  The enemy attacks in the spiritual and it manifests in the physical.  Sickness and disease is a spiritual attack, but it destroys physically. But Jesus paid the price to give us authority over all the power the enemy.  And we must take and act on that authority when we feel the sting of a demonic attack. We are to seize the authority we’ve been given, put it into effect through our words and actions, and the enemy will submit. Our God given position is the seat of authority, and his position is under our feet! God’s word is true:

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

"And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. Deuteronomy 28:13

Because of what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary and the new better covenant we’re automatically head not the tail, above not beneath all the power and works of the enemy, Satan and his hordes. And we rejoice in the fact and stand in faith against all the onslaughts of the enemy that we are blessed, and what God has done before for others He can and will do again. God’s word is unchanging:

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.  And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"  But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.  "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.  "For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:32-37

We have today many false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing who prophecy things about tomorrow that are not of God at all! It’s to be noted that the angel Gabriel sent by God to Mary told her what was going to happen now to her, not five or ten years down the road! God who is the God of the impossible is in the now of our lives and by His Spirit He wishes and talks about good things that will happen now, and not somewhere down the road because He has the power to make things happen now including His judgments! His word is true: 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.  Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.  The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. Psalm 34:19

Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation,  Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff,  Before the LORD'S fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD'S anger comes upon you!  Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility.  It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.   Zephaniah 2:1-3

The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save;  He will rejoice over you with gladness,  He will quiet you with His love,  He will rejoice over you with singing." "I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly,  Who are among you,  To whom its reproach is a burden.  Behold, at that time  I will deal with all who afflict you;  I will save the lame,  And gather those who were driven out;  I will appoint them for praise and fame  In every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you;  For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth,  When I return your captives before your eyes," Says the LORD.  Zephaniah 3:17-20

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?  "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:27-32

For the meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice, sought righteousness and humility, God will save them and deliver them out of all afflictions. They have His word on this! He will rejoice over them with gladness, quiet them with His love, deal with all who afflicted them and will give them fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, for it is their Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. 

Unfortunately for them, many Christians choose to believe the negative report of the world, because they choose to believe what they see and hear instead of believing what God promised. As a result they miss many blessings God has set aside for those who believe for Jesus said in Mark 16:17, Jesus said, “These signs shall follow those who believe.”   Who are those who believe?  They are the ones who believe that God will do what He said He would do.  They have total trust, belief and faith in Him.

Yes, Jesus Christ who has conquered death and rose up on the third day has no problem to fill His trusting ones with His life and power and help them to overcome all the problems in life. He has no problem to manifest Him power and defeat the evil powers that creates problems in their life. Answering their prayers, blessing them and turning all their sorrows into joy.  Meeting all their needs according to His  riches. Speaking  miracles in their life and removing the lacks in their life through His power. Blessing the labor of their hands and my income. Filling their life with His goodness and lovingkindness. Using them as a blessing to deliver people from darkness and give them hope.

For children of the light, the darkness and troubles in life don’t determine their future but God does. He has written their name in the palm of His nail scarred hands and is still a miracle working God! And His power, might and greatness are unlimited! His word is unchanging:

I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence. For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. You have rebuked the nations,  You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever. O enemy, destructions are finished forever! And you have destroyed cities; Even their memory has perished. But the LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness,  And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,  A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:1-10


Chapter 3

Through Faith Obtained Promises

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Through the new birth and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit we have become a power house of God to demonstrate to others the power and love of God! Through the battles and storms of life we can still shine, living blameless and without fault by holding fast to the word of God. Through God’s power and life   we can live victorious even in the midst of Satan’s onslaughts. His onslaughts of sin, sickness, disease, poverty and death cannot touch us. We live in the realm of life where with God all things are possible through the name of Jesus and standing in faith on God’s word! God’s word is true:

"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' Matthew 7:22

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:12-13

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. Matthew 14:12-14

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

God has highly exalted Jesus Christ and given Him the name which is above every name. His name is above any problem, mountain, sickness, demon, need, foe, enemy, disease or problem that we could face or are facing! Everything must bow at the name of Jesus in heaven and earth! Through the use of the name of Jesus and faith, there is available to believers  the exceeding greatness of God’s power, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Through love God has made us new creation full of power and love He has made us invincible champions. And by faith working through love, (Galatians 5:6) He has made us faith giants who can bring spiritual realities into this physical world through God’s word. It’s to be noted that God’s word, not circumstances or people, determines truth. The possession and confession of God’s word, by which heaven and were created by the spoken word, and the mighty name of Jesus brings real change to things in our lives to negatives things that are temporary and subject to change by our faith! 

God made this world through spiritual realities. It was the spiritual world that formed this natural one. The spiritual world is much more real than the physical one. While the physical world can be changed by the spiritual world, the spiritual world is never changed by the physical world. But through the Spirit and word of God we have the ability to change this world and our circumstances and experiences just like many before us. God’s word is true:

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. Matthew 21:21

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:32-34

The world was formed or made at God’s command. Likewise, our world can be formed and made by our command of faith. By our command the things that are spiritual realities can  become visible in our life.  We can use our faith, our heart, our spirit, our mouth and speak the word of faith, the word of God and create change and see mega mountains be moved into the sea! God’s word is true, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 1 John 5:4

Faith operates outside our senses. It is born in the heart. Generally, all human beings have the tendency to walk by sight and not by faith. We rely on what we see, forgetting there is a spiritual realm that our eyes don’t see. It does exist and is both real and eternal. Faith connects us to the invisible and eternal world, where God’s government and celestial court is found. Faith moves us out of human limitations and transports us to the threshold of divine glory, where we leave our weakness and feebleness at the feet of the cross in order to be clothed with the invincible strength of the Spirit of God. We leave behind a world of failure and defeat to walk the solid streets of success and prosperity, transform the absurd into something logical, the rotten and despised into something useful and blessed for the world.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews says that faith is the certainty of what you hope for. God will give life to all those pictures that He has impressed on our hearts through faith. Then what you draw with the faith brush here on earth will be accepted in the heavens. Faith is the conviction of the things we cannot see. As well as physical eyes, God has given us spiritual eyes. If we develop them we will be able to see easily the biggest miracles prepared by God in the world of faith. The Apostle Paul said:

"We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" 2 Corinthians 4:18).

Once you know the miracle you want and can see it clearly, you only have to give the word of authority for it to be revealed exactly as you dreamt. Then what we conquer in the spiritual realm can be brought by faith to the natural realm. And so in this way the Lord can transform the chaotic in something beautiful. He had only to decide and then speak in order to see the miracle of creation fulfilled. And we are participants in this divine nature.[i]

Because of the name of Jesus and that our faith is not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God we can speak to all the mountains in our lives and tell them to be moved into the sea.  In Jesus name, we can say 'Let the river of God flow amongst us. Holy Spirit come, move in power and let defeat become victory, crooked be made straight, injustice become justice, wrong become right, poverty become plenty, lack become abundance, negative things become positive things, sickness become health, weakness become strength, curses become blessings, sadness become joy, despair become hope, depression become praise, unbelief become faith,  loss  become restoration, bondage become redemption, wealth and riches become a reality and mountains be moved into the sea and be no more!'

Faith or authority in the name that is not used produces nothing? Many of God’s people have no one to blame but themselves for not believing and acting on God’s word to see real circumstantial changes in the lives and their land.  They don’t appreciate that Jesus took their infirmities and bore their sicknesses, therefore they can refuse to allow sickness to dominate their body for the Life of God flows within them bringing healing to every fiber of their being (Matthew 8:17; John 6:63). They don’t appreciate that they are redeemed from all the curse as Jesus had become a curse for them (Galatians 3:13). But Jesus blood is flowing in their blood stream to every cell of their body, restoring life and health as they activate it and claim it by faith (Mark 11:23; Luke 17:6). The life of Jesus is a reality in their flesh, restoring every cell of their body for by Jesus stripes they were healed (1 Peter 2:24).  Yes God’s word are life to those who find them and health to their flesh:

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.  Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:20-23.

The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death; therefore, we don’t have to allow sin, sickness or death to lord it over us. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is our Teacher and Guide, not sickness and disease. Believers have the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever they loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  They can confess that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in them permeating God’s life through their veins, sending healing through-out their body.  The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in them and gives life to their mortal body. (Romans 8:11.)  They are free from the control of men and from the law of sin and death. Christ has set them free from the curse of the law having become a curse for them (Galatians 3:13).

Hence in Jesus' Name they can forbid their body, their soul and their spirit to be deceived in any manner.  They can speak the Word of Faith and demand that every internal organ of their body perform a perfect work, for they are the temple of the Holy Ghost. They can charge the body in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the authority of His Holy WORD to be healed and made whole for the tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18).  They can resist the enemy in every form that he comes against them. They can require their body to be strong and healthy, and enforce it with God’s Word. They can reject the curse, and enforce life in their body for God has forgiven all their iniquities; He has healed all their diseases; He has redeemed their life from destruction. (Psalm 103:2-6)  They can confess that because they obey God’s voice and do all that He speaks, He has blessed their food and water and has taken sickness away from them and will fulfill the number of their days in health. His word is unchanging:

 "So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.  "No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days Exodus 23:25-26

They are able to live in DIVINE HEALTH AND PROSPERITY continually because God says in His Word:

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes;  Keep them in the midst of your heart;  For they are life to those who find them,  And health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22

" Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2

They can speak to Satan in the authority of Jesus' Name and say to all his principalities and powers, his master spirits that rule this present darkness, and his spiritual wickedness in high places they are all totally and completely bound here as they are already bound in Heaven.  They are loosed from all his power according to Colossians 1:13, as God has delivered them from the power of darkness and has conveyed them into the kingdom of the Son of His love, which is above every thrones or dominions or principalities or power, past, present or future.

They can tell Satan that he has no authority to operate against their family and them in this or any realm for they are the property of Almighty God and that He lives within them. He who is in them is greater than he that is in the world as 1 John 4:4 declares.  And finally because they diligently obey the voice of the LORD their God, to observe carefully all His commandments which He has commanded them, all the blessings God  had spoken to Moses shall come upon them  and overtake them  and they will be blessed and prospered in all things because God’s  words says so. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) His word is true:

"The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want!" Psalm 23:1

"Thus says the Lord your redeemer, the Holy one of Israel: I am the Lord your God who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go." Isaiah 48:1

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

 

 


Chapter 4

With Healing In His Wings

"For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven,  And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.  And the day which is coming shall burn them up,"  Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings;  And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 4:1-3

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ who walked the shores of the Sea of Galilee is still the same healing and miracle working Jesus! And He has no problem to do things for His trusting ones for after all He has made heaven and earth and parted the Red Sea to save and deliver His people! And He has no problem working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

Yes Jesus told all of His disciples "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 (Mark 16:15-16). God’s word is unchanging:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:16-20

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36

So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31 

Yes, he who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. Now it’s not a pleasant thing to live under the wrath of God because not only  your end is very destructive but you don’t have the benefits of eternal life including divine wisdom, divine health, divine power, divine wealth and divine prosperity!  When we believe in Jesus and accept the work He has done for us, we receive Eternal life.  And Eternal life not only annihilates our old spiritual condition, the old man, and creates a brand new man, a God-man but it gives us power and the fullness of the Holy Spirit as well as access to all that God is and has!

As true sons of God, we are to have faith in God and in His life (His nature) in us. We are to believe in it, speak about it and act on it. We speak the Word of God concerning eternal life and all it has provided for the born again man. As we put faith into operation, concerning eternal life, that life begins to flow out of our spirit into my soul and body, thus making the things of the spirit tangible in our everyday life.

 It’s to be noted that Jesus was the only begotten, but has total changed! In the days when Jesus walked the earth, the life of God made Jesus different from every other human at that time. The life of God, which Jesus possessed, put Him in a class all by Himself. However, Jesus was never meant to stay in that class of being by Himself. God wanted a family. God wanted other sons and daughters just like the Lord  Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent on a mission by the Father to produce a race of people with God’s life and nature in them also! 

Adam produced a fallen race of people who had the nature of the devil. Jesus was sent to produce a race of people who had the nature of Almighty God. In the gospels Jesus was the only begotten of God. However, through the new birth we are now also begotten (born) of God! We are the family Jesus was sent to produce: the family of God. For born again believers God move into man’s spirit and united Himself to man (totally one) produced a new being just like the Master, Jesus Christ. It produced a God-man: a man with God living on the inside!  We are now a new kind of man: a God-man. A man filled with all the fullness of deity.  God’s word is true:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,  to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10

We are not only accepted in the Beloved and blessed the life of God and  with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  but we are now a power house for God’s power to be released and demonstrated in our total being and life.  Being born again not only makes man a new creation it also moves man into another world: a world free from the tyranny and control of the devil. Eternal life places man into the position of an ambassador. Man can remain, as it were, in this world, but live out of Heaven. The rules governing this world system do not apply to the born again man any more than they apply to Jesus. The believer is placed far above them! He has power over them! He is seated with Christ!  God’s word is true:

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."  And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."Luke 10:17-20

Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. The new birth freed us from Satan’s dominion, kingdom, and jurisdiction. Even if we sin Satan has NO power, NO place and NO right in our life. Jesus’ blood has once and for all handled our sin. The devil cannot put something on us unless WE (consciously or unconsciously) allow him. Remember, we have been purchased by God!  We are now living in whole new realm. The life realm! The life of God is now in us and His life changes all things!

Through Christ Jesus we’ve been given the complete package. We lack no good thing. We have been equipped with all power and all authority to take this world for Jesus. We no longer stand in the place of the first Adam in this earth. We stand in the place of the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are His body!  We can now do greater works (John 14:12) because Jesus has greater power!!! We now have God’s ability into our lives to be and do all kinds of things. We are a new creation. We are one with God. We are delivered out of the dominion of the devil. We are conquerors. We do possess the ability and power of God to affect change on everything! God’s word is unchanging:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power Ephesians 1:19

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Ephesians 3:20

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,  2 Thessalonians 1:11

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 2 Peter 1:3

It’s to be noted that there are many reason why Jesus was born including:

 1)  To redeem us from the curse of the law of sin and death. (Titus 2:14 and Galatians 4:3-7)

2)  To restore authority to its rightful place. (Matthew 28:18-20)

3)  To reconcile man to God. (Ephesians 2:14-18 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

4)  To destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

5)  To make a way for everlasting life. (1 John 5:11-13)

6)  Because of love. (John 3:16)

 Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world but to save it. (John 3:17) And because He loves us so much, He’s coming again for us. (John 14:1-18 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)


Chapter 5

God Will Level The Mountains

"Thus says the LORD to His anointed,  To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held- To subdue nations before him  And loose the armor of kings,  To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: 'I will go before you  And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze  And cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places,  That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name,  Am the God of Israel. Isaiah 45:1-3

Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.  And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it. Mark 11:12-14

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.   "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."  Mark 11:20-26

God doesn’t put any restrictions on what faith in God will do or what mountains can be moved into the sea including marriage problems, separation, divorce, health problems, addictions, financial problems, family problems, children problems, teenager problems, church problems, community problems, etc.  No matter what the problem we can have faith in God not only to ask Him to level our mountains but to speak to our mountains and say Be removed and be cast into the sea and see it come to pass! 

God is no respecter of persons for what He has done for one He will do for another! His word is unchanging:

 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert  A highway for our God.  Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight  And the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed,  And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."  The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?"  "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:3-8

For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.  For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.  For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect;  The word of the LORD is proven;  He is a shield to all who trust in Him.  For who is God, except the LORD?  And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength,  And makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of deer,  And sets me on my high places.  He teaches my hands to make war,  So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze  You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up,  Your gentleness has made me great. Psalm 18:27-35

Yes, the word of God will stand forever! Yes the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Our mountains of obstacles may look huge and impossible to be moved be it marriage or financial. But through our faith in God He can and will level and shrink our mountains to be made low and can take our valley of despair and hopelessness to be raised up so that with our faith we can see the highway to God's will and way in our life, in our marriage, in our family, in our business, and in our community! His words are unchanging:

 THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:1-4

And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,  "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.  "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me."   And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."" Matthew 17:14-21

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.  By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:1-6

Yes Jesus who doesn’t lie though others do told us if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. And Apostle Peter told us in 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Yes true Christians are the apple of God’s eyes for God’s word is true:

For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.  "He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;  He encircled him, He instructed him,  He kept him as the apple of His eye. Deuteronomy 32:9-10

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14

As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved."  "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,'  There they shall be called sons of the living God." Romans 9:25-26

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-27

God is more than enough and He is no respecter of persons what He has done for one He will do for another. There is no shortage of blessing in heaven.  God is the fountain of life.  From Him comes every good thing.  We can call in His blessing to His people.   We can speak to the mountains of doubt, of fear, of lack - BE REMOVED IN JESUS' NAME! We can in the name of Jesus call in favor, blessings, miracles, prosperity, wealth, victories and every good thing to His people.

As sons of God and heirs according to the promise "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you, " (Hebrews 6:14) all that belongs to God now belongs to us (LK 15:31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours,) including victory, salvation, healing, deliverance and whatever God has or offers us! God’s word is unchanging:

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.  Many are they who say of me,  "There is no help for him in God." Selah  But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,  My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;  You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah Psalm 3:1-8

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. Psalm 35:27

 


Chapter 3

God’s Presence and Rest

And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest Deuteronomy 33:14

For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

When we are surrounded by His presence and when His presence goes before us at all times we are truly blessed. This promise is given by Lord Jesus Christ Who created this universe and all that are in it. But, we must draw close to Him and be prayer minded in everything we do. God has ordained victory for us through the blood of Jesus Christ, through the name of Jesus Christ. The blood that He shed for us on the cross. We sing songs of victory through the blood of Jesus Christ. According to Revelation 22:4 we know  His name shall be on their foreheads” The Lord writes His name on the foreheads of the people who overcome. The word of God tells us that He swallowed death (Isaiah 25:8).

In Colossians 2:15 it say that the Lord defeated the devil and his hosts at the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ told us, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  As a result we are not to be disheartened for the Lord will give us victory.  We shall have victory by the cross. The Lord defeated the devil and overcame his works by the cross. He tasted death for each one of us and has opened the heaven for us. God shall bestow all the blessings on us through Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God also tells us that the Lord blessed the servants of Isaac when they dug wells of Abraham, Isaac’s father and they found a well of running water. (Genesis 26:19). Similarly, the Lord shall bless us and the people who work for us. He will bless them for our sake and prosper them.

The worldly life is an evil one. It is full of troubles and sufferings. Yet, those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10). He has the power to say to the waves, “This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!” (Job 38:11). What He speaks will be done. What He commands will stand fast (Psalm 33:9).

 Job was a devout man who shunned evil. The Bible says he was the greatest man in the East. God had blessed him because he feared God and followed His ways diligently. But he lost all his children, possessions, and cattle in a day! Like adding fuel to the fire, he was struck with painful boils all over his body. His pain and agony was indescribable. But, Job was steadfast in his faith and said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). This indomitable faith in God made Him give Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).

Even though afflictions and problems may rise like the waves of the sea. Storms may lash and waves may strike. But we are never to lose heart. Our Lord rules over the raging of the sea and stills its rising waves (Psalm 89:9). It is the will of Father God that we should not lack in any good thing in life. The love of parents, relatives, friendship of close friends, excellence in studies, care of parents are all desires that God wants to fulfill for us. We can trust in the Lord Jesus Christ at all times. Just as He delivered Job from his many afflictions, the Lord will deliver us from our afflictions. Peace and joy shall abound in our life.

Jesus told that when the people of this world give good gifts to their children, the Father God Who is the source of goodness will surely give every good thing in abundance to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11). When we ask God for wisdom, He will surely bestow it upon us. 

James told us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”(James 1:5). So, we are to pray fervently and God will bless us with wisdom and every good thing! Our loving Heavenly Father is the source of every good thing and just for the asking He fill our life with His goodness in abundance. He will remove all our lack. He will fill us with more of His love, knowledge and wisdom and understanding for we are His trusting children.  He will bless us and make us blessing to the world.  His word is true:

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13

For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations,  And make the desolate cities inhabited. Isaiah 54:3

"As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt,  I will show them wonders." Micah 7:15

God who doesn’t change and has not changed and has answered the prayers of many and blessed them with protection and prosperity will answer our prayers and bless us with His protection and goodness.  He will enlarge our borders and fill it with peace. He will never put to shame those who trust in Him.  He will show us wonders and will remove all our lacks and fill our life with goodness in abundance.

How God is very good and great. He is the One who never makes a mistake and never delays. He loves us. But it is necessary that us should wait patiently for Him to act.  We should also wait for Him. He will take all responsibilities regarding our future. The Lord will neither forget nor forsake us.

The word of God’s tells us that once when David set out for battle against Philistines, the Lord said, "And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines" (2 Samuel 5:24). David waited for God to take His move. The Lord fought for him and he was victorious. Be not be troubled over anything. God will go before us and do everything for us in perfection. His word is true:

For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.  For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.  For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall.  As for God, His way is perfect;  The word of the LORD is proven;  He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD?  And who is a rock, except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength,  And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.  Psalm 18:27-33

The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.  The words of the wicked are, "Lie in wait for blood,"  But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.  The wicked are overthrown and are no more,  But the house of the righteous will stand. Proverbs 12:5-7

God will always remember us because the Lord Jesus Christ is a loving God. The Bible says He is a compassionate and merciful person. “(For the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them” (Deuteronomy 4:31).   He will neither forget us nor forsake us. He will never forget the covenant He made with us. Why? Because He is full of mercy.

No matter what our negative circumstance might be the Lord Jesus Christ loves us and cares for us. We can place all our requests at the feet of the Lord who is very humble and understanding knowing that He is the One Who gives all riches and wealth, The Bible says, “As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labour this gift of God!”(Ecclesiastes 5:19; 3:13; 2:24). All these blessings come to us from the hands of the One Whose love surpasses the love of a mother.

When the Lord Jesus lived in this world, the glory which was in Him was manifested when Zacchaeus, who was hiding in a tree, looked at His face. The Lord called him by name and Zacchaeus came down and his life was transformed.  And because Jesus Christ is the same today, we will see that same glory of God, His works and the power of His resurrection. The Lord will deal with all who afflicted us; remove the afflictions and appoint us for abundant praise and fame in every place where we were put to shame.  Yes. the Lord shall bless us with abundant blessings. “The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life” (Psalm 128:5).  As the song tells us by Audrey Meier:

 

It Matters To Him About You

 

Although He has millions of stars to think about

Although the sun, the moon and the stars are in His care

How wonderful to know, wherever you may go

He can be reached just by a whispered prayer

It matters to Him about you

 

It matters to Him about you

Your heartaches your burdens He shares

Regardless you may do He wants you He loves you He cares

 

It matters to Him about you

Believe it because it’s true

If we cling to His hand He will understand

 

It matters to Him about you

Your heartaches your sorrows He cares

Regardless of what you may do He wants you He loves you He cares

 

It matters to Him about you

Believe it because it’s true

If we cling to His hand He will understand


Chapter 6

There Is No God Besides Me

"But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.  "For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off.  "You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. "So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.  "No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:22-26

'Now see that I, even I, am He,  And there is no God besides Me;  I kill and I make alive;  I wound and I heal;  Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. For I raise My hand to heaven,  And say, "As I live forever,  If I whet My glittering sword,  And My hand takes hold on judgment,  I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me.  I will make My arrows drunk with blood,  And My sword shall devour flesh,  With the blood of the slain and the captives,  From the heads of the leaders of the enemy." '  "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants,  And render vengeance to His adversaries;  He will provide atonement for His land and His people." Deuteronomy 33:39-43

A simple analysis of the bible shows us the obedience to God’s voice and doing all that He speaks brings the blessings of God into our lives. Jesus told us in  John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And He told us in Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. There must be a constant fellowship with God almighty and interaction on a daily basis to hear and do what our Commander in Chief would instruct us to do.  God has a plan and purpose for every individual on this planet He has created. His word is unchanging:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Contrary to what many Christians believe and practice, Christianity is not a religion based on scriptures, prophecies and deeds but a relationship with a mighty God where there is a two way communication by the Spirit. And as Christians, what we need is more of God and His Spirit and wisdom that He gives and less of ourselves and our ways.

We don’t know the mind of God and as matter of fact we don’t know much at all. We can only receive by faith all the gifts that the Father has for us and others including the gift of faith and wisdom and then use them. We must learn to speak the words that God has whispered in our hearts, and understand that He watches over His word to perform. Then we can rest in Him to do what He said He will do. God’s has promised that there will be seedtime and harvest but He has not told us when? Our responsibility after the seed falls into the ground and dies, is to continue in faith ‑yes, even in wavering faith ‑ believing that the seed of His Word will not fail to produce a bountiful crop even a hundred fold.

We must not be clever, but we must be clear. Our message is the simple Gospel, not higher consciousness. We are not helping people to get God right, but to get right with God. The Holy Spirit alone opens hearts and minds not us. But we must learn to hear God’s voice and we must learn to obey it. Not the voice of dull religion. Not the voice of our fears and prejudices.  We don't have to know everything ‑ God does. We must trust His perfect knowledge. And if we tune into His voice and obey it, He will see to it that we are used in His great purpose.

We need to learn that the Holy Spirit is not a force but a person with whom we can fellowship and interact freely at all times.  The Holy Spirit does not possess us. He honors our choices. He indwells us, and prompts us with such things as an upwelling of divine compassion. We must somehow learn to follow the prompting of compassion. God is in it.  

Yes, the Lord is a shield to all those who trust in Him. And no one is more powerful than the Lord who rides the heavens to help His trusting ones. He is the shield of their help and the sword of their majesty!  As a result their enemies whoever or whatever they might be shall submit to them, and His trusting ones shall tread down their high places. They have God’s unchanging word on it:

He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.  He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me.  They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support.  He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. Psalm 18:16-20

The only one who is perfect in the universe and His work is perfect is God whose ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice. Righteous and upright is He (Deuteronomy 32:3-4). And you don’t want to get in His way when He whets His glittering sword, and His hand takes hold on judgment. He will render vengeance to His enemies, and repay those who hate Him. He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people. And no one will stand against Him. Yes, what God has done before He can and will do again. His word is unchanging:

"For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?" Deuteronomy 4:7

"And it shall be, when you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it,  "that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. "And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, 'I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the country which the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.'  "Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God. "And you shall answer and say before the LORD your God: 'My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous.  'But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us. 'Then we cried out to the LORD God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. 'So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders.  'He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, "a land flowing with milk and honey";  'and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O LORD, have given me.' Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God.  "So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you. Deuteronomy 26:1-11

"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24

 Yes when God trusting ones cry out to the Lord because of their affliction and oppression, He hears their voice and delivers them with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with signs and wonders and brings them to a land of plenty and prosperity. Yes, they are to ask the Father in Jesus name and they will receive that their joy may be full. God does these kinds of things for His friends.  Yes, they did not choose Jesus Christ, but He chose them  and appointed them  that they should go and bear fruit, and that their fruit should remain, that whatever they  ask the Father in Jesus  name He may give them (John 15:16).  God’s word is unchanging:

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:2-4

Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, including every demon, diseases, sickness, and oppression ( 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). God’s word is unchanging:

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"  So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Strike this people, I pray, with blindness." And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.  Now Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." But he led them to Samaria. 2 Kings 6:15-19

Yes, for a true believer of Christ, the Spiritual world is the real and greater world than the natural world. But this is something that most carnal ones don’t understand or avail themselves off – God’s great and wonderful miracle working power. Yes, God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,  that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:27-27). 

It’s a fact that more things are achieved by praying in the Spirit, in tongues, that bring real changes on earth than any other method known to man for it’s God Himself praying through His people bring His kingdom and will on earth! Yes, there is rest and victory in Jesus in, through and by the Spirit of the LORD. God’s word is unchanging:

At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.   "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:25-30

And we must resist the enemy and pray continually to see God’s blessings upon us:

Satan, I renounce you, and I take back all the ground that I ever yielded to you. God is my source of wisdom, knowledge, guidance, victory, strength and power. In Jesus name I declare total and complete victory over every enemy!  You familiar spirits, leave me, in the name of Jesus. Lord Jesus, I belong to You. You have saved me and redeemed me by Your blood. I have need of no spirit other than The Holy Spirit. Forgive me for having sought from other spirits that which should only come from You. I renounce and separate myself from all familiar spirits, however acquired. I call upon You, Lord, to deliver me from the lies and deceptions of familiar spirits, all the works and wiles of the enemy and to heal me of all their works and all things. Teach me Your truth and Your ways. It is my earnest desire to walk in Your will and to glorify Your name. Amen.

Father God, You are the wonder-working God. I come boldly before Your throne of mercy and grace seeking healing for my body, blessings in my finances and total victory over every enemy. Deliver me from every bondage and enemy. Heal me from every infirmity. Guard me from all forces of darkness. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness by Your precious blood. Remove every fear from my heart and let Your divine light shine in my heart. Grant me the strength of Your divine spirit and strengthen me.  

Lord Your word says that You are the God that heals us of all our diseases, all our sickness, redeem us from destruction, gives us victory over all our enemies and satisfy us with good things and my enemies would flee from me seven ways.  You said that You would take my sickness away from me, bless me coming in and going out and I would thread the high places of my enemies.  Your word says that You desire above all things that we prosper and be in good health.  Therefore I know that it is Your will for me to be in good health.  Therefore, in the name of Jesus, I come against any s spirit of infirmity and spirit of poverty that is trying to overtake me, and render it helpless in the mighty name of Jesus. 

Father in the name of Jesus, I bind every spirit of sickness and disease, every spirit of infirmity, and every other demonic spirit that the enemy is trying to use against my life in any way.  By the authority of Jesus Christ, I pull down every stronghold of the adversary against my body, and command him to flee from every area of my body, as well as my life and my finances, in the name of Jesus.  Satan I render You helpless, powerless, and ineffective against my body and my finances in the name of Jesus.   For greater is He that is in me that he that is in the world, therefore You will not overcome me, for I have overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony, and I say to You “ BY THE STRIPES OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH I AM HEALED, BLESSED AND MADE PERFECT, WHOLE AND COMPLETE! 

Heavenly Father, we come in faith believing that Jesus Christ is healer. We are created in your image and we speak as you speak. We command bones in the feet and legs to be strengthened so that the lame may walk. We speak to sores, cankers, diseases, infirmities, cancers, growths and tumors and decree by the shed blood of Jesus Christ that they are healed! We praise you Lord God that is so. Amen.

Father, You said if we had faith the grain of a mustard seed, we could speak to the mountain and it would be removed.  So I speak to my mountain of sickness, poverty and lack in my life and in the name of Jesus Christ, I command  it to be removed, uprooted, and cast into the sea.  In the name of Jesus, I command it to die at the root, and never to spring up again.  By the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I claim total restoration of every organ, every cell, every part of my body, and in the name of Jesus my body will function in perfection, the way God made it to and for my finances that my storehouse be filled to the brim and be overflowing. I loose great and wonderful miracles of healing and restoration and blessing of every kind spiritual, physical and financial for me my family my loved ones my special friends and for your people in Jesus name. 

Father, I thank You for hearing my prayer.  I thank You for interceding for me, and not letting Your word return void.  I thank You that You watch over Your word to perform it, and that Your word will always accomplish that which You sent it to do.   Father in the name of Jesus, I receive my healing, my deliverance, my blessing and prosperity this day and I praise the name of Jesus for all of it. In Jesus name, I pray all this and give you all the praise and glory and honor for what You have done, are doing and shall do! Amen and amen!

 

 

 

 


Chapter 7

The Lord Loves Justice

Do not fret because of evildoers,  Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,  And wither as the green herb.  Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD,  And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD,  Trust also in Him,  And He shall bring it to pass.  He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,  And your justice as the noonday.  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;  Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,  Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm.  For evildoers shall be cut off;  But those who wait on the LORD,  They shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:1-9

Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever,  But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.  The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever. Psalm 37:27-29

It’s there in the bible that the LORD loves justice, and does not forsake His saints. However in due season, the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.  The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever. God is God and there is nothing that He cannot or will not do for His people including saving, healing, delivering, blessing prospering them and giving them justice. What He has done for one He can and will do for another!

The benefits of being a child of God including not only forgiveness of all our iniquities, healing all our diseases, redemption of our life from destruction, being crowned with loving kindness and tender mercies and satisfied with good things but having our youth renewed like the eagle’s. God’s word is unchanging:

Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,  Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:1-6

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations." Isaiah 61:1-3

Grace, God’s riches at Christ’s expense, is unlimited for His trusting children. Whatever they have need off God has more than enough including righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed! When the Holy Spirit, the Comforter came, He brought with Him the day of vengeance of our God. His responsibility is to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

There are certain people that will not be comforted until vengeance is wrought. And for those who believe the day of vengeance of our God is here. Everything working against their comfort is cursed right now! Whatever is out to keep them mourning is cursed now! No more disappointments for them. God will appoint beauty unto them for ashes. From now on their home is beautiful, their business is beautiful, their career and everything else they will ever do will be beautiful.  For the Comforter has come and God has appointed beauty to them and disappointed ashes!  He will contend with those who contend with them and will save their children. God’s word is true:

It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil. Isaiah 10:2

But thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children. I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know  That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." Isaiah 49:25-26

"And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them." Isaiah 61:5-8

That day when our burden will be taken away from our shoulder, and our yoke from our neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil is today. Jesus said it: "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21); "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:13-14). 

Because Jesus made a new day for us, Heavens will fight whatever has been holding us captive right now in Jesus name. We have today, right now, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. The joy of the Lord is now our strength. The spirit of heaviness is cursed in our life!  The day of vengeance has come, and we can expect all that mourn to be comforted. Whatever is against us, from now on God is against it! For every shame we suffered in the past, we shall have double restoration! Whatsoever makes us mourn, whatever force of hell is against our welfare, shall be destroyed. No more hardship! No more heartaches in our life, because of the anointing of the Holy Ghost.

Yes, it’s a new day and God is out to beautify us, our work, our home, our ministry, our children, our spiritual life, etc, by His anointing that is upon us just for the asking. This anointing is able to destroy anything that tampers with our beauty in Christ. It is the oil of joy that takes the place of mourning, that destroys every sorrow of heart, every depression, and everything that makes us bow down. When a superior power comes on the scene, the lessor or weaker must give way.

 God is greater than the devil and He has to let us go. Anything short of the abundant life, it is the enemy at work. But thank God the Bible tells us we are in the day of vengeance. Since Jesus died for us, the enemy has to die for us. All forces and enemies must give way to us because we are in Christ and we are the anointed ones! God’s word is unchanging:

Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. Isaiah 54:15

Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.  See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:9-10

And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:21-24

We are in the great days of confrontation, but vengeance is speaking in our favour. We can place divine curses on oppositions, just like Jesus cursed the fig tree and begin to experience some strange liberties in our life.  Yes, the anointing of the Holy Ghost is the key to overcoming the end-time conflicts, by invoking vengeance upon our oppositions. In Luke 4:18 Jesus stopped at proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord, But on the day of Pentecost, the book was reopened, and it opened with the day of vengeance. Whatever has worked against us, heaven is out to work against them now.  The day of vengeance of our God is here, and the wicked are to be warned! We are indeed in the day of vengeance of our God, by the Spirit of the Lord. Beauty will be appointed unto us  and ashes will be disappointed. Whatever is holding us  down, heavens is out to fight.  We will built-up, we will prosper, we will increase and we will receive double for every shame we have suffered in the past. All things are ours today including restoration, perfect health, great wealth, abundant prosperity and a mighty anointing. God’s word is unchanging:

Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice,  For the LORD has done marvelous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up,  And the tree bears its fruit;  The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you-The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. Joel 2:21-27

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come-all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

 

 

 

 

 


Chapter 8

Exceedingly Abundantly

The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.  Who is like the LORD our God,  Who dwells on high,  Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?  He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,  That He may seat him with princes- With the princes of His people.  He grants the barren woman a home,  Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD! Psalm 113:4-9

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Man is limited but God is not! And there is no limit to what faith in God can do! God is still a miracle worker and He can and will do the impossible for those who believe! And God is able to save any one from hell or any negative circumstance! God can bring a man from a prison to a palace instantly like He did with Joseph (Acts 7:9-10). He can give a barren woman six children like He did with Hannah (1 Samuel 2:21). Whatever God has done for one, He can and will do for another! He can and will do anything for the righteous for those who believe even exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think! His word is unchanging:

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;  Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, 'You shall be inhabited,' To the cities of Judah, 'You shall be built,' And I will raise up her waste places; Who says to the deep, 'Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers'; Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure,  Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid." ' Isaiah 44:24-28

I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me.  I will gird you, though you have not known Me,  That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other;  I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.' Isaiah 45:5-7

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know- Acts 2:22

Miracles including salvation, redemption, restoration, deliverance and blessings be they spiritual, physical or financial are God’s invention and creation for He is after all a God of Miracles and a God of Salvation and "Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Genesis 18:14). God’s word is true:

"Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." Genesis 18:14

Then Job answered the LORD and said:  "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. Job 42:1-2

'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. Jeremiah 32:17

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:27

After the devil attacked blameless innocent Job and took away his wealth and children, the LORD restored Job's losses, gave Job twice as much as he had before. He blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys.  He also had seven sons and three daughters. And in all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. And after his restoration Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. And He Job died, old and full of days. (Job 42:13-17). Now if God did this for  Job under an inferior old Testament covenant what can He do under an new better covenant? He is after all the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead and restored all things Him and gave Him a name that above all other names that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth (Philippians 2:10). He is the God who has promised:

"Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

God doesn’t put any restrictions on what faith in God will do or what mountains can be moved into the sea including marriage problems, separation, divorce, health problems, addictions, financial problems, family problems, children problems, teenager problems, church problems, community problems, etc.  No matter what the problem we can have faith in God not only to ask Him to level our mountains but to speak to our mountains and say Be removed and be cast into the sea and see it come to pass! 

God is no respecter of persons for what He has done for one He will do for another! His word is unchanging:

 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert  A highway for our God.  Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight  And the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed,  And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."  The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?"  "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:3-8

For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.  For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.  For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect;  The word of the LORD is proven;  He is a shield to all who trust in Him.  For who is God, except the LORD?  And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength,  And makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of deer,  And sets me on my high places.  He teaches my hands to make war,  So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze  You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up,  Your gentleness has made me great. Psalm 18:27-35

Yes, the word of God will stand forever! Yes the word of the LORD is proven;  He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Our mountains of obstacles may look huge and impossible to be moved be it marriage or financial. But through our faith in God He can and will level and shrink our mountains to be made low and can take our valley of despair and hopelessness to be raised up so that with our faith we can see the highway to God's will and way in our life, in our marriage, in our family, in our business, and in our community! His words are unchanging:

 THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:1-4

And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,  "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.  "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me."   And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."" Matthew 17:14-21

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.  By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:1-6

Yes Jesus who doesn’t lie though others do told us if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. And Apostle Peter told us in 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Yes true Christians are the apple of God’s eyes for God’s word is true:

For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.  "He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;  He encircled him, He instructed him,  He kept him as the apple of His eye. Deuteronomy 32:9-10

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14

As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved."  "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,'  There they shall be called sons of the living God." Romans 9:25-26

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-27

God is more than enough and He is no respecter of persons what He has done for one He will do for another. There is no shortage of blessing in heaven.  God is the fountain of life.  From Him comes every good thing.  We can call in His blessing to His people.   We can speak to the mountains of doubt, of fear, of lack - BE REMOVED IN JESUS' NAME! We can in the name of Jesus call in favor, blessings, miracles, prosperity, wealth, victories and every good thing to His people.

As sons of God and heirs according to the promise "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you, " (Hebrews 6:14) all that belongs to God now belongs to us (LK 15:31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours,) including victory, salvation, healing, deliverance and whatever God has or offers us! God’s word is unchanging:

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.  Many are they who say of me,  "There is no help for him in God." Selah  But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,  My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;  You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah Psalm 3:1-8

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. Psalm 35:27

 


Chapter 9

Heal, Deliver, Save Me

LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.  My soul also is greatly troubled;  But You, O LORD-how long? Return, O LORD, deliver me!  Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake! Psalm 6:1-4

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:9-10

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

     As heirs to God’s throne and joint heirs with Christ, God has a solution to every problem that we face and every need that we have. As a matter of fact He is there at the point of our need to meet that need be it spiritual, physical, financial or emotional. He who is our All, including our shield and exceeding great reward, will freely give us all things just for the asking if we will draw near to Him and seek Him with all our heart.  Then we will know the truth of God’s word:

This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,  And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,  And delivers them.  Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;   Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!  Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.  The young lions lack and suffer hunger;  But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:6-10

The word salvation- Salvation-soteria is defined in the bible as being established in "protection, preservation, prosperity, promotions, provisions, soundness, healing, deliverance and the ministry of angels." But salvation is a personal thing. It comes as we put our trust in the name of the person who called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, our Lord, and receive the new birth and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As we receive not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God we become a spiritual being where we now have the mind of Christ.  Through the Holy Spirit, the other Helper, the Guide, the Counselor, we receive and begin to know the things that have been freely given to us by God. We are now led and guided in all things - trusting the Holy Spirit just like Jesus did.

As a result we are not only born of the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, but have the Spirit of the Lord resting upon us -  the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might,  the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.  Our  delight now is in the fear of the LORD,  and we do  not judge by the sight of our  eyes, nor decide by the hearing of our  ears;  But with righteousness we  judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;  we strike the earth with the rod of our mouths, and with the breath of His lips we slay the wicked for there is great power in our spoken words; the same power that created heaven and earth when God spoke and caused all things to come forth; the same power of the Holy Spirit that is now in us and upon us and is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask, think or pray as we yield to that power, just like Jesus did. God’s word is unchanging:

For 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 my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

In this foolish world that we live in there is great emphasis on accomplishing things by your own strength and efforts and using the services of doctors, banker and other professionals who ironically cannot do much for you when you have real problems while God can!  As a matter of fact God has a great track record of helping those who have put their trust in Him and even doing the impossible for them.

The bible tells us when God delivered the Children of Israel from their Egyptian oppressors He not only spoiled them with the wealth of Egypt by bringing them out with silver and gold, but there was none feeble among His tribes (Psalm 105:37). No who in the world can do this for anyone including themselves? No one!

The problem today is that this modern materialistic society with its great emphasis on intellectualism and humanism has rejected the many commandments of God including:

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. Psalm 4:5

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him,  And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:4-6

You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. Psalm 115:11

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him,  And He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes;  Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:3:5-10

In the midst of the storms of life when we are assailed by the curses of sin, suffering, poverty, lack and death, we can trust in God to turn all things around and meet and supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We can also take great hope in the fact that no storm on this earth no matter what it’s magnitude is greater than our God!

And just like a child trusts his parents with a simple trust, we can rest in the assurance that the Lord will fight our battles against the enemy and give us victory. God shall rebuke the raging storms of our life to be calm. The Lord will never put us to shame when we trust Him in trouble for He is a good God. He shall never allow the wicked to triumph over us but He will deliver us and honor us.  He will give us perfect victory over each problem in life.  We shall be more than a conqueror through Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, the Lord is near to us and He will help us. He will destroy our enemies and give us victory for He is our Helper and Deliverer (Psalm 70:5) and the devil is a liar. And God’s word is unchanging:

"For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.  Deuteronomy 15:6

not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:15-16

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18)

The message of the cross in reality is the various blessings God gives us through His cross. This message has the power to turn a man’s life upside down. The sinner who hears this message receives a holy life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Moreover, it gives a divine strength to those who come to salvation (2 Corinthians 12:9). It can change the life of people who do not know God, people who have stony hearts and people who know Him but do not seek Him. Yes! It can change the life of everybody irrespective of the differences they have.

When we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He took our name! Our name was sin. Our name was weakness. Our name was fear and poverty and every other evil thing we inherited from Adam.  Jesus took those names from us and gave us His own in exchange. That's right! Ephesians 3:15 says that the whole Body of Christ has been named after Him both in heaven and earth. That means we have been given Jesus' Name. Its authority is now ours!  

We are named after "Jesus, Mighty God, Wisdom, Deliverer, Avenger, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Word of Life, Advocate, Provider, The Great I Am, Helper, Savior, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor,  Savior, Healer , Deliverer, Lamb of God, Lord of Hosts, Root of David, Author and Finisher of our Faith, The Way, Healer, Son of God, Man of War, The Truth, Judge of all the Earth, Advocate, Refuge, Rock, High Tower, Strength, Friend, Brother, Chief Cornerstone, King of Kings, Light of the World, Chief Shepherd, My Strength and Song, Righteous Judge, Son of Righteousness, Resurrection and Life, The Alpha and Omega."

Jesus is now our Jubilee. He has restored to us all the benefits  God originally planned for mankind. Because of Jesus, we can walk in divine health and have all our needs are met-spirit, soul and body and financially. God’s word is unchanging:

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.  "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:1-10

"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24

 

 

 


Chapter 10

The Compassionate Lord

So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Mark 6:32-36

Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there.  Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them.  So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." Matthew 15:29-32

 The Lord Jesus Christ is a God of compassion. When He lived on this earth, He was moved with compassion on seeing the sick and the demon possessed and did a miracle for them.  And because of His compassion Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion on the multitude because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. But His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?" However Jesus already knew what He was going to do and said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few little fish." So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

Jesus compassion was not only for the souls and spirit but also for their bodies. And a result He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. And it’s God’s compassion that causes God to work miracles in our lives including healing broken hearts and lives!

Many circumstances in life do break our hearts and cause us great pain and agony. God caused Jesus Christ to traverse the path of suffering in this world. He was ridiculed by the High priest and others. He went through much shame to understand our agony. So, when we pour out our hearts to Him, He will comfort and heal our broken hearts.  And then He will use us as an instrument to carry His comfort and see the broken hearted healed. God’s word is true:

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,  To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified Isaiah 61:1-3

Yes, the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18). Jesus Christ was broken to understand our pain and agony. He gave Himself on the cross for us. He is waiting to comfort our broken hearts. Let us take our burdens and sorrows to Him. He will understand and comfort our broken hearts.

Many times we face circumstances that shatter our hearts and lament over them. But we have a Compassionate God Who is there to comfort and console our broken hearts.  And He want to use  us as a channel to bring comfort and to carry His love and power to the broken hearted people! His word is true:

“So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes…..” Matthew 20:34.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him (Leper), and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed” Mark 1:41.

It is also the will of God that we should be well in life and be in perfect health. When we seek God, He promises, “I will take sickness away from the midst of you” (Exodus 23:25). Sickness is a weapon of the devil to turn us away from God and to make us suffer in health. But Jesus Christ was born into this world to destroy the works of the devil. The Bible says, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). And Lord Jesus Christ loves healing the sick. When we seek the Lord, He shall heal us from sickness and fill us with peace.  His word is unchanging:

“The Lord will strengthen him on the bed of his illness; he will sustain him on his sick bed” Psalm 41:3

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:7,8, "But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore the Bible says, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." The Bible also says, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). He healed sickness of every kind.  The grace, which the Holy Spirit offers, is freely given to all. When we, through that grace, heal people and grant them the power to heal, we do the will of God.

The Bible says, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13).

And the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to be loving and compassionate toward others in this world. He illustrates it in a parable as, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him and went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you” (Luke 10:30-35).

In this parable, we see that the traveler was beaten up by a gang of thieves and was abandoned on the road half-dead. Many people passed by him including a priest who did not care to help him. But a Samaritan, an ordinary man took compassion on the traveler when he (Samaritan) passed the wounded man that way. Because of his compassion, he attended to the wounded man. In his compassion the Samaritan took the wounded man on his animal to an inn and paid the inn keeper to take care of him till he got well.

When we are compassionate toward others, people will come to know of the compassion of God. The Lord Who is watching us from Heaven will be very pleased with us and shall be more compassionate toward us. The compassion of the Lord will also open the way to miracles in our lives. The Bible also says: “Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22, 23).

It is very true that because of His mercies we are not consumed. As His mercies are new every morning, we should seek the Lord in prayer early morning.  In life we may face problems and sufferings which we might long to get rid of them. Not knowing the path, we may wander in darkness. But the Bible exhorts us to put our total trust on the Lord alone. There are many promises of God which we could use them against our problems. We must claim the promise of God and pray. When we use the promise of God against our problems, His word will subdue the problems and our own eyes will behold the miracle.

The Bible says about Mary, "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord" (Luke 1:45). That is the trust that righteous people have. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. Trials do come in the lives of righteous people, but the Lord will deliver the righteous when they cry out to Him.


Chapter 11

Just As Your Soul Prosperous

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 3 John 1:2-3

God wants all of His children to walk in the truth that He desires that they live a healthy life and prosper in all things even as their soul prospers.  He has in Jesus Christ made adequate provision for them to be healthy and that is why by Jesus Christ we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Sickness and disease kills people! But God’s people can be free from every threat of sickness and disease for God has come to give them divine liberty, divine health and divine prosperity. Yes, Jesus Christ is whatever they need. He the All sufficient one is at the point of their need to meet and supply each and every need if they will only believe Him and trust Him for it. Just as they trust Him to be their Savior of their soul, they can trust Him to be the healer of their bodies, and the provider of all their needs. God’s word is unchanging:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;  He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul;  He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23:1-3

Bless the LORD, O my soul;  And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul,  And forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities,  Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction,  Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,  Who satisfies your mouth with good things,  So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5

In Christ God’s people have a comprehensive redemption in Christ! By the blood of Jesus, they have guaranteed peace with God in all areas of life peace in their body, their family and their finances. They have become a partaker of the blessings of Abraham. Jesus hung on a tree, so that these blessings could become their s, and replace the curses hanging their heads before. He has redeemed them from the curse of the law, being made a curse for them  that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:13-14). Whatever blessings that pertained to Israel have become theirs. Divine freedom, divine health and divine prosperity are their heritage in God, and it is their birthright.  All that belongs to God belongs to Jesus and now belongs to them. Jesus Christ no only delivered them from sin but their body was delivered from torture and torment. Their rescue is total!  They are complete in Christ.  They can walk the streets of earth free, healthy and wealthy.  And whatever is destroying their body, God is out to destroy it. His word is unchanging:

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 2 Peter 1:2-7

Yes, God’s divine power has given to them  all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Christ who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to them  exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these they  may be partakers of the divine nature. As sons of God they don’t have to live poor, sick, disgusted and broke, but be healthy, wealthy and prosperous.  They   are complete in Christ which is the head of all principality and power and has for them over come all things including blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against them, which was contrary to them and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Satan’s open defeat at the hands of Jesus is now their victory also. They have been raised together with Christ, who is the Head of all principality and power. Nothing can hold them down any longer.  They are far above every sickness or disease that has a name.  They are far above cancer, depression and every other sickness. They are above poverty and lack for the LORD is their Shepherd, Healer, Provider and Deliverer.

The blessings of Abraham have become theirs and they don’t have to accept nothing but God’s best in every area of their lives including their body. They are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and rule and reign over everything. They are head not tail! They are above not beneath! They are a somebody, not a nobody!  They are now entitled to liberty, spirit, soul and body.  The devil cannot hold them captive any longer. They are free indeed and can stay that way! Rescued!  Their divine freedom, divine health and divine prosperity were paid for on Calvary by Jesus and they can live and walk in it and enjoy it.   Jesus fully paid the price for them to be healthy. He fully paid the price for them to be sound. He fully paid the price for them to be strong. The price for their liberty was fully paid and the devil cannot reclaim it.  Their body and life is now to glorify God, not the devil who is now a defeated enemy. God’s word is unchanging:

"So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.  "No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.   "I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. Exodus 23:25-27

No parasite will survive in their body from now on! No arrow of the enemy will have any impact on their life anymore. The hour has come for them to see the end of all discomfort! Whatever sickness is hiding in their body, the power of God shall trace it out today. Be it in their blood, marrow, kidney, intestines, and any part of their body where strangers are, the power of God will flush them out right now!  Their body must not be a hiding place for strangers. Only the Holy Ghost is permitted to dwell in their body. There is nothing holy about sickness. Therefore God is chasing every stranger out of their body right now, in Jesus name. God’s word is unchanging:

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Jesus doesn't take anything from them rather but He came to give them in excess everything they will ever need in life! Those whom Jesus healed were before their healing oppressed of the devil the blind, the lame, the deaf, and the insane. They were all oppressed of the devil. Every sickness is an oppression of the devil, not a lesson from God.  But God’s people can be like Jesus who never took ill once. He never suffered from any ailment. Divine nature was always flowing in His veins. Sickness gained no access to the disciples while Jesus was with them. None of them was ever reported sick. God’s people don’t have to accept sickness any more but walk in divine health. If Jesus is inside their body, how can sickness survive there at the same time? It's illegal! Light and darkness cannot co-exist. So they are to curse all sickness and disease in their body and command it to die and cast out the demons that cause sickness and disease in their bodies until they have perfect health. God’s word is unchanging:

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.. John 10:10

"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.  Romans 16:20

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

 

Chapter 12

Fear Him

"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. 1 Samuel 2:6

In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. "For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.  "Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.  "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him. Luke 12:1-5

Jesus warned us not only to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known but to fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell.  If men had the real fear of God they would not do or say the things that they have been doing or saying! They would think twice about even their needless words because Jesus told all in Matthew 12:36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. And for some the day of judgment may come sooner than they think because they have chosen to ignore the word of God which is a very dangerous thing to do! God’s word is unchanging:

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,  with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ephesians 4:1-7

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,  1 Thessalonians 3:12

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Walking in love, abounding in love to one another and to all, bearing with one another in love and being an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity are commands and not options for true Christians!

God Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:12-16).

But God didn’t give some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the purposes of robbing, using, fleecing and even killing the sheep!  Dr. Rodney Howard Browne in his winter Camp meeting at the USF Sun dome in Tampa Florida in January 1996 preached to the ministers in attendance and told them, when I was there that the sheep had to be fleeced. Otherwise they would have wool in front of their eyes and will not see where they are going.  That was it for me! Rodney demonstrated Jesus Christ was not His Lord because He didn’t put the interest of the sheep first and perverted Ephesians 4:12-13 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

And my real documented experience has been that many pastors are liars, rapists and thieves who care more for themselves than the sheep. They talk much but the weak they have not strengthened, nor have they healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty have ruled them.

Most pastors and their churches are anemic, impotent and useless! So obviously something is wrong with the pastors and their leadership and teaching! Otherwise Christianity would be total different in America and a vital force changing things for the good as Jesus did? It's to be noted that you don't solve a problem but not denying there is a problem? Character assassinating the messenger doesn’t change the message?

This 'touch not the Lord's anointed' is a shameless ruse to keep the sheep in line. But any leadership must be looked at critically, and held accountable. If the Catholic Church used this line as a defense for pedophile priests, we would justifiably be full of outrage...and we should be full of outrage when it is used as an excuse for not prosecuting criminal behavior, and for not holding leaders accountable for any other crimes they might commit...nobody is above the law. And God’s word is unchanging:

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 4:18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;  who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.   Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,  nor give place to the devil.  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.  Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:17-32

It’s a fact that many of the so called revivals and their leaders are from the pits of hell and are devoid of “love” which is the mark of a true Christian. Unlike Jesus they take the lives of the sheep instead of laying down their own lives by taking money from the sheep in false pretenses like Todd Bentley did in the so called Lakeland Revival.

Todd Bentley, the criminally convicted homosexual pedophile turned drunken heretic and adulterer who kicked old ladies in the face and stomach on YouTube at the failed Lakeland, Florida counterfeit revival has entered into a biblically adulterous re- marriage while under a “process of restoration” led by biblically proven false prophet Rick Joyner.

Bentley was ring master at a debacle of lunacy and false healing debunked on national TV orchestrated by the infamous Strader family, whom the District Attorney implicated in financial scandals defrauding elderly Christians of millions of dollars. While the Florida District Attorney publicly names Pastor Steve Strader as complicit in the swindling, his brother was sent to prison for over 30 years as a professional gangster under American anti racketeering RICO statutes.

Despite its unbiblical doctrines and practices, Wendy Alec of the so-called “God Channel” denounced opponents of the madness and heresy as being of Satan. Lunatic fringe figures such John Arnott, Rick Joyner, Che An, Bill Johnson, and C. Peter Wagner decided this fiasco was a revival in the character of the similarly failed counterfeit revivals in Toronto and Pensacola.

 

Bob Jones was debunked as a sexual predator with vulnerable women while Paul Cain was publicly disclosed to be a drunken pervert with a life long history of alcoholism and homosexuality.

So what happened to all the supporters of Todd Bentley at his Coronation at Lakeland, Florida who were very vocal about what God was going to do with and as a result of Todd Bentley? (Todd Bentley's Apostolic and Prophetic Commissioning 4/4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAnNSiZfgvI )

I guess the deceivers and liars thought that that if they closed their eyes, their mouths and their eyes it would all go away and be just a bad nightmare?

If only such things happened in life where we can just change the TV channel whenever we don’t want others to know how bad and deceived we really are!

But real life is not like that! And the bible tells us:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:15-20

"Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3

It's a fact that Todd Bentley is an unrepentant thief, liar, adulterer, and scoundrel who has demonstrated by his words or deeds. So how can we forgiven someone who is not a Christian but a false prophet who has been rebuked and refuses to repent? We cannot!

And Rick Joyner, the deceiver, did not address at all the real issues like Todd Bentley was and is still an unrepentant drunkard, liar, thief, adulterer and wizard who had not confessed his sins nor repented of them! For example Todd asked for 1,000 people to donate $ 1,000 dollars ($ 1million) so he could make a down payment of $ 475,000 on property on a lake in Lakeland for a love nest for Todd and his mistress Jessa.

Todd stole the money under false pretense and he is obligated by God’s word to restore the money!

And Todd’s wife Shonnah Bentley was just as much of a liar and deceiver who carried on with the masquerade of a perfect and wonderful marriage at Todd’s coronation in Lakeland but knew all about Todd’s being a drunkard and a womanizer!

It’s a fact that all those who were involved in this demonic revival and claimed to be super apostles and prophets and having absolute no discernment about Todd being a womanizer, a drunkard, an adulterer, a liar and a thief before and during the revival! So they and their supporters are not different from Todd or Rick. They are liars and deceivers who are not sons of God but sons of hell!

A blogger named AriseMyLove on April 19, 2009 posted the following that is to be noted:

 Rick Joyner is trying to get people to “throw stones” at Todd Bentley so that his critics look like the “Pharisees”.

However, the real criticism of Todd Bentley, let us never forget, is the Satanic teachings of Bob Jones, Rick Joyner, Bill Hamon, Paul Cain, and C Peter Wagner.

Bentley’s sin is simply the fruit of Joyner’s own false ministry.

Let us not fall prey to Joyner’s Anti Christ tactics.

I’d much rather ask the questions of Joyner than respond to his demented videos.

Again, Joyner is baiting everyone to make us look like Pharisees who are casting hypocritical stones at Todd Bentley for his sin.

It is not Todd’s sin that we care about so much, it is the Jezebel breeding ground of false prophecy that we care about, the false teachings of the NAR.

Jesus says that false prophetess Jezebel “teaches sexual immorality”

so Todd’s sin, like Bob Jones sexual sin and Paul Cain’s sexual sin and Ted Haggard’s sexual sin — is all FRUIT of the NAR.

The FRUIT of Lakeland is fornication, adultery, lying and drunkenness.

Jesus tells us to judge false prophets by their FRUIT.

We know who Joyner and Bentley are because of their rotten FRUIT.

We all have sin, Mr. Joyner, so we could care less how you want to frame Todd Bentley now because you both need cash for your “ministries”.

The real question is, Mr. Joyner, how you and your friends “prophesied” so wrongly about Todd Bentley a 10 months ago.

You said, Mr. Joyner, that Todd’s revival was the great outpouring, was a great move of God.

So, repent, Mr. Joyner. Repent Mr. Wagner. Repent, Mr. Jones. Repent, James Goll. Repent Stacey Campbell. REPENT Bill Johnson. Repent Lou Engle.

REPENT, you liars of hell. You should be grateful for Todd’s critics, because someone is giving you the Gospel to save your own souls BEFORE you stand before your Judge!

REPENT RICK JOYNER

And HOW DARE YOU RICK JOYNER TRY TO RE INSTATE TODD BENTLEY TO MINISTRY WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS MINISTERS NEED TO BE OF “ONE WIFE!!!”

The Lord rebuke you, Satan.

NO, it’s super Todd!

Look up in the pulpit, it’s a wolf, it’s a demon…NO, it’s super Todd!

Able to leap over God’s truth with a single bound!

Able to heal the sick by kicking the afflicted to death!

Able to supernaturally travel to far off places, third heaven, open portals!

Able to magically change his wife into a younger woman!

Able to deceive some of the very elect!

 


Chapter 13

God Is Our Refuge And Strength

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah  There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;  God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.  The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.  The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Psalm 46:1-7

Though other lies God does not and He is our refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble. The LORD of hosts is with us. And can behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. Who  makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. And told us  Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  And God is a Mover as well as a mighty Man of War! His word is true:

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying:  "I will sing to the LORD,  For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song,  And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him;  My father's God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;  His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.  The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone.  "Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;  Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.  And in the greatness of Your excellence  You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. And with the blast of Your nostrils The waters were gathered together; The floods stood upright like a heap; The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.  The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, My hand shall destroy them.' You blew with Your wind, The sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters. "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?  You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them. You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed;  You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation. Exodus 15:1-13

Yes God has no problem defending or avenging His people just like He did for others at the Red Sea. Though Moses He dealt with and destroyed the mightiest kingdom that was on the earth at that time and Pharaoh's chariots and his army He had cast into the sea where they drowned. The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone.  God’s right hand had become glorious in power;  is right hand had dashed the enemy in pieces.

The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, My hand shall destroy them.' God blew with  His wind, The sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like God, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders, redeeming His people? No one! As  Miriam told the people; "Sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!"

Well since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever and is a present help in time of trouble does it matter who or what is our enemy? No! Mind you we must take an aggressive substantial approach towards our enemies in faith, prayer and deeds be it sickness, poverty, lack, demons, people or kingdoms! We are not to sit in our negative situation until we die but deal with it because God’s word is true!

Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, "O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!" And Elisha said to him, "Take a bow and some arrows." So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow." So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king's hands.  And he said, "Open the east window"; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot"; and he shot. And he said, "The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them."  Then he said, "Take the arrows"; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground"; so he struck three times, and stopped.  And the man of God was angry with him, and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times." 2 Kings 13:14-19

"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." Matthew 16:19

 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18

Foolish king Joash of Israel of Israel was contended with a small victory and although he shot as instructed by Elisha who stated "The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.” Joash only struck the ground three times with the arrows and stopped causing the man of God to be angry with him.  As a result Elisha stated; "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times."

Jesus Christ didn’t limit what we could bind on earth or loose in heaven but left it to our discretion and faith! We alone determine the magnitude of victory over all our enemies be they spiritual, physical or financial by our faith, prayers and deeds!  Jonathon the son of King Saul knew this principle when he and his armor bearer took upon a Philistine garrison!  The bible tells us:

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart."  Then Jonathan said, "Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. "If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them.  "But if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us." So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden."  Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." Jonathan said to his armorbearer, "Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel."  And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them.  That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.   And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling. 1 Samuel 14:6-15

Jonathan was a man of courage and not fear. The first slaughter which he and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land. He believed nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.  When Saul and all the people who were with him assembled and went to the battle they saw every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. God had given Jonathan because of His courage and faith great victories over their Philistines enemies!  And God can and will do the same for those who trust Him and are obedient to His voice and commands no matter who or what their enemies are! His word is unchanging:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ! Corinthians 15:57

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 1 John 5:4

Chapter 14

He Makes Poor And Makes Rich

"The LORD kills and makes alive;  He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust  And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes  And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,  And He has set the world upon them.  He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.  "For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces;  From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.  "He will give strength to His king,  And exalt the horn of His anointed.  1 Samuel 2:6-10

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "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." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

There is no one or anything who is bigger or greater than the LORD JESUS CHRIST Who is  seated at the right hand of Power  and told us All authority (power)has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Power which He is using for our God and power with which He is and will defeat all our enemies just as He has promised:

"For behold, the day is coming,  Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.  And the day which is coming shall burn them up,"  Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name  The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet  On the day that I do this,"  Says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 4:1-3

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Yes there is available to us the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (Ephesians 1:19-21). Power to change and deal with all the negative things in our lives; be it sickness, demons, poverty, loss, persecution, and evil and wicked people! Yes this great and wonderful power is available to us just for the asking in faith believing and trusting God to make perfect in our weakness! God’s word is true:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,  that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Yes because we are believers not unbelievers, cowards or fearful ones, our power is not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God that is released through faith and prayer based on God’s word, no our own or that of others! We have not only God’s life and power in us and the great Holy Spirit who rose up Jesus from the dead in us to give us wisdom, discernment, knowledge, understanding and power but we have the use of Jesus' name. Jesus has given to us a legal right to use it. Hence whatever we ask of the Father in His Name, He gives to us.

God has given to us the power of attorney. And we can use that that power to help men. We can let Jesus work His own work through us and live His own life in us. Our hands and mouths become the medium through which His life pours out through us. Our words are His words. His words ‘broke the power of death, of demons, and healed the sick. They do the same things in our lips. God’s word is unchanging:

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;  That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."  And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations,  And they shall repair the ruined cities,  The desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,  And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.  But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Isaiah 61:1-6

God abides in us and we abide in God. As He is, so are we in this world. We are fearless and righteous and bold as a lion and do greater works than Jesus did. We are not hemmed in by limitations because we are united with the Limitless One. He is the Vine and we are the branch. As a branch we bear His fruit because the Vine is imparting to us the fullness of His life.  We love because He has shed abroad His love in our heart through the Holy Spirit. God’s very nature in us is love. His love ability has gained the mastery for now we can love in whatever circumstances we are placed especially the brethren.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:2-4

Yes, if God be for us, who can be against us?  God is in us now; the Master of creation is in us! Greater is He that is in us than all the forces that can be arrayed against us including poverty, lack, bills, sickness, disease, demons, and frail mortal men.  We can with boldness proclaim “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. (Psalm 23:5)! For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

Yes, we are filled with joy and victory because God has taken us over; He is fighting all our battles.”  We are not afraid of negative circumstances because we can do all things in Him who strengthens us. And He is not only our strength but He is at our right hand. He is our salvation, our shield, our defender, our rewarder, our all.  He gives us light in the dark and songs in the night.  He is our present help in trouble, our salvation, our  deliverance from every trap the enemy sets for us, from, every snare in which he would enslave  us. God is the strength of our life, of whom shall we be afraid?”  We are not afraid of anything! We have no fear because this God of Omnipotence is on our side.

We have a redemption that God planned and wrought in Christ.  We are a new creation of which God, Himself, is the Author and the Finisher. We have a righteousness         that permits us to stand in His presence as though sin had never been done.  We have not only have righteousness reckoned to us   we have righteousness imparted to us in the new nature that we have received from Him. We have received His nature His life. And in this life and nature is-the Life of God. This makes us righteous even as He is righteous. God’s word is unchanging:

 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him.  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:12-18

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,  The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might,  The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD,  And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,  Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;  But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,  And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;  He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,  And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.  Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah 11:1-5

 


Chapter 15

Power To Get Wealth

 And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous Proverbs 13:22

Money is not the root of all evil! As a matter fact it’s a great necessity in this life. We cannot do much even in the kingdom of God without money. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (Timothy 6:10). The bible teaches that  the LORD our God gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant with us. It also teaches that if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). It is the Lord who gives the early and latter rain so that there could be seed time an harvest on earth. God’s word is unchanging:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:  "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;  His righteousness endures forever."  Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,  while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.  2 Corinthians 9:8-11

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,  The Holy One of Israel:  "I am the LORD your God,  Who teaches you to profit,  Who leads you by the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17

Although we might not think about it but an idea from God is a seed that God gives us for  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). Many inventions that produced great wealth for the inventors were ideas such as  steel rails, electricity and telephone.[ii]

Before the Civil War, the nation’s railroads ran on iron rails that wore out quickly. Railroad owners knew that rails made of steel—a mixture of iron, carbon, and sometimes other metals—were stronger and would last longer. Steel, however, was difficult and costly to make.

In 1872, a Scottish immigrant named Andrew Carnegie went to England to study a less expensive method of making steel. Carnegie owned a company that made iron bridges for railroads. But he knew that his bridges would be better if they were made out of steel. Carnegie was so impressed by the Bessemer process that he brought it back to the United States. “The day of iron has passed,” he announced. “Steel is king!”

Carnegie was right. Within a decade, steel was replacing iron in rails, locomotives, and bridges. Other industries also took advantage of less expensive steel. Steel nails, needles, and knives became common household items.

Many steel companies competed fiercely to supply steel for such products. To remain the leader, Carnegie hired scientists to improve the quality of his company’s steel. He employed good managers to make his steel mills run efficiently. His recipe for success was, “Adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most.” To keep costs low, Carnegie set out to control every step in the steel making process. He purchased iron mines to supply his ore, coal fields to fire his furnaces, and railroads to ship his finished steel to customers.

To reduce his competition, Carnegie also bought up several rival steel companies. He then combined them all to form the giant Carnegie Steel Company. By 1900, Carnegie Steel produced a quarter of the nation’s steel.

Thomas Edison helped to transform electricity from a scientific curiosity into a practical source of light and power. In 1876, Edison opened an “invention factory” in New Jersey. With a team of workers, he set out to create a “minor” invention every few days and a “big thing every six months or so.”

Edison succeeded brilliantly. His workshop turned out the first practical electric light bulb, the phonograph, the motion picture projector, and many other inventions.

In 1882, Edison built the first electrical power station and distribution center in New York City. His team invented everything the system required, including generators, regulators, meters, switches, light sockets, fuse boxes, and underground cables. When he finally turned the generator on, electricity began to flow to homes, stores, and factories. The age of electricity had begun.

By 1900, some 25 million light bulbs were glowing across the country. New electric devices, such as washing machines and vacuum cleaners, were making housework easier.

A Scottish immigrant named Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. In 1876, as he was getting ready to test his “talking machine,” Bell spilled acid on himself. “Watson. Come here. I want you,” he called to his assistant. Watson, who was in another room, heard every word over the telephone.

Over time, Bell’s invention replaced the telegraph that crisscrossed the country alongside the new rail lines that were built during this era.

As Christians we are not to rely on our education or current financial status to determine our success in business. Instead, we are to ask God to teach us how to profit His way, which is the best way (Isaiah 48:17).  The key is to obey Him and allow wisdom to lead us to our place of wealth and prosperity (Psalm 66:12; Proverbs 4:7; 8:18; Ecclesiastes 7:11-12; James 1:5) just like He led the children of Israel into their Promised Land. In addition, we are not to be afraid to market our ideas. Doing so may be our ticket to success. It may not seem feasible at this point, but God knows the impact our invention or service will have on society.

People become like their role model. If their role model is Jesus and He was financially poor than they develop a “poor” mentality? If Jesus was financially rich then they develop a rich mentality. It’s very important what a man thinks because he becomes what he thinks. And the bible never states that money is wrong but rather it states:

The rich man's wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty. Proverbs 10:15

Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. Proverbs 19:4

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Timothy 6:10

Since man is not to live independent of God or the wisdom and strength that He provides and whatever is not of faith is sin, the Word of God purposely hides some treasures that only the seeker will find. God’s word is true:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.   "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Luke 13:44-46

The real problem is not whether Jesus was rich but whether God can trust us with riches or whether we can serve God and Mammon? His word is unchanging:

"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.  "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.  "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?  "And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.  And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:10-15

But the bible has much to say about whether Jesus was rich or poor!  Matthew 2:1 Wise men (not just three but, perhaps, many wise men) from the east bearing gifts of Gold.  How much gold?  A hundred pounds?  More?  A caravan of camels can carry a tremendous weight of gold.  They knew they were searching for a King.  The queen of Sheba (I Kings 10:2) brought “ a very great train, with camels, that bear spices and very much gold..” Solomon.   A little gold went a long ways in those days.

Jesus earthly father, Joseph, had a (relatively) good high-paying profession.  He had money to provide a house for Mary and Jesus to live in for two years in Bethlehem.  (Mathew 2:11, “And when they (the wise men) were come into the house, they saw the young Child” not baby).  Part of the wise men’s gold financed the trip to Egypt and 3-5 years living expenses for the family.

Jesus had a ministry team of 12 core staff and numerous fulltime and part-time followers.  The ministry had to be prosperous and properly funded to support 3.5 years of evangelism.   The ministry headquarters was at Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee.  Mark 2:1 says Jesus “was in the house”.  Couldn’t Jesus own a house?  One big enough to provide rooms for His staff?  Lakefront property!  When He stayed at other people’s houses the owners were identified by name, Zacchaus (Luke 19); Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42).  Matthew owned a house, Luke 5:29, big enough for a “great banquet” with a “large company of tax collectors and others”.  Peter owned lakefront property too, Matthew 8:14, and at least one “ship”.  Fishing was at least an upper middle class business.  Fully equipped fishing boats, today and they, are very expensive.  Peter, Matthew, James and John, and the others were “astonished out of measure” at the teaching of the difficulty of the rich man entering the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:17-31).  There were two reasons they were astonished.  1.  They were, themselves, “rich men”.  2.  They did not yet understanding that Jesus was teaching about loving money being evil.  We are to love God and to love people.  Having money and using it to serve others and to finance the expansion of the Gospel is good.

Jesus’ followers included the very wealthy and very powerful.  Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus (John 19:38-42) were secret followers as were the aforementioned Zacchaus (Luke 19); Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  Also, according to Josephus, Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19) was a follower.

Jesus ministry had a treasurer, Judas, the keeper of the bag.   Jesus ministry was constantly giving money to the poor.  At the last supper, John 13:29-30, Judas left unexpectedly and the others assumed that Jesus had sent him to give alms to the poor.  Evidently this was a commonplace occurrence because they did not find it unusual at all.

Jesus wore designer clothes!  In John 19:23-24 the solders cast lots for His valuable tunic.  It is described as “seamless, woven (in one piece) from the top throughout.  Roman soldiers would not argue over a worthless item of clothing.

Philippians 2:7  says that Jesus took on the form of a servant.  Rich people can serve others too.  He came to serve, to teach, and He came so “that we might have life more abundantly”.  2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.  When the Prince of Heaven became a man he became relatively poor.  He had to have significant financial resources to travel and to minister effectively. Yet God’s is unchanging:

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!" It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You." So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's,  "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time-houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions-and in the age to come, eternal life. Mark 10:23-30

It is true that for those who are unsaved and trust in riches it is hard to enter the kingdom of God. But for those who are rich through accepting Jesus Christ, being born again and filled with His anointing, they are already rich and can enjoy here on earth their inheritance including houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions.

Now many religious sincere bible believing Christians believe that suffering and poverty are God’s will for their lives and that they will be corrupted by money and will not develop Christian character if they are healthy! That is their choice to think and live this way? However if God has our heart money will not corrupt us and He by His Holy Spirit manifests the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives so He doesn’t need to use suffering to shape, mold and use us? Our sufficiency is God and His word is unchanging:

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?  You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;  clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.   And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,  who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 1 Corinthians 3:1-6

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:16-17

 


Chapter 16

The Power Of Christ

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.  My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, Isaiah 32:15-18

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Several years ago, a servant of God, known as Praying Hyde was doing God's ministry in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He would spend hours of time in prayer. Once, thousands of people had assembled eagerly to listen to his message to be given at a convention. He rose up to the dais to share the word of God. People got ready with their Bibles to listen to his exposition of Biblical verses, message and prayer. But he looked up to heaven and said just two words - "Abba, my Father!" That was all. The heavens opened. The Holy Spirit descended upon all the people, like a dove. The unrepentant, beating their chest rolled down on the ground with a loud out-cry and repented. The meeting lasted for hours together. The servant of God did not preach at all, except for the two words he spoke to God, which brought the shower of the Holy Spirit. The simple reason is to be found in his prayer-filled life. Jesus descended into him powerfully and moved the place.

Today many in Christendom talk about God’s power but the sad part is that so few of them demonstrate it. Their anointing is so miniscule that it can hardly do anything. Their vessels cannot seem to contain the anointing and dissipates very quickly! Yet God’s word is unchanging:

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Mark 14:22-24

God cut with Abraham an inferior covenant  made with the blood of animals where all that Abraham was, all that he had or ever would have became the equal property of His  covenant partner. Nothing would be exclusively Abraham’s again.  During the covenant ceremony in Abraham's day, the partners exchanged coats, each one giving their authority to the other. They exchanged weapons as a way of saying, "Your enemies are now my enemies. I'll fight your fights as if they were my own." They walked through the blood of slain animals, pronouncing their loyalty to one another, even to the death.  God had proven how intensely He desired to be God to him. He had given him everything He had and bound Himself to Abraham in a relationship that could not be dissolved.

Well the good news is that God also cut with the sons and daughters of  Abraham, those of faith, a new and superior covenant established in Jesus’ blood as a result of His sacrifice that ratified our covenant with God.  A covenant where He gave us His Name (John 16:23), His authority (Matt. 28:18-20), His armor and weapons (Eph. 6:10-17). God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.  And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,  which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:20-23

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

As a result of what Jesus did on the Cross on Calvary, by faith everything is ours now.  Jesus Christ has substituted all things on the cross for us and exchanged it there for us. Our death, defeat and poverty and curses have been nailed to the Cross. On the Cross Jesus Christ not only won real victory and redemption over sin and death and the world, but also over the wicked arch enemy Satan and all his angels who had made the Cross necessary by what he did to Adam and Eve. 

The enemy had deceived and entrapped Adam and Eve to sin against God and live a life that was cursed and full of toil and trouble.  But on the Cross Jesus Christ did the great exchange.  He exchanged His sinlessness for our sins, His righteousness for our unrighteousness, His strength for our weakness, His boundless supply for our needs, His stripes for our healing, His riches for our poverty, His victories for our defeats, His glory for our shame, His triumphs for our disappointments, His Honor for our nothingness, His prosperity for our lacks, His joy for our sadness, and His fullness for our emptiness. But all of this is also something that must be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit before we can understand and partake of it fully. Yet it is all our birthright and the blessing of the fullness of the gospel of Christ. 

The message of the cross and the Gospel is not only that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He is now is seated at the right hand of the Father with all power given unto Him in heaven and earth waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool.  But the message of the cross and the Gospel is also that as a result of the victories Jesus won on the cross, He has now given and shared all that He has with us (John 16:14) and He is also with and for us continually (Matthew 28:18-20).

God in Christ Jesus has literally become our inheritance and great reward; as well as everything else which we need, including our healer and deliverer. As result of the Cross, God said about Jesus and of us who have become strong and overcomers:

Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

As a result of the cross, in Christ Jesus, we are rich, victorious and have a new life in Christ Jesus, as we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.  The empty Cross now also stands as a reminder and says to the world and to all the demons of Hell “You did your worst, but God gave His best.”  Now things are no longer the same, because Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father waiting for His enemies to be submitted to Him. He has also now given us the power to subdue all His and our enemies through the use of His name and Word and dependence of the Spirit. Hence the Cross is also a real testimony of what God’s power can do no matter what the Hell or injustice that the world or the devil will throw at us.  For Jesus’ resurrection after a cruel and awful death signifies the real possibility of total and complete victory in our lives, hearts and circumstances as well in the current time of life as we trust in God just like Jesus did.

The empty Cross of Christ at Calvary now says to you and I, that for every defeat there is victory in its place, for every failure there is success, for every endeavor there is prosperity, for every weakness there is grace, for every sickness there is healing, for every hatred there is love, for every injustice there is justice and for every poverty there is riches. All of this and much, much more belongs to each child of God because of what Jesus did and won on the Cross. Hence we can by the Holy Spirit understand what the Lord said to Apostle Paul:

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Our strength and victory comes from God Himself and all the victories He had won for us on the Cross of Calvary. Although in the annuals of time and history, our Creator God died on the Cross-on Calvary, but He didn’t stay there. He arose triumphant and victorious over everything, over the worst that the devil or others could throw at or do to Him and to us.   Because of the cross of Christ, God has reconciled all things to Himself whether things on earth or things in heaven for Jesus having wiped out all the enemies of His people and especially the requirements that were against them, He has taken it out of the way having nailed to the cross.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords with His unlimited and unimaginable power and riches was never poor or debased. But He chose, because of us, to leave behind his infinite power and riches become a man and identify and relate to humanity in all its sufferings and ways. God in Christ Jesus stripped Himself of His royalty and Kingship. He then became an ordinary man and walked with men doing by faith and dependence on the Holy Spirit the impossible such as healing the sick, raising the dead and cast out demons. He did it all to show that we can do it also. Then the innocent Son of man and Son of God went to a Cross-on a hill called Calvary where He bled and died for all of humanity. But the Cross-was not the end of Jesus Christ or life, it was the beginning of something new, a New Covenant or New Testament. It was the beginning of a new life and a new man and a new Spirit for those who would accept what Jesus had done for them. It was the beginning of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh. As a result God’s word was now true:

“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,  That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;  Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,  Your young men shall see visions,  Your old men shall dream dreams.  And on My menservants and on My maidservants  I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above  And signs in the earth beneath:  Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness,  And the moon into blood,  Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.  And it shall come to pass  That whoever calls on the name of the LORD  Shall be saved.’ Joel 2:16-21

Now all flesh can be saved, healed and delivered and walk in the newness of life in the power of the Holy Spirit. All men can prophesy, speak in tongues and be filled with the fullness of God.  The good news of the Cross-is that the different victories that Jesus won there, and the resulting New Covenant with all its rights and privileges, is now ours to be claimed and accepted by faith. They will be true if we will only believe, accept, confess and act on it and then allow the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead to change us. Jesus won for us, on the Cross, such a victory with such power and might that it made hell tremble and Heaven sing with joy as the Triumph of Victory resounded from one part of Heaven to another. Our ears will tingle and our hearts will sing, as the faithful and mighty Holy Spirit reveals this victory to us.

The fact remains that Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God, ready to use His power on behalf of the good of His true children; to make them more than conquerors in all things that the world, the flesh and the devil would throw at them. For His word is unchanging:

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In the world lack of strength and dependence on others is considered weakness, but in the kingdom of God weakness that causes us to depend on and trust in the Lord is great strength and blessings. For it is when the power of Christ rest upon us, because of our weakness, that we are truly strong. As it is then that we rest upon the Lord and walk in the power of His might and Spirit and not our own. As we by faith tap into all the riches and resources of heaven which are now ours by Christ Jesus because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross two thousand years ago we become more than conquerors. It is when the power of Christ rest upon us, because of our weakness, that we are truly strong. For it is then that we rest upon the Lord and walk in the power of His might and Spirit and not our own.

Yes, as a result of the victories Jesus won on the cross we are now delivered from the hand of our enemies, and are able to serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. Just like Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit stated about God and us:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,  For He has visited and redeemed His people,  And has raised up a horn of salvation for us  In the house of His servant David,  As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,  Who have been since the world began,  That we should be saved from our enemies  And from the hand of all who hate us,  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers  And to remember His holy covenant,   The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:  To grant us that we,  Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,  Might serve Him without fear,  In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.  Luke 1:68-75

The name of Jesus Christ is far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And God has put all things under His feet including sickness, defeat, poverty and lack and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. So if it is under Jesus feet and we are His body it is therefore under our feet! And if it’s under believers feet then why do we allow negative things to raise their ugly heads in our lives? Because we really don’t believe that is all under Jesus feet. We are like the prodigal son who ended up in a pig’s pen even if his father was filthy rich. But then he came to his senses and realized what his father had and returned to his father and his negative circumstances changed. 

How many of God's people suffer needless in poverty, want or lack and with sickness or disease? Too many!  How long before they will look at themselves and say as the prodigal son who when he "came to himself" said, "I will arise and go to my Father!" God is waiting with opened arms to receive every penitent child! God is waiting with opened arms to touch, heal, deliver, and bless His children. They can can rely on Him to do what He has promised to do! We need to understand the reality of all the victories that Jesus won on the cross of Calvary. God’s word is unchanging:

Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them.  So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31

Yes, the Word of God tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and we can be made whole through our faith in the finished work of Calvary where Jesus Christ wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Sin, sickness or any other curse doesn’t have to rule and reign in our lives because Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree") that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14).

Jesus has provided for our healing, Spirit, Soul and Body in the atonement. All of the provision of the cross must impact the body of Christ. Jesus Paid the Price for our Healing - "By His Stripes"  (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24)  Hence we are anointed and sent to:  Preach the Good News to the Needy,  Bind up the Brokenhearted, Proclaim Freedom for the Captives, Release the Prisoners from Darkness,  Proclaim the Year of the LORD's Favor, To Comfort all Who Mourn, To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  (Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18)

God is alive and well and present today! Jesus is still healing people! The presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit is a precious gift that we can experience and see many lives are being changed as desperate people come and find God's grace and mercy flowing to them bringing healing and encouragement. The anointing increases as we are press in for more of God! Then we can see God save people, heal people, deliver people, baptize in the Holy Spirit, bring encouragement and strength through the gifts of the Spirit. Many can receive from the Lord healing for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs and live lives that are whole and successful. 

God is love and freely gives everything we need, both for our material and for our spiritual existence. But because the blessings of God’s spirit are so freely given, we often take them for granted. If all people had open and receptive hearts, they could see and hear God’s voice at all times and in all places. But we have lost this awareness. Through prayer, we learn to appreciate spiritual gifts, gifts that are at least as important for life as air and water, heat and light.  Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. For when we have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and King by the faith God gave us, the victory now resides in us and God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask, or thing. As God’s word is unchanging:

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,  that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21

It is a fact that according to the power that resides and works in us, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think and give us one hundred percent victory, one hundred percent of the time, in one hundred percent of the situations. After all He is God, not man!  It is also a fact that Jesus, now as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is no longer poor or weak anymore as He was when He walked the earth as man. He is now once again unlimited in power, riches, strength and might.  But the best news is that God wants to use all of His power, riches, and resources on our behalf and meet our needs: If we only will believe Him and trust Him to do it for us; If we will only humble ourselves and on a bent knee give Him our all and ask for His all.  Then we shall know the truth of God’s word which states:

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

 


Chapter 17

Kept By The Power Of God

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:3-7

Through the power of His resurrection, we have a living hope of all that Jesus paid for. Jesus paid the price for our total redemption. What the enemy took from man when Adam sinned, Jesus (the second Adam) bought back when He became our sacrificial Lamb.  Yes, He was sacrificed us, but thank God, He arose. He won over death, hell and the grave.  He did it all for us.

Through the power of His resurrection and the use of our faith, we can have divine overcoming power against all the powers of the enemy. We can have divine peace and contentment every day of our life as well as healing, blessings and prosperity. Healing is the children's bread; it's on the table all the time. God is able to move for us and supply all things needed today. He has all power so we can trust Him and receive daily that which is needed. God’s word is unchanging:

In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah  Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales,  They are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression,  Nor vainly hope in robbery;  If riches increase,  Do not set your heart on them.  God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this:  That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work. Psalm 62:7-12

Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"  So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them,  and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."  Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Exodus 15:23-27

Jesus Christ, who is God manifest in the flesh, demonstrated God’s will for us by healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. When they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, He healed them (Matthew 4:24). Sickness, disease, demons, poverty or lack are not our friends but our enemies and Jesus came to destroy these things!

Yes, God who is the same yesterday, today and forever wants to give His people the victory over all this enemies just like He gave the children of Israel victory over the Egyptian enemies, spoiled them with the wealth of Egypt and brought the out of all their bondage and afflictions. God’s word is true:

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD,  For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song,  And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him.  The LORD is a man of war;  The LORD is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;  His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.  The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone.  "Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;  Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.  And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. Exodus 15:1-7

"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:  "Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.  "Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.  "Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.  "Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.  "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 28:1-8

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Yes, for those who obey His voice and walk in His ways, Jesus Christ causes their enemies to be defeated. He blesses them coming in and going out! He is the God of all and unlimited power and resources who has overcome the world for them! God’s word is true:

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30

On the cross of Calvary when Jesus said, "It is finished!" He had achieved everything that we need for our redemption and salvation, be it spiritual, physical, and financial. He has removed from us all the curses the Adam and Eve had brought upon us by their transgression as outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15-66. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:13-14). By our works we cannot add or remove on thing that Jesus had done for us, except to enter into the rest God’s has prepared for us since the foundation of the world by mixing with faith the good news of the gospel (Hebrews 4:1-12).

Because of Jesus death and resurrection we now enjoy great benefits. Jesus was punished in our place, because of that, we are forgiven. Jesus became a sin offering; we are made righteous. Jesus became a curse; we are blessed, Jesus was beaten and whipped; we are healed.  Jesus died in our place; we have been given life eternal. Jesus was rejected by man and was also rejected by God; we have been accepted in the Beloved and we will never be forsaken by God. Jesus suffered unbearable trauma; we have been given peace. Jesus was resurrected; we were made a new creature. Jesus became poor with our poverty and we have become rich with His riches. Jesus bore our shame and we now share His glory.  Jesus endured our rejection and we now have His acceptance as children of God. .

The good news is that the stone at Jesus’ grave site was miraculously rolled away for us as we now serve a resurrected glorious Christ whose power and glory and riches and victory has been restored to Him. God’s word is unchanging:

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.  Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.  And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it was very large.  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.  "But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."  So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.  She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.  And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. Mark 16:16-8

When Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons, went and told those who had been with Jesus, who mourned and wept. But when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.  And Jesus Himself had to appear to His disciples and friends to prove that He was no longer dead. Similarly we need for God by the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and understanding to see and understand the truth of magnitude of the victories of the cross and the great exchange Jesus did there. God’s word is unchanging:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,  "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46

It’s just like God to take the useless and worthless things of our lives and to replace it with something priceless. We get from God in return for what we give up:

Christ's Righteousness for Our sin 

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21

Peace with God for Wrath of God  

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 5:1

Father's House (Heaven) for Condemnation (Hell)

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Eph. 2:,19 

 Life for Death

"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

The New Man for The Old Man

  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

Grace for Law

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another- to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.  For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Rom. 7:4-6

 His Strength for Our weakness

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Cor. 12:9-10

His Purity for Our Impurity

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,  and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:19-22

Every Spiritual Blessing for Being His Children

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Eph. 1:3-4

God's Power for Weakness and Self strength

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,  But those who wait on the LORD  Shall renew their strength;  They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,  They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Wisdom and Redemption for Hopelessness and Despair

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- 1 Cor. 1:30

Good Cheer for Tribulation

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Victory for Defeat

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Cor. 15:57

Joy for Sorrow

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

Hope for Despair

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Col. 1:27-28

Fullness for Emptiness

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Col. 2:9-10

Goodness for Evil And Self Control for the Flesh

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:19-24

Love for Fear

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. I John 4:16-18

Rest for Busyness 

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Heb. 4:9-10

Freedom for Bondage

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

Deliverance for Darkness

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Col. 1:13

Truth for Lies

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31- 32

Riches for Poverty

For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:2

Spiritual mind for Carnal mind

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.  These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:12-16

Boldness for Fear of Judgment

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:17

Abundance For Lack

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Healing for Sickness

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. 1 Peter 2:24

 

 


Chapter 18

For I Believe God

'For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.  'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:12-13

"Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. Acts 27:25

All things are possible to those who believe including impossible dreams such as knowing the power of God’s love, His mercy and the power of His grace and greatness!  For those who will let him, God will take them by the hand and bring them into new lands and show them the greatness of His  power if they will only believe!"

For those who believe God has no problem meeting all their needs and dealing with all that is committed into His hands so that He may receive the glory for what has been done. For those who believe God has no problem to show Himself strong and prove to this wicked world that He is  God and the King of kings.  God’s great and wonderful power shall flow through believers as they desire and believe Him to even in the midst of great destruction including financial circles.

In this day and time, trouble seems to surround us on every side. If it's not a failing economy, it's a failing business, a failing marriage, or failing health. Yet, in the midst of seemingly overwhelming problems, God has promised to deliver us just like He delivered Apostle Paul who was on his way on a ship to Italy under the care of a Roman Centurion. The bible records”

Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.  And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.   When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.  But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.  So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.  And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.  When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.  And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.  Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.  But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.  "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,  "saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.  "However, we must run aground on a certain island." Acts 27:9-26

As a result of Paul’s words and faith not one of the 260 persons on the ship  when they ran the ship aground. They all escaped safely to an island Malta where the natives showed us unusual kindness. And where when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.  But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. And the bible records:

In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. Acts 28:7-10

God not only delivered Apostle Paul and his companions in the midst of a deadly storm but He also used him to be a blessing. When the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came they were healed. Jesus and Apostle Paul both proved that God’s will is healing for man. All through God’s Word He wants us healed – physically and financially. God’s plan is prosperity for the believer. In fact, according to Luke 12:32, God the Father takes pleasure in giving the Kingdom to His children. Psalm 35:27 says that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His saints. And according to Galatians 3:13, Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. The curse of the law as described in Deuteronomy 28 is death, sickness & disease, and poverty. Jesus died so that we wouldn’t have to. He carried our sickness & disease and by His stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). The price for our healing has been paid. And according to 2 Corinthians 8:9, "He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."  There is no doubt that eternal life, health, and prosperity is God’s will for every believer. And God’s word is unchanging:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.  And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.  1 Corinthians 16:1-3

Apostle Paul told us that in the New Testament that he had given orders to the churches of Galatia concerning the collection for the saints; On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper. There was no discussion about

 God put forth a plan for His house on this earth to be blessed. We know that the church building is not the church. Every born again believer is the church and their body is the temple of God. However, the local church is where the body of believers meets and is God’s storehouse.

God’s plan is for each believer to place ten percent (the word tithe means a tenth) of their increase into the storehouse. With every church member being obedient to this, there is sufficient bread in God’s house. The more a Christian prospers, the more they have to give. Ten percent of a million dollars is greater than 10% of nothing.

Unfortunately it has been publically shown that many pastors in America such as Pastor Randy White of Church Without Walls who preach the tithe use it to spend it upon their lusts not the sheep as reported by Athletes and evangelists cross paths By John Barr  ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. -- Bishop Randy White and his wife, pastor Paula White, once headed up one of the fastest growing Christian congregations in the country. In its heyday, Without Walls International Church boasted more than 23,000 members, took in as much as $40 million a year in donations and attracted dozens of professional athletes to its high-energy services.

Some of the athletes were so moved by the Whites' message of prosperity through faith that they donated hundreds of thousands of dollars -- one former player even donated a World Series ring -- and showered the couple with lavish gifts, such as designer shoes and expensive suits.

In the decade leading up to 2007, the Whites amassed wealth and attained a lifestyle not unlike the star athletes who came to their church. In July 2005, the couple purchased a luxury condominium in New York City's Trump Park Avenue building for $3.5 million. In 2006, they bought a home on Tampa's exclusive Bayshore Boulevard for $2.1 million, according to real estate records. Randy White owns or leases several luxury vehicles, including a 2006 Bentley, according to Florida motor vehicle records. For years, the couple had access to private jets, either leased or owned by their ministry.

Major League Baseball players Gary Sheffield, Darryl Strawberry and Carl Everett and NFL players Michael Pittman, Hardy Nickerson and Derrick Brooks were among those who attended services at a converted Canada Dry plant in Tampa, Fla., a short drive from the Buccaneers' Raymond James stadium, according to Randy White.

Today, however, most of the big-name athletes are absent from the reserved front-row seats they once occupied as VIP members, and in recent years the church itself has undergone significant upheaval. The Whites divorced in 2007 after 18 years of marriage. Without Walls, according to several former staffers, is mired in debt and bleeding membership. The church recently staved off foreclosure proceedings, and has been the subject of a Senate investigation into its finances. Church leaders have had to contend with the resulting media scrutiny.

It's a stunning reversal of fortune for a house of worship that was built on the prosperity gospel message -- a controversial evangelical Christian doctrine that teaches members that through tithing, the practice of donating 10 percent of one's income to the church, they'll be rewarded, not just spiritually but financially. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=4076585

These foolish pastors should consider the fact that they are cursed by God, not blessed for Him, for stealing the tithe:

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.  "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.  "So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them." Ezekiel 34:1-6

God reprimanded and cursed the shepherds "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.  "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.

 “Woe to the shepherds” is not a blessing but a curse when spoken by God – it definitely doesn’t mean “something good is going to happen to you?”

 

 


Chapter 19

Freely You Have Received, Freely Give

And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. Numbers 13:32

Now the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land, 14:37 those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the LORD.  But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land. Numbers 14:36-38

"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:7-8

The reason most of God’s people cannot freely give what they have not received due to believing a bad report given by their religious leaders and preachers that Jesus words are not true today including as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Obviously if you believe a lie or bad report by so called men of God that God hasn’t given Christians power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease you will be impotent, anemic and devoid of power. These liars have stated:

 The apostle Paul, however, spoke of a time when these miraculous gifts would pass away. In 1Cor. 12:8-10 nine spiritual gifts are mentioned, including prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. In the next chapter Paul states, "Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (1Cor. 13:8-10)

… Today we have God's complete and perfect revelation-- the Bible. Thus, miracles have ceased just as the Lord's apostle foretold.

… As the word of God was completed so ended the generation of those who had received miraculous power. By the time the last apostle died the New Testament had been written. God's revelation was complete and perfect. No longer was there a purpose for miracles and they would thus cease as the apostle had foretold (1Cor. 13:8-10)

… God is at work today. His hand can be seen in the creation around us. His work of providence can be seen in answered prayers. His work in conversion through His powerful Word can be seen in the lives of Christians. Miracles however, have ceased, having served the purpose for which they were intended. (Paul Smithson http://www.bassfishing.org/thebiblespeaks/Articles/Miracles/mircease1.htm)

Liars lie and the fact is that the nine gifts of the Spirit have not ceased and are in operations today in true Spirit filled Christians just like Apostle Paul wrote about to the Christians in Galatians:  Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?- (Galatians 3:5)

By the hearing of faith God supplies the Spirit to people and works miracles amongst them because He always was, is and will be a miracle working God! His word is unchanging:

And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Acts 6:5-10

 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.  And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:5-8

Stephen and Philip were laymen who were full of faith and the Holy Spirit and did great wonders and signs among the people. And God has His servants today who are also full of faith and the Holy Spirit and did great wonders and signs among the people. Mind you there are those counterfeit gifts and counterfeit men of God operating today also just like Paul told us:

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

But real miracles of God today can and are documented! The Age of Miracles Have Not Passed Supernatural Acts of God for Today:

Jacksonville, FL (PRWeb) January 23, 2008 -- Pat Holliday is releasing a new book, Healing and Miracles. While ministering, she tells of a violent, life-jeopardizing attack upon her own life. A crazed woman attacked her and she was left with a death threatening injury. Her testimony is truly a modern day miracle. Dr. Holliday says, "She has been privileged to see five people raised from the dead during thirty-three years of ministry and traveled the world for Jesus, thousands of times, she has seen the impossible happen.

Dr. Holliday says, "Kathryn Kuhlman's appearance in Israel changed my life forever. It was during her meeting that the Lord healed me and called me into the miracle ministry." Since those days, Dr. Holliday tells testimonies thousands of impossible miracles. See her book, "Holliday for the King." She has traveled the world for Jesus.

Five times, seen God raise the dead, blind see, deaf hear, Aides, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, mental illness and every kind of disease healed.

Dr. Holliday goes on to tell of a near fatal death, demoniacal attack on her life. She was praying for the sick, suddenly, a woman violently grabbed her wrist and started running. The woman pulled her along and took a wide circle and let go, projecting Holliday through the air and she violently collapsed on her right leg. The woman was like a agent from Satan sent to kill her. She was seriously hurt. They rushed her to the emergency room. Her femur bone the largest bone in her body was broken in four places. Under the power of morphine, she felt the shadow of death while demonic beings gathered around her bed, mocking, jeering and tormenting her.

Dr. Holliday tells of a supernatural miracle that she experienced in the hospital. God's presence was upon me. She said, "Someone was moving the bones inside my leg. Later, the doctor said the bone was perfectly lined up just exactly as he would have placed them for the operation. Instead of a three hour surgery, he did the surgery in fifteen minutes. He was amazed."

Convalescence and rehabilitation were long and agonizing but God healed her. Through the grace of God, she can walk without suffering with pain. It took a long time, about two years for recuperation. She says that she was not bitter and did not accuse God. Despite her devastating injuries, she is ministering again. She believes that God is still in the miracle business and her life is a great testimony to His power. So many people were praying around the world. She has reason for living finding His hand upon her life. She says, "He's real and the Devil is real but  God is stronger."

Dr. Holliday had appeared on Sid Roth's television program, "It's Supernatural. The program was playing around the world. She said, "When I came home from the hospital to find thousands of desperate, hurting people had called looking for supernatural help." She returned those calls and saw the Lord healing and delivering people while she prayed for them on the phone. Their healing, deliverance miracles gave her the faith for her miracle.

She was talking on the phone with Bishop Vagalas Kanco and she got up and walked across the room without assistance. She has been walking ever since!

Dr. Holliday recalls. The Apostle Paul was attacked and left for dead. He said, "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool. I am more." He suffered many perils in the service Jesus, yet, he continued his work. Dr. Holliday says, "Paul was certainly one of the greatest Saints. Tribulations were his constant companions. Had not Paul been deeply convinced of the truth and absolute certainty of the Christian religion, he could not have continued to expose himself to such hardships. Paul just continued his work. "And so, " she says, "I will continue mine." Dr Holliday goes on testifying, Like Paul, she had been blessed to overcome the powers of the Devil, and believe that what we do on this earth counts for Jesus and is important. She had seen Jesus heal and deliver so many people before and even after this attack happened.

Dr. Holliday prayed for Mary who had a dying heart. The scars on her legs revealed removed veins for a previous open heart surgery. Mary said, "To live, I need a new heart." Dr. Holliday asked Jesus to give Mary a new heart.

Holliday said that she believed Jesus for a heart.

"Mary was going to live," her pastor told her "Pastor Pat, after you left the hospital, about nine o'clock, the hospital received a heart from a man that had been killed in an accident. They took Mary up to the operating room and performed the operation. Mary received a miracle."

"Oh," Dr. Holliday replied, discouraged because she thought Jesus was going to supernaturally put a new heart into her chest. "Why do you think that was a miracle?"

"When they cut her chest open," the pastor said, "the doctor put the dead man's heart on the counter and suddenly, the heart started beating! It was a supernatural act of God. No one had touched it! It just started beating before the electric shock. The doctors were amazed. Jesus truly did give her a new heart! Praise the Lord!"

Shirley's husband, Tommy, was in intensive care. When Dr. Holliday came into the room, he had stopped breathing. She placed her hand on his head and commanded the spirit of death to leave. Tommy's eyes fluttered and he took a deep breath, he returned to life. Tommy told Dr. Holliday later. "I saw you when you came into the room. I was at the top of the room looking down at my body. I saw you come over and pray for me. Then I instantly felt myself go back into my body."

Dr. Holliday has seen Jesus raise five people from the dead. Tillie was a lady who had been deeply involved in witchcraft. She jumped out of her seat fell down. She began having a seizure, and stopped breathing her eyes became eternally fixed and she died. Dr. Holliday prayed over her for forty-five minutes and she came back alive!

Dr. Julie Burke, of Jacksonville, Florida witnessed this resurrection from death. Dr. Holliday has seen the most incredible miracles. She believes the age of miracles are happening now.

Pat Holliday, Ph.D. can also be reached at Miracle Outreach Ministries

P. O. Box 56527, Jacksonville, FL 32241, (904) 733-8318

Web page: http://patholliday.com/dlguard/cart/

 

 


Chapter 20

I Will Give You Rest

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Our God is an ever-present help in time of need. And Jesus told us to come to Him.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light”. How blessed we are to have a God that we can take our burdens to.  He understands like none other.  He loves us like none other, and He knows just what we need. Yes,  God wants us to trust Him to take care of things.  His Word tells us to " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

God who made heaven and earth and the universe and sustains it  is able to deal with all things. No matter how difficult or trying a situation may be, God hears when we call upon Him and put our trust in Him.  We know by promise that He will work all things out for our good. Jesus said in John 11:42, "And I know that You always hear Me."  We, too, can know that God hears us always and can trust Him to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

That which is impossible with man is not impossible with God.  The same God that separated the waters for the Israelites to pass through on dry ground is the same God that will make a way for us.  The same God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead has not lost an ounce of His miracle working power.

There is nothing like the power of His resurrection.  The virgin birth of Christ and His death on Calvary would have been null and void had He not conquered the grave.  Resurrection power brought new life to all who believe.  Because He conquered, we can conquer through faith in His name.  The same power that brought Jesus out of the tomb is working for us today. Resurrection power is divine power and it's stronger than sin, sickness and all devil bondage.  Divine faith says, "All things are possible to them that believe."

The resurrection power of Jesus is stronger than any power of this world.  It's stronger than death, hell and the grave, so it will break every fetter and give us joy and peace for soul, mind and body.  Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

The phrase spoken by Jesus “I will give you rest” is not physical rest but the rest of trusting and abiding in Jesus believing for Him to be do and give all things for us!

And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

  "But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety, Deuteronomy 12:10

"And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brethren, as He promised them; now therefore, return and go to your tents and to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan. Deuteronomy 22:4

Now it came to pass, a long time after the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua was old, advanced in age. Joshua 23:1

Moses didn’t have to struggle to see God deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt and to part the Red Sea so that they could go across and their enemies be destroyed in the same Red Sea?  All he had to do was trust God for the victory! The word “rest” and “victory” are synonymous here! “Rest” in the bible  tells us of peace from enemies and wars:

So the land had rest for forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died. Judges 3:11

 

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years. Judges 3:30

"Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him be like the sun When it comes out in full strength." So the land had rest for forty years. Judges 5:31

Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around,  2 Samuel 7:1

The Lord, whose middle name is victory and is the God of Victory (1Chronicles 29:11), had given David victory and rest from all his enemies as well as giving him everything that belonged to his enemies until David went and did something stupid like committing adultery and then killing Bathsheba’s husband contrary to God’s word and command. God’s word records:

Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: "There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor.  "The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds.  "But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.

 "And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him."  So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!  "And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity." 2 Samuel 12:1-6

David ignorantly in judging the story which Prophet Nathan relayed to him had pronounced his own judgment on himself.  For men are so quick to judge others harshly for the crimes that they themselves are guiltier off.   Mind you there are things which God does not forgive just like he did not forgive King David for his secret devious sin which dishonored His great name.  God’s word records:

Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 'I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!  'Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

 'Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.'  "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.  'For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.' " 2 Samuel 12:7-12

Many of us have been lied to about the cleansing of the blood.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John. 1:7)  The blood cleanses the one who walks in the light of the Word, not in the darkness of willful disobedience. Willful disobedience will bring certain judgment.  We will pay the penalty for this sin here and now. David sinned willfully with Bathsheba.  When he repented, Nathan the prophet said, “The Lord also hath put away thy sin,” but he also said, “The sword shall never depart from thy house.”  This proved true, for David lost three sons and many people.  His own son Absalom won the sympathy of the people and usurped the kingdom.  David had to flee for his life.  We do not spank our children for failure or mistakes, but for willful disobedience.  God’s word is unchanging:

 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.  "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.  "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'  "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'  "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'  "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.  "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.

"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.  'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'  "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.  "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." Matthew 18:23-35

 

 


Chapter 21

But God Was With Him

"Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel.  "And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 2 Samuel 7:8-9

"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts 7:9-10

What a difference in life the words “But God was with him” made in the life of David and Joseph! God cut off all of David’s enemies from before Him and had made him a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. He delivered Joseph  out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. And since God doesn’t and has not change He is able and willing to do great things for those who put their trust in Him!

Because of what God had done for us in Christ Jesus on Calvary, we can legally request  in Jesus name what belongs to us. When we call upon the Name of Jesus we can invoke and put in operation by faith, the power and authority  that is in that Name--healing, deliverance, miracles, and change.

Just like Jesus faced Satan with all of heaven backing him, we can go to battle in His Name against injustice, unrighteousness and lies, for behind that Name is the  mighty God, the Man of War, who cast the horse and rider into the sea, who is with us, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, who will fight for us against all our enemies, to give us victory. 

We don’t need to beg or plead, all we have to use is that Name, and fight and resist all the works of the enemy in our lives, in our homes and in our churches, until God Himself comes and gives victory and we overcome and become more than conquerors in Him.

For Jesus manifested God and His Name when He walked the earth. Jesus was and is Jehovah “The Lord, the eternal God”  who was, is, and is to come, the eternally existent God.  Jesus is Jehovah Elohim, the Lord is God...the self-existent creator.

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.“ (Colossians 1:16)

The Word of God states:

 “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:3)

 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God.” (John 13:3) 

Jesus was and is El Shaddai “The Almighty God” for the Prophet Isaiah wrote:

 “And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them,

 But will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. (Isaiah 10:20-21)  

He is the one that Mary the mother of Jesus said:

“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.  And His mercy is on those who fear Him  from generation to generation.

“He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.“(Luke 1:49-52)

He is the one  Zacharias was filled with, the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have existed since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham:

To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear,  in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.“( Luke 1:68-75)

Jesus was and is Jehovah-Nissi  “The Lord is conqueror.” He is the one of  whom barren and afflicted Hannah  said:

 "My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.

Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed. "The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength.” (I Samuel 2:1-4)

Apostle John wrote about him:

And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2)

For Jesus literally is the mighty conqueror who faced Satan, defeated him and stripped him of his power over the Lord’s people, the power of sin, sickness, poverty and death.

As we trust Him in this Name He will be the Conqueror over all the attacks of the enemy, sickness, financial, spiritual, problems at home, at work, at church or in government. Because Jesus the mighty Conqueror has defeated Satan and  has overcome the world and He will give us the victory!

Jesus was and is Jehovah-Jireh “The Lord will provide.” He is the faithful and true one who has provided for His people down through the centuries. Paul wrote about Him:

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

He is the miracle worker who said to Peter:

 "Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you." (Matthew 17:27)

Jesus was and is Jehovah-Repheka “The Lord is Healer,” for the Word of God states:

 "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)

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

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

“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. (1 Peter 2:24)

Jesus was and is the I Am. He is:

"I am the God of your father-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exodus 3:6)

"I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' (Exodus 3:14) 

"He is 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments 'I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.

Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 'And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the LORD.' " (Exodus 6:6-8)

"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Jesus was and is Judgment.  'He is the one about whom it is written:

For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. (Exodus 12:12)

"It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. Sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Revelation 19:11)

Jesus is and was Justice. For it is written:

“For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.” (Isaiah 5:7)

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah  9:7)

In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness." (Isaiah 16:5)

For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. (Isaiah 28:6)

"Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18)

 A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory. (Matthew 12:20)


Chapter 22

Believe It, Accept It, Confess It

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6;12

God has done everything for us and all we have to do is to believe it, accept it, confess it and enter into all that He has for us!

The Blessing

Thank You, Lord, that the blessing is working in me, on me and around me. I declare that I am blessed when I come in and blessed when I come out. Jesus came to the earth to restore the blessing that Adam lost in the Garden of Eden when he sinned and because I am a child of God, I have a covenant right to the blessing! I declare that like Abraham, I am blessed to be a blessing until all families of the earth are blessed. Because of the blessing of God on my life, I am empowered to prosper in every endeavor that I take on and every project that I begin. I am blessed on my job and all my relationships are blessed. Like Joseph, those in authority over me see the blessing of God on my life and I have favor as a result. Thank You, Lord, for blessing me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. I am powerful, wealthy, influential and blessed! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Deliverance From Trouble Declaration

In the name of Jesus, I will not neglect my great salvation-soteria. I declare that I am established in "protection, preservation, prosperity, soundness, healing, deliverance and the ministry of angels." I will not fear. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Every tongue that rises up against me, I will condemn, for it is my heritage.

Thank You, Lord, for being my help in the time of trouble. When I call, You answer me. You are always with me. You deliver and honor me. No evil ever comes near my dwelling. With a long and prosperous life You will show me Your salvation.

I am established in Your Word. I declare that I am preserved from trouble. I overcome trouble by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I am established in righteousness through Jesus. As the redeemed of the Lord, I declare this to be so right now.

In Jesus' name, I command Your angels to go forth now and bring this confession to pass in my life. I believe and I have received the manifestation of these promises.

Angel Power Confession

Because I am the righteousness of God, angels have been sent to minister to me. They respond to the Word of God which I speak. Therefore, I loose angels with the words of my mouth.

I say today, let the Lord be magnified who takes pleasure in my prosperity. In the name of Jesus, I command the angels to bring to me prosperity in my spirit, in my home, in my body, in my family life, and in my finances.

I declare promotion and command the angels to bring promotion into my life. I have a blood-bought covenant promise from God Almighty to multiply exceedingly. Therefore, I confess I am exceedingly fruitful and blessed, right now, in Jesus’ name! I command the angels of God to go and bring this covenant to pass in my life now! I have the power to get wealth, and release the angels to bring wealth into my life.

I declare right now that I am healthy, healed, delivered, and freed from the bondage of sin. I am the head always, and never the tail. I am above only, and never beneath. I lend, not borrow, and everything I put my hands to prospers.

I walk in the favor of God and my favor is increased even as I am speaking. I have more than enough money to pay every bill that comes in, and I declare I am totally debt-free now! I have the authority of Heaven and in the name of Jesus, I declare that whatever I bind on the Earth, is bound in Heaven, and whatever I loose on the Earth, is loosed in Heaven.

I am free from unforgiveness and I set my will to forgive anybody for anything, no matter what! I walk in the love of God toward everyone, no exceptions! I send my angels forth right now, to do God’s pleasure and bring these words to pass. Angels, go now, and minister prosperity unto me, in Jesus’ name!

Father, I thank You in advance for all You have done on my behalf. Like You, I’ve declared what will be and am committed to calling those things that be not as though they are. Right now I rejoice, and I’m exceedingly glad that you have granted to me the petitions I have requested, while I am yet speaking. My total life prosperity is settled now, and with great expectation, I will continuously speak faith-filled words, and allow my every word and thought to confirm what I believe I have received, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Answered Prayer

In the name of Jesus, I declare that I have a blood-bought right to answered prayer. The Word of God is my guarantee. Father, by prayer, supplication and with thanksgiving, I can make my requests known to You. You hear the prayer of the righteous and answer them. Your eyes are on me and Your ears are open to hear my prayers.

I am connected to Christ Jesus, and I am anointed. In everything I do I am more than a conqueror. Because I abide in You, and Your Word abides in me, I see the manifestation of answered prayer. When I speak Your Word, it does not return without accomplishing what it was sent to do.

Lord, I thank You that I walk in favor with man and with You. Wherever I go and whatever I do, Your favor goes before me. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much. Therefore, I believe I receive what I pray for right now. In Jesus' name, Amen!

My Right to Answered Prayer

As the righteousness of God, we don't have to beg God to hear and answer our prayers.  We have a right to stand boldly in His presence and get all the answers you need. Begging does not motivate Him.

Many believers have a case of "mistaken identity." They mistake their relationship with God as a Master-to-slave, rather than a Father-to-child, relationship. They relate to Him like a slave relates to his owner. A slave begs and accepts whatever crumbs fall off of his master's table. A child, on the other hand, knows he has every right to live well, just like his father.

God can't and doesn't find pleasure in faithless prayer. Your prosperity and faith please Him (Psalm 35:27; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, go into His presence with confidence knowing that you are His child and have every right to the best in life. As the righteousness of God, you deserve all He has to offer. You have a divine inheritance of good health, wealth and total life prosperity!

Discipline and Healthy Living

In the name of Jesus, I declare that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and I glorify God with it. I present a healthy body to God and discipline myself not to overeat. I only eat food that promotes health. The life of God flows through my spirit, soul and body, and brings healing to every fiber of my being. I am redeemed from the curse of the law, and no weapon of sickness or disease formed against me will prosper. Amen!

Declaring War on Lust and Greed

In the name of Jesus, I declare right now that I am free from lust and addiction to pornography and form greed. Lord, Your Word says that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am led by Your Spirit; therefore, I do not fulfill the evil desires of the flesh. I will never again be entangled in lustful thoughts or actions or pursue any form of Greed.

Your anointing-Your burden-removing, yoke-destroying power-has released me from these sins for good. I declare that no weapon formed against me will prosper or keep me from fulfilling my divine destiny. You began a good work in me and are faithful to complete it. As the redeemed of the Lord and as the righteousness of God, whatever I say in faith is so. Lord, be it unto me according to Your Word. Amen!

Receiving the Wealth of the Wicked

In the name of Jesus, I'm out of debt, my needs are met and I have plenty more to put in store. I walk in abundance and good health daily. Lord, Your Word says that it is Your will for me to prosper and excel in every area of my life.

Because I am a faithful and wise steward over my finances, the wealth of the wicked is being transferred into my hands. I know what to do with it because I place You first in all things. You direct my path and give me wisdom to manage what You have placed in my hands. As a believer, I am blessed to be a blessing until all families of the earth have been blessed.

I am a distribution center. I am a money magnet. Money cometh to me now! I command unexpected and expected income to come my way. Lord, I receive Your blessing-Your power to get wealth-right now. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Developing Confidence in God

In the name of Jesus, I declare that my prayers are earnest and heartfelt. They connect me to the supernatural power of God. I seek after Him and experience His power in my life. In faith I humble myself, pray continually and turn from wickedness. I am confident that when I pray according to God's Word, I am praying in line with His will and that He hears me. I believe I receive the manifestation of my confessions now!

Taking Authority over Emotions

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me healthy emotions. I declare that negative emotions will not impact my decisions, neither will they dictate my responses to difficult circumstances. I will submit my feelings to You in every situation that I encounter in life. You have given me authority over the power of the enemy, and I declare that nothing shall by any means hurt me, including people and situations that try to negatively influence my emotions. When I feel overwhelmed by life, or troubled by negative emotions, like Jesus, I will pray and keep moving forward. I bind depression, anxiety, worry, fear, doubt, anger, rejection and any other negative emotion that tries to attack my mind. I possess power, love and a sound mind. I thank You, Father, that I walk in peace, joy and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. I have the mind of Christ and my emotions are controlled by the Word of God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The Inner Image of the Covenant Confessions

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I make a decision today to refuse to allow my life to be governed by Satan and his negative images. I take authority over my imagination, and purposefully use it as my architectural center. With it, I draw the blueprint for my life as it is outlined in Your Word. Today, I spoil, disrupt, uproot, and utterly abolish negative images. In the name of Jesus I declare that I see myself exactly how You see me. I have a prosperous inner image that mirrors your Word, and I only see what Your Word says. Never again will I imagine death, corruption, lack, poverty, or anything else that contradicts Your Word.

Because You’ve given me hope through Your Word, I am now using that hope to draw a blueprint for success. And because I’ve seen it, I’ve conceived it; because I’ve conceived it, it shall be born.

Power and authority have been given unto me, and I step into it, now! In Jesus’ name, I declare that I am not an ignorant Christian, for people have been destroyed for lack of knowledge. What I’ve obtained today, I will now use against Satan and the kingdom of darkness.

Lord, from this day forward, I operate in my authority. Satan, I bind you. You are bound in the name of Jesus Christ! Your ploys against me are useless. I am a child of the Most High, and you can’t touch me!

With boldness and confidence I declare I will not be defeated, and I will not quit. For with patience and earnest expectation, I am apprehending my destiny! I am victorious, and declare victory in all that I do!

The days of failure, lack, insufficiency, sickness, and depression are over! This is the day that the Lord has made, and marvelous things happen on the day of the Lord. Send now prosperity! Send now victory! Send now blessings! Send now success! Send now miracles, healing and deliverance! I receive it all, and I see myself having it all, now! Everything the Word of God says I have, is mine, and has been since the day Jesus died for me! I am blessed, prosperous, healthy, and rich! And that’s exactly how I see myself!

 


Chapter 23

I Have Overcome The World

"Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them.  'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes,  'and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.' Deuteronomy 1:29-31

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

There is nothing in this world that can defeat God who in Christ Jesus has overcome the world. He has promised to fight for His trusting ones according to all that He did for His people in Egypt where God judged and plagued and dismayed a whole nation along with Pharaoh’s with destructive miracles, signs and wonders.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob using a murderer named Moses saw the oppression of His  people in Egypt, knew their sorrows and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, and had  come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey.

The king of Egypt would not let His people go, not even by a mighty hand, so God stretched out His hand and struck Egypt with all His  wonders and caused Pharaoh to let them even saying  to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My son, My firstborn. "So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn (Exodus 4:22-23).

God gave His people favor in the sight of the Egyptians and when they went they did not go empty-handed but plundered the Egyptians. And to ensure their safety and peace and to avenge them He caused Pharaoh with his mighty army to purse His people and then He destroyed them as a result miraculously at the Red sea where God miraculously parted the waters and enabled His people to safely cross on dry land to the other side. And then He closed the same waters on their enemies and caused them all to drown. God’s word is unchanging:

Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians.  And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."  

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen."  And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.  Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained.  But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 

Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses. Exodus 14:24-31

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying:  "I will sing to the LORD,  For He has triumphed gloriously!  The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him;  My father's God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a man of war;  The LORD is His name.  Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;  His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.  The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone. "Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;  Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces. And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. Exodus 15:1-7

The same God whose right hand is glorious in power and dashed the enemy in pieces, consuming them like a stubble, has promised to fight for His trusting ones and to give them victory over all their enemies (Deuteronomy 20:1-4, 28:1-15, 33:26-29). He has promised their enemies would submit to them, and they shall tread down their high places. He has promised to give them every place that the sole of their foot will tread upon; no man shall be able to stand before them all the days of their life; as He was with Moses, so He will be with  them. He would not leave them nor forsake them and would be with them wherever they go (Joshua 1:4-9). He has promised to do whatever they ask in Jesus name (John 14:13-14, 15:16, 16:23-26). His word is unchanging:

Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.  The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:6-8

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.   "If you love Me, keep My commandments. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:12-17

Though we walk in the midst of trouble, God will revive us; He will stretch out His  hand against the wrath of our enemies, and His right hand will save us and give us concrete victory over all our enemies.  The LORD will perfect that which concerns us and we will do the works that Jesus did and great works also because God, Himself, is for us, with us and not against us. It’s to be noted that God’s character and nature does not change just because we had a bad day. He doesn’t stop loving us just because we were overcome in some area. He doesn’t disqualify us because we made a wrong turn or didn’t heed His voice again telling us what to do or where to go. He doesn’t become angry with us when we become tired and discouraged. He doesn’t disown us because we require His correction. His love and care for us is constant and there is no searching of His understanding. His word is unchanging:

Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name,  By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.  Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"?  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD,  The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,  But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:26-31

When circumstances are negative in our lives, it is not a sign of God’s displeasure with us. On the contrary sometimes God allows us to experience attack so that we can learn to war and to overcome the enemy and be dependent on the LORD and not ourselves. So that we can see great and wonderful victories just like the bewildered and besieged children of Israel did at the Red Sea where God miraculously made a way where there was no way and in the process destroyed their enemies. Yes, there are times when God appears to silent to our cries for a season because He wants us to learn to stand in faith and to trust in His goodness, His love and His faithfulness which He has demonstrated to us over and over again and see the great and wonderful things that He will do for us. God’s word is unchanging:

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.  Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? "Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."  And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  "The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:10-14

God is our loving Father and He will always remain our loving Father. That is part of His nature and that is Who He is.  He does not change. He doesn’t behave towards us like a human. He is not a man and His ways are far above the ways of man. He is not fickle. A bruised reed He doesn’t break and smoking flax He doesn’t quench. He doesn’t abandon His children because they have gotten lost once again or misread His signs and direction. He doesn’t remove His calling and anointing on them because had failed once again or were discouraged by the enemy. No! He loves them at all times and forever and they must stop listening to the lies and accusations of the enemy.

He has adopted them into His family and has put His indwelling Spirit within them.  He has shown them His faithfulness, and His mercies are now every morning. He has demonstrated His love and His forgiveness to them.  While circumstance might change He doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday today and forever – faithful and true and dependable and full of integrity.  Just because they go through difficulties and trials doesn’t negate any of His promises towards them.  He is still the great Deliverer, Redeemer and Restore of His people who break the strong gates of iron that have been over His people. 

In due season He brings release from the hand of the oppressor and with His strong hand rids His people of the giants in their land. He makes them victorious people to rise to the occasion and walk in His freedom and in the Jubilee season. He increases the anointing in their lives so that the yoke of the enemy over them can be broken. He teaches them  to know that it is not by might or power but only His Spirit that they can live, breathe and have their being and success and victories. He rains  down His  Holy Spirit afresh upon His trusting ones to give them  season of refreshing. They learn from His gentle hand that He is their provision and their everything. They learn to know His Spirit as their Sustainer and their source of Strength. They come to understand the concept of His being the vine and they being the branches and the fact that without Him they are disconnected and without stable ground.

As they remain in Christ and allow Him to be their source, He leads them their abundance and give them all the wisdom that they need.  He has paid the price for their total salvation, healing, abundance, victories and prosperity. He teaches them to war in the Spirit on a higher level than they have known and to serve Him out of love for Him. He wants what is best for them at all times for they are precious to him. He desires that they be healed body soul and spirit and be blessed financially. Though the world may despise them and use them, He is able to sustain them and lead them through it as they hear His voice and heed the call He has placed upon them.

God’s true ones don’t allow the circumstances that surround them affect their faith in Him. They don’t allow them to effect their sense of well-being or their relationship with the LORD. They don’t allow circumstances to define them but instead look to His character, faithfulness and goodness. Mind you for many of God’s people provision is a word God’s children don't fully understand.  It’s difficult for them to rely on God when they have so long trusted in the toil of their hands and the sweat of their brows. But God’s hand will provide to those who trust in Him. His provision can be in an instant and His timing is perfect. It gives God great pleasure as their Heavenly Father to provide their needs as they than and praise Him for it. He causes their spirit to soar like an eagle far above all power and principalities and to reach out to the brethren with love and encouragement so that they can overcome in the onslaughts of the enemy. He wants to bring all His children into victory and not just some special few.

He wants to teach them not to give up on Him promises to them when they see no positive results to their prayers, especially when it looks like things are getting worse.  They need just to stand on His word which is the truth for everything else is a lie.  They are not to go by what they feel or see, but by what they believe in their heart through His word given to them. The enemy is defeated in their life if they stand on what He did at Calvary and not lose vision of His victory when they see things growing worse around them. The best is yet to come.  In the heavenly realm they are  seated with Christ  at the right hand of the Father and can rejoice and reach out a helping hand to those in need and give encouraging word to those who feel defeated.  They can share His love, peace and joy for their God is in control and He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords forever.  They can pray with faith believing that God will hear and answer all their prayers and enjoy the spoils of war just like the children of Israel did and so did Hannah. God’s word is unchanging:

And Hannah prayed and said:  "My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD.  I smile at my enemies,  Because I rejoice in Your salvation. "No one is holy like the LORD,  For there is none besides You,  Nor is there any rock like our God. "Talk no more so very proudly;  Let no arrogance come from your mouth,  For the LORD is the God of knowledge;  And by Him actions are weighed. "The bows of the mighty men are broken,  And those who stumbled are girded with strength.  Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,  And the hungry have ceased to hunger.  Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble. "The LORD kills and makes alive;  He brings down to the grave and brings up.  The LORD makes poor and makes rich;  He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust  And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,  To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory.  "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,  And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints,  But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.  "For by strength no man shall prevail.  The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces;  From heaven He will thunder against them.  The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.  "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed." 1 Samuel 2:1-10

 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:4-16

Yes, God’s true anointed ones  are mighty men of War   who through faith subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtained  promises and do great exploits. They  pull down the strongholds that are effecting God’s people for many don't know how to war for themselves and need those who will stand in the gap and roar on their behalf.  They let out mighty power of God’s love that repels the powers of darkness so that many can receive His love.  Many are so bound with deception that they don't even know that they are bound in chains and fetters and the enemy must be commanded to let God's people go. God’s anointed ones follow the leading in the fight of their Commander in chief. They are  full of compassion, and do not stop warring until they know in their hearts that they have conquered the land. Their travail is not in vain as they hold on to their  faith in God’s word and promises and do  let go of them until they get their  mighty breakthrough.  They don’t look  at circumstances stating that things are growing worse and that they have lost the fight.  They don't believe the lies of the enemy by confess that the nations are their inheritance. God’s word is unchanging:

Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. Psalm 2:8

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.  By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.  And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:  who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Hebrews 11:29-33

 


Chapter 24

He Has Anointed Me

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 1 John 2:20

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:27

God never fails. He always blesses. Only sin prevents His blessings.  But if there is resistance in our soul and will to the workings of God  or  there are certain blockages present in our life that are caused by powerful strongholds or external blockages  coming from our  family members or wrong concepts implanted we will not experience spiritual, physical or financial breakngthoughs. We need to ask God and the working of the Holy Spirit for grace for our spirit, soul, and body and to set us free from these chains that block us from having our breakthroughs!

If our eye gate is given over to works of darkness, we will allow the enemy to plant his strongholds in our body until our whole body is full of strongholds. When we yield to the enemy’s strongholds in our body, we will accumulate sin and darkness in our being. As a result, the Holy Spirit wants to expose the work of the enemy in infiltrating our body through our eye gate. When our eye gate is dark, our heart will also be filled with darkness. These are immense powerful forces of darkness. The only way to attack them is through the eye anointing. We can lay hands on the sick but certain diseases and sicknesses are best dealt with by the eye anointing. God has antidote for every kind of problems but we must learn from the Holy Spirit for men’s teaching bring a lot of confusion to the body.

The soul plays a critical role in our personal deliverance and breakthrough. The will of the person is critical to his or her deliverance.  According to righteousness and justice, the evil spirits do have legal grounds to remain in a person who refuses to repent. God’s anointing must be used according to the laws of God. Once a person has repented then the evil spirits do not have legal grounds to remain in him. Once he has repented, then only may the anointing be used to cast out the demon.

When an evil spirit takes over a person’s spirit, there is one problem. And it is easy to cast out that evil spirit by a simple deliverance prayer. But when it overtakes the soul and its intellectual, emotional and volitional faculties, then the problem becomes complex and the person’s character changes. It has become a very serious case. When we yield to the devil’s suggestions, he enters our soul. Temptations come and we yield to them, and the evil spirits overtake our soul. The devil forces the temptations on us, not God. God can deliver any problem but if the person does not want God, He will not come in and help. If we want God to set us free, we must pray. If we do not, God will not. We must ask for grace from God to be delivered. If he does not, God will not. 

After we have asked for grace, we must wait for the blessings in faith. God gives certain blessings at certain times. We have to wait for God’s timing. There is a time factor for deliverance. In heaven, there are many legal cases brought by Satan against us. Jesus has to defend us. All legal suits in heaven are settled according to righteousness and justice so that nobody can accuse God of unrighteousness. Only when the matter is settled in heaven, can it be settled down here on earth.

Similarly the devil is a liar and has implanted many false lies in our mind directly or indirectly using others.  So when we say “I want the truth  but what is truth?”  it means  truth is what is acceptable to our mind, to our  theology and to our  sentiments. That is not the truth. We need to know the truth before we can get any breakthrough in any realm. Jesus is the Truth. The Holy Spirit is the Truth. We cannot perceive God’s truth without God’s grace. Man cannot perceive truth without God. Man’s intellect and reasoning cannot perceive truth since it is filled with strongholds and sins.

The devil has taken the opportunity to entrench his thoughts and ideas in our minds and reasoning. In that condition, we cannot perceive truth. Truth comes from God. Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” The Holy Spirit will lead us to the truth. He will teach us the truth.  So we must on lean on the Holy Spirit and to get the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

Just like the level of differential of the positive and the negative points of a battery determines the amount of current flowing through, in the same way, there is the flow of anointing from the God’s servant to the receiver. The amount of anointing flowing depends on the level of anointing upon the anointed and the faith and need of the receiver.  Now Jesus was hundred percent anointed all the time and He was always flowing at peak performance.  We need to pray and ask God to help us increase the level of our anointing as well as our yieldedness to the Lord. We need to ask for His help to be open to the anointing and flow quickly with it as the Spirit moves in our midst.  We have to learn to be sensitive to the anointing. 

What hinders God’s people flowing in different anointing are the man-inspired teachings and false doctrines implanted in their mind. We need to give the Holy Spirit and time to undo the wrong teachings in our mind and heart. Otherwise they will be a major block to new anointings that God has for His people. Wrong attitudes, sin in our lives and lack of spiritual preparation block the anointings as well as external pressures from friends and loved ones. The anointing flows easily in some people. Some people are poor conductors of the anointing and are just like dead wood. They could stand before the power and the anointing of God and they are touched only a little.  The wonderful thing is that our spiritual conductivity level can change with time and relationship with God.

God’s gives the anointing by measures to us. The anointing upon our lives is increased measure upon measure, as we prove faithful to the anointing. The fullest potential of the anointing we can aspire to in whatever office we stand in is the anointing without measure – the same as the anointing upon Jesus’ life. God’s word is unchanging:

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12

To do the works that Jesus did and greater works  implies that now the Holy Spirit  has been  sent without measure. The Holy Spirit has been sent in Acts 2 as prophesied without measure. He is now pouring out on all flesh.  Hence the potential is there for all of God’s people to reach into that measureless anointing that Jesus had.  But we start with a measure of anointing God placed on our lives.  He gives us a deposit of anointing upon our life up to a certain level. Then as we are faithful to flow in it, as we are faithful to function in it, then God gives another measure. After each testing if we pass we get a greater measure and if we fail we remain at the measure we had been last given.

The operation and perfection of the gift of God depend on us not on God. It is our responsibility to be faithful and to use what we have been given. Unless we are faithful to the measure God gives, we will not have more. Although the gifts and calling of God are given without repentance,  the anointing to function in these gifts and calling of God can be taken away. Abuse of power, doing things in the flesh and pride will cause us to have a decrease in the level of the anointing in our lives and ministry. 

The anointing of God never bypasses the free will of man. We cannot force an anointing on others and the Holy Spirit will not force us to minister in the anointing. It’s our choice to obey to listen to what the Spirit is saying exactly to do and obey or not.  The anointing is subject to a person’s free will - it will not bypass the free will.

The level of God’s anointing in us is determined by six boundaries: Calling and Office, Free Will, Unbelief, Pattern and Method, Character and Body. The call and office of God’s servant limits the anointing. Just because a person is called to be a pastor or an evangelist doesn’t mean He can operate in an office of an apostle or prophet. God wants us all to flow in the gift and call He has set for us. God also has no “Lone Rangers” we are to work and co-operate with other callings and five fold ministries. Otherwise we may not lose our call and ministry but we will loose the anointing. Yes, sometimes one of God’s servants may lose the anointing but still be in the office for a certain length of time while another is chosen to stand in that same office and anointing. Saul’s anointing went to David but it was a while before David became king. Positions in God’s kingdom are not sacred that God has to preserve His servant no matter what he does.  The anointing is precious and disobedient servants will find their anointing removed and later their office.

The anointing can be limited by unbelief (Mark 6:6) Jesus could not do any mighty work in his home town because of the unbelief of the people. The anointing is limited to people’s faith level. Our expectation and faith level limit the anointing that is able to flow. We need to have faith in God as well as a measure of faith to top into God’s anointing to flow through us.  If people don’t respect God’s word or His servant they anointing will be limited. Many people can be in the presence of anointing and because they don’t regard the man of God as a man of God they receive nothing from the anointing. They blocked themselves from the anointing of God. Unless the church esteems the gift of God the members will not tap on the gift of God. It’s important for us to know how to flow in God and how to give honor where honor is due. We need to esteem a gift when a gift is there and just flow along with it.

Most Christians’ intellectual, emotional, and volitional faculties are filled with strongholds and when the anointing level is high, the demons are able to find refuge behind these strongholds and shield themselves from the anointing.  Sin is the bottom line and is behind the growth of strongholds in one’s soul. If Christians do not deal with the sins of their intellect, will, and emotion and repent, strongholds will take hold of these parts of their soul. As long as sin is not dealt with and put away, demons have a right to lodge behind these strongholds and there will be no deliverance. Christians must repent of their intellectual, emotional, and volitional sins and then the anointing can demolish the strongholds in their souls and set them free from the evil spirits lodging behind those strongholds.

When we have not fed ourselves with the word our faith level will be low and we probably will not experience and discern what God is doing through His anointing. We need to get into the word,  fellowship with the Holy Spirit and spend more time in prayer, praise and worship our faith level will increase and we will sense the tangibility of the anointing and recognize its manifestations. When David wanted to draw on a greater measure of the anointing, he would take his harp and play it until the anointing comes upon him. Worship music plays a big role in making the anointing to be manifested.

Our character limits the flow of our anointing to our character.  Some people are very loud and aggressive and it’s impossible to know whether it’s the anointing or it’s just them. If we chose to remain a more introvert and very quiet person we will have trouble flowing in the anointing to masses of people. We must overcome some areas of our character in order to facilitate the anointing through our lives. In some areas we must develop a new character in God. Our character has to change and conform to that which God so desires.

No matter how anointed we are or how much God uses us, our body has a limitation. Even Jesus in John 4 felt tired being wearied from His journey, He by Jacob’s well. Jesus had a physical body that felt tired. We need wisdom as to when to work and when to rest. Otherwise we will be  over worked  and die prematurely. We cannot live fully spiritual and ignore the natural without facing consequences. We got to just know our body. And know to what extend we could push our body. While some people tend to overwork their body,  some people tend to under work their body.

Every anointed person receives the anointing and impartation in a slightly different way from others although there may be some common similarity. When the power of God flows into our life, there will be an outflow of manifestation. There is no inflow without an outflow. It is impossible even in the natural. If there is no outflow there is no inflow. The amount of outflow is proportional to the amount of inflow.

Sometimes when the power touches people, it has not gone through them yet. It is just still working in their life.  We began to see some effects. Some of them do not fall. Some shake but the moment the power goes through them, and then they fall. It depends on the degree of the anointing and the response of the recipient. Some people sense warmth; others a cold chill and still others feel like needles poking them. Whatever it is, there is a tangible substance received. That is an outflow. If we touch electricity, we would feel something. Our body gets a jerk whether we like it or not. The power of God is no respecter of person – there will be an effect.

There is an outflow depending on the different degree of the anointing and the receptivity of the recipient. Now how much it outflows through our life depends on a different factor.  Each person in the spiritual realm has a different conductivity level. For whatever reason or background we come from, some people are better conductors than others of the anointing of God. The anointing flows easily in some people. Some people are poor conductors of the anointing and are just like dead wood. They could stand before the power and the anointing of God and they are touched only a little.  The wonderful thing is that our spiritual conductivity level can change with time and relationship with God. If we are well related to God our conductivity level could reach to hundred percent. There are very few men if any who have reached that level where they could conduct the power of God a hundred percent like Jesus. Jesus was such a perfect conductor that the power of God goes through Him a hundred percent.

Our particular anointing is released through a release of faith God has given to us. We need to recognize when and how the anointing comes upon us to minister to others be it through praise, reading the bible, singing, dancing, praying in tongues or whatever method God has given to us.  Some people feel tingling sensations on their palms or even over their arms when they have ascended into the presence of God. Some may feel a layer of heat over their necks, faces, shoulders, or backs. Some can even momentarily smell a sweet aroma. But if our relationship with God is not fine when we try to release the anointing by our usual release of faith, nothing will happen. Different types of anointing produce different results. For example, the finger healing anointing destroys the root cause of the sickness or disease and all the symptoms together. It is useful for complex cases where there are so many symptoms and we are not sure what is the root cause. The finger healing anointing literally puts its finger on the root cause and heals the root cause. Once the root cause is dealt with, all the other symptoms are dealt with too.”

Now God has a different pattern and method of ministry that He ordains for each of His servant to use their anointing.  Many Christian people try to be clones of Billy Graham, Oral Roberts,  Benny Hinn or their special pastor and to pattern themselves after them and to use their methods of ministry. We are not to copy the pattern and methods of others, but are to find out what God’s pattern and method is for us individually. But God’s word is unchanging:

"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

 

 

 


Chapter 25

Are All Workers Of Miracles

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?   Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 1 Corinthians 12:28-30

Everything that we say or do in life must be judged by the bible, the Word of God, especially what goes on in the Christian church of community! And the bible tells us God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.  It also tell us that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all including the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge ,  faith,  gifts of healings the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. And the bible tells us in Galatians 3:5  God supplies the Spirit to us and works miracles among us by the hearing of faith!  It goes without saying that we can promoting gifting or miracles over character  or integrity because Jesus clearly told us:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7:21-23

And the bible doesn’t tell us that God has given to the church Christian apologetics. Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views.  Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul of Tarsus, including writers such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, and continuing currently with the modern Christian community, through the efforts of many authors in various Christian traditions such as C.S. Lewis. Apologists have based their defense of Christianity on historical evidence, philosophical arguments, scientific investigation, and other disciplines. For the record, it’s a false to say that Apostle Paul was an Apologist because he clearly stated that he was not but rather that he was a miracle worker:

 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And for some Apologists their theme is:

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4

In Christendom most Christian Apologists, excluding the Catholic ones, are not Pentecostal or Charismatic but are Fundamental Evangelicals who deny the gifts of the Spirit and put a heavy emphasis on the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness which they themselves don’t have  or exhibit just like many pastors and preachers!

It seem  that  very few Christians demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit especially love which is not demonstrated by words saying “I love you“ or “I am praying for you” but by actions such as those of the good Samaritan. The bible tells us

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.  "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  "On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37. 

Loving  the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself is to be demonstrated not by words but by actions and deeds!  James told us to be doers of the word not hearers only:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-27

Apostle John who was the Apostle of love wrote and told us

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

It has been my experience and of many other Christians that very few Apologists or Preachers today will lay down his life for you or share this world’s good when he sees his brother in need! They all talk too much and do very little deeds!  And most Apologists don’t truly point you to God and fellowship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit but to themselves just like many other false ministries in the church today!  And they don’t provide any real needed solutions to real problems that people are having  that is why many people are attracted to miracles, signs and wonders ministries such as Benny Hinn and Oral and Richard Roberts or Word of Faith ministries! And the bible does tell us:

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.   "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."  Mark 11:20-26

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.  By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.  And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:  who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Hebrews 11:29-33

In my opinion  to contend earnestly for the faith means to use it and demonstrate it with miracles, signs and wonders following just like Jesus instructed us and not just to talk about the faith:

"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." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Matthew 16:17-20

And it’s true that God doesn’t put any restrictions on what faith in God will do or what mountains can be moved into the sea including marriage problems, separation, divorce, health problems, addictions, financial problems, family problems, children problems, teenager problems, church problems, community problems, etc.  No matter what the problem we can have faith in God not only to ask Him to level our mountains but to speak to our mountains and say Be removed and be cast into the sea and see it come to pass if we will believe and hold unto our faith! 

 

 


Chapter 26

Give Us This Day

Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory,  The victory and the majesty;  For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,  And You are exalted as head over all.  Both riches and honor come from You,  And You reign over all.  In Your hand is power and might;  In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all.   "Now therefore, our God,  We thank You And praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

"In this manner, therefore, pray:  Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done  On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts,  As we forgive our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

When Jesus Christ lived on earth as the son of God and the son of man, He prayed often and told us to pray also for riches and honor come from God who reigns over all.  In His hand is power and might; In His  hand it is to make great a and to give strength to all. So just like Jesus we must start and finish each day with prayer which includes praises, supplications, requests and thanksgiving for ourselves and for others. If we are sick or broke we are in no great position to help others and can be far more effective when we are healthy and wealthy!

It’s also interesting that the “Lord’s prayer” cover quite a few items including God’s will be done in earth and heaven. And blessings, health, and prosperity for all including ourselves is part of God’s will. So is forgiveness of our debtors and deliverance from the evil one!

Now the subject of the evil one is something that is ignored by most Christian churches and preachers while Paul and Peter who believed in and knew the value of prayer told us:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.   And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  Ephesians 6:10-20

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11

It’s to be noted that Paul stated praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- and for himself. Now praying in the Spirit is a mystery to most Christians because they don’t believe in the Baptism of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit which are for today and as a result they  don’t have the resulting power to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.   And  they do as instructed to put on the whole armor of God, that they may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

And Peter told us to be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  We are to resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by our brotherhood in the world.  And Peter recognized that we needed God’s help and intervention and prayer  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

So the responsibility to pray continually and to get  from God daily power, wisdom, gifts of the spirit, healing, deliverance, blessings and every good thing is upon us, not God! And prayer is the vehicle that makes it so! E.M. Bounds in the Possibilities of Prayers[iii] tells us:

Miracles exist because God exists, but God's marvelous, miracle-working times have been preceded by times of marvelous, miracle-working praying. Jesus constantly prayed during the ministries. And the disciples prayed after Jesus left for the Holy Spirit and His power and they received it to do miracles. Prayer is simply asking God to do for us what He has promised us He will do if we ask him. The answer is a part of prayer, and is God's part of it. God's doing the thing asked for is as much a part of the prayer as the asking of the thing is prayer. Asking is man's part. Giving is God's part. The praying belongs to us. The answer belongs to God.

Man makes the plea and God makes the answer. The plea and the answer compose the prayer. God is more ready, more willing and more anxious to give the answer than man is to give the asking. The possibilities of prayer lie in the ability of man to ask large things and in the ability of God to give large things.  God's only condition and limitation of prayer is found in the character of the one who prays. The measure of our faith and praying is the measure of his giving. As our Lord said to the blind man, "according to your faith be it unto you," so it is the same in praying, "According to the measure of your asking, be it unto you." God measures the answer according to the prayer. He is limited by the law of prayer in the measure of the answers He gives to prayer. As is the measure of prayer, so will be the answer.

If the person praying has the characteristics which warrant praying, then the possibilities are unlimited. They are declared to be "all things whatsoever." Here is no limitation in character or kind, in circumference or condition. The man who prays can pray for anything and for everything, and God will give everything and anything. If we limit God in the asking, He will be limited in the giving.

Praying men and God's providence go together. This was thoroughly understood by the praying ones of the Scripture. They prayed over everything because God had to do with everything. They took all things to God in prayer because they believed in a divine providence which had to do with all things. They believed in an ever-present God, who had not retired into the secret recesses of space, leaving his saints and his creatures to the mercy of a tyrant, called nature, and its laws, blind, unyielding, with no regard for anyone who stood in its way. If that be the correct conception of God, why pray to him? He is too far away to hear them when they pray, and too unconcerned to trouble himself about those on earth.

These men of prayer had an implicit faith in a God of special providence, who would gladly, promptly, and readily respond to their cries for help in times of need and in seasons of distress.

The so-called "laws of nature" did not trouble them in the least. God was above nature, in control of nature' while nature was but the servant of Almighty God. Nature's laws were but his own laws, since nature was but the offspring of the divine hand. Laws of nature might be suspended and no evil would result. Every intelligent person is conversant every day when he sees man overruling and overcoming the law of gravitation, and no one is surprised or raises his hand or voice in horror at the thought of nature's laws being violated. God is a God of law and order, and all his laws in nature, in providence and in grace work together in perfect accord, with no clash or disharmony.

God suspends or overcomes the laws of disease and rain often without or independent of prayer. But quite often he does this in answer to prayer. Prayer for rain or for dry weather is not outside the moral government of God, nor is it asking God to violate any law which he has made, but only asking Him to give rain in His own way, according to his own laws. So also the prayer for the rebuking of disease is not a request at war with law either natural or otherwise, but is a prayer in accordance with law, even the law of prayer, a law set in operation by Almighty God as the so-called natural law which governs rain or which controls disease.

The believer in the law of prayer has strong ground on which to base his plea. And the believer in a divine providence, the companion of prayer, stands equally on strong granite foundations, from which he need not be shaken. These twin doctrines stand fast and will abide forever.

In every condition, in sickness, in health, In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth; At home or abroad, on the land or the sea, As thy days may demand shall thy strength ever be.

God is not now so evident in the world, so almighty in manifestation as of old, not because miracles have passed away, nor because God has ceased to work, but because prayer has been shorn of its simplicity, its majesty, and its power. God still lives and miracles still live while God lives and acts, for miracles are God's ways of acting. Prayer is dwarfed, withered, and petrified when faith in God is staggered by doubts of lies ability, or through the shrinking caused by fear. When faith has a telescopic far-off vision of God, prayer works no miracles, and brings no marvels of deliverance. But when God is seen by faith's closest, fullest eye, prayer makes a history of wonders.

Think about God. Make much of Him, till he broadens and fills the horizon of faith. Then prayer will come into its marvelous inheritance of wonders. The marvels of prayer are seen when we remember that God's purposes are changed by prayer, God's vengeance is stayed by prayer, and God's penalty is remitted by prayer. The whole range of God's dealing with man is affected by prayer. Here is a force which must be increasingly used, that of prayer, a force which all the events of life ought to be subjected. Many miracles ought to be worked by our praying. Why not? Is the arm of the Lord shortened that he cannot save? Is his ear heavy that he cannot hear? Has prayer lost its power because iniquity abounds and the love of many has grown cold? Has God changed from what he once was? To all these queries we enter an emphatic negative. God can as easily today work miracles by praying as He did in the days of old. "I am the Lord; I change not." "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

He who works miracles by praying will first of all work the chief miracle on himself. Oh, that we might fully understand well the Christian's trade of praying, and follow the trade day by day and thus make for ourselves great spiritual wealth!

All natural forces are under God's control. He did not create the world and put it under law, and then retire from it, to work out its own destiny, irrespective of the welfare of his intelligent creatures. Natural laws are simply God's laws, by which He governs and regulates all things in nature. Nature is nothing but God's servant. God is above nature, God is not the slave of nature. This being true, God can and will suspend the working of nature's laws, can hold them in abeyance by His almighty hand, can for the time being set them aside, to fulfill his higher purposes in redemption. It is no violation of nature's laws when, in answer to prayer, He who is above nature makes nature His servant, and causes nature to carry out his plans and purposes.

This is the explanation of that wonderful prayer miracle of Old Testament times, when Joshua, in the strength and power of the Lord God, commanded the sun and moon to stand still to give time to complete the victory over the enemies of Israel. Why should it be thought a thing incredible that the God of nature and of grace should interfere with his own natural laws for a short season in answer to prayer, and for the good of his cause? Is God tied hand and foot? Has He so circumscribed Himself that He cannot operate the law of prayer? Is the law of nature superior to the law of prayer? Not by any means. He is the God of prayer as well as the God of nature. Both prayer and nature have God as their maker, their ruler and their executor. And prayer is God's servant, just as nature is His servant.

The prayer force in God's government is as strong as any other force, and all natural and other forces must give way before the force of prayer. Sun, moon and stars are under God's control in answer to prayer. Rain, sunshine and drought obey his will. "Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormy wind fulfilling his word." Disease and health are governed by him. All, all things in heaven and earth are absolutely under the control of him who made heaven and earth, and who governs all things according to his own will.

Prayer still works miracles among men and brings to pass great things. It is as true now as when James wrote his epistle, "The effectual fervent, prayer of a righteous man availed much." And when the records of eternity are read out to an assembled world, then will it appear how much prayer has wrought in this world. Little is now seen of the fruits of prayer compared to all that it has accomplished and is accomplishing. At the judgment day, then will God disclose the things which were brought to pass in this world through the prayers of the saints? Many occurrences which are now taken as a matter of course will then be seen to have happened because of the Lord's praying ones.

The work of George Muller in Bristol, England, was a miracle of the nineteenth century. It will take the opening of the books at the great judgment day to disclose all he wrought through prayer. This godly man never asked anyone for money for running expenses at his orphanage where hundreds of fatherless and motherless children were cared for. His practice was always to ask God for just what was needed, and the answers which came to him read like a record of apostolic times. He prayed for everything and trusted implicitly to God to supply all his needs. And it is a matter of record that never did he and the orphans ever lack for any good thing.

Of a holy man who has done so much for Christ and suffering humanity, it was said at the grave about him:

He prayed up the walls of a hospital, and the hearts of the nurses. He prayed mission stations into being, and missionaries into faith. He prayed open the hearts of the rich, and gold from the most distant lands.

Our prayers are too little and feeble to execute the purposes or to claim the promises of God with appropriating power. Marvelous purposes need marvelous praying to execute them. Miracle-making promises need miracle making praying to realize them. Only divine praying can operate divine promises or carry out divine purposes. How great, how sublime, and how exalted are the promises God makes to his people! How eternal are the purposes of God! Why are we so impoverished in experience and so low in life when God's promises are so "exceeding great and precious"? Why do the eternal purposes of God move so tardily? Why they are so poorly executed? Our failure to appropriate the divine promises and rest our faith on them and to pray believingly is the solution. "We have not because we ask not." We ask and receive not because we ask amiss.

God's promises are dependent and conditioned upon prayer to appropriate them and make them a conscious realization. The promises are inwrought in us, appropriated by us, and held in the arms of faith by prayer. Let it be noted that prayer gives the promises their efficiency, localizes and appropriates them, and utilizes them. Prayer puts the promises to practical and present uses. Prayer puts the promises as the seed in the fructifying soil. Promises, like the rain are general. Prayer embodies, precipitates, and locates them for personal use. Prayer goes by faith into the great fruit orchard of God's exceeding great and precious promises, and with hand and heart picks the ripest and richest fruit. The promises, like electricity, may sparkle and dazzle and yet be impotent for good till these dynamic, life-giving currents are chained by prayer, and are made the mighty forces which move and bless. God’s word is unchanging:

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:7-8

"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24

 

 


 

Chapter 27

By The Word Of God

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,  as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4

For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,  by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:5-7

The Bible, the word of God, tells us that in this changing world, we still have the changeless Christ who is faithful to His promises.    Yes Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. And just like Jesus, His promises never change; they are just as alive today as when they were spoken. And what Jesus did when He walked this earth, He is still doing today.  There is no shadow of turning in Him. Everything Jesus made available to mankind through His birth, death and resurrection is still available today.  He brought life for soul, mind and body.  He brought overcoming power and peace that passes all understanding. He brought strength for the weary, hope for the hopeless and beauty for ashes. Jesus never changes!  And no matter what we are going through we depend upon the Lord like never before.  We know that His ears are open to our cry and that no matter what changes around us, He is still the same.  He is still faithful and true. God’s word is unchanging:

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;  not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For  "He who would love life And see good days,  Let him refrain his tongue from evil,  And his lips from speaking deceit.  Let him turn away from evil and do good;  Let him seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,  And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:8-12

The Word of God is a testimony to the fact that God in Christ Jesus is on the side of His trusting ones no matter what they are going through.  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:15-19).  "Cast your burden on the LORD,  And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction;  Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You." (Psalm 55:22) " He gives power to the weak,  And to those who have no might He increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29).

The Lord always is and will remain for His trusting ones their Savior, Friend Healer, Deliverer, Defender, Avenger, Rock, Refuge, Reward and Shield. The Lord is an unchanging God. He will not leave them nor forsake them. Once He has promised them something, He will not go back from His word.  They can put their entire trust in the Lord and rest in Him and wait patiently for Him to move on their behalf. They can believe in His promises and He will lift them and exalt them. His word is true:

Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good;  Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD,  Trust also in Him,  And He shall bring it to pass.  He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,  And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;  Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,  Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.  For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;  Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,  But it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalm 37:1-11.

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,  Who rides the heavens to help you,  And in His excellency on the clouds.  The eternal God is your refuge,  And underneath are the everlasting arms;  He will thrust out the enemy from before you,  And will say, 'Destroy!' Then Israel shall dwell in safety,  The fountain of Jacob alone,  In a land of grain and new wine;  His heavens shall also drop dew.  Happy are you, O Israel!  Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD,  The shield of your help  And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you,  And you shall tread down their high places." Deuteronomy 33:25-29

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

For those who love the LORD their God, walk in His ways and hold fast to Him, the Lord delivers and the Lord protects them. He drives out their enemies before them and they dispose of them. He heals them and sends His healing anointing to them. He opens the windows of heaven and pour His financial blessings on them. He blesses and prospers them and expands their territory and causes them to eat the good of the land.

God, who is immensely good and rich ,has wonderful conditional promises for His people that if they will do their part He will do His part. He is especially concerned when His people are poor and needy and has told them to approach the throne of Grace to find mercy and grace in time of need.

God is a good God Who can be trusted no matter what is going on in the world.  He is not like the others. He is good, faithful, true and compassionate! He is the salvation of the righteous and their strength in the time of trouble. He shall help them and deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. He desires and wills that His children have total and complete victory in all the battles of life and be more than conquerors and overcomers. He doesn’t want them to just get by but to live in victory and prosperity and abundance. His wants to fight for them and to triumph gloriously on their behalf against all their enemies.

God’s seasons are not at the command of mortal men.  Just because at the first stroke of the flint does not bring forth the fire, doesn’t mean there will not be a fire?  God’s delays are not His denials.   For His trusting true ones God always hears their prayers and will answer them in due season.  Hence they have need of perseverance and endurance for the miracle answer will come from the God of miracles. They need not fear but are to let their hands be strong for God will save them and they shall be a blessing. As God’s power and resources are unlimited and not dependent on their limited power and resources.

Poverty, like a snowstorm, attempts to destroy our life. In our worldly life, financial discrepancies, Debt- burdens penury... perplex us. According to Ecclesiastes 7:12, "money (wealth/riches) is defense" Ecclesiastes 10:19 says, " money answers everything." That is why God is ever ready to save us from the terrible whirlwind of poverty by providing us with financial strength for He is our refuge and strength in time of trouble. His word is unchanging:

"The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men." Psalm 11:4

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8”31-32

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." 1 Peter 5:6

Victory is given only in battle and not outside of it. God has promised to bring His true children through everything including poverty, lack, afflictions and want and not keep them there.  He has an answer and solution for every problem His people face and need that they have. But it’s not a standard solution for God is not limited in any way as to how He will work a miracle for them that will bring glory and honor to His name. If they could solve the problem or work out a solution they would not need God and they wouldn’t know what faith in God will achieve? Andre Crouch wrote about this in his song entitled “Through it All.”

Yes, without the troubles and the storms we would never know what faith in God can do. Through it all we can learn to trust in Jesus, learn to trust in God, learn to depend upon His word! The battles of Life are fought and won not by human logic or reasoning but by the obedience to the Spirit of the Lord, to the same Spirit that was on Jesus and is on His true ones. 

 

Through it All

I've had many tears and sorrows

I've had questions for tomorrow

There have been times I didn't know right from wrong.

But in every situation  - God gave blessed consolation

That my trials come only to make me strong.

 

I thank God for the mountains

I thank Him for the valleys

I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.

For if I'd never had a problem

I wouldn't know that He could solve them

I'd never know what faith in God can do.

 

Through it all -- through it all

I've learned to trust in Jesus

I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all -- through it all

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

 

 

 


Chapter 28

Because We Love The Brethren

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.  For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,  not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.  Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.  We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.  Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:10-15

The word of God is very clear those who do not love the brethren are not children of God but children of the devil no matter who they are or who they think they are! True children of God lay down their lives for the brethren and when they see a brother in need they help him with this world’s goods. They love not in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  And as a result whatever they ask they receive from God  because they keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

While the others even if they call themselves Christians don’t receive from God because they do things which are unrighteous! God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.  "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:25-32

Many so called Christians today have been deceived in that they are once saved always saved or that they have don’t have to demonstrate fruits of repentance for their sins to others like John the Baptist talked about or Zacchaeus, the tax collector, did. The bible tells us:

Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.  "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."  So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."  Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you." Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages." Luke 3:7-14

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;  "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  Luke 19:1-10

For taking things from people by false accusation Zacchaeus not only gave half of his  goods to the poor but he restored fourfold. And then Jesus stated because of his real deeds "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;  "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  True repentance involves not only a change of heart and character but restoration and restitution for wrongs done which is something that is not talked about in the false gospel that is preached today by many! And the false gospel talks about the children of God and not about men and women of God walking in the fullness of God’s anointing and blessings to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. God’s word is unchanging:

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:19-21

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,  redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:15-18

We are to speak the truth in love,  grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.  The head of Church is Jesus Christ is not the pastor or some other fool and every person in the church is important and my do and play his part including operating in the gifts of the Spirit! And that is why Apostle Paul stated:

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.  But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.  But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

"And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies.  They are not valiant for the truth on the earth.  For they proceed from evil to evil,  And they do not know Me," says the LORD.  "Everyone take heed to his neighbor,  And do not trust any brother; For every brother will utterly supplant,  And every neighbor will walk with slanderers.  Everyone will deceive his neighbor, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity. Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me," says the LORD. Jeremiah 9:3-5

Yes there are so called Christians who walk with slanderers. They deceive their neighbor, and will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity. Their dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know God! They refuse to obey not only to walk in the unity of faith with the brethren but the first and second commandment of God “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." And it’s because they don’t obey the first and second commandments they don’t find God to be a Miracle worker and Deliverer in their lives when they need one! Yet God’s word is unchanging:

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalm 34:19

Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,  Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:1-6

The majority of people in the world are tormented by many problems that spoil their life and even destroy them. They are beset by poverty, sicknesses, debts, economic instability and so on. But God, who gave us Jesus Christ and is a great and wonderful miracle working God, is still alive. He alone can save us from sins and all evil of the world and preserve us till we His reach His heavenly kingdom. The bible is a testimony to God’s goodness and greatness and how He miraculously helped people who were in need and dire distress, including Joseph whom He took from a prison to a palace, Ruth who he took from being a widow to a rich man’s wife, Job whom God restored double all his losses, healed him and gave him perfect health and added years to His life, and a blind man for whom Jesus restored His sight. The bible tells us:

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25

Well Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and He stands ready to do great and wonderful things for those who will believe and trust Him. His word is unchanging:

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17-19

"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

For His trusting ones God, who doesn’t change and is the God of miracles and impossibility, can and will deliver  them from all their sorrows and oppressions, heal them of all their sickness and diseases, and spoil them with the wealth of the heathen. He will have compassion on them and satisfy them early with His mercy that they may rejoice and be glad all their days. He will move for them every mountain, deal with every lack, reverse every negative thing and restore every loss that they had suffered just like He did for Job because He is no respecter of persons and shows partiality to no one. He will make the beauty of the LORD their God be upon them and will establish the work of their hands for them. His word is unchanging:

I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;  My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;  So shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;  I will be with him in trouble;  I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Yes, God by His great power will change for those who believe all their failures into success, all their    defeats into victories, all their losses into profit, heal and deliver them out of all sickness and diseases, and give them love for every hatred, justice for every injustice and riches for every poverty for there is nothing impossible for the Lord. The empty Cross of Jesus Christ now says to you and I, that for every defeat there is victory in its place, for every failure there is success, for every weakness there is grace, for every sickness there is healing, for every hatred there is love, for every injustice there is justice and for every poverty there is riches. All of this and much, much more belongs to each child of God because of what Jesus did and won on the Cross. 

Through Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever God is able to meet each and every need that His trusting children have be it finances, friendship, healing, love, justice and/or restoration. It’s not God’s will for His children to be in want and needing but to be have and possess all things. He wants His children to walk in completeness, lacking nothing and be whole, peaceful, healthy, safe, sound, tranquil, prosperous, perfect, full, restful and in harmony. His word is unchanging:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;  that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,  that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 

 

 

Chapter 29

He Is My Refuge And My Fortress

Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil.  Let Your work appear to Your servants,  And Your glory to their children.  And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,  And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:15-17

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High  Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;  My God, in Him I will trust."  Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler  And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers,  And under His wings you shall take refuge;  His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:1-4

Since God created man, it only makes sense that man walk hand in hand with God trusting him for all things including protection, prosperity, healing, deliverance and all things! And God who loves man has made in His word fantastic promises for those who would make the LORD their refuge and their dwelling place including protection from evil and plague and the commissioning of angels to keep them in all their ways.  And they would tread underfoot upon the lion and the cobra, because God from the beginning gave man authority and dominion over all things until sin entered into the relationship between God and man!

In a world of trouble, diseases, disasters, and uncertainty its wonderful to have somehow so powerful and mighty that we can trust and run to for help like many others have including King David whom God promoted from following the sheep to ruling over His people! Although David’s promotion, unlike that of Joseph, didn’t happen overnight, they both had their share of distresses and difficulties in life! King Saul constantly wanted David murdered and Joseph was sold as a slave by his jealous brothers into Egypt, where he would become second in power to Pharaoh!  But God can and does promote and demote whomever He wants even in the current time of life!

Mighty powerful prideful King Nebuchadnezzar never expected he would become for seven years like an animal making his dwelling place with the beasts of the field, and eating  grass like oxen until he knew that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.  

King Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in his house and flourishing in his palace and had a troubling dream of a   tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.  The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.  Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all.  The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. 

 "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. He cried aloud and said thus:  'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,  Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.  Let the beasts get out from under it, And the birds from its branches.  Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, Bound with a band of iron and bronze,  In the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, And let him graze with the beasts On the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, Let him be given the heart of a beast,  And let seven times pass over him. 'This decision is by the decree of the watchers,  And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know  That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.' Daniel 4:2-18

Daniel, in whom was the Spirit of the Holy God, gave the king the interpretation including break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity." The bible records:

The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,  whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home- it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.  And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him';   this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.

Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.  At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon.  The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

 While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses." 

That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws. And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,  And His kingdom is from generation to generation.

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;  He does according to His will in the army of heaven  And among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?" Daniel 4:20-35

Whether men acknowledge it or not God is the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. He promotes and demotes whomever He wills. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"  His word is unchanging:

 The LORD showed me, and there were two baskets of figs set before the temple of the LORD, after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.  One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs which could not be eaten, they were so bad.  Then the LORD said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" And I said, "Figs, the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad."   Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge those who are carried away captive from Judah, whom I have sent out of this place for their own good, into the land of the Chaldeans. 'For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up.  'Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.   'And as the bad figs which cannot be eaten, they are so bad'-surely thus says the LORD-'so will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, his princes, the residue of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. 'I will deliver them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them.  'And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.' Jeremiah 24:1-10

When the children of Israel sinned and  transgressed against the LORD He cursed them and gave them to be reproached by their enemies. He even destroyed His beloved Jerusalem and made all its inhabitants to become captives. Those who accepted their captivity for their own good God   set His eyes on them for good, and He  brought them back to their  land; He  built them and didn’t pull them down. He  planted them and didn’t pluck them up.   He gave them a heart to know Him, that He is the LORD; and they became His people, and He was their God.

But for the others who would not go into captivity He delivered them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where He drove them.  He sent the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they were consumed from the land that He  gave to them and their fathers.  And yet foolish ones who are called by God’s name never consider the fact that if they don’t abide in Christ, the same negative thing will happen to them just as Jesus promised. God will not take reproach from them and enable them to bear fruit but will put reproach upon them. God’s word is unchanging:

"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matthew 5:30

He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  "Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' "But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  'And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' " Luke 13:6-9

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8

 


Chapter 30

Wait On the Lord

Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalm 37:34

Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;  Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly  For the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26

One of the misunderstood phrases in the bible is to “wait on the Lord” which is not something passive because it’s to expect earnestly, to watch with neck outstretched, to  persevere, to remain around for, to wait on or towards something to happen that God will do. And yes, God, who worked on and provided total salvation for man in Jesus Christ will bring real salvation for His trusting ones because He has promised that none who wait for Him shall be ashamed. And those who have trusted in His Holy name shall rejoice in Him because of all that He will do for them.  His word is true:

No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety;  Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.  Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,  On those who hope in His mercy,  To deliver their soul from death,  And to keep them alive in famine.  Our soul waits for the LORD;  He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him,  Because we have trusted in His holy name. Psalms 33:16-21

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,  Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;  Do not fret-it only causes harm.  For evildoers shall be cut off;  But those who wait on the LORD,  They shall inherit the earth. Psalms 37:7-9

I waited patiently for the LORD;  And He inclined to me,  And heard my cry.  He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay,  And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. Psalms 40:1-2

No matter what the negative circumstances that we might find ourselves in, we wait upon God to save, heal and deliver us because He is our shield, our exceeding great reward, our defense, our friend and our God. We wait only upon Him for our expectation is only from him. None other can do what He can do. He is after all a miracle worker and a mountain mover. He inclines His hear to us and hears our cries. He brings us out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay and sets our feet upon a rock and establishes our steps. He exalts us to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off for with the Lord there is mercy and abundant redemption. His word is true:

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.  My soul waits for the Lord  More than those who watch for the morning- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD;  For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption.  And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities. Psalms 130:5-8

I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope.  I am looking {and} waiting for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, I say, more than watchmen for the morning.  O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is mercy {and} loving-kindness, and with Him is plenteous redemption.  And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. Psalms 130:5-8 Amplified Bible

Do not say, "I will recompense evil";  Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Proverbs 20:22

The bible has many examples of what expectantly waiting on the Lord and hope in His word for His plenteous redemption and deliverance and what it shall accomplish. One of my favorite stories is about when Elisha and the children of Judah were besieged by the enemy and were starving. Ben-Hadad king of Syria had gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.  As a result there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver. However Elisha the prophet said:

"Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: 'Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.' " So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, "Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" And he said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it." 2 Kings 7:1-2

God does nothing on earth unless He reveals it to His prophets. But God has also stated that those who despise the word of His prophets, He will require of them. So the officer who was the right hand man of the king put his life in jeopardy when he despised Elisha’s prophetic words. (It’s true that some foolish men just do not learn and accept God’s word on some matters and they pay for their deeds even with their lives.)  God’s word goes on to state:

Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, "Why are we sitting here until we die? "If we say, 'We will enter the city,' the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die." And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there.

For the LORD had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses-the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, "Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!" Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact-their tents, their horses, and their donkeys-and they fled for their lives.

And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried some from there also, and went and hid it. 2 Kings 7:3-8

The lepers had enough of their circumstance and situation and decided they were going to act and do something even if it would cost them their lives.  (Yes, many times God’s bring His people to a place where they must walk on the water or sink. It is in such times that they find the miracle working power of God to be true and see that the Lord is the Lord and that He does what He has said He would do to bless, protect and preserve His own.  For after all He is the Lord and He loves to bless and prosper His own even miraculously with the spoils of war from their enemies, just like He did for these lepers.)  God’s word records:

Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king's household." So they went and called to the gatekeepers of the city, and told them, saying, "We went to the Syrian camp, and surprisingly no one was there, not a human sound-only horses and donkeys tied, and the tents intact."

And the gatekeepers called out, and they told it to the king's household inside. So the king arose in the night and said to his servants, "Let me now tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry; therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, 'When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.' "

 And one of his servants answered and said, "Please, let several men take five of the remaining horses which are left in the city. Look, they may either become like all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; or indeed, I say, they may become like all the multitude of Israel left from those who are consumed; so let us send them and see." Therefore they took two chariots with horses; and the king sent them in the direction of the Syrian army, saying, "Go and see."

And they went after them to the Jordan; and indeed all the road was full of garments and weapons which the Syrians had thrown away in their haste. So the messengers returned and told the king. Then the people went out and plundered the tents of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. 2 Samuel 7:9-16

Men are not accustomed to believing God, walking by faith and not by sight and trusting His word and those of His true prophets, even though Elisha had said that God would provide a miraculous deliverance. So they would not believe the words of the Lepers until they could see things for themselves with their natural eyes instead of their spiritual eyes.  But the fact of the matter remains that the officer who scorned Elisha’s words paid with his life for his foolish actions. God’s word records

Now the king had appointed the officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate. But the people trampled him in the gate, and he died, just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. So it happened just as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, "Two seahs of barley for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour for a shekel, shall be sold tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria."

Then that officer had answered the man of God, and said, "Now look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?" And he had said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it." And so it happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died.

Men have a lot of foolish ideas which they make as doctrines but God’s word does not lie and God has not changed. We see from the word of God that God weighed and judged the actions of the lepers and the arrogant officer. The lepers were blessed and the officer was cursed!  So who is to say that God does not do such things today? For after all He is the Lord, the Judge of the whole earth and His eyes are on each and every one to render to each one according to his work. For God’s word is true:

'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me;  I kill and I make alive;  I wound and I heal;  Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.  For I raise My hand to heaven,  And say, "As I live forever, If I whet My glittering sword,  And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies,  And repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword shall devour flesh,  With the blood of the slain and the captives,  From the heads of the leaders of the enemy." '  "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And render vengeance to His adversaries;  He will provide atonement for His land and His people."  Deuteronomy 32:39-41

And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us.  This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."  Isaiah 25:9

For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,  Who acts for the one who waits for Him. Isaiah 64:4

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



[i] First Word: Last Word Pastor Ken Gott

[ii] History Alive! 20th Century United States History,  Enrichment Essay, The United States Coming of Age: 1890-1920, Activities 1.3 and 1.4

[iii] The Possibilities of Prayer by E.M.Bounds