God Hears And Answers Prayers

God Hears And Answers Prayers

Introduction

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? "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 7:7-11

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:13-16

I am here because God healed me when I was dying; and I have been all around the world preaching this full redemption, doing all I can to bring the glory to the wonderful name of Jesus, through whom I was healed.

"Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee." The Lord told us in one place about an evil spirit going out from a man. The house that he left got all swept and garnished, but it received no new occupant. And that evil spirit, with seven other spirits more wicked than himself, went back to that unoccupied house, and the last stage of the man was worse than the first. The Lord does not heal you to go to a baseball game or to a race meet. He heals you for His glory and that from henceforth your life shall glorify Him –Smith Wigglesworth

In Christ Jesus our God is a prayer answering God. And because of Jesus we are no longer helpless captives to sin and sickness or poverty. Through faith in His name, we have healing for soul, mind and body and God's blessings on our finances. All things are possible to those who believe and there is not a need that Jesus cannot meet. He has all power, and what may be impossible with men is not impossible with God. He conquered death, hell and the grave, so you know that He can conquer for you

We must know at all times that God is with us and that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. Romans 8:31, 32 says, "If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" He is an ever-present help in time of need. Even when we don't know how or what to pray for, the Bible says that the Lord knows what we have need of before we even ask Him. God knows what we need at all times.

As we call upon the name of the Lord in faith, we can expect to receive that which He has promised. God is not slack concerning any of His promises for soul, mind and body. We can take our requests to the throne of God, believing that He hears and will answer prayer according to His riches in glory. The Lord is faithful to us in all of His ways.

The Bread of Life has come to us and spread a table before us, even in the midst of our enemies. By faith we can partake of Him anytime and claim what rightfully belongs to us. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

If you are living your life in tears with no one to love you or care for you. Do not be disheartened! The Lord Jesus Christ loves you and cares for you. Place all your requests at the feet of the Lord. 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 labor 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!

Chapter 1
The Effective, Fervent Prayer

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:14-18

There are many methods and ways God heals His people or a negative circumstance using the prayer of faith, the healing anointing, standing of the Word of God, the gifts of the Spirit, and the manifested presence of God. Sometimes we must war and contend for healing and miracles. But God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Jesus taught us that we were to be persistent in seeking God and praying until we received what we have desired from God! Because God is for us and with us and not against us, because now abides faith, hope and love, we don’t give up until we see the manifestation of all that God has promised us. God’s word is unchanging:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? "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 7:7-11

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-8

Our persistent faith and prayers, based on what God has promised us, gives birth to all that God has promised us! It’s our faith in God that heals us and makes us perfect whole and complete! It’s our persistent faith that makes a demand on the anointing to move in our midst and to do miracles and healing. Yes, the Lord is one who honors our faith and who hears our prayer (Psalm 65:2).

Even when we face a desperately hopeless situation, if we pray with immense faith, He makes us blessed for great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion endures throughout all generations. He is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. He is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. He makes peace in our borders, and fills us with the finest wheat. He who keeps truth forever, executes justice for the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry. He gives freedom to the prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind and raises those who are bowed down. He is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. He is worthy of our praises. His word is unchanging:

Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake! For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant. Psalm 145:8-12

I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, The One who gives salvation to kings, Who delivers David His servant From the deadly sword. Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood- That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style; That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our fields; That our oxen may be well-laden; That there be no breaking in or going out; That there be no outcry in our streets. Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:10-15

Yes, the LORD is our refuge and our portion in the land of the living. He will deliver us from our enemies and deals bountifully with us. He will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor. And we will praise Him and His name with our whole heart for His lovingkindness and His truth and that He has magnified His word above all His name. Though the LORD is on high, yet He humbles Himself to regard the lowly. Though we walk in the midst of trouble, He will revive us; He will stretch out His hand against the wrath of our enemies, and His right hand will save us. He will perfect that which concerns us for He loves victory and justice. He is good and His mercy endures forever.

The LORD is great and is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. But He will bless His people. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. His word is unchanging:

When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:1-6

The Word of God encourages us to pray and to seek God to do great things for us just like He did for Jacob who wrestled with God and wouldn’t let Him go until He was blessed by God. Jacob struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed (Genesis 32:24-32). Aggressive and persistent faith is what is required sometimes to get from God what we desire just like the woman of Canaan whose daughter was severely demon-possessed. She badgered Jesus who compared her to a dog until He did for her what she had demanded. And said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour (Matthew 15:21-28).

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is another example of aggressive and persistent faith. She was barren, bitter and hurt and for years she went with her husband to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh where Eli was the high priests and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas were also priests. She was miserable because the LORD had closed her womb and in bitterness of soul prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. The bible records:

Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head." And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. "Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:16-20

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

Hannah didn’t let adversities and negative circumstances stop her from obtaining from the Lord what she had desired a child which she loaned to the Lord. As a result whenever she would go to the house of the Lord in Shiloh Eli would bless her husband and Hannah and say, "The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the LORD." Then they would go to their own home. And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And her child Samuel grew before the LORD and would later replace Eli whom God judged for not dealing with his thieving sons.

Yes, 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. Yes, the LORD is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him using their aggressive and persistent faith. His word is unchanging:

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. 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. Psalm 130:5-8

For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: "This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon Himself His crown shall flourish." Psalm 132:13-18

Chapter 2
God’s Will Is Prosperity

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

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

Because Jesus Christ, the Word, was given to us we can be prosperous and successful in all things as we abide in Him and in His word and do whatever He commands us. He is a God who desires that we prosper in all things and be in health, just as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2). The wealth of the heavens and universe is in the Word and the Word dwells within us as God’s children. Everything we need and desire is in the Word, for it is our Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom and to shower on us all of His goodness and mercy. His word is unchanging:

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:1-3

The American Heritage Dictionary defines ‘prosperity’ and ‘prosper’ as:

pros·per·i·ty n. The condition of being prosperous.

pros·per v. To be fortunate or successful, especially in terms of one's finances; thrive.

Biblical prosperity means great riches, honor, silver and gold in the current time of life. We have an example of biblical prosperity in the life of Hezekiah:

Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. The LORD was with him; he prospered wherever he went. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 2 Kings 18:1-7

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:20

Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. And he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items; storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for flocks. Moreover he provided cities for himself, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much property. 2 Chronicles 32:27-29

As a result of his God given prosperity, King Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. He made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items; storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for flocks. Moreover he provided cities for himself, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much property. So true prosperity is not just our soul being prosperous but also our whole man body, soul and spirit?

The devil, who is a liar and a thief and is jealous of man, doesn’t want man to be prosperous, rich and wealthy but poor and sick. Through a religious spirit he has lied to many of God’s people that abundant prosperity is not God’s will because he knows that whatever a person believes for he or she shall receive. And as long as person believes a lie he will not know the truth.

The devil doesn’t want God’s people to know that Jesus endured absolute poverty and degradation for their sakes. Imagine if they believed that it’s their divine call and destiny to have abundance in all things and to be blessed in spirit, soul, mind and body? Imagine if they prayed and believed God that the healing and restoring power of God will come upon every area of their life, upon their spirit, upon their soul, upon their body and upon their finances? Imagine if they would break every curse and command every evil thing and every bad circumstance to flee from them? Imagine if they prayed that every attack spiritual emotional physical and financial would turn into victory right now? Imagine if they prayed and received an anointing that would break every yoke and destroy every bondage and wile of the devil? Why God’s people by grace and faith would be living and walking in divine health and prosperity here on earth and no demon would want this to happen?

But the truth is that all that belongs to God belongs to Jesus and all that belongs to Jesus belongs to God’s people, heirs of salvation and brothers and sisters of Jesus. The truth is that all good things of heaven, including salvation, the baptism of the Spirit, divine health and abundant prosperity, come by faith from a God whose thoughts towards His children are good and not evil. From a God who made His sons and daughters to be royalty, kings and priests, who are reigning with Him (Revelation 1:6 & 5:10)!

Which normal parent delights in seeing his children poor, destitute, naked and sick? None! And neither does God. He delights in seeing His children blessed, be made perfectly whole, and minister like Jesus in the power of the Spirit with miracles, signs and wonders. Now all this is something that must be made real and true by the Holy Spirit or the carnal mind will not accept it. But God’s word is unchanging:

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

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

Jesus Christ, who made all things, became a man for our sakes that we through His poverty might become rich, spiritually and financially. But Jesus Christ was not financially poor on earth just because He was born in a manger. The three wise man had given His parents expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11) which was at their disposal. Later during His ministry Jesus had his own house. The Bible records:

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). John 1:38-39

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities-Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. Luke 8:1-3

And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Luke 9:58

Yes, Jesus had many of donors who gave to His ministry and He had no place to stay in a local area problem, for the Samaritans cancelled His meeting and He was not welcome in the city as they did not receive him . (Luke 9:52-53) But Jesus who sometimes had as many as 120 people traveling with him bought food for the disciples (John 4:8) and had a treasurer Judas, who was a thief (John 12:6). And Jesus was also extremely rich as God had anointed Him with the Spirit in unlimited measure and angels miraculously ministered to Him whenever needed (Matthew 4:11).

When Jesus was betrayed and arrested according to the plan of God, Jesus could have asked His Father, and He would have provided Him with more than twelve legions of angels, but then the Scriptures would not be fulfilled. Jesus didn’t have a problem turning the water into wine at the wedding (John 2:6-9)or giving Peter and friends net breaking boat sinking loads of fish (Luke 5:4-7).

Yes, the disciples of Jesus, Peter and Andrew, James and John, and Matthew, were not poor. A study of Caperanum, the home of Jesus Christ during His Galilean ministry after He left Nazareth reveals this. Capernaum was also the home of Matthew, the tax collector; Peter and Andrew the fishermen had left Bethsaida and had settled in Capernaum, and there was James and John there in Capernaum also.

Matthew, as the tax collector, certainly had accumulated assets from his duty of tax collection, particularly along the busy Via Maris which brought a great deal of trade to Capernaum, and a tax on products, particularly fish would have given Matthew a substantial income.

The home of Peter has been excavated and is relatively unquestioned. It was a multi-roomed home with two courts, probably two stories with 14 rooms opening onto the two courts. Peter and Andrew, James and John were fishermen, and fish was a productive product on the busy market where caravans transversed from Damascus and Caesarea Maritime on the Mediterranean Sea. Dried fish was sold to be delivered all over the area.

Jesus Christ definitely was not anemic, impotent, and poor like many of God’s people who are bound by religious spirits and in a Satanic cycle of poverty rather than God’s cycle of prosperity unable to get or perform miracles! Yet God’s word is unchanging:

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, 1 Samuel 2:7-8

Yes, 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. God doesn’t have a problem in making His people rich and prosperous. Jesus Christ suffered on the cross intense pain and shame to set us free from sickness and poverty. By His stripes we were healed in every sense of the word. Jesus was made manifest to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) including sickness and poverty. He is still the great Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Provider and Miracle Worker. It’s Satan, our arch enemy, who wants God’s people to suffer spiritual, physical and financial insufficiency and be sick and weak for he is a thief, a murderer and a destroyer (John 10:10). God’s word is unchanging:

Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day."

The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. Luke 13:10-17

Yes, the devil kept this woman sick for eighteen years and Jesus delivered her from her bondage. And because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever He can and will deliver any one from any bondage. There are many forms of bondage besides sickness. A person could be physically well but be bondage in his finances. But God who owns the cattle on the thousand hills and all the silver and gold will deliver him from his or her bondage (Isaiah 61:1-5). The lack of money is a great bondage but Jesus delivers from all forms of bondage.

Contrary to what some people believe money is not the root of all evil. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil! Money is just a means of payment. It’s is neutral. What a person does with money makes it either good or evil. What is important is does a person possess money or does money possess the person?

The devil wants God’s people to be blind and ignorant about God’s desires for them to be healthy and wealthy and powerful. The devil is not stupid and he knows that whatever part of the Word of God is rejected by God’s people it will not become a reality in their lives. So he causes many religious folks to believe that sickness and poverty are the will of God and that prosperity and wealth and prosperity are from the devil. But all this is nothing but a lie from the father of all lies – the devil. Poverty is like an infectious disease. It is like a virus Satan brings upon the Body of Christ. He has infected many individuals, families and whole churches with the "poverty virus". As a result for them poverty and sickness have literally become a way of life.

But the truth of the matter is that Jesus had died on the cross to give us 100% victory over all things including to set us free from sickness and disease and poverty. He doesn't want us to be even 1% sick or poor. He gave His blood for us. He purchased us. We are His own and all that belongs to Jesus belongs to us- all of it! That is the reason why Jesus wants us to live a 100% healthy life.

Every sickness in our life and poverty is defeated by the blood of Jesus. Jesus gave His blood -- He died naked on the cross -- to set us free from sickness or poverty. Every financial lack in our life is defeated by the blood of Jesus. He wants us to live 100% wealthy and healthy lives. And All we have to do is to receive and confess God's Word concerning our health, healing, blessings and prosperity and to act according to it. God’s word is unchanging:

"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

"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

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

Chapter 3
All That Is In Heaven And In Earth Is Yours

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. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

The power and the glory, the victory and the majesty and all that is in heaven and in earth is the LORD and He has given it to His blood bought children who are to receive it by faith and spend it for the furthering of His kingdom. Poverty and sickness are to be rejected by God’s people as from the devil. They are to seek from God His richest, honor, power and might for it’s God who gives every good thing.

Yes, God’s children must take a step of faith and to believe God to reverse and restore all things to them including their health, wealth, good name and power just like they took a step of faith to be saved. And the good news is that the very moment they pray, God gives them the answer. That very moment God hears them and He commands His angels to bring the answer to them. However they are living in a spiritual warfare where a war goes on and their enemy, the devil, will try to delay the answer from coming through to them. He does this by many means just as Jesus warned us:

"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

Yes through thievery, tribulation, persecution, deceitfulness and cares of this world the devil robs the Word of God that is sown in the hearts of God’s people so it becomes unfruitful. He doesn’t want them to stand on God’s word that is unchanging:

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

"As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore." Isaiah 59:21

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

Jesus came to give us abundance in all things. He restored our right to sit at the royal table together with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He came to bless us, not to curse us. Prosperity is one of the many blessings God wants us to have. It’s not the only blessing just like Salvation is not the only blessing. God’s has many blessings of different kinds for His people. God’s word is unchanging:

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

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"), Galatians 3:13

We need to remember that it is not God's will for us to be poor or sick because He delights in the prosperity of His servants. By His death and resurrection Jesus has set us free from every curse of the law and every evil thing connected to it. Jesus fulfilled every word of the law on our behalf. As a result we are joint heirs with Christ! We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. And the Word of God is your passport to every blessing heaven has to offer. And heaven offers ... "abundantly above all that we ask or think". And poverty is a curse not a blessing! God’s word is true:

"And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you. Deuteronomy 28:29

"You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. "You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. "You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off. Deuteronomy 28:38-40

Through sacrificing the life of His only begotten Son, Jesus, God has provided our deliverance from destruction caused by poverty and sickness. Poverty and sickness are part of the curses of the law and Jesus has purchased our freedom from the curse of the law. Through lack of knowledge and generational curses many of God’s people have become poor and sick but Jesus Christ is still the Healer and Deliverer. God is on our side and He wants us to be healthy and wealthy but it’s the devil who doesn’t want us to believe and receive this truth. Yet 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. Psalm 103:1-5

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

The word of God teaches us that in order to have true prosperity we must have perseverance. You could not have one without the other. As a matter of fact Jesus taught in the parable of the sower that perseverance and prosperity were related. The bible records for our instruction:

"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

The heart of man is like the soil of the earth. Each soil is different and has different characteristics. Poor soil allows the devil to come and steal the word of God that is sown in the heart. Stony soil doesn’t have a heart that is persevering when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word. Soil with thorns allows the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But good soil with patience bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly love are also interrelated and are part of prosperity. For God’s word is unchanging:

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. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1-8

While men look at riches, wealth and power as signs of prosperity, God considers faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly love as the true elements of prosperity. For God’s word is unchanging:

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:35

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Chapter 4
Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone

"Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers. "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. "Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. "You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. "Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. Deuteronomy 8:1-6

If suffering and poverty were God’s will in any shape or form for His people then God would not have delivered His people from Egypt and spoiled them with the wealth of Egypt. (God gave them so much silver and gold that they not only built the tabernacle with it but they have enough to take with them to the promised land.) If poverty was God’s will He would not have brought them to a promised land - a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which they ate bread without scarcity, in which they lacked nothing; a land whose stones were iron and out of whose hills they dug copper. A land where they built beautiful houses and dwell in them; where their herds and their flocks multiplied, and their silver and gold were multiplied, and all that they had was multiplied. (Deuteronomy 8:7-13) God’s word is unchanging:

"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

"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him." For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:1-3

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. 3 John 1:1-3

Yes, God gives power to get wealth that that He may establish His covenant with His people. The problem that God’s people are not wealthy and prosperous is not with God but with His people who live in a wilderness of their own choosing and have not claimed all that is rightfully theirs. God’s has stated that His people can have whatever they desire and if they desire to have nothing and living in spiritual and physical poverty that is their choice! He will not interfere with their choices because God is a perfect gentleman and gives them the desires of their hearts:

May He grant you according to your heart's desire, And fulfill all your purpose. Psalm 20:4

You have given him his heart's desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah Psalm 21:2

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12

Yes, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets 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. They just didn’t let things happen through their faith they made things too happen. Spoils of war went to those who fought in the battles even of their own choosing. The bible records for our profit and instruction:

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

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. Hebrews 11:24-31

Yes, Moses when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Yes, the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days but only after Joshua did what the LORD had commanded him to do:

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. "From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Joshua 1:1-6

Joshua chose to believe the LORD and act upon the words that He had given him including “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.” Yes, God is speaking constantly to His people but they don’t hear Him or unlike Joshua refuse to act on His words:

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. "You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. "And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. "It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him." Joshua 6:1-5

Joshua believed God and went to war against Jericho and marched around the city once for six days. And then on the seventh day he marched around the city seven times, and the priests blew the trumpets and all the people shouted with a great shout then the wall of the city fell down just like God promised. Yes obedience to the words spoken by God and through His true prophets brings success and prosperity and spoils of war. God’s word is unchanging:

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 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. Mark 16:15-20

"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

It is a fact that western Christianity might be rich in organization, theology, doctrine, and tradition, but it is poor in spirit and sorely needed re-centering on the foundation from which it had strayed: the living Christ. Although the West owes so many of its blessings to Christianity there is little a desire for higher things. It worships, not God, but armed force, power, material things and fame. The West is like Judas Iscariot, who ate with Jesus, only to later deny him. The West ought to fear the fate of Judas, lest it hang itself on the tree of learning and knowledge rather than faith in God. They have for centuries been surrounded by Christianity, entirely steeped in its blessings, but the God's truth has not penetrated them. Christianity is not at fault but rather in the hardness of their hearts. Materialism and intellectualism have made their hearts hard. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches have choked the words of Jesus sown in their hearts. Just as salty seawater cannot quench thirst, much of American religion cannot satisfy a spiritually thirsty person because it is saturated with materialism. God’s word is unchanging:

"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."

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; "but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. Matthew 13:22-25

God’s people cannot blame everything on their enemy, the devil, they must take responsibility for their own sins and choices in life and must repent of them. True riches come from God and not from what men pursue.

Chapter 5
He Healed Them

Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:17-22

When Jesus gave His life for us on the cross, He paid the price for our forgiveness while we were still living in sin and rebellion. With His own blood, He paid the debt we owed to God for every sinful thing we have ever done…or will ever do. He set us free from sin, sickness and pain. He paid the bill so we can be whole—spirit, soul and body. God’s word is true:

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

Yes, God sent His word incarnate, Jesus, so that we could be made whole- spirit, soul and body. Jesus bore our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment]. He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was put upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Yes by faith just like we were saved from sin, we are healed and made whole in spite of what we feel or are going through. Physical sickness or symptoms don’t change the fact that God’s word says we are healed and made whole and the price for sickness (which entered the world through sin) has been paid! We don’t have to pay the price of sickness anymore as our healing has already been provided by God. We simply receive it by faith and walk in it. We take God at His Word. We believe we are healed, not because we feel healed or look healed at this moment but because God said we are. By faith, we start talking like we’re healed. We start acting like we’re healed. Before long, our bodies line up with God’s Word and it becomes apparent to everyone that we truly are healed!

Yes, for some people it’s very hard to receive their healing by faith. They need a sign from heaven or to feel the power of God moving over them. But God’s word says “The just shall live by faith:”

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17

But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." Galatians 3:11

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:36-39

Yes, we are born again by faith. We live by faith. We fulfill the will of God in our lives by faith. When we’re sick, we receive healing by faith. When we are broke, we get financial increase by faith. When we have trouble, we get help from God by faith. We receive anything and everything that we need from God…by faith - not by works or perspiration but by faith! Faith is simply believing what God says in His Word is true. Faith is trusting what God says more than we trust our natural senses or what other people say. Faith is believing God enough to talk and act as if His Word is true even when circumstances around us would seem to indicate that it’s not.

By faith we resist the devil, who is out to steal our health, our wealth and our blessings by any means. We don’t give to him what Jesus gave to us including divine health and divine prosperity. When devil pressures us with symptoms, circumstances and discouraging lies, we continue to believe God and His word. We keep our eyes upon God and confess His word no matter what. When symptoms of sickness come, we resist those symptoms and speak faith. We tell the devil to go away and we are not accepting the sickness that he wants to put on us because Jesus healed us two thousand years ago. He paid the price for us to be well and the devil can take his symptoms and go to hell where he belongs. We hold fast to the Word of God and absolutely, positively, refusing to give up until we see God’s promises manifested in our lives. We don’t cast away our confidence, which hath great reward. We have patience, that, after we have done the will of God, we will receive the promise for the just shall live by faith and he doesn’t draw back to perdition but believe to see our salvation.

We receive what God has promised us—whether that is healing or any other scriptural blessing—because we believe it not just with our head but with our heart. When we hear lies to the contrary, we don’t buy them. We are fully persuaded of what God says that we act as if it’s true even when natural circumstances look like it’s not. We don’t quit when the going gets tough. But we stand until we see our desired results of what God has promised us. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Hence we tell the devil we are healed and delivered and blessed and prospered and our end is better than our beginning. We confidently put the devil under our feet where he belongs and step boldly into a future full of the promises and provisions of God! God’s word is unchanging:

"For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. "I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. "I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 36:9-11

Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. "At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision: Daniel 9:20-23

Chapter 6
If You? Then I?

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. John 8:31

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

God has loved to refer to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jesus, who descended from Abraham lineage, had strong argumentative discussions with the religionists of His day about abiding in His word, knowing the truth and being free indeed and who their true father was. Jesus said it was not Abraham but the devil. God’s Word is unchanging:

"When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

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." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?"

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.

"I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father." They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. "But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. "You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father-God."

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. "But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. John 8:28-45

Abraham was the father of faith, not only because he believed God, but because he was willing to sacrifice his only son Isaac without question. Just like our Father God did with Jesus. Abraham also had a quality of faith and works that God Himself brought out in His words to him:

And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, "since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."

And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, "I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know." Genesis 18:17-21

Abraham, who was a wealthy person, commanded his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord to do righteousness and justice. But many religionists of our day with their hedonistic and humanistic gospel and feministic Jesus have not understood how important justice is to God. Injustice brings God Himself to walk here on earth to deal with the outcries that have come to Him about it. God blessed Abraham for loving justice and righteousness but destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because there was no justice or righteousness in it. Many religionist of this century have missed a very important aspect of the purposes of the Holy Spirit and as well as God’s character, nature and ways about Justice. God’s Word is unchanging about the Holy Spirit that was on Jesus and is on God’s true anointed servants the following:

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 11:2-5

"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 61:2-3

Justice is a very important aspect to God and His Holy Spirit and should be to His people in the confessions of their faith. God has called all His people to do works of justice, righteousness, truth and caring for the widows, homeless, helpless, demon-possessed and oppressed. Those who have had justice and security removed from them by the devil of lies. He has put His people upon the earth to return justice to the land, to set the captives free, to bring healing to the lonely and oppressed. He has called them to step out of their shells and secure places and bring hope to a dying nation. He has given them the tools to do the job. They have all the love and gifts they need to do what He has commanded them. They must simply step out and do it. If they did it in their masses, how great the change would be to the nation.

But God’s people have not obeyed Him. They have not listened to Him or the words that He spoke to Abraham their father of Faith. Instead God’s people have walked in their fears and insecurities. They have not allowed God to stretch them to do much more than they are doing. They had not listened to God voice calling them to action. Actions which they said spoke louder than words. They did not prove that they love Him, by obeying His Words to them.

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 1:16-20

They did not serve God by their action and He did not bless them for it and sent judgment instead. They were afraid that He would not also protect them. They did not understand that they had His authoritative word, Name and power. They had nothing to fear but fear itself for they had Him. They did not trust Him and His Word to accomplish the things He have called them to do to bring justice. He desired them to come forth and do justice for justice is very important to God. Although the harvest was vast and needy the laborers did not go out into the harvest to bring justice to the dry and this vast and needy land. Hence what prophet Isaiah wrote was true in America:

How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them. Isaiah 1:21-23

The church of Jesus Christ in America had no real leaders, just followers. It has no real Presence of God Person but a dead form and a lot of rhetoric. Even God was so tired of that hocus-pocus they call their worship of Him. He wanted the real thing - the true love and deep love of His real people. He was tired of dead traditions and outward form. God, the fountain of youth, wants the river of love of His children flow to Him from their outpoured hearts of love. For many their praise was genuine and He received it that way because all who teach them were not necessarily pure before Him. Yet, He forgives all for their genuine caring and openness with Him. But God’s word was going to be fulfilled even in America:

Therefore the Lord says, The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies. I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city." Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness. The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, And those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed. Isaiah 1:24-28

God’s people did not understand that if they did their part He would do His part. This is a principle that God has instituted with His people and operates with them. Hence His word states:

"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. "For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.

"As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, "then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, 'You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.'

"But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, "then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 2 Chronicles 7:13-20

The choices and resulting consequences belong to God’s people. If they walked before Him did according to all that He had commanded them and kept His statutes and His judgments, then He would have established the throne of their kingdom, as He had covenanted with them. But if they turned away and forsook His statutes and His commandments which He had set before them and served and worshiped other gods such as the god of mammon. Then He would uproot them from His land which He had given them and He would cast them of His sight.

Some would say that this can not be. But they fail to heed the words of Jesus who said about them and their confessions:

These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-"I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. "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. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " Revelation 3:15-22

Chapter 7
The Battle Is The Lord’s?

'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 1:30-31

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

Victory is given in battle, not outside of battle, for those who trust solely in the Lord like a shepherd boy David did when he came up against Goliath and stated “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46) Mind you fearful cowardly ones like King Saul never go into battle but run away from it! But God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 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 6:9-12

It is true that for each battle that we’re engaged in and all the conflicts that we’ll face in the future we can be encouraged by an ancient promise the Lord made through King Jehoshaphat when Judah was facing the possibility of an enemy attack. “Thus says the LORD to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Yes, the Bible is filled with life-giving promises about how God comes to our defense against the enemy. Paul (the apostle) said, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies . . . . Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:33-34). But there are a few battles in the realm of the flesh and spirit that are insidious which we must fight ourselves or we will be taken captive by the enemy and even destroyed by Him for lack of knowledge about the filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

Demons or fallen spirits inhabit bodies of people even Christians especially spirit of lusts, infirmity, pride, arrogance, lying etc. These fallen spirits cause people whom they have in bondage to react in a certain way such as being puffed up with pride or continually telling lies. Christ saves and redeems our spirit but we rule over our emotions and our minds which are the play ground of the devil and results in strongholds. A stronghold in the life of a Christian is not a demon. A stronghold gives demon a place to live in a body. Demons can only access a person if he gives him room. A stronghold is a house of wrong thinking. But through Christ 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled. A stronghold is a thinking pattern, a stronghold of error that gives the enemy a place to reside in our lives. And one of the easy ways for a Christian to create a stronghold in his or her life is not to walk in righteousness and holiness. God’s word is unchanging:

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 4:20-32

Wrong and improper words and actions or the lack of them, produce strongholds in our lives that give room to the devil and then demons come in and create havoc in our lives that is even destructive. It’s a fact that not all wrong and improper words or actions are intentional. Many times they just happen because of the enemy who walks about like a roaring lion looks for whom he may devour. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10).

In a day of computers that we live in, even the most expensive and powerful computer can end up being full of unwanted viruses and junk. But there are programs that will get rid of them and keep them out? Similarly Jesus Christ, Himself, the Lion of Judah, who is in us, is greater than the devil who is in the world. Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil and that we may have life and have it more abundantly. He is more than able break every chain and gives us the victory again and again and enables us to pull down every stronghold. God’s word is unchanging:

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 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 5:5-11

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10:1

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

A paradox of modern day Christianity is that it has become a religion of words by men who have a form of godliness and deny its power rather than a demonstration of power by a mighty God! Yet God’s word is unchanging:

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. Acts 8:5-7

"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

We see in these passages of scriptures that sickness and diseases are oppressions by the devil whom anointed ones like Philip and Jesus healed! And modern day Christianity knows very little about demons and casting them out? God’s word is unchanging:

'Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:31

'And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. Leviticus 20:16

“Familiar spirits”[i] is the designation of a specific type of evil spirit. It is so classified because of its chief characteristic: namely, familiarity. It is a relationship, a familiarity, with a person or personality. For example, a woman, whom Paul encountered in Macedonia, had a familiar spirit which gave her powers of divination and Paul dealt with it. God’s word is true:

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:16-18

Familiar spirits are common amid the practices of spiritism and witchcraft, but their activity is by no means limited to persons and practices so obviously occult. Evil spirits are personalities. They can reason, decide, express emotions and communicate. Personalities have the capacity to relate to one another. Two human personalities can form a relationship; and, through communication and communion, that relationship can be enhanced. Likewise, a person can form and develop a close relationship with an evil spirit. When a person forms a relationship with an evil spirit (which can be done either willfully or through ignorance), he then has a familiar spirit.

Satan assigns one of these spirits to an individual or family. The basic idea is to determine whether or not a particular party is susceptible to spiritual things. If the person is the least bit susceptible, the demon spirit starts watching the individual closely from the outside spiritual realm. The spirit "starts a file", you might say, and watches the intimate things that an individual does, making notes on everything. The spirit may not have the legal right to demonize the individual, but it accumulates detailed information as to everything personal and intimate that takes place in their life and their family. After a while, the demon spirit learns exactly how the victim will respond to various stimuli. The spirit can actually determine patterns of thought by using the power of suggestion.

In this file the familiar spirit collects details of things like: the person's talents, habits, neighbors, resources, friends, enemies, mental abilities, educational abilities, responses to many varied situations, etc... He becomes "familiar" with everything in that individuals life, without being noticed, because he is in the spiritual realm. Once the familiar spirit becomes very familiar with the "do's" and "don'ts" of a person, he works the best he can to manipulate that person and to influence him in certain situations.

Communication is the chief characteristic of a familiar spirit. The spirit responds quickly to the summons of the medium. A medium, such as the witch of Endor whom Saul consulted (I Sam. 28:7), is a go-between which forms a communication link between the earthly world and the demonic realm. Thus, anyone who becomes a channel of communication for an evil spirit is a medium. He has a familiar spirit.

A familiar spirit is something that a person has, because it is a personality identified with a certain individual. Most people are blind to the existence of spirits such as Fear, Stupidity, Rebellion, Epilepsy, Superstition, Blasphemy, Bitterness, Murder, Anger, Lust, Pride, Gluttony, Death, Infirmity, Bipolar Disorder and more! Additional topics include: Mind Control, Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), Hearing Voices, Dissociate Identity Disorder, False Memory Syndrome, unclean sexual-spirit manifestations. In the same sense that one has a book, a friend or a cold, one can be personally identified with a demon spirit. God’s word is unchanging:

In the same sense that one has a book, a friend or a cold, one can be personally identified with a demon spirit. God’s word is unchanging:

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19:

These seven abominations in a person life are usually inspired by familiar or unclean spirits. A particular evil spirit carries an attitude of superiority, haughtiness, boasting, and arrogance and tries to draw believers into these negative attitudes. He targets individual believers as well as groups with the temptation to be prideful. Although the bible says not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to (Romans 12:3) this promotes self and self-serving agendas. Those who don’t watch out for a false confidence and keep a humble trust in the Lord when God uses them can fall prey to this spirit and puff up their pride and deceive them into placing their worth and identity on what they think they are rather than who they are in Christ.

As a result many Christians are seduced by familiar spirits and depend more on their giftings, charisma, finances, traditions, programs, or favor with their denomination, than on the Holy Spirit. They forge ahead by their natural talents and abilities, losing sight of Jesus. Rather than depending and trusting the Voice of God they are operating in the flesh doing things by the flesh, not by the Spirit. As a result all their works are just empty devoid of love and are just wood stubble and hay that will be burnt in the big bon fire in the sky. God’s word is unchanging:

For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15

Chapter 8
Christ In You, The Hope Of Glory

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. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:27-29

The central theme of Apostle’s Paul teaching and preaching wasn’t the peripheral issues that Christians are always debating about whether suffering and poverty is the will of God, should women have short uncovered hair or preach; we should hate, despise ourselves for Christ sake; pray morbid prayers for mutilation of our body and flesh, cancers to plague our body and flesh, or be hit by a large truck, so that we can suffer like Jesus did and have his character in us; is One God, existing as Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; do we worship on Sunday morning or night or Saturday?

The central theme of Paul teaching and preaching was 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. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Yes, even man is to be perfect in 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) was important to apostle Paul and should be important to us as Christians. God’s word is unchanging:

The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:19-24

"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 14:12-14

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 3:15-21

"Christ in you, the hope of glory" the matter of true worshippers worshipping the Father "in Spirit and in truth", and not at a specific time and place is what it is all about. Its not when and where, but whom we worship and how. It’s not any of the peripheral issues that are important but only Christ in us and worshipping the Father "in Spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." Because Christ is in us we can do greater works that Jesus did and have all our prayers answer. “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” is just a true today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow.

Because Christ is in us we can according to the riches of His glory, be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, be rooted and grounded in love, 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; so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Yes, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, the power of the Holy Spirit who resides in and abides with us. And as we yield to the power we will see the fruits and works of Christ in us!

Because of Christ in us we not only have hope and glory but power and miracles for our God is a miracle working God and a life giver. Jesus came to destroy all the works of the devil and remove all curses from us including sickness, poverty and lack. Jesus, the Life-Giver, gives us spiritual life, physical life, life everlasting. For those who are in Christ it is written, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, . . . because of His great love. . . made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:1, 4-6; Colossians 2:13; John 5:24-25). God’s word is unchanging:

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 103:2-5

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

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

Because of Christ in us we are not only forgiven of all our iniquities, we are healed of all our diseases for Christ redeems our life, crowns us with loving-kindness and tender mercies, satisfies our mouth with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle's. Because of Christ we have not only righteousness and sanctification and redemption but God’s grace abounding towards us that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work.

Through Christ we have not a religion but a living vibrant relationship with God. Through Christ, "we are more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37; 2 Timothy 1:10). Through Christ we have all we need, be it for life, for death, or for eternity. Through Christ “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) Through Christ we overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). Through Christ God can restore everything that was lost or stolen from His people. He can heal them from the top of their head to the tip of their toes. He can make them whole body, soul and Spirit. He can bless them out of their socks including financially. God’s word is unchanging:

"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

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

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

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

Chapter 9
Hope Thou In God

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3

No matter how we feel or what negative situation that we find ourselves in, when we praise God we give Him the fuel to lead us from glory to glory even if His paths will lead us into the Red Sea where nothing but a miracle will save us! Faith still is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). In spiritual combats praise makes us a lion that cannot be stopped. Praise is God's natural habitat; whereas the devil naturally inhabits sorrow. When we are praising God, we are exalting Him, and He will in turn exalt us; if we honor Him, He will honor us. When we give God His proper place then He promotes us to our proper place just like He did for King David and King Solomon.

David continually praised God (Psalm 34:1) and God delivered him from all his enemies. And Solomon went to Gibeon where he offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar. As a result God said to Solomon, "Ask! What shall I give you?" (1 Kings 3:4-5). As a result Solomon became one of the richest kings of his day.

We were created to praise God. We are created as an instrument of praise unto God. And when we step in this purpose, then God true purposes for our lives become a reality. And His best for our lives becomes not just a dream. There is no weeping, sickness and lack in heaven. So when our life becomes one of praises it puts us into reality of the heavenly places. It moves us from the superficial to the deep things of God where earth’s poverty, sickness and lack are replaced by heaven’s riches, health and abundance.

In any situation where we do not know what else to do, we can just sing praises unto the Lord, fixing our eyes on Him. And then we enjoy dramatic triumphs in praise, because God is there. We also execute judgment, produce vengeance and eradicate mourning (Psalm 149: 7), as we put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:1-3). Praise brings God on the scene and all our enemies will be scattered!

Because God is alive and well and a great miracle working God, at all times we can praise and give him thanks especially as we have hope and faith of the great and wonderful things that He will do for us. His 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

…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. Ephesians 1:19-21

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

We can serve the Lord our God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things that He has done for us and is doing for us. The devil is a liar and the truth is that God still forgives all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, and redeems our life from destruction. The truth is there 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. The truth is God able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us including the power of hope and faith.

When we put our hope in God and praise Him, He rides the heaven in our help. Praise brings down the power of God our life, because it provokes the release of fresh oil which endues with power. Nothing forces our enemy to surrender like power. When we engage in genuine praise, we are anointed with fresh oil and endowed with power; that is when we begin to see our desires upon our enemies. God’s word is unchanging:

Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. Psalm 66:1-2

But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies; My ears hear my desire on the wicked Who rise up against me. Psalm. 92:10-11

Praise not only fertilizes our hope and keeps it going strong but it brings us from a prison to a palace just like God did for Joseph who was unjustly locked up. As a result he would rule over his brothers that sold him into slavery. As a result Joseph would give his testimony, "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis. 41:52).

God is inside praise, so everything that bows to God will bow to praise. When faced with any conflict of life, we can destroy the obstacles by switching to praise; and watch all the walls of Jericho (hedging us in) be brought down! Yes, when we praise God He will increase us, bless us and prosper us. His word is true:

"Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11

Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, And govern the nations on earth. Selah Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. Psalm 67:3-7

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. Isaiah 43:19-21

So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11

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." Zephaniah 3:17

Just like Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness so can we believe God? Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20) and so can we! No matter the storm we will find ourselves in, we can be sure of what God has promised. He has promised to bless and prosper us and to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask pray or thing. God’s 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

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." Romans 4:20-22

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, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,… 1 Peter 1:6-8

The righteousness of God in Jesus Christ is the driving force behind our faith, causing us to triumph in His Name. Jesus triumphed over Satan in three areas. First, during His earthly ministry, He spoke to Satan and said, “It is written...” (Matthew 4:4,7,10), and Satan had to obey the Word of God. Secondly, at the cross and resurrection, Jesus stripped Satan of his power and took the keys of hell and death. However, the third and most important area of Jesus’ triumph over Satan is His victory in the new birth. It was impossible in Satan’s thinking for God to take a man in sin, turn him into righteousness, give him the armor of God and enable him to triumph as Jesus did. This is victory of the highest order! Sin turned into righteousness! Death

Almighty God is our very own Father! We are bone of His bone, spirit of His Spirit, a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, and living in the kingdom of God. As we realize these things in our life, we become God-inside-minded. We no longer think of God as being a million miles away. He is residing inside us! Righteousness then becomes a force in the life of a believer which under girds his faith. The reality of righteousness enables a believer to do the impossible. Jesus approached the tomb of Lazarus and said, “Take ye away the stone...” (John 11:39). He never wavered in His faith.

Righteousness is our gateway to enjoying any benefit from God. Since He won't behold iniquity, our praises to Him in iniquity won't be acceptable before Him. He couldn't even behold His only begotten Son on the cross when He bore the sins of the whole world upon Himself, how then would He listen to us when him you praise Him in sin? Every grace of God thrives on righteousness.

Praise provides an access into the presence and blessings of God; but it is righteousness that secures it. Every blessing from God requires righteousness to be released. Similarly, every principle of God produces on the platform of righteousness, which is God's foundation (2 Timothy.2:19). Every blessing requires that we abide in the vine. 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

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:1-4

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 1 Corinthians 14:15

Chapter 10
He Is Also Able

Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6

by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:22-25

No matter what the problem or mess a person might be in, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. His word is unchanging:

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you-The sure mercies of David. Isaiah 55:1-3

God has nothing but blessings and the best of all things for His people in abundance. He desires that they incline their ear and come to Him. Hear and their soul shall live and He will make an everlasting covenant with them, a covenant of peace and prosperity and to do better do better for them than at their beginnings. His word is unchanging:

"I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 36:11

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. "Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

"I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. "And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Ezekiel 36:25-30

There is no one who will do for them what God will do for them including cleansing them from all their filthiness and from all their idols; giving them a new heart and putting a new spirit within them; taking the heart of stone out of their flesh and giving them heart of flesh; putting His Spirit within them and causing them to walk in His statutes, and keeping His judgments and doing them; delivering them and prospering them; taking all famine away from them and rebuilding and restoring all things. No one can bless and prosper them like the Lord who riches and resources are unlimited. His word is unchanging:

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. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed." Isaiah 61:4-9

God wants His people to dream big dreams and He will fulfill those dreams for He is God, not man! He who has already given them His best, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and His wonderful Counselor, the Holy Spirit, desires to give them the rest and do exceedingly abundantly above all that they ask or think, according to the power that works in them, the same power that created heaven and earth and raised Jesus Christ from the dead. His word is unchanging:

"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

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

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 3:20-32

Because God is a great and wonderful miracle working God there is nothing that He cannot or will not do for those who believe. Nothing is too big or too small for Him to look after and nothing is impossible with God. His word is unchanging:

Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all. Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, "This is David's spoil." 1 Samuel 30:17-20

And King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen. Esther 10:1-3

"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

Yes, the God who took nobodies like Joseph, David and Mordecai and made them into somebody’s is alive and well and able to do the same for anyone who trusts in Him and walk with Him no matter what the negative situation and circumstance. God’s word is unchanging:

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

Chapter 11
He Vanquished Them

"And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings; so will the LORD do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. 'You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you.' Deuteronomy 3:21-22

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

The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire. He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe, Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them. Psalm 18:13-14

King David, whom God took from following the sheep be ruler over God’s people, over Israel, knew from first hand experience that the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty belongs to the LORD and all that is in heaven and in earth is His included the kingdom, and He is exalted as head over all. He knew from experience that both riches and honor come from the Lord who reigns over all. And in whose hand is power and might; in His hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Hence David the anointed one, before he became king, told cowardly and fearful king Saul about the mighty Goliath "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

King Saul said to him, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!" (1 Kings 17:33-35). David made his confession of faith and put his faith in God and went and took on the Philistine in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom he had defied. The bible records:

And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. "Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S, and He will give you into our hands."

So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 1 Samuel 17:44-51

Victory comes from the LORD through the method of His choosing for those who confess and stand on His word. David used one stone, not a sword, and brought the mighty enemy down. He then had to take Philistine’s sword to kill him and cut off his head with it. David’s vanquish over Goliath was only one of many battles that he was to fight in his life until the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around (2 Samuel 7:1); as well Saul's house and Saul's wives into his keeping, and gave him the house of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 12:8). David discovered the secret of victory for himself. The bible records:

Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand." So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, "God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water." Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. "And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines." So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations. 1 Chronicles 14:9-17

David secret was that in time of trouble he would inquire of God what to do. And God would tell him what to do to have the victory. As a result of his obedience and faith, something supernatural happened on that battlefield. David described it as the power of God or the anointing of God coming on the scene like the breaking forth of waters. It was like a flood that could not be contained.

And similarly if we will inquire of God what to do in the time of trouble and distress, He will tell us and He will be for us the “God of Breakthrough” for just like Jesus was for others. Jesus told the blind man "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" and to his Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" and they received their needed breakthrough. The bible records for our profit and instruction:

When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. John 9:6-7

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. Luke 5:1-7

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 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. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:3-8

Chapter 12
You Have A Friend In Jesus

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 40:29-31

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

The poor and needy always have a friend in Jesus, whose understanding is unsearchable. Having lived as a man and was in all points tempted as they are, yet without sin they have some one who sympathize with their weaknesses, and understands all that they are going through. And being God the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, He has more than enough power to move and act on their behalf. He who walked the shores of the sea of Galilee is still the same healing and miracle working Jesus. God’s word is unchanging:

And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." testimony to them." However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.Mark 1:39-45

Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you. Isaiah 30:18-19

For those who come to Jesus Christ and touch Him by faith He is able to do for them exceedingly abundantly above all that they ask think or pray just like Jesus promised, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them (Mark 11:24). But for some people the whole process is a complete waste of time because they don't mix the word of God with faith and it doesn't profit them. God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:1-3

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. "Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. "But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:11-15

Yes there are those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved or healed or delivered. Then there are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Then there are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But then there are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Faith is our friend and unbelief is our enemy.

Unbelief if unchecked robs us of all the things that God has for us just like it robbed the children of Israel who were miraculously delivered from their Egyptian captors and spoils with the wealth and riches of Egypt from going into the promised land. Only Joshua and Caleb who had a different spirit in them and has followed the LORD fully, did He bring into the land where they went, and their descendants inherited it. God’s word is uchanging:

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13

Just because the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all flesh doesn't mean that everybody is saved or healed or delivered. And the number of deceived fools that we have in the world is proof of this!

There are two sides to this issue: the legal and the experiential. Legally, by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. Experientially, most people have not entered into the experience. In faith, we must appropriate in experience all that is already ours by legal right through our faith in Christ. The same is true with salvation. Derek Prince in his book “BLESSING OR CURSE YOU CAN CHOOSE!” brings out the following truths:

In John 1:12—13 the apostle says, concerning those who have been born again through receiving Jesus, that God has given them “the right to become children of God.” The Greek word translated “right” is exousia, usually translated “authority.” That is what a person actually receives at the new birth: authority to become a child of God.

Authority is effective, however, only insofar as it is exercised. The potential of the new birth is unlimited, but the actual results depend on the exercise of the authority that goes with it. What a person will become through the new birth is determined by the extent to which he exercises his God-given authority.

There is a close parallel between the experience of believers entering into the blessings of God in the New Covenant and that of the Israelites entering into Canaan under the Old Covenant. In the first covenant, under a leader named Joshua, God brought His people into a promised land. In the second covenant, under a leader named Jesus (which is another form of Joshua), God brings His people into a land of promises. Just as the land of Canaan was the physical inheritance appointed for Israel, so the promises of God, offered through Jesus, are the spiritual inheritance appointed for Christians in this dispensation. The same principles that applied to Israelites then apply to Christians now.

In Joshua 1:2—3 God gave Joshua instructions on how the Israelites were to take possession of their inheritance:

“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and this entire people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.”

There is precisely the same contrast of tenses here as in Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.. In verse 2, the Lord uses the continuing present: “I am giving” summed up in Revelation 21:7: “He who overcomes shall inherit all things.”

To further strengthen and encourage us, God has also set before us the example of Abraham, who is called “the father of us all.” Through Abraham, God did not merely establish the measure of the blessing He has prepared for each of us, which is “in all things.” He also marked out ahead the path that leads to that blessing. The life of Abraham is both an example and a challenge in three main areas: his prompt obedience, his complete confidence in God’s word and his stead- fast endurance.

In Hebrews 11:8 the writer emphasizes Abraham’s prompt, unquestioning obedience: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Abraham did not ask for any explanation of why he should go, or any description of the place he was going to. He simply did what God told him to do, promptly, without questioning. The same kind of obedience characterized his entire life: for instance, when God required him and all his household to be circumcised (Genesis 17:9—14, 23—27); and even when God asked him to offer up his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:1—14). At no time did Abraham ever hesitate in his obedience or question God concerning what he was asked to do.

In Romans 4:16—21 Paul points out that when God called Abraham “a father of many nations,” he had only one son by Hagar, a slave woman, while Sarah, his wife, had been barren for many years. Yet he reckoned God’s description of him as true from the moment it was spoken. Because he thus accepted God’s word without questioning, even against the evidence of his own senses, ultimately there came a physical fulfillment that was confirmed by his senses.

Actually, about 25 years passed from the time God first promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, until the birth of the son who was the promised heir. Through all those years he had nothing to hold onto but God’s promise. He must have faced endless temptations to discouragement. Yet he never gave up or abandoned his faith. Finally, the reward of his steadfastness is summed up in Hebrews 6:15: “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

In Romans 4:11—12 Paul tells us that we are children of Abraham “if we walk in the steps of Abraham’s faith.” This is the scriptural requirement for entering into “the blessing of Abraham,” promised in Galatians 3:14. Like Abraham, we must accept God’s Word as the one sure, unchanging element in our experience. All the variable opinions of men, and all the fluctuating impressions of our senses, are just “grass that withers.” “But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

Our acceptance of God’s Word, however, must not be purely intellectual or theoretical. We must demonstrate it in our actions just as Abraham did: by prompt, unquestioning obedience and by steadfast endurance in the face of all discouragement. In this way, we shall find that God’s Word will ultimately be proved true in our experience. We shall come to know God’s blessing—just as Abraham did—”in all things.”

Satan will continually oppose us with mental and emotional pressures: doubts, fear, guilt, confusion and so on. He may also assail our bodies with various forms of physical infirmity. Against all this God has provided us with one supremely effective weapon: His Word. In Ephesians 6:17 Paul directs us: “Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

This requires the interplay of the human and the divine. The sword is the sword of the Holy Spirit, but it is our responsibility to “take” it. If we take it, the Holy Spirit will wield it. But if we do not take it, the Holy Spirit has nothing to wield.

…Faith …reckons God’s promises as effective from the moment they are apprehended. We do not wait for confirmation from the senses. By prompt, unquestioning obedience and patient endurance, we move from our legal rights in Christ into the full, experiential enjoyment of them. We meet all satanic opposition with “the sword of the Spirit”: the spoken Word of God.

Chapter 13
All The Treasures Of Wisdom And Knowledge

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. Colossians 2:1-3

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

All our victories are won before we go into the fight. Prayer links us on to our lovely God, our abounding God, our multiplying God. …Holiness opens the door to all the treasures of God. He must first bring us to the place where we, like our Lord, love righteousness and hate iniquity, before He opens up to us these good treasures. When we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us, and it is only as we are made righteous and pure and holy through the precious blood of God's Son that we can enter into this life of holiness and righteousness in the Son. It is the righteousness of our Lord Himself made real in us as our faith is stayed in Him. Smith Wigglesworth

A true Christian is aware that his or her life is hidden with Christ in God who is sitting at the right hand of God and in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. God Himself has everything that man needs be it spiritual, physical and financial! The LORD is more than enough for anything and everything that a person needs! And Jesus’ words are unchanging:

"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 12:29-32

Apostle Peter also told us

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. 1 Peter 1:2-4

Smith Wigglesworth in his book Ever Increasing Faith told us:

God is calling us to this realm of glory and virtue where, as we feed on His exceeding great and precious promises, we are made partakers of the divine nature. Faith is the substance of things hoped for right here in this life. It is right here that God would have us partake of His divine nature. It is nothing less than the life of the Lord Himself imparted and flowing into our whole beings, so that our very body is quickened, so that every tissue and every drop of blood and our bones and joints and marrow receive this divine life. I believe that the Lord wants this divine life to flow right into our natural bodies, this law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus that makes us free from the law of sin and death. God wants to establish our faith so that we shall lay hold on this divine life, this divine nature of the Son of God, so that our spirit and soul and body will be sanctified wholly and preserved unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When that woman was healed of the issue of blood, Jesus perceived that power had gone out of Him. The woman's faith laid hold and this power was imparted and immediately the woman's being was surcharged with life and her weakness departed. The impartation of this power produces everything you need; but it comes only as our faith moves out for its impartation. Faith is the victory. If thou canst believe, it is thine.

I suffered for many years from piles, till my whole body was thoroughly weak; the blood used to gush from me. One day I got desperate and I took a bottle of oil and anointed myself. I said to the Lord, "Do what you want to, quickly." I was healed at that very moment. God wants us to have an activity of faith that dares to believe God. There is what seems like faith, and appearance of faith, but real faith believes God right to the end.

The divine will of God is for His people is that 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 (Ephesians 4:13)) His will also is that they should be filled without measure with God; for the power of the Spirit to fill them with the mightiness of God. God’s word is true:

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 3:16-21

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:17-21

And there are those so called Christians who are filled not with the Spirit of God but of the enemy which brings about a spiritual pride that makes a man or woman think that they are superior to their brethren, and that they are above taking counsel of the brethren. And then they are those who are ere so deluded by the evil power of Satan that men had left their wives, and wives had left their husbands, all in the name of Jesus who told them clearly:

And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 19:4-6

There is no one better than the companion God has given you. I have seen so many broken hearts and so many homes that have been wrecked. We need a real revelation of these evil seducing spirits, which come in and fascinate by the eye and destroy lives, and bring the work of God into disrepute. But there is always flesh behind it. It is never clean; it is unholy, impure, satanic, devilish, and hell is behind it. If the enemy comes in to tempt you on any line like this, I beseech you to look instantly to the Lord Jesus. He can deliver you from any such satanic power. You must be separated on all lines if you are going to have faith.

Many picture Satan as a great, ugly monster with great ears, eyes and a tail; but the Scriptures give us no such picture of him. He was a being of great beauty whose heart became lifted up. He is manifesting himself everywhere today as an angel of light. He is full of pride, and if you don't watch he will try to make you think you are somebody. This is the weakness of most preachers and most men -- the idea of being somebody! There are none of us who are anything, and the more we know we are nothing, the more God can make us a channel of His power. May the dear Lord save us from all these pride sidelines -- they are the devil's traps.

True prophecy will show you that Christ is all in all, and that you are in yourself less than nothing and vanity. False prophecy will not magnify Christ but will make you think that after all you are going to be some great one. You may be sure that such is inspired by "the chief of the sons of pride." – Smith Wigglesworth, Ever Lasting Faith

Also there the good news that there is nothing God will withhold from a man or woman filled with the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ provides salvation, healing and deliverance not only for body soul and spirit but also for finances. James tells us that, “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). God, the source of every good thing, told Moses to bring His people out of bondage. Moses acted on what God said, and by faith he brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey.

The gospels tell us clearly that Jesus also performs financial miracles. Peter foolishly opened his mouth without thinking and told those who received the temple tax that Jesus paid temple tax. And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. "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 17:24-27.) Peter acted on what Jesus said and the tribute was paid.

The word of God is very clear that just financial and physical blessings and increases are the children’s bread and part of the blessings for living and walking in truth. God’s word is true:

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:1-3

"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. 51:2 Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him." For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody! Isaiah 51:-3

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. Luke 5:4-7

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

Yes, financial prosperity is a birth right for each child of God just like physical and spiritual healing and deliverance! But no matter what is going around us or in the world all of God’s blessings come through prayer and standing on the word and resisting the enemy who has come to kill, steal and destroy!

Chapter 14
Just As He Walked

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

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:3-6

Unlike many false prophets, preachers and teachers today, Jesus Christ was not a liar, a deceiver, a controller or an abuser. He was not only a true man of God, a son of God, but a man of integrity! In other words He was nothing like the many false Christian leaders we have today especially in the “Third Wave” who are demonized and need deliverance and true salvation!

It’s to be noted:

"The first wave was the Pentecostal Movement, the second, the Charismatics, and now the Third Wave is joining them. The Third Wave being, of course, those mainstream evangelicals, now aware of the possibility of the power of God, but not wanting to identify with Pentecostalism." (C. Peter Wagner, as quoted in The Trojan Horse, p. 244) “While its proponents claim old-fashioned Pentecostalism as its heritage, the doctrine of the Vineyard movement’s Third Wave theology, as well as that of their up-and-coming stepchild, Promise Keepers, represents far more. It is a doctrine of extra-biblical extremism that focuses on seeking sensually-oriented experiences and utterances directly from Almighty God. Most often, the "prophet" names the individual these utterances are directed to and he sees visions in which personal appearances by Jesus and other well-known Bible characters are not uncommon. Outlandish and unbelievable extremes, practices and conduct, all in the name of the moving of the Holy Spirit, have sprung from the aforementioned, humble, early practices of Promise Keepers’ mother church.”

“Third Wave Vineyard tacticians, as well as Promise Keepers’ public relations departments have perfected invasive techniques in order to reach into otherwise biblically balanced denominations and infiltrate them with this doctrinal "leaven" by refocusing their spiritually naive victims on the propaganda calling for unity, harmony and the church’s need for "real men." This is a well-planned, strategically designed conspiracy to doctrinally invade those of extremely dissimilar theological positions. Their hope is that these target groups will swallow the hook of "Doctrine is no big deal. Let’s just love Jesus and unite for Christ." Their plan is to bring to bear on all groups—Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal, Protestant and non-Protestant—the teaching and extra-biblical philosophy that enslaves, excites and drives them with an evangelistic fervor. Thus an influx of Vineyard-type speakers and Third Wave-influenced ministers and materials has been invading otherwise conservative Bible-based churches on the false and deceptive premise of Promise Keepers.” (Phil Arms, op.cit., p.245-246,)

Many of the Third Wave leaders talk about Christian wealth transfer but practice an ongoing third wave demon transfer says Don Koenig of thepropheticyears.com[ii].

The whole idea that there will be a wealth transfer from the world to the Church is preposterous. What do they think the world will be doing while we take away their wealth and what in the world would we do with the wealth of the world anyway? Get rid of poverty? Where does it say the Church will do that in scripture? Actually these people will take new found wealth to build more and larger circus tents for their “third wave” freak shows?

There is no such concept of a wealth transfer to the Church in scripture it is totally contrary to what the scripture teaches.

These “third wave” self appointed, apostles, prophets and healers are proud presumptuous deranged people or they are greedy con artists and liars.

The “third wave” apostles, false prophets and healers appeal to people’s flesh and that is the only reason they have a following. They certainly do not hear the true gospel from these people and they do receive any sound Christian teaching.

These are the people Jesus was talking about in Matthew chapter 7: 21-22. They tell Jesus did we not prophecy in your name and cast out Devils in your name and do great works? But, Jesus will say to them depart from me you workers of inequity I never knew you

James Jacob Prasch in his article The Delusional World Of Mark Stibbe & St Andrews Chorleywood[iii] give us a sordid glimpse of the deception and demonization in the Third Wave:

Welcome to St. Andrew’s Chorleywood, The UK Platform For The Promotion Of Sexually Perverted Deceivers From Paul Cain To Todd Bentley.

After Its Latest Fad The Question Must Be Asked: Is St. Andrews Merely A Spiritually And Doctrinally Deranged Church Or A Lunatic Asylum With A Cross On The Roof?

It was the predecessor of Mark Stibbe, Anglican vicar at St. Andrew’s Chorley Wood , David Pytches, who promoted the ‘Kansas City Prophets’, (now proven by scripture and history to be false prophets), with his wild book ‘Some Said It Thundered’ in which he lauded Bob Jones and Paul Cain.

The fanciful false prophetic predictions of a great British revival for October of that year made in the Name of The Lord by Jones, Cain and their pastor Mike Bickel and the late John Wimber made in August of 1990 came to nothing. More mosques have been built in Britain than churches in the last 18 years since their promised ‘latter day rain’ and as with the failed Alpha courses the UK has only witnessed steadily increasing moral and spiritual decline including a Church of England headed by a member of a Druid sect and favoring same sex marriages and the lesbian and homosexual ordination urged by Desmond Tutu.

Pytches, Sandy Miller, Nicky Gumbel, Terry Virgo, Gerald Coates, and RT Kendall all quickly jumped on the ‘Kansas City’ bandwagon, but the assured revival never materialized; the diametric opposite transpired instead. Lakeland meetings were also mimicked in Dudley, England and predictably endorsed by Gerald Coates who tried to copy the failed Pensacola revival in London.

Lakeland is the most recent sequel but Kansas City was the prequel. Indeed, the gross distortion of The Book of Joel by the Kansas City false prophets, by means of abandoning biblical exegesis and embracing pure Gnosticism in the mystical subjectivist interpretation of Joel, saw the Babylonian invaders whom God will destroy retro-identified as ‘The Triumphant Church’. The participants at the Docklands fiasco saw the locusts of Joel’s apocalyptic vision identified as the demon cohorts of hell in Revelation chapter 9 , re-identified as the ‘Kingdom Now’/ Manifest sons participants in the conference. The mishandling and distortion of scripture was religious madness that set the stage for the next failed revival from Toronto, Canada led by John & Carol Arnott. This was likewise followed by the demise of its American clone at Brownsville Assemblies of God that ended in a massive church split and public financial scandal, but likewise no revival despite an avalanche of big talk and hollow promises.

Indeed, as one who himself believes in the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit when practiced scripturally, the consecutive failure of these counterfeit moves of Gods to deliver what they falsely promised was predictable, and in fact inevitable. Abject theology leads to abject spirituality. Doctrinal bankruptcy equates to spiritual bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City False Prophets hyped and promulgated by St. Andrew’s Chorleywood to no end have publicly fallen from grace. 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.

Well David Pytches - Thunder indeed!

Elim's Ian Bilby, and his worship leader, the cheer leaders of the Toronto deception in New Zealand were likewise found in publicly exposed serial adultery with as many as 20 women.

No revival ever materialized from Kansas City, which was the first link of the twisted chain of carnal and demonically inspired folly that has so discredited, damaged, and divided the church courtesy of St. Andrews Chorleywood who championed these false prophets with David Pytches and his ludicrous book.

Neither did any revival emerge from Toronto or Pensacola. Those freak shows are long over as is their attempted UK imitations in Sunderland and Marsham Street, London. Despite this, just as the Elim denomination continues to try to resuscitate the Toronto failure in its magazine, under the leadership of Mark Stibbe, St. Andrews Chorleywood continues promote John & Carol Arnott at their “School of International Ministry”. They seem to teach everything from “dream interpretation” to biblical groundless nonsense that is essentially New Age practice absurdly put into Christian jargon.

Now Mark Stibbe has promoted the ‘Third Wave’ sequel of Toronto and Pensacola in Lakeland, Florida . Lakeland pastor Stephen Strader admits it is the continuation of the Toronto and Pensacola phenomena.

According to various news reports, The Florida District Attorney believed Pastor Stephen Strader to be as guilty as his brother Daniel, but obtained a RICO conviction on his brother Daniel, now in prison until 2036 after defrauding elderly Christians out of $3 million dollars. Strader was convicted as a professional racketeer under RICO laws. RICO anti racketeering legislation is used in the prosecution and sentencing of professional gangsters engaged in various forms of organized criminal activity. These are the Strader brothers.

Strader brought in a criminally convicted Canadian homosexual pedophile named Todd Bentley to conduct his counterfeit revival. Bentley was imprisoned for the homosexual molestation of a seven year old before being commissioned to lead the Lakeland pandemonium. Bentley has meanwhile filed for a separation from his wife which by Canadian law is the first step to divorce. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Bentley has a history of adultery excluding him from ministry that has been covered up and has once again become involved in a yet another improper extra marital relationship. Yet it is this same Bentley that Wendy Alec of the so called 'God Channel' has defended labeling those critical of him and his carnal antics as being of the devil, and it is this same Lakeland hoax that Mark Stibbe and St. Andrews Chorleywood promulgated aggressively.

Bentley was exposed on national TV in the USA on the ABC Nightline broadcast for being unable to medically document a single claimed healing. Some of those pronounced healed at Lakeland have however since been medically documented as deceased, and a statement by Arnold Palmer hospital likewise contradicts claims of a resurrection from the dead as bogus.

That the ‘Fruit of The Holy Spirit’ according to Galatians is ‘ekreitei’ “Self Control” not the lack of, never mattered to proponents of Toronto or Pensacola. That such Fruit is also ‘gentleness’ does not matter either as Bentley kicks old ladies in the stomach and baptizes people in the name of ‘Bam’. Christ’s own clear and unambiguous warning to avoid those like Bentley who claim His physical return before the ‘parousia’ and revelatory visitations from a healing angel named ‘Emma’ (there are no manifestations of angelic beings as women or as agents of healing in God’s Word) could hardly matter to someone like Mark Stibbe.

It is well know by police and social services that pedophiles frequently profess a religious conversion in prison as a parole stunt and then seek work in scout groups, schools, youth camps and churches in order to get near children. Although Bentley fits this profile, we do not have any evidence of any recent homosexual pedophilia by this self-disfigured heretical freak, however current verified information certainly exists in the public media about his taking his wife to court for a separation and his more recent history of adultery.

But even if he did undergo an authentic regeneration and become a Christian, many ask why he would then say The Lord led him to cover his body with an array of disfiguring tattoos that give him the appearance of a rather freakish goon? Even if his sexual perversion was prior to becoming a Christian as he claims, that is not true of his openly confessed mentor, sexual predator Bob Jones, whom Bentley lauds and endorses. Jones preyed upon women sexually in lewd acts as a ‘prophet’. Why would anyone serving Jesus endorse the ministry of a sexually immoral preacher who misused Christian ministry to perpetrate his perversions and who according to The New Testament has no biblical right to be in ministry as he is not above reproach?

These are the deranged antics of Lakeland we are speaking of and these are the kinds of people we are talking about; an assortment of perverts, swindlers, drunks, homosexuals, demonstrable false prophets, and even a tattooed criminally convicted pedophile child molester turned adulterer filing separation procedures against his wife. This is the whacky world of Mark Stibbe.

It’s evident from their agenda, their words, and their deception the leaders of the Third Wave don’t have the best interests of the sheep at hand. They are happily filled with greed, pride, lies, and false doctrine. Those who follow these Svengalis…those who have been preyed upon and duped with lies are the ones, are also under the influence of demons. The leaders of these insidious movements such as The Third Wave are tools of the Devil. They have an evil nature and possess extreme craftiness. Whether delusional or just plain evil, whether they believe their own lies or see no lies, just profit and power…they are the masterminds. These hypocritical liars spread demons, to those vulnerable enough to believe them. The bible tells us about them:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 1 Timothy 4:1-2

For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. Titus 1:10-16

Chapter 15
Save Me

O 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! For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks? Psalm 6:1-5

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:30-32

In the bible the words salvation, deliverance and even healing are synonymous . If you are dying of terminal illness and the LORD heals then you are delivered from that sickness? If you have great financial problems and the creditors are going to seize everything that you have and the LORD makes a way where there is no way for your deliverance they you are saved from destruction? Contrary to the thinking of many theologians and even preachers, God is very practical and He provides real help, salvation, healing or deliverance where needed for those who cry out with an honest heart saying "Lord, save me!" just like Peter did when he tried to walk on the word doing what Jesus did!

The bible is full of prayers by the Psalmist who cried out save me, deliver me that were answered!

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 3:7-8

O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me, Lest they tear me like a lion, Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

… Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded! So the congregation of the peoples shall surround You; For their sakes, therefore, return on high. The LORD shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me. Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:1-10

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. Psalm 31:1-4

It’s a fact that salvation, healing and deliverance comes from the LORD God who made heaven and earth and has the power and ability to overturn and change all negative things in their lives just like He did many times for the children of Israel!

God with His mighty right hand drove the nations out before His people whom He planted in their land. He afflicted the peoples and cast them out. The children of Israel did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was His right hand, His arm, and the light of His countenance, because He favored them. And God who hasn’t changed can and will do the same for His trusting ones who call upon Him for help, salvation and deliverance concerning any enemy, physical, spiritual, or financial.

What God has done once before He can and will do again for His trusting ones just like He did for David, Daniel, Jehoshaphat or Hezekiah. They have His word on the matter:

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. Psalm 55:16-17

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. Psalm 57:1-3

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

It’s easy to praise and thank God when the salvation, healing and deliverance are manifested. But it’s another matter to praise and thank God while we are waiting for the manifestations of salvation, healing and deliverance. And yet we are encouraged in God’s word to praise and thank God in our troubles and negative situations? God’s word is true:

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:14-17

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Andre Crouch in his lyrics "Through It All" talks about thanking God for the mountains, thanking Him for the valleys, and thanking Him for the storms He brought me through and what faith in God can do:

"Through It All"

I've had many tears and sorrows,

I've had questions for tomorrow,

there's been times I didn't know right from wrong.

But in every situation,

God gave me blessed consolation,

that my trials come to only make me strong.

Chorus

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.

I've been to lots of places,

I've seen a lot of faces,

there's been times I felt so all alone.

But in my lonely hours,

yes, those precious lonely hours,

Jesus lets me know that I was His own

I thank God for the mountains,

and 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 God could solve them,

I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Chapter 16
The Power Of Praise

I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:1-3

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Jesus Christ who is not ashamed to call us brethren is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Judah means praise (Genesis. 29:35). As believers we belong to the tribe of Judah and therefore to the tribe of praise; so when we praise, we are in tune with our destiny. Since we belong to the tribe of Judah, triumph is also our heritage (Genesis.49:8-12). Yes, when praise becomes our life style, triumph becomes our heritage; therefore, the son of wickedness will no longer be able to exact upon us but our hand shall be on the neck of our enemies for we are of the tribe of Judah. God’s word is unchanging:

"Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? Genesis 49:8-9

I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him. The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him. "But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. Psalm. 89:20-22.

We can trigger of the Judaic nature inside of us and praise God to enable and see our triumphs and victories in all things just like David did. God called David a man after His heart. David lived up to God's purpose for creating him, he praised God continually and that was why he won God’s heart. Because we belong to the tribe of Judah, we’re of the company of those that must be praised by others, by reason of our outstanding results and undeniable breakthroughs through the avenue of praise.. Until we give God what is due unto Him, don't expect what is due to us. That is why a praising Christian is an ever-shining, reigning and ruling person!

Hence we can praise our way out of penury into plenty, out of sickness into health, and out of smallness into greatness! Yet praise is one of the most neglected or ignored spiritual weapons in Christendom, and purely as a result of ignorance. Nothing greases life like praise! When any system or engine lacks grease, it begins to make a cracking noise. That is how many lives in the body of Christ are today, because they lack the grease of praise.

The word of God clearly tells us rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. Now it’s a fact that that God not only inhabits the praise of His people but praise has great beneficial value to the believer. It is his cheapest access to the Most High God. It is also one of his surest accesses to the realm of the miraculous. Praise is also a preservative of the blessings of God. Blessings may come without it, but it takes praise to preserve the blessings. It is to one's blessings what salt is to meat - it keeps it from decaying. The word of God tells that priests stood the risk of losing God’s blessings, because they had ignored the ways of God. God’s word is true:

"And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name," Says the LORD of hosts, "I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart. "Behold, I will rebuke your descendants And spread refuse on your faces, The refuse of your solemn feasts; And one will take you away with it. Malachi 2:1-3

By not remembering to give God the glory due to Him, the priests stood to have refuse ( in this case shame and reproach) spread on their faces. So there are negative consequences to not praising God? But on the postive side the greatest obstacle facing a beliver in life will never require more than praise to become a miracle. No obstacle can escape the touch of Jesus, when we invoke that touch by intense, hearty praise; not just with the lips, but praise coming from the depth of our soul!

Praise is much more effectual than the longest fast any man can engage in. And, although prayer (no matter how fervent) has it's place, it cannot compete with praise in potency. Praise makes things work quickely! Those who are learned to praise God have found that there is a highway of praise. It’s a freeway – They just keep going on from triumph to triumph, victory to victory!

Thankfulness and praise from the depths of our hearts cause God to step in and the devils to step out for our God is "fearful in praises, doing wonders" (Exodus. 15:11). To the natural praise it seems that priase is the last things we are to do when we are in trouble. But David and Judah always praised the Lord when they were in trouble and were always victorious as a result. When Paul and Silas prayed (while in chains in the prison), and there seemed to be no response from heaven, they switched over to praise, and God intervened (Acts 16:25-26)!

In the ministry of Jesus (the feeding of the five thousand and the raising of Lazarus from the dead), we see that they both answered to praise. Jesus showed us that whenever a problem will take God, then give it praise; because praise will always get God on the scene. Whatever appears difficult in our life is only waiting for 0ur praise, to fall down flat like the wall of Jericho. When something stronger than us is fighting us, all we have to do is to stop struggling and just praise and thank God and He will fight the battle for us. God’s word is unchanging:

Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. Psalm 66:1-3

When we praise God from the depth of our being the greatness of His power shatters the plan of the enemies. Praise is a mystery, because as we raise God, things are mysteriously handled from the "headquarters" of heaven, while we just watch the events unfold before us. The greatest obstacle before you will not require more than praise to be converted to a miracle. Praise made one little boy's lunch to be enough to feed five thousand men! It brought Lazarus out of the grave, after he had been dead for four days! But when God steps in, there is nothing decomposition can do. When He came to the graveside, He recomposed Lazarus' system, and he that was dead came forth from the grave, alive! (John.11:44.) The wall of Jericho, the heaviest wall in its days (upon which six chariots could run side by side), "dissolved" in the hands of praise! The Bible says, "The wall fell down flat..." (Joshua. 6:20).

In Jeremiah 32:27 God asks: Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? The Psalmist said, "Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord" (Psalm. 150:6). When we praise God with the remaining breath in us He will come down and flush the devil out for us and rescue us from the den of lions. God is always for us and with us and every time we're shut in and there seems to be no way out, we are just to praise God. As we do, there will be an earthquake, the prison gates will be shattered, and we will walk out into liberty for the tabernacle of David, which is praise, has found a place in our heart, so that we can have pleasures forever more!

Praise is an invitation that God can never turn down. Every time praise rises up to God, He steps in. That thing which the devil thinks is enough reason for you not to praise God, let it be the very reason for which you are praising Him. For when He stretches forth His hand, who can turn it back? His word is unchanging:

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves. Psalm 69:30-31

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. Isaiah 43:21

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

We were created by God to live a life of praise and show forth His praises. Praise Pleases God. As wonderful as faith is and the great accomplishments it brings, faith is not as potent as praise. While faith draws on God's faithfulness, praise draws on God's personality. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him ( Hebrews 11:6).God is pleased, so He moves to honour faith. But when God is pleased with praise, He comes down in person. God's faithfulness is triggered off by faith, while praise compels His presence. When God is pleased, exploits explode and we no longer live the ordinary life. Everything begins to answer to us in our business, career and Family. Miracles, signs and wonders begin to answer to us.

It's time to mean business with God! When God is pleased, anything can happen. So if we want to see something happen in our life, business and Family? All we need to do is just please Him with our praises. We need to acknowledge Him. We need to appreciate and acknowledge from our hearts every act and favour of God. A law of life is that every favour we do not appreciate God for depreciates, and every blessing whose source we don't acknowledge, disappears. We are not to take God's faithfulness for granted. When we do, we will be grounded! We are to always acknowledge that He did it all. Each time we see very strange acts, quickly acknowledge, "This is purely the hand of God!" For every little increase we see in our business, we are to sing praises to Him and even dance, dance and dance before Him! And He will just keep dazing us with His blessings. We can see and acknowledge Him for what He has done, we provoke Him to do more. His word is unchanging:

We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old: You drove out the nations with Your hand, But them You planted; You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out. For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.. Psalm 44:1-5

We are to be grateful! We can never be fruitful except when we are grateful. Every seed sown in ingratitude falls on the rock and has no future. When we refuse to see God’s hand, we frustrate Him and compel Him to stop blessing us. We are to praise Him for the abundance of all things! Every mountain before us can be levelled. But all we need is to maintain a high frequency of praise and a sense of gratitude. We are not to complain for every one who complains ends up a convict, but every singing and jumping saint stays on top as a celebrity. There is everything to praise Him for. Everyone who lives in complaint lives in defeat; but he who lives in praise, lives in victory. We must nake our choice to give Him thanks or complain! But God’s word is unchanging:

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,Psalm 92:1-2

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

After every act of God, He waits on the other side for an acknowledgement from us. This shows that God keeps record of our activities. Every act of His that is not acknowledged disqualifies us from receiving further blessings. And perfection is obtainable through praise. The bible tells us of ten lepers who were cleansed, but only the one that returned to give thanks was made whole. At every point in our life, we need to learn to say, "Thank You, Jesus." At every turn of event, we need to learn to say, "Praise the Lord." By doing this, we are getting ourselves set for amazing changes.

The force of thanksgiving was what lifted Lazarus out of the grave, where he had been dead and stinking for four days. It was by the same mystery that five loaves and two fishes multiplied to feed five thousand men, with twelve baskets-full gathered as left overs! We are seeing such manifestations also in our days. No matter what valley we are trapped in, praise will raise us out of it. If our hands are not lifted up to God in praise and thanksgiving, we might die in the pit. Praise is our only way to keep staying at the top. God’s word is true:

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall 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, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.Psalm 113:1,7-8

An angel can be waylaid, stranded or stopped on the way, but who can stop the Almighty? There is a continuous conflict in the heavenlies, between God's angels and Satan's angels. That is why angels can be stopped. But God can't be stopped. No force can stand in His way. That is why nothing can stand the power coming forth from our praises.

Every prayer requires angelic involvement for it to be fulfilled. For instance, when Peter was in prison in Acts 12, the Bible records that "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." In response to that prayer, God sent an angel down with the answer:

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.Acts 12:7-10

Also in the book of Daniel, we find three instances where angels were sent down from heaven with answers to the prayer of saints.

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. Daniel 10:12-14

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. Daniel 9:3,21-22

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: Daniel 6:19-22

God responded to all Daniel's prayers by dispatching angels to go and deliver the answers. But though angels excel in strength, they are limited in power. There is no omnipotent angel, God is the only omnipotent being.

Whereas angels attend to prayer, God personally attends to praise (Psalm. 22:3). Every prayer requires some form of angelic intervention for the answer to be delivered. Prayers are made to God, but the answers are passed down through angels. But praise is superior to prayer. How do I know? Whereas angels attend to prayers, God personally attends to praises; and that makes the difference. When God attends to anything, we can be sure of who wins. Every time God rises in our favour, the victory is won. Praise is what makes God rise from His holy habitation; it is what triggers off the intervention of the Omnipotent God. And when God steps in, every devil bows out. God’s word is true:

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. Psalm 68:1-2

Praise is superior to prayer! We have seen that every mind-boggling miracle that took place in the Bible was in direct response to praise. Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and gave thanks, and there was enough food from five loaves of bread and two small fishes to feed five thousand men! All He said was, "Father, I thank you", not, "Father, multiply this bread and fish." Praise is God's hotline anytime! We can pray amiss, but we can never praise amiss!

Jesus said something about prayer that is very revealing.

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53

Angels will always respond to prayer, at the command of the Father. That is why they are called ministering spirits, sent to minister for us who shall be heirs of salvation (Hebrew. 1:14). The Bible says they hearken to the voice of His command. Angels attend to prayer, while God personally attends to praise. We can make our choice! The hottest prayer will only bring angels down, but every acceptable praise brings God down!

It's time to praise God down into every tight issue of our life. When we begin to sing and praise God, He sets ambushment against our enemies (2 Chronicles. 20:22-25). It is praise that makes our battle change hands. God will always take over our battles when we praise Him. God’s word is unchanging:

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 149:6-9

There is no situation in your life that will take more than praise to bow. This is because praise brings God into any situation, and whatever cannot stop God cannot stop it. Why? When we pray, God answers; but when we praise, He steps in, in all His glory, might, power and awesomeness. If we want to secure God's company in the midst of any conflict, we must just release ourselves to praise, and He will be there in person. When God comes on the spot, every devil gives way!

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name... Psalm 68:1-2, 4

Whatever will take God only calls for praise. That is praise-warfare. When praise is in place, His presence is compelled, for He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm. 22:3). In praise-warfare, we don't get emotionally excited. Rather, we look at the mountains before us and bring them down with praise. Praise is a God-given weapon in our hands, with which to humiliate Satan. It is the price to pay in order to transfer any battle from our hand to God's hand. When we enter into the realm of high praise, none of our enemies are safe any more. When we switch over to praise-warfare, there will be a crashing down of every wall of Jericho in our life.

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20

Praise-warfare disarms our enemies, such as sickness, poverty, lack, failure, etc. When we give thanks and sing praises unto His name, Psalm 92:11 becomes a reality in our life: Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

God inhabits the praises of His people, and that is the ultimate in victory. His presence is our greatest spiritual asset as believers, and praise is the price we pay to get it. God's presence is our guarantee for maximum security against all the woes of life. No opposition or obstacle can withstand His presence. God's presence mocks barriers and puts us above circumstances; it confers on us more honour and dignity than any earthly status can, so that doors open before us just like they would before Him.

Praise will grant us access into the hurt-free zone of life, because God's presence automatically dispels evil. His eyes are too pure to behold evil, so evil can't be present where God is present. He dwells in the light that no man can approach unto (1Timothy.6:16). This is what makes praise a superior weapon of warfare in the conflicts of life. Whatever God has not planted, but which is growing in our life, Family, business, finance, children, etc, can be uprooted by the invocation of praise. From today, as we "praise at" whatever "tares" the enemy has sown in our life, God will step in and uproot them by Himself. If somebody says, "I should be married by now." Praise Him for that state, and you'll soon be married. Another says, "I should have a job by now." Praise Him and the job will be yours. There is no shut prison door that praise cannot shatter!

No one can stop God when He comes on the scene; so it is wisdom to switch Him on. He is Almighty and Omnipotent! Praise is one of the most potent weapons in spiritual warfare; though it appears very cheap, it brings the Almighty on the scene. When He takes over our battles, we become a relaxed winner. Whatever force is holding down any of our redemptive rights will bow as we praise God in a dance. David danced with all his might before the Lord and everything that mocked Him (including his wife) came under God's judgement (2 Samuel. 6:14-23). Everything mocking ust oday will come under heaven's judgement as we too dance with all your might before Him. We can dance our way into our long-awaited covenant marriage, career and peace in the home!

Praise is God's natural habitat; whereas the devil naturally inhabits sorrow. So, we are to give the devil no place in our life by giving in to sorrow. The enemy won't take us for a ride any more!

Sorrow and broken-heartedness thrive on the past, concentrating on failures, mishaps, missed opportunities, insults and assaults. But a life of joy on the contrary focuses on the future. It is full of expectation for a bright and better tomorrow. Many people expect good things, but very few believe that it will come to pass. Fewer still, focus on their expectations, so they are dragged back by the past and stranded by the things of the present. We can stay joyful because:

* God is always right.

* God is ever faithful.

* If God can’t do it, then no one else can. If God cannot, no one else should try. He is the end of human search.

It doesn’t matter where we are today, God has marked out a colourful future for us. We are not to sell off to sorrow, nor t give in to broken-heartedness. Everything that looks like a downward trend today is an upward thrust in disguise. That situation that looks like a stumbling block today is only a stepping stone to our next phase of glory. God’s word is unchanging:

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Romans 4:20

Chapter 17
The God Of The One

"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

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, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

In the system of the world the needs and fate of one person are not important but to God the one person is very important. We see this through the bible that God is the God of the one person. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Joseph, Job, the blind man who wanted to see, the Samaritan woman at the well, the Roman centurion who came to Jesus pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented," and the woman of Canaan who came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."

God loves, cares for and responds to the one individual in their time of need, and does the impossible for them. None of these folks we have mentioned were disappointed for putting their trust in God but rather were blessed by Him! They found God’s word to be true:

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:15-16

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:14-7

Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever doesn’t neglect the cry or prayer of that one righteous person who cries out to Him in time of trouble whether it be an apostle or an ordinary house wife. Sis. Stella Dhinakaran of Jesus Calls told us of her struggle with the approaching death of her husband and how she cried out to God for Him:

Many years ago, my husband was lying on his sick bed, fighting for life. I held on to the Lord with the thought, “I have none to help me. Will my life end on a tearful note?” Then I knelt down and cried out to God in prayer, “Lord, You are my only refuge. Please deliver me out of this trouble.” At that moment, I was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure. The Holy Spirit spoke words of comfort and encouragement to me. My heart was filled with God’s limitless peace. I had hastened to God in despair, but after seeking Him in prayer, I had the faith that God would heal my husband and bless him in the ministry mightily. The Lord healed him after four months but His peace that pervaded my heart that day convinced me that my husband had already received healing. Now, even though one full year has gone by since my husband entered glory, the peace of God leads me to do His will even to this day.

But it’s also a fact that the opinion of masses of people, especially those of the world, doesn’t mean much with God. Just before Jesus warned of false prophets He told us, “"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7: 13 – 14). Salvation, healing and deliverance doesn’t come to the masses but to the one humble individual who seeks God with all of his or her strength and heart! The word of God tells us about a singular person:

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. 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! Psalm 34:3-8

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

I cried out to God with my voice- To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah Psalm 77:1-3

And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.' Acts 2:21

It’s to be noted that “whoever” is a singular individual and the word “saved” 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

Chapter 18
A Friend Loves At All Times

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

I’ve found a Friend, Oh, such a Friend,

He loved me e’er I knew Him!

He drew me with the cords of love,

And thus He bound me to Him!

God didn’t just give us a bible to study and read and a man to lead and guide us into all truth but He gave us Himself, to be to us all that we need. The written Word can never be read properly without the revealing light of the living word, Jesus Christ - the Word made flesh. The Word that came to live among us now has come to dwell within us! He is our life. He is our healing. He is our strength. He is everything that we need. He has accepted us just as WE ARE and we accept Him just as HE Is. He has all of us and we have all of Him. We don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that we got the best part of this arrangement for all of us is not worth that much but all of God is priceless. Mind you God also thinks that He has gotten the best part of the deal for He has us.

When we are in the presence of the King we don’t have to spend long hours reading the biography of a king but we can enjoy His company and all that He has to offer us. It is not the mental understanding, or the intellectual apprehension of the fact that Jesus Christ is the Way, is the Truth and the Life that bring joy unspeakable to our hearts but it’s the experience of these truths that floods our spirits with His divine power, love, joy and life. We find liberation when we are delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21).

The light of the world now lives in us and we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When our “pitchers” are broken, His light shines forth more gloriously than the light of the noonday sun. It brings to the world the revelation of the Light of the World, who is Jesus, manifested through the lives of His surrendered and yielded children.

We live under a new and greater covenant where we not only have the promises of what God in Christ Jesus would do but what He would be to us and in us. He has not only come to show us a plan whereby we could find Salvation but He has become our Salvation. He made us spiritual by giving us His Spirit. We now have and enjoy His lovely indwelling presence for we now are the temple of the Holy Spirit where the King of Glory lives.

Our Christian maturity is not the development of human understanding, nor an increase in our intellectual knowledge concerning prophecy but rather, the unhindered outflow of the knowledge of Christ Himself, giving us heart understanding and spiritual ability to receive Him. We have become partaker of divine nature and out of our hearts flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And the surge of resurrection life not only covers out body, soul and spirit, but the divine virtues of our adorable Lord outstrips everything we have received under the curse of the Law. Instead of sickness we have divine health and divine healing and divine life. Instead of poverty and lack we have divine prosperity and divine wealth. Instead of defeat and failure we now have victory and honor. That is if the Lord has us and we have Him!

Unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees of old who required that people, before they would be accepted by the powers that be, give tithes, pray in public and be bound by legalistic rules and enslaved with chains of ritualism, Jesus Christ demands no such things of us. He doesn’t enslave us but sets us free from all traditional and preconceived and pre-established prejudices. He appeals directly to the hearts and spirits of the suffering, the sinful, and the oppressed with the words, “Come unto Me!” And lay your heads upon my breast. He is now the only Door, the only one Way, the only one Life, the only one Salvation, and the only Savior! He is now our everything and from His illimitable fountains of virtue comes life, health, strength, joy and peace! We need nothing beside Him.

It doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor, sick or needy, He is our illimitable Source of eternal supply, and in Him we can find all that we need. Everything that He has is ours. God’s word is unchanging:

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12

Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. "Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. "And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." ' "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. Luke 15:11-24

Jesus used the story of the prodigal son to tell us how we as God’s children had left our Heavenly Father and went into the world to live defeated desolate lives. But when we returned back to our Heavenly Father He had restored all things to us including the best Robe and a Ring on our hand and Sandals on our feet. We have now become heirs of Salvation and as a result all that belongs to the Father now belongs to us: As a matter of fact we live in the finest hour of the Church of when the Father God is restoring all things to His people including the best Robe that their Father gives them when they come back to Him which is the Mantle of Anointing of His Holy Spirit. It’s similar to the Mantle that our Father-God gave to a great man of God, Elijah, who worked miracles with it, doing great things, especially bringing down the Fire of God from Heaven. So that everybody would know who the Lord of Lord was and is. It’s a similar anointing that Jesus received from the Father when John the Baptist baptized him in the river Jordan. While He prayed, the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said

"You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." Now Jesus Himself began His ministry. (Luke 3:21-22)

Then the Word of God tell us that Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he was for forty days tempted by the devil, proved by God, eating nothing. After the devil had ended every temptation, and departed for a while, Jesus returned in the power of the Holy Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went throughout the entire surrounding region. Then Jesus came to Nazareth where He had been brought up and as was His custom, went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read and found the place where it was written:

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)

Well, this is the same Robe or mantle of anointing that our heavenly Father wants to give us, so that we can do the works of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit and in dependence on Him. So that we can heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and set free those who are oppressed, just like Jesus did when He as God in human flesh walked on earth two thousand years ago. For Jesus words are true:

"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)

The Robe the father gave the prodigal son can be compared to the "coat of many colors" that Israel gave to his son Joseph, the same Coat their Heavenly Father presently gives us. God's word records:

"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors." (Genesis 37:3)

The Robe signifies a Mantle of the Holy Spirit's 'Anointing' on them. The different colors on the coat signify the different aspects and attributes of the 'Anointing;' such as salvation, healing, blessings, prosperity, provision, position, power, responsibility, authority, sonship, kingship, royalty, good things, deliverance, miracles, wealth and riches. We have an example of this recorded in the book of Kings of two great men of God, Elijah and Elisha, and what they accomplished with their Mantle. Elijah gathered on Mount Carmel the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table and all of the children of Israel. He told them what God would say to many of us today:

If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 1 King 18:21-22

Elijah called upon God at the offering of the evening sacrifice to confirm that he did thins at God's command and that they people might know His is the LORD God who has turned their hearts back to Him. God’s word records:

Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:19-39)

The heart that opens to the reign of Christ enters into the reality of His Presence. The living, pulsating reality of His divine indwelling springs up within our innermost being like an artesian well of heavenly glory. It is effortless. It just flows. It permeates every fiber of the nature. And we do not have to wait until the Gates of Pearl unfold before we are lost in wonder, love, and praise. It is in Christ we find our completeness and life and peace. Where our selfish, fleshly desires do not crowd out Christ in us, He brings us life, light and health. He who bore our sicknesses and sorrows has come to give us peace, rest and joy. Unlike others Christ doesn’t just come to us bearing gifts, He Himself is the greatest gift that we have ever received. His light does not shine from the outside in, but it radiates from the inside out. The gifts He imparts, He administers and operates. He does not “give” light. He is Light! He does not impart health. He is Health.

We now live in the flesh, we live by faith in the Son of God, who gave Himself for us and now dwells within us. As He rooms within us, by the Spirit, for the incoming Christ commiserating with our surrender and our death to self, His light, His life, and His love permeate every compartment of our being! And with time, the cup of His mercy overflows and the physical body demonstrated His resurrection life. Instead of struggle, there is rest. Instead of agonizing, there is peace. The indwell Christ and His government brings us into a blessed quietness and trust before the Lord.

We not only know that in Christ there is health, virtue, and saving power but we are indwelt by Him and He imparts to us virtue. In other word healing comes with the Healer. Our poor, diseased bodies and lives are transformed, because our darkness is swallowed up in His light. He, as our Health, overcomes our sickness. He, as our Strength, absorbs all our weakness. We are strong in Him, for He gives us His strength through His presence

When the Light comes, the darkness must go. The power is not in what our LORD prescribes, it is not in doing this or that. It is not in knowing “how to receive healing.” It is not in the healing virtue He imparts, but it is the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He has become our health, our holiness and our wealth and all that we need. It is not what He gives—but who He is! He is Resurrection Life! He is Wisdom! He is Righteousness! He is Healing! He is all that we need. His glorious life divine in us doesn’t produce a struggle. But it is rest. It is strength. It is healing, as well as power.

A river doesn’t struggle to roll down hill and its water doesn’t strive and strain as it gently flows to where the great arms of the sea are opened wide to receive it? Hence similarly we are merely the riverbed, and His life is the river. He flows through us, constantly giving, imparting, radiating and infusing, until our very lives are hid with Christ in God. Our natures are transformed by His glorious nature divine. Our sicknesses, our sufferings, and our pain cannot maintain their grip in the warm flow of His love. God’s word is unchanging:

"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. Galatians 2:20

Chapter 19
The Fruit of the Spirit is?

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39

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. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

God’s love is the gist of the whole gospel. And we need to grow in His love and to walk in love by yielding to the Holy Spirit who is inside of us and letting Him flow from us! When we were born again and Baptized with the Spirit God not only cleansed us from all our filthiness and from all your idols , He gave us a new heart and put a new spirit within us; He took the heart of stone out of our flesh and give us a heart of flesh. He put His Spirit within us and enable to walk in His commandments and to do them (Ezekiel 36:25-27) because we became a new creation. God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

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. Galatians 4:20-24

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. Galatians 6:15-16

Yes, through the new birth we have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. As the elect of God, holy and beloved, we put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave us, we do also. And above all these things we put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And we let the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which also we were called in one body; and we are thankful. We let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.

But if we are not continually praying in the Spirit and staying in the Word of God, the devil and the old man will deceive us and we will revert back to our old ways! God doesn’t judge us on what we know but on what we do. We are to do His word and to make sure that the new man in us is demonstrating love, compassion tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, patience, endurance and forgiveness and not the old man demonstrating bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, etc.

So how do we know whether we are in the kingdom of God or in the kingdom of the devil? By love; love is the test, love is the fruit. We have been saved out of the kingdom of darkness into God’s marvelous light. We are strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. We give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:10-14). Our inheritance the promises of God dwells in the kingdom of light. The kingdom of Jesus is called the kingdom of love; it is called the kingdom of light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. And the love of God is now shining out through us when we are walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. God’s word is unchanging:

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18

Walking in the Spirit is also being led by the Spirit. Our inheritance is prosperity, health and abundant life. That is our inheritance. Goodness and mercy flowing in our life. Our inheritance is the land of milk and honey in Christ. But the inheritance cannot come to some people? Those who walk in the flesh will not taste health. They will taste sickness. Those who walk in flesh will not taste prosperity; they will taste poverty. Those who walk in the flesh they will not taste abundant life. They will taste a miserable life. They will not inherit the things of God. It may be theirs but their inheritance cannot come to them.

We live in a world that is hostile to the things of God. And the devil will have every opportunity to bring disaster on our life. But there is a way where we could attract the blessings of God where in our life things just flow. But in some people sometimes without effort they get blessed here blessed there blessed everywhere. They just get blessed. What are they receiving? The inheritance of God. When we receive an inheritance we do not deserve it. We did not work for the inheritance. Somebody worked at it. Somebody accumulated it. And then because of our position they pass it to you. That’s an inheritance.

Jesus conquered for us. Jesus paid the price for us. Then He says it is ours now. Do you know that inheritance cannot come to people because they are not walking in the Spirit, they are not walking in love? When we walk in love the inheritance comes forth. We are in right relationship with God’s family. The inheritance is the family blessing of God.

There are so much blessings God has blessed us with. But it’s not coming to people because they are not walking in the Spirit; walking in love. They are walking in the flesh. Paul says those who walk in the flesh who do such things cannot partake of the inheritance of the saints. It may be theirs but they cannot taste it. Walking in the Spirit means walking in love, walking in joy, walking in peace, walking in long suffering, walking in kindness, walking in goodness, walking in gentleness, walking in self-control, all these fruit of the Spirit we walk in them. And then we walk in our inheritance, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Evangelist Billy Graham said that 90 percent of all Christians in America live defeated lives. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, added, "You may have a heart for God. You read your Bible faithfully, you pray, you witness, you are active in your church; yet year after year you continue to fight a losing battle."

In his book The Holy Spirit, Billy Graham acknowledged the constant state of leaving our lives in the Holy Spirit's control. "We must surrender ourselves to Him daily," he writes, "and everyday we must choose to remain surrendered." Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade, described this regular act of surrender as "spiritual breathing." By faith, we confess our sins to God, agreeing that we have missed the mark of His perfection. This, Bill explains, is like exhaling. The next step is to accept God's forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with His power; Bill compares that to inhaling. Bill Bright taught

"There are three kinds of people in the world," The Bible tells us there is the 'natural man,' the 'spiritual man,' and the 'carnal man.' The natural man is one who hasn't received the Lord Jesus as Savior. The carnal man is one who has received Christ, but lives a defeated life." "But the spiritual man places Christ on the throne of his life, and his own ego steps aside to allow God's Holy Spirit to control his life. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and goodness—are the obvious benefits."”

Chapter 20
Wait For God Alone

My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 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 Psalm 62:1-8

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. Act. James 5:10-11

Our faith in God and His words brings great results in due season. Hence we patiently wait for God to move in grace on our behalf and to deal with all our requests and needs. Grace can be defined as God's riches at Christ expense. And through grace God willingly entered into a blood covenant with us and gave us everything He has in exchange for everything we have. He took our sin to give us His righteousness. He took our sickness to give us His health. He took our poverty in order to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory. Whenever He asks us to do something, He provides everything we need to carry it out. Yes God because of Calvary made the great exchange. He became poor so that we through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Yes, the great Jehovah, God of heaven and earth, is now our Father God. And if we're under the blood of Jesus, we've been made a covenant child of the most powerful being in the universe. And because of Jesus we are no longer helpless captives to sin and sickness and lack. Through faith in His name, we have healing for soul, mind and body and provisions for our needs and life!

We know from God’s word, the bible, that there is nothing impossible for the Lord Jesus Christ and He is greater than the greatest problem in our lives. We know that God is able to fill His people His Holy Spirit without measure to make their life be a testimony to the world and to help them overcome the problems in life and use them to deliver the people who are bound by evil powers.

There is not a need that Jesus cannot meet. He has all power, and what may be impossible with men is not impossible with God. He conquered death, hell and the grave, so we know that He can conquer for us! As we believe and trust in God and in His promises we can be expecting armfuls of God's blessings to be given to us in response to our prayers for all things are possible to those who believe. God’s word is unchanging:

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 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 5:13-15

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

Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Proverbs 20:22

Now skeptics and scoffers don’t believe that faith in God will open up windows in heaven and as a result they don’t see the impossible. But the bible has many examples of what expectantly waiting on the Lord and hoping 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. It doesn’t pay to be arrogant and proud and a respecter of persons for 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

Chapter 21
The LORD Kills And Makes Alive

"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. 2:10 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

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:14-16

God is mighty great and wonderful and He can do what no other can do including killing people and making them alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. He makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He also 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. And He can and will do all things for His trusting humble ones, His born again children! God’s word is true:

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10

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

Man is a three part being. Man is a spirit that has a soul and lives in a body. The Bible makes a distinction between the spirit and the soul and the body. First Thessalonians 5:23 tells us, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We contact the physical realm with our body. We contact our soulish realm with our intellect and we contact the spiritual realm with our spirit. We cannot be led by the Spirit of God if we never enter into the spiritual realm. Why? Because the things of the spirit cannot be understood by the natural man. However they can be understood by those who are the sons of God and are led by the Spirit of God!

It’s a fact that men don’t know what is best for us or have all the answers in life but God does! He has the power to raise people from the dead and to make their bodies whole free from any sickness and disease! He has to power to fill a person with the fullness of God and impart to Him the mind of Christ and as much wisdom that he needs. 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. 2 Corinthians 9:8

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

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

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

When Jesus talked about coming into the Kingdom of God, He used the phrase "born again." When Paul talked about new Christians, he called them babes and children. In another place, Paul said that we should grow up spiritually and become mature. It very sad but most are Christians all over the world who are infants and children. They are born into the Body of Christ but don’t grow up and become mature. They are children who do things halfway and without understanding. They are immature and stay immature for the rest of their lives and that should not be!

God wants them to grow up and be mature and live and walk in the power that He has for them! They have become the Children of God and can abide in Christ and allow His life to be manifested in them and through them. God’s word is unchanging:

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

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. 1 John 3:1-10

So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" ' " Zechariah 4:6-7

The Holy Spirit who is the muscle of God is willing to be invited to move all our mountains into the sea and to manifest God's power in all our negative circumstances just like when He came on Samson, and enabled him single-handedly to kill a thousand Philistine soldiers (Judges 15:14-16). Samson was really just an ordinary fellow. He only became extraordinary when the Spirit of God came on him. And the same about us we become extraordinary and a powerhouse.

The Holy Spirit is everything in us that He has ever been. He has awesome power and astounding ability to compute, to comprehend and plan in infinite detail everything that has ever been...everything that now is...and everything that ever will be! And when we run into something we can't handle we can call on Him for help! He's not a million light years away. He's right there inside us! He's ready to supply us with whatever we need. He's ready to be our comforter. Ready to be our teacher and our trainer. Ready to be our advocate, our standby, our counselor. He's ready to put His supernatural muscle and mind to work for us 24 hours a day.

But He is a perfect gentleman who will not help us unless we invite Him to work on our behalf! He is ready to move on God's Word and deliver the power necessary to cause that Word to manifest in the earth. That's what He did at creation...and that's what He is commissioned to do for us as our helper. He stands ready to give us plans, ideas and inventions. He stands ready to open doors of opportunity and then to give us the strength and ability to walk through them. And we Him we can say:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord Luke 4:18-19

Chapter 22
Not Unto Death!

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." John 11:1-4

The devil would have many of God’s people believe that their sickness is incurable, their problem insolvable and their sin unforgivable but that is not true when Jesus comes on the scene. For when Jesus passes by, anything is possible for He is after all a miracle working God who can and will do the impossible for those who believe. And that is why Jesus told Martha:

"Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." John 11:24-27

Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. "And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. John 11:41-46

Yes those who believe will see the glory of God and get their miracles and the others will only see miracles, signs and wonders that will cause them to wonder in unbelief! Yes God is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25). The blood of Jesus will never lose its power, and no power is greater than the power in the blood. The divine blood of Jesus is able to save to the uttermost. His blood saves, heals and delivers. Through His blood we have been made nigh to God, and we can have heaven’s divine help at all times. We are blessed to have the precious blood of Jesus applied to our hearts. Without that blood there is no forgiveness of sins or newness of life.

There is miracle-working power in the blood! His blood was not shed in vain, and we can have Calvary’s benefits all the days of our life. We can look to Him in faith and expect miracles for our loved ones and ourselves for we are made in the image of God. God’s word is true:

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. "Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so.Genesis 1:26-30

"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 His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16

And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. Acts 14:9-10

The bible tells us that faith is not a set of religious beliefs but the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And 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). True faith accomplishes things. 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, 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 11:30-34).

Yes, faith in God produces positive results. In Lystra, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked a certain man without strength in his feet, was sitting and Paul observed that he had faith to be healed. So Paul with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. It was said of Stephen, And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). It was said of Barnabas, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord (Acts 11:24).

But unfortunately this cannot be said of most Christians that they are full of the Holy Spirit, full of faith and power? Probably because they have grieved the Holy Spirit, have delegated Him to some dark obscure room in their house of clay and have designated faith to be some set of religious beliefs including that God doesn’t heal today and tongues are off the devil? They are not full of the Holy Spirit but full of unbelief and demons! It’s amazing what Christians define faith to be but it’s obvious that they don’t have the real thing or they would be more like Stephen, Philip or Barnabas. Yes, God’s word is unchanging:

"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. Mark 16:17-20

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

Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. Acts 15:12

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

Yes, God is unchanging and is a miracle working God who not only supplies the Spirit to us but works miracles amongst us by the hearing of faith! So if people are not seeing and receiving miracles it’s obviously they don’t have faith or have the wrong kind of faith? They don’t have faith that through faith in Jesus name gives men perfect soundness including physical and emotional healing.

Because Jesus Christ is alive and well and has overcome the world including sin, demons and death and has won the victory, He gives the victory to His trusting children to achieve great things for His honor and glory. The size of their mountain or enemies is not a problem because their God, friend, provider and Lord, is bigger than anything that they face or will face. He is still in the mountain moving and miracle working business and none can stand against Him and the power of Jesus name. Everything must bow at the name of Jesus including sickness, poverty, disease, demons, loss and governments. God’s word is true:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 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 2:5-11

So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. Luke 17:6

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.[iv]

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 curses 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).

Since they have presented their body to God, for it is the temple of the HOLY GHOST and not their own, they can make a demand on their body in Jesus name to release the right chemicals, to be in perfect chemical balance and their pancreas to secrete the proper amount of insulin for life and health (1 Corinthians. 6:19.).

Through the Word, God has imparted His life to them and they can speak life to restore their body for it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. (John 6:63; Mark 11:23). Because their heart beats with the rhythm of life, carrying the Life of God throughout their body they can decree LIFE AND HEALTH ABUNDANTLY (John 17:23, Ephesians 2:22, Ex. 23:25; Mark 11:23). They can command in Jesus name all blood cells to destroy every disease, germ and virus that tries to inhabit their' body. They can command in Jesus name every cell of my body to be normal (Romans 5:17; Luke 17:6.). In other words they can command divine health and life for God’s word is unchanging:

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 them free from the law of sin and death; therefore, they don’t have to allow sin, sickness or death to lord it over them. 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 23
Love Is The Greatest

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. 1 Corinthians 10:24

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has not only blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, but has made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus who is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places. Jesus Christ has redeemed us to God by His blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made us kings and priests to our God and to reign on the earth.

God is love and He sought not his own well-being but ours! God is love and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. God is love and He gave His only begotten Son that we should not perish but have life everlasting. Life everlasting and Love is a person called Jesus Christ and not a set of doctrines or beliefs. And if we truly are perfect and have Love inside of us we will seek not our own but each other’s well-being. God’s word is unchanging:

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. 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 3:10-17

Love is expressed primarily not by words but by deeds. God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, His wonderful Counselor, the Holy Spirit, and all things. 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 (2Peter 1:3 ).He desires that we may prosper in all things and be in health, just as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2). Our flesh and blood bodies are NOW the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We no longer have the "Spirit of the Lord" upon us. We have the "Spirit of the Lord" IN US:

"Christ IN US, the hope of glory…"

"The Father and the Son will come and make Their abode IN YOU…"

"The Kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU…"

"The Spirit of truth will dwell WITH YOU and IN YOU…"

It’s true EMMANUEL, "GOD WITH(in) US", the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the ANOINTING within us. Jesus Christ dwells within us and that His anointing is our anointing! The same POWER that Jesus used to preach, teach, prophesy and ministering healing to thousands is NOW resident within each and every born-again, Holy Spirit baptized man, woman and child. All the anointing of God we will ever need to "do the works of Jesus" and "greater works than these" are NOW possible because God lives in us. His 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. "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. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. John 14:12-19

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

Because God is love and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him, we will go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. We will cast out demons; we will speak with new tongues; we will take up serpents; and we will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. The One who send us will work with us and confirm the word through the accompanying signs. God’s word is true:

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 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 16:15-20

We don’t have to go to Bible college and have several degrees after our name before we can become a POWERFUL holy Ghost filled witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t have to know a lot about the Bible and Christian doctrines before we can become a POWERFUL witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t have to FEEL THE POWER of the Lord upon we before we lay hands on someone to be healed, delivered and set free from what the Devil has bound them under. All we need is simple child like faith to DO THE WORKS OF JESUS! Lost, sick and hurting humanity is wating for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed. God’s word is unchanging:

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:19

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

Yes, we must 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. Each one of us must do the works of Jesus and take our rightful place as the sons and daughters of God. God’s word is unchanging:

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 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 1:19-27

Chapter 24
The Elementary Principles Of Christ

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." Revelation 1:9-11

Those who are Christ make a conscious choice daily to live and walk in the Spirit or in the flesh just like people make a conscious choice to say indoor or to go outside. There is no glory or glamour or victory to live and walk in the flesh relying on the carnal mind and use our carnal senses of touch, taste, sound and sight and not the Spirit of the Lord. Most carnal ones don’t appreciate the fact that God is not logical and He doesn’t do things our way or according to our understanding. We don’t appreciate that God is a Spirit and He must be worshipped and accessed in Spirit and in truth. We don’t appreciate that He has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. So if we are going to be successful and prosperous in any way in life we must walk in the Spirit of the Lord operating in the gifts of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12!

Carnal man, whether, by choice or by teaching, ends in a dismal failure to understand the true Will of God. Many are disconnected from the true Vine. They operate in a twilight zone between two opinions, desiring to serve their heavenly master, yet often serving their fleshly one. The flesh comes from two main sources: the soul and the body. If these areas are not properly under the control of the Holy Spirit in their hearts then they readily take over control of the entire being resulting in what we are seeing in Christianity today—very carnal fleshly behavior devoid of the leading of the Lord.

It is not a question of knowing what is the will of God, but can we even follow after his true will before we are derailed by the dimension of our flesh—that being by the soul or by the body. Remember, that the soul consists of mind and will and is easily influenced by suggestions made to the mind often thought of as from God but is not necessarily from Him at all. The deceivement of the mind in this way is accepted by the Christian individual because they are under some very false assumptions.

A) That the thought is from God:

There are several sources of thoughts in our mind. One source, is our own desires and plans. Two, the thoughts our adversary the devil puts in our thoughts, and three, those from the Holy Spirit. Quickly assuming that the source of “all” of our thoughts is the Lord, often leads us into false doctrines, false assumptions and therefore, false foundations for our Christian walk.

The way to avoid these false ideas that pop into our mind is to test them, first, against the Word of God in the Bible, and second, ask the Holy Spirit to direct our spirit as to the source of those ideas. In our business, often, we bypass time spent in our quiet corner with the Holy Spirit receiving daily instruction concerning our decisions and future actions. This quiet time both in reading the Word and communing with the Holy Spirit is essential to the health of our spiritual walk with the Lord of Hosts.

We need to exercise spiritually just as we need to exercise our bodies physically. We often neglect one for the other. Better, to spend more time with the Lord in our prayer room than at the gym, spending hours to fix and repair a perishable item while leaving the eternal part of ourselves undernourished and ill fed.

In summary, it is important to learn to control, by the Holy Spirit, the fleshly part of ourselves, that is, the mind and the body, so that the entire man can enter into the full stature and maturity of the knowledge of Christ. Without coming to maturity we will remain babes and remain of little use to our heavenly Father as mature warriors for the battle ahead.

B) That our ideas of how to live life are the best ones for us in our Christian walk:

We often labor under the misconception that we somehow know best how and why we should live. I find this very amusing considering how often the Bible speaks of the sacrifices many Christians made at the time of Christ. Those who truly walked with Him, followed Him into poverty, hardships, sorrow and lose. Jesus, Himself, gave up many wonderful things so we could sacrifice Himself for us all. Yet, somehow, we think we can avoid these sacrifices and remain spiritually accurate with the Lord. I don’t believe this, because too often I have seen how the pursuit of wealth has short circuited many well meaning Christians. Being good intentioned does not a “mature” Christian make. Sacrificing all of your desires upon the alter of the Cross, is the only sure way to know you may be on the road to fully pleasing God.

Are you serious? Do you want to serve Him with all of your being? If this is true, have you studied your Bible back and forth and understood the false teaching going around the churches today? Are you immature and easily deceived by what men say to you or do you have an ear to “hear” what the Holy Spirit is saying to you? When He rebukes you do you run for the hills or are you able to stand and bow and say “Amen, send me?” Are you fervent to get up when you have fallen, forgive yourself again, and move on in the things He is speaking to you? Are you willing to be gentle with a weaker brother? Are you obedient to an elder sister? Do you care for the homeless, widowed and fatherless as the word instructs you? Are you truly sacrificial or just playing church as so many others? Who are you in the spiritual realm? Are you a force to be reckoned with? Can God look proudly upon you and point saying, as He said to Job, look there my faithful servant?

Is God proud of you? Are you proud of yourself because if you are God is probably not proud of you? Self-centered pride is fleshly and of little use to God. So, with great honesty, we need to see ourselves through God’s eyes so we can be properly grafted into the vine and produce real fruit by the Holy Spirit. Flesh will not do here only the Spirit. Our humility is what He is looking for never our pride. If pride is showing you can be sure the Holy Spirit has left during the night. So, we need to be very knowledgeable about the flesh and the things that grieve the Spirit. There are many things in the Bible that we need to be aware of so we don’t short circuit our relationship with our Lord, or we will find ourselves where we did not intend and our life cut short. Good intentions will not do here, only handling the knowledge of the truth rightly, will. Stepping on God’s toes for a babe may be acceptable for a season but as we mature and grow in Him, stepping on His toes has its consequences. He is a true father, He both cares for and rebukes His true ones.

When Jesus gave His life for us on the cross, He paid the price for our forgiveness while we were still living in sin and rebellion. With His own blood, He paid the debt we owed to God for every sinful thing we have ever done…or will ever do. He set us free from sin, sickness and pain. He paid the bill so we can be whole—spirit, soul and body. God’s word is true:

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

Yes, God sent His word incarnate, Jesus, so that we could be made whole- spirit, soul and body. Jesus bore our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment]. He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was put upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Yes by faith just like we were saved from sin, we are healed and made whole in spite of what we feel or are going through. Physical sickness or symptoms don’t change the fact that God’s word says we are healed and made whole and the price for sickness (which entered the world through sin) has been paid! We don’t have to pay the price of sickness anymore as our healing has already been provided by God. We simply receive it by faith and walk in it. We take God at His Word. We believe we are healed, not because we feel healed or look healed at this moment but because God said we are. By faith, we start talking like we’re healed. We start acting like we’re healed. Before long, our bodies line up with God’s Word and it becomes apparent to everyone that we truly are healed!

Yes, for some people it’s very hard to receive their healing by faith. They need a sign from heaven or to feel the power of God moving over them. But God’s word says “The just shall live by faith:”

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17

But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." Galatians 3:11

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:36-39

Yes, we are born again by faith. We live by faith. We fulfill the will of God in our lives by faith. When we’re sick, we receive healing by faith. When we are broke, we get financial increase by faith. When we have trouble, we get help from God by faith. We receive anything and everything that we need from God…by faith - not by works or perspiration but by faith! Faith is simply believing what God says in His Word is true. Faith is trusting what God says more than we trust our natural senses or what other people say. Faith is believing God enough to talk and act as if His Word is true even when circumstances around us would seem to indicate that it’s not.

By faith we resist the devil, who is out to steal our health, our wealth and our blessings by any means. We don’t give to him what Jesus gave to us including divine health and divine prosperity. When devil pressures us with symptoms, circumstances and discouraging lies, we continue to believe God and His word. We keep our eyes upon God and confess His word no matter what. When symptoms of sickness come, we resist those symptoms and speak faith. We tell the devil to go away and we are not accepting the sickness that he wants to put on us because Jesus healed us two thousand years ago. He paid the price for us to be well and the devil can take his symptoms and go to hell where he belongs. We hold fast to the Word of God and absolutely, positively, refusing to give up until we see God’s promises manifested in our lives. We don’t cast away our confidence, which hath great reward. We have patience, that, after we have done the will of God, we will receive the promise for the just shall live by faith and he doesn’t draw back to perdition but believe to see our salvation.

We receive what God has promised us—whether that is healing or any other scriptural blessing—because we believe it not just with our head but with our heart. When we hear lies to the contrary, we don’t buy them. We are fully persuaded of what God says that we act as if it’s true even when natural circumstances look like it’s not. We don’t quit when the going gets tough. But we stand until we see our desired results of what God has promised us. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Hence we tell the devil we are healed and delivered and blessed and prospered and our end is better than our beginning. We confidently put the devil under our feet where he belongs and step boldly into a future full of the promises and provisions of God! God’s word is unchanging:

"For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. "I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. "I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 36:9-11

Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. "At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision: Daniel 9:20-23

God Answers Fervent Prayer

Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. Psalm 9:11-12

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:16-19

There is nothing more powerful in the universe than a fervent prayer based on a promise of God of a humble righteous man. It goes straight to heaven to the throne of God and produces great results. It brings changes both in the heavens and on earth that Kings and dictators can never do. We see this in the life of Daniel that when he prayed God would send an angel to bring his answers. The bible records for our profit and instruction:

Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. Daniel 6:19-24

It was Daniel prayers that enabled his enemies to falsely accused him and get him put into a den of lions. But it was Daniel prayers that kept him safe there and cause his enemies to be cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. Vengeance is mine says the Lord and He warned men not to touch His anointed ones or to harm His prophets. Yes, Daniel was a man of prayer and he would fight principalities and powers who didn’t want his prayers answered and God would send an angel to tell him that God heard his prayer:

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. "Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come." Daniel 10:1-14

Yes, those who are true men of God and true men of prayer know the powers of darkness that will come against them! But they don’t look to their circumstances, needs, lacks, bodies or things as they appear but unto God who has promised to give every victory and answer every prayer! They look to God who has already given them His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and His wonderful counselor, the Holy Spirit, and will freely with Christ give them all things (Romans 8:32)! Yet God’s word is unchanging:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

While God’s eyes are upon us and so are Satan’s who walks about like a roaring lion seeking those whom he may devour. We are not ignorant of his devices including attacking people in their dreams or in person. But one thing about the devil that is to be noted is that he is on a time clock. Time is on our side. Time is his enemy. Satan can not afford to keep up the attack. Often times, we will actually be set free or receive our break-through and yet not see it in the flesh nor the reality of it. This is especially true with demonization. The enemy will continue on with a very convincing charade of similar activity but the power of it has gone out. The devil or demon is trying desperately for us to give up and return to our previous condition. This is where the faith of the person under attack must be brought up to speed. We are not to listen to the unclean lying spirits. We have been set free. We are to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you “ (James 4:7). God’s word is unchanging:

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10:1

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Unlike most Christians today, Jesus Christ didn’t deny the influence of unclean spirits on the lives of people but stated that "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. "Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first" (Matthew 12:44-45).

Fundamentalists Christians have debated to the nth degree on whether a Christian can be possessed and could have an evil spirit residing in the same place as the Holy Spirit. While it is true that the Holy Spirit resides in the spirit of man and can be grieved and depart from a man just like He did from King Saul, there is nothing preventing unclean spirits to be like leaches and take partial possession of a person’s body or soul. Evil spirits live and work in bodies and our flesh provides them with a good habitat. Many Christians are possessed by a spirit of greed, depression, lust, lying, adultery, pride, arrogance, control, dissension, heresy, and other unclean spirits. If they would only be discerning and deal with these unclean spirits they will find the freedom of life and victory that they never knew. Here are some of the unclean spirits that attach themselves to people: FRUSTRATION, INCOHERENCE DOUBT, SKEPTICISM, UNBELIEF, INDECISION, COMPROMISE, CONFUSION, FORGETFULNESS, INDIFFERENCE, PROCRASTINATION,SELF DECEPTION, PRIDE, SELF SEDUCTION, SELF DELUSION,MIND BINDING, CONFUSION, FEAR OF FAILURE, FEAR OF MAN

If a blood sucker would attach itself to their body they would remove it, but when a unclean spirit attaches itself to them they leave it alone! They don’t come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. How strange and foolish? But God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:20-26

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:13-14

Yes, the Word of God tells us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This is something that God will not do for us, unless we ask Him for help, wisdom and discernment to deliver us from all familiar and unclean spirits and other spirits including spirits of infirmity.

Many people are bound by the spirit of infirmity and demons even today. Only our gracious Lord Jesus Christ can deliver them from such spirit of infirmity. Irrespective of the nature of our infirmities and the number of years we suffer from, only our Almighty God can grant us complete deliverance from such infirmities as well as any other unclean spirit. If it foolish that according to some Christians non Christians can be delivered out of the influence of demons, while Christians possessed by a spirit of greed, depression, lust, lying, adultery, pride, arrogance, control, dissension, heresy, and other unclean spirits can find no deliverance? This doesn’t make sense at all! But God’s word is unchanging:

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Since sanctification is a continual process and as long as we are living in a frail mortal body, nobody arrives at perfection or from being foolish, disobedient, deceived serving various lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. When ever we get out from walking in the Spirit we are immediately walking in the flesh and subject to the works of the flesh including adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.

We are instructed in the Word of God to Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11. 1 Timothy 3:7) and not to give room to the devil (Ephesians 4:27) nor give place to the devil. But to put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Romans 8:13, Colossians 3:5). Just like the Holy Spirit anoints and empowers people to do good the devil anoints and empowers people to do evil. The sad part is the Christians cannot discern the wiles of the devil because according to standard religious teaching the gift of discernment doesn’t work against Christians. Hogwash! Annais and Saphira where Christians and Apostle Peter by the Spirit of the Lord discerned that they had lied to the Holy Spirit and he told them But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (Acts 5:3). Satan filled the hearts of believers to lie to the Holy Spirit and religious ones tell us that Christians cannot be influenced by the devil. What a lie from the pits of hell!

The bottom line is that God’s people need to repent and renounce all familiar spirits that have entered their lives through whatever means possible and be delivered from all the lies and deceptions of familiar spirits by the power and anointing of God. They need to pray:

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, might and power. In Jesus name I declare total and complete victory over every enemy! You familiar spirit and unclean 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 Lord 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 and fill me with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. It is my earnest desire to walk by your Spirit in Your will and to glorify Your name. Amen.

Chapter 26
Be Sober, Be Vigilant

"These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; "and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. Mark 4:16-17

Since the days of Jesus here on earth, who was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, the devil, the great deceiver, is alive and well on planet earth. He, the evil one, the god of this age has blinded the perishing ones, those who do not believe. They walk in darkness, and do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded their eyes. Of course the devil has gone underground and is not discerned by men, except by those who are filled with the Spirit of God. But he still does his evil works using all tools at his disposal including deceit, lies, fear, sickness, diseases and thievery. We are to be aware of him and his works for Jesus told us to pray and say to our Father, “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 6:13). We are admonished in the Word of God to submit to God and to resist our adversary the devil:

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 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:-11

We are not to stumble when the devil brings tribulation or persecution because we are standing on the Word of God. We are to resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by our brotherhood in the world. We are to rest in the fact that the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after we have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us. We are to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We are to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and having done all, to stand. God’s word is unchanging:

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- Ephesians 6:10-18

If our waist is not girded with truth, we haven’t put on the breastplate of righteousness, haven’t taking the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, haven’t taken the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and are not praying in the Spirit, we will not stand in the evil day. It’s that simple! But we are not to be afraid of demons or their cohorts but rather are to cast them out like Jesus did. As part of His ministry Jesus preached in the synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons. More than half of Jesus ministry was either casting out demons or healing the sick. The religious scribes accused Jesus of being a demon and casting out demons by the ruler of demons. Hence Jesus told them that they had blasphemed against the Holy Spirit and there would be no forgiveness, but eternal condemnation for saying “He has an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:22-30). Jesus also sent out His disciples two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 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.

The disciples had no formal education in casting out demons just the authority and power that Jesus gave them. The only condition for casting out demons is to be a true believer. Jesus also send out seventy others two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name (Luke 10:17). Jesus also commanded all of His disciples including those who call themselves Christians today to “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 28:19-20) "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 10:19-20)

Yes, Jesus gave dominion over demons to each person who calls himself a child of God. Unfortunate because many have not obeyed the words of Jesus many have condemned many to bondage, institutions, and death because the disobedience and ignorance of Christians. Familiarity with the Word and being filled with the Spirit will empower them and defend them against these demons be they “serpents” or “scorpions.” [v]

Serpents, whose venom is in their heads, are mind deceiving demons. It was the serpent that deceived Eve by offering the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen.3:5,6). There are forbidden knowledge gifts that Satan bestows on his deceivers that sometimes mimic true gifts. (Dt.18:10) There shall not be found with thee any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divination (fortune telling, false prophecy), one that practiseth augury (a soothsayer – interpreter of times and omens), or an enchanter (magician), or a sorcerer (witch), (11) or a charmer (hypnotist or caster of spells), or a consulter with a familiar spirit (A medium possessed with a spirit guide.), or a wizard (psychic or clairvoyant), or a necromancer (A medium or spiritist who feigns consulting the dead.). (12) For whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto the Lord.

. . . Some of these serpent false ministries are as Pharaoh’s wise men and sorcerers that counterfeited the signs and wonders given to Moses (Ex.7:11,22; 8:7). It is interesting to note that though they could counterfeit some of the judgments (turning their staff into a serpent, turning waters into blood, and multiplying the plague of frogs), they could not remove them. Moses removed them; meaning God permitted them to magnify the curse but not to deliver from it. It is still true today.

If the demons cannot keep you out of Christianity entirely, they have another strategy. There are religious spirits that specialize in keeping people in bondage to false, so-called “Christian” religions that do not teach the Word that sets free. There are many serpent spirits at work in the church today deceiving many with “doctrines of demons,” as Paul shared in 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Serpent spirits are manifest as false directions, doctrines, prophecies, and leadership to name a few. (2 Cor.11:13) For such men are false apostles (Greek: “one sent forth”), deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel (Greek: “messenger”) of light (truth). (15) It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. The word “angel” in Greek is “angelos,” and is sometimes translated “messenger” when describing ministers who are sent by God or other ministers (Lk.7:24,27; 9:52). It is obvious that there are men who have infiltrated the ranks of ministers who are sent by Satan through their own ego and religious organizations. Both Jesus and Paul taught that these ministers were in the majority (Jn.10:8; 2 Cor.2:17).

These serpent spirits can also be mind corrupting such as lust, greed, anger, bitterness, lying, homosexuality, alcoholism, idolatry, and uncleanness. Insanity in various forms is shown to be demonic in Luke 8:35. [vi]

There is indication that “spirits of infirmity” (Lk.13:11) are serpent spirits. When the Israelites sinned, God sent fiery serpents to bite them; and they were dying. The serpent bite clearly inflicted physical sickness through poison. When Moses prayed to the Lord for them, He had them make a brass serpent on a pole; and when they looked on it they were healed (Num.21:4-9). The serpent on the pole was said to be Christ (Jn.3:14) who became sin for us (2 Cor.5:21) and bore the curse of the serpent (Gal.3:13) so we could be healed (1 Pet. 2;24). The serpent on the pole has been hijacked by the medical establishment to symbolize their healing business.

Some sicknesses that are proven from the text of the New Testament to be caused by demons are crippled (Lk.13:11); dumb (Mt.12:22); blind and dumb (Mt.9:32,33; Lk.11:14); dumb and deaf (Mk.9:25); vexed with sickness (Mt.15:22,28); epileptic (Mt.17:15,18); and healed of evil spirits (Lk.8:2,36,42; Acts 10:38). Some would say that these have natural causes. Almost all demons manifest natural causes.

The second category Jesus gave was scorpion spirits. The Greek word for “scorpion” is “scorpios” which means “scatter” or “to penetrate and put to flight.” Scorpion spirits of fear, depression, manic depression, paranoia, worry, anxiety, suicide, guilt, condemnation, and dementia to name a few penetrate the mind and cause one to flee from an enemy that they should be chasing. A scorpion’s venom is in its tail just as a hornet. The hornet can put a large man to flight through fear. God sent the “hornet” to drive out the enemy from before the Israelites through fear (Dt.7:20; Josh.24:12; Ex.23:27,28). Jesus taught that he had already bound the strong man (Satan and his demons) and divided the spoils of his house (Lk.11:20-23). Concerning these spoils, Jesus said, “He that gathereth not with me scattereth.” The Greek word for “scattereth” here is “scorpizo.” If we are not gathering the spoils of Satan’s house, the lost, for God’s kingdom, we will be running from scorpion spirits. We must be vessels of God’s sovereignty to conquer them and set the captives free.

A commonly taught false doctrine is that Christians cannot have demons. When Jesus sent His disciples to “cast out demons,” He told them, “. . .Go not into [any] way of the Gentiles (lost), and enter not into any city of the Samaritans: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”(Mt.10:5,6). He did not send them to those who did not have a covenant with God, but rather only to those that did. In the New Testament, it is the Christians that have covenant promises of deliverance, healing, and provision, not the world. (Col.1:13) who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.

Since we have the promises of deliverance, we can use them for ourselves and those coming to Christ. (2 Cor.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Believers are to cleanse self which is synonymous with soul (compare Mt.16:26 with Lk.9:25) of both flesh and spirit, meaning evil spirits. Paul warned Christians not to “receive a different spirit” (2 Cor.11:4). Also we are told, “neither give place (Greek: “region”) to the devil” (Epe.4:27). In other words, we are not to give up any region or territory in ourselves to the devil or his minions.

(Lk.13:11) And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up. (16) And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, [these] eighteen years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath? The condition for deliverance was a child of Abraham, and such are the Christians. (Gal.3:7) Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.

Jesus said that He was only sent to the house of Israel. When asked by a Canaanite woman to cast a spirit of infirmity out of her daughter, Jesus said, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs” (Mt.15:22-28). From this we can see that the children of God have a covenant right to their Father’s bread of deliverance and healing, not the lost. Since Jesus was beginning a New Testament and because of this woman’s faith, He accounted her as righteous (Gal.3:6), granting her request.

The Old Testament tabernacle or temple symbolizes us. We are the temple of God. We have an outer court (flesh), a holy place (soul), and a holy of holies (spirit). Evil men entered into the outer court and even into the holy place to take hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28), but only the high priest could enter the holy of holies, anyone else would die. According to this type, demons can enter the flesh and even possess the soul; but only our High Priest Jesus may enter our spirit, unless we have become reprobate (2 Cor.13:5). Demons can oppress the soul (mind, will, and emotions) from without or from within the flesh. They can also possess the soul from within the flesh one moment and recede into the flesh the next, allowing that person to appear normal. This is called by the world schizophrenia.

Demons may enter the flesh because the flesh is the enemy of God, who dwells in your spirit (Rom.8:7; Gal.5:17). I have heard some use the supposed verse, “My spirit will not dwell in an unclean temple,” to say that Christians cannot have demons: There is no such verse! Our flesh is so corrupt that it cannot enter the kingdom. (1 Cor.15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Since the flesh is not in the kingdom, it may be entered by demon spirits. From this stronghold they may enter the soul.

Demons may enter the soul because the part of the soul that is not sanctified by the Word is of the flesh. (Lev. 17:11) For the life (Hebrew: “soul”) of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life (soul). Notice in type the flesh has to die for the soul to be free. In any part of the soul (mind, will, emotions) that we have not overcome temptation we are not yet sanctified or made holy. We all have overcome some things that no longer have any influence or temptation in our lives. However there are other areas we still feel this. It is here that we are open to be used by demons. Every Christian knows this by experience. If we walk in willful disobedience, we invite oppression or possession in that area.

Demons can be passed on from generation to generation just like the nature of sin. (Ex.34:7) keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. Jesus also taught that if we do not forgive our fellow servants, the Father will deliver us “to the tormentors” or demons until we pay our own debt of sin (Mt.18:34-35).

The bible tells us that Jesus healed all who came to Him out of whatever made them sick or afflicted them be it natural or supernatural! He never had any lack of healing in His ministry and didn’t have to blame the lack on their lack of faith, unconfessed or hidden sin, or some other things? It always amazes me that we have so called men of God in our midst, who cannot work miracles or get instant answers to their prayers, assure us that they have the right theology and are qualified to teach others.

They would tell us that a Christian cannot be demon possessed even if he is ravaged and destroyed by a demon of infirmity such as cancer! But Jesus never made a distinction between natural sickness and demonic sickness? He just healed them and cast out spirits with His word. When Simon Peter's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, He stood over her and rebuked the fever and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. Jesus rebuked the fever because it was a spirit and not a natural sickness which would have caused Him to lay hands on her! When all those who had any that were sick with various diseases were brought them to Him, He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, and He rebuked them. But we have so called men of God today who cannot heal the sick in their midst, never mind cast demons out of people whether they be Christian or non Christian. And then they would tell us they have the answers to life and about God? Hogwash! They are just the blind leading the blind! But God’s word is unchanging:

Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone. Zechariah 10:1

"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

Some material from SOVEREIGN GOD FOR US AND THROUGH US David Eellis

Chapter 27
In God Is My Salvation And My Glory

In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Psalm 62:7

By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas; 65:6 Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power; You who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples. Psalm 65:5

God cannot deny hearing the prayer of a righteous man any more than a mother could shut her ear to her crying baby! One of the foundations of the Christian faith is not only that God is faithful and true but that He hears and answers prayer. He is a God who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death and destruction. People get into real trouble because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation. But surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land (Psalm 85:9) and not poverty or sorrow.

With long life He will satisfy us and show us His salvation (Psalm 91) for He is the Rock of our salvation. Hence we are to take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD (Psalm 116:13). The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly (Psalm 118:15). Yes, the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation (Psalm 149:4). Therefore with joy we will draw water from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). God’s word is unchanging:

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

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:1-4

Yes, have waited for Him, and He will save us. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Wisdom and knowledge are the stability of our times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is our treasure. (Isaiah 33:6). When we put our trust in Him, we shall be saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation; we shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever (Isaiah 45:17). Yes, God will preserve us and give us as a covenant to the people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the desolate heritages; to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent us 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, 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.

Yes, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7). God’s word is unchanging:

"Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generations. You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles, And milk the breast of kings; You shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. "Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness. Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise. "The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory. Isaiah 60:15-19

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26

Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. Micah 7:7

In the current time of life, our eyes shall see the salvation of the Lord and all flesh shall see the salvation of God for our God loves to hear and answer prayer prayed in the name of Jesus. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Yes, the gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10). Now is the day of salvation. Yes, God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

Yes, the Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:14).

Yes, we have a great salvation confirmed both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Yes Jesus Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Yes, we are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God (Revelation 19:1).

God has implanted in the heart as a gift or a fruit—faith enough to maintain our salvation, faith enough to obey the Lord and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. We are continually dependent on Him for its continuance. But we cannot keep the light and dismiss the sun. We cannot have faith in God, unless we have the faith of God. God’s word is unchanging:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

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 gift of faith is the beautiful flower of grace. That faith, which quiets the restless sea of life, makes the heart happy in knowing that the Pilot will see us through. Just because we are facing a storm does not mean that He has gone. To be needy is no proof we have been deserted. Our desperate need may be the door to our miracle! It may be God’s method of making us say, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the seas obey Him?”

It’s not how weak are that matters but how strong our LORD is! It’s not our feeble faith or power that will change and transform things but His great power and unlimited faith! It’s not our cold, intellectual assent or belief, that causes God to work miracles in our lives and on our behalf but His great love and compassion for us as we call upon the name that is above every name, including poverty, lack, sickness, diseases, demons and any enemy.

We can rest in the midst of the storm, in Christ who is above everything and has subdued all things. We can trust Him even when we cannot see, and rely upon Him when we do not understand. And He will give us the measure of faith to walk in harmony with His will and the knowing that He is working all things for good to them who love God and are called according to His purposes. God’s word is unchanging:

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame-who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:13-21

As we need the gift of faith, it is imparted by the Lord, in order that His will, rather than ours, will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. If we possessed faith to use at any time to bring about our own desires, it would be disastrous. When we believe Jesus, in His presence and promise, His power, His grace, and His strength, then we are marching on Victory Highway toward the hills of Answered Prayer. As we decrease, He increases. The less of self, the more of Him! The more the crucifixion of the self-life with its spirit of pride, the more the resurrection rays of His life will impart power and health to our soul and body.

We can put all our trust in Jesus, for our help comes from Him alone. We can lean fully on His breast, for only as we touch Him can we drink in the sweetness of His presence. He has bountiful provision for our every need. It’s much better to let Him have His way with us, than to always try to have our way with Him as “He does all things well”.

The Christ of Calvary, who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, is also the Author and Finisher of our faith. Only through Christ we are able to understand or approach God! To many Christians, faith is still their own ability to believe a promise or a truth, and is often based on their struggles to drive away doubt and unbelief through a process of positive affirmations. But we are nearest the manifestation of God’s imparted grace when we realize our own helplessness and entire dependence upon the Lord! It’s what God gives including His love, His Joy, His peace and His Spirit that makes us perfect whole and complete, not our own efforts.

In the heart of a storm we can settle into the arms of His love in and know: “Peace, perfect peace, though sorrows surge around. On Jesus’ bosom nothing but calm is found. It is His peace, imparted by the Spirit that we enjoy. All we have to do is receive it. Yes, our life is hid with Christ in God and in Him is everything that we need. He has given His promise that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. So we can rest in that promise and abide in Him, even as He abides in us. We turn self-reliance into Christ-reliance, as we cast all our cares upon Him for God is Giver of every good and perfect gift and the Author and Finisher of our faith.

God is a Spirit, and the flow of His resurrection life comes through the Spirit primarily. And when we fully yield ourselves, not merely our conduct, but ourselves, to the headship of our glorious Lord, then begins the life supernal. It is not by imitation but by participation that we become of like nature, like substance with Him, “because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).

In ourselves, we can do nothing. Absolutely nothing! But we can rest in the LORD who can and will do all things in us and for us! He has called us to completely relinquish all that we have, and all that we are. Then, as the darkness moves out, the light moves in. As self goes out, He comes in. Then from within us begins to flow the “rivers of living water”—healing streams in the desert of our lives. The wilderness in us begins to rejoice, and the desert of our hearts is made to blossom as the rose! Without death there can be no resurrection!

God does not impart His resurrection life to us because we live for Him, but because, for His sake, we are willing to die and allow Him to live His resurrection life through us. God’s word is unchanging:

On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, Yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; Because the palaces will be forsaken, The bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, A joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks- 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, Though hail comes down on the forest, And the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. Isaiah 32:13-20

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the excellency of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you."

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes. Isaiah 35:1-7

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 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. 1 Peter 5:5-10

Chapter 28
The Anti-Christ!

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18

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. 1 John 4:3

So what is an antichrist? An antichrist is an ANTI-TYPE of Jesus Christ: and the word ANTI- does not mean OPPOSITE; as if in order to be an antichrist one must express open hostility to Jesus Christ. An ANTITYPE is “The person or thing represented or foreshadowed by an earlier type or symbol” [Webster’s Dictionary]. Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says that the Greek word anti-christos means BOTH “against Christ” AND “instead of Christ” at the same time. An antichrist is one who SUPPLANTS, or REPLACES Jesus Christ. Jesus called them PSEUDO-CHRISTOS; false christs. PSEUDO means FAKE-PHONY-PRETEND. They are “imitation christs”. What makes one an antichrist is NOT how conspicuously different they are from Christ; but is in how they play the role as “functional equivalent” to Christ. The word “CHRIST” is not a name, but a title. “CHRIST” means, “the anointed one”, or rather (permit me to update this definition): “the SPECIAL ONE: THE ONE WHO MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE”. An antichrist is one who claims OR INSINUATES that he is himself “a special one”, and that he is able to impart to you the same saving benefits that you may receive from Jesus Christ. He does not have to claim that he is, himself, the historical Jesus, and if he denounced or denied Jesus openly he wouldn’t be able to deceive the very elect, NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE.

Put simply, an ANTICHRIST is an IMPOSTOR-SAVIOR; one who puts himself in the place of Jesus Christ by claiming or by INSINUATING that loyalty to him will guarantee your salvation. Every antichrist plays the same “game”, and it goes like this: You bow and scrape, hand over your money, go along with his program, and call him “the man of God”: in exchange for these things, the antichrist tells you what “a fine Christian” you are, and assures you of your place in heaven. There are some things that an antichrist will NEVER do: he will never drive someone away just because they SAY they believe something that contradicts his favorite doctrines; for his chief concern is to have his pews filled and his offering-basket full. Paul said, An heretic after the first and second admonition REJECT (Titus 3:10); but an antichrist will never reject anybody unless he sees no way to use them for his own purposes. In the end, he DOES NOT really CARE what your doctrine is, or whether you are saved or not; and he will never denounce you unless you threaten his popularity or his money.

In the past, when men were in danger, or sick, or depressed, they would look to their GOD for help. But NOW, men, and even professing Christians look FIRST to The State when they are in danger; they look FIRST to Modern Medicine when they are sick; they look FIRST to psychiatry when they are sad and depressed. If these “saviors” FAIL to rescue them, and ONLY THEN, when they begin to lose all hope in “their god SCIENCE”, do they begin to look for a God who is above science and Who can ignore the “laws of matter”. They say nauseating things, like, “I’m in God’s hands, NOW”, and they go looking for some kind of “truth” that will get them out of their jam, so they can go on with their petty and selfish life a bit longer, or find fresh energy to enjoy their unsanctified pleasures. ALL THE WHILE, they will call themselves “Christians”, attend churches, and talk about “the Lord”.

On your typical Sunday morning millions of people will now put on special clothes that they think will make them look more spiritual, and run off to what will finally amount to a “pep-rally”, followed by a dramatic performance; full of sound and fury; whose purpose is to confirm and motivate “the home team”: their own church group. And of course, no church-meeting would be complete without a stage-show; in which their children and their friends get to display how well they can sing or play the drums. The notion that drives all this revelry is the belief that God is pleased with an uproar, and that when they have achieved sufficient fervor, God must pay attention and reward them with something they call, “the Spirit”. Little thought is given to the fact every other church in town seems to be able to get this “same spirit” in their “pep-rally”, no matter what their doctrines are. THINK ABOUT IT.

On the same Sunday, millions more will gather round the TV set and “root for the home team”, and of course: it’s a big bummer if “Big Joe” the sports hero doesn’t score or the team loses. In either case, as spectators, neither the church members nor the sports fans really have much to do with these affairs. They have no intention to actually “do” any of the things they are so ready to shout about. They are content to let someone else do all the “doing”, while they feel like they have been part of it all by doing the “cheering”. It’s just like watching an adventure story on television: they have RISKED NOTHING, they have DONE NOTHING, but they “felt” everything. After the show is over, they return to the petty struggle of their daily lives, feeling like heroes and survivors. “Big Joe” goes home, feeling like he has accomplished some great thing; when all he has actually done is get into a fight with another man over a rubber ball: the preacher goes home with a feeling of significance as well, even if all he has done is flatter his audience for applauding his “performance”. In both cases, they have made a “performance” for which they received applause. The people who got so excited at the football game are not changed or improved by their participation in the “big event”. If the people in the church do not repent of their habitual sins or demonstrate an increased willingness to forsake all (Luke 14:33) for Christ’s sake, it’s the same thing.

BUT: all it takes to get into the pulpits of our churches today is a lot of worldly fame plus a little bit of religious profession. When the “darling” of the Godless world condescends to dribble a little of his fleshly greatness on the church, no one puts him through any interrogation to see if he, and the church he addresses, really agree doctrinally. Should anyone else, who is not a “celebrity”, seek permission to address their church, he must first pass a “doctrine test”, or in some way prove that he can be depended on to stick to the party line. Then, after the “big hero” has spoken a couple of inane clichés like, “I always pray before the game” or “Isn’t God good?” they clap their hands off and pretend that it’s OH, SO PROFOUND! And if there is any other thing which can get you into the pulpit without having to pass a “doctrine test” first, it’s the ability to dish out:

There is another way to get into the pulpits of Christendom without being a worldly BIG-SHOT: all you have to do is be a BIG SINNER. The EX-crowd gets a big audience today. Ex-drug addict. Ex-whoremonger. Ex-bank robber. Ex-Satanist. Ex-Mafia. EX-MURDERER. THINK ABOUT IT. There is a great crowd of EX-BIG SINNERS making the rounds among the churches today. They are not invited just to say “I was lost but now I’m found”: NO, the congregations hunger to hear all sorts of “adventure stories” about things that it is a shame even to speak of (Eph. 5:12). These EX-MEN make a career out of foaming out their own shame (Jude 13). They wander from church to church, boasting about how miraculously they survived, while constantly committing outrageous sins. They tell dramatic stories about their “wild nights” of drunkenness and immorality. They lead us through evil conspiracies, gunfights, daring escapes from the police, and the times when they “had it all” while living in luxury and decadence. It is not their present testimony to Christ that is envied; but their sinful past. THIS IS “SANCTIFIED” PORNOGRAPHY. The audience laps up all this moral and spiritual abomination like thirsty dogs, as they get to VICARIOUSLY join with this “star” in his life of lust, greed, and pride. This just goes to show that if they (the audience) weren’t such cowards, they would like to do a little “big-sinning” for themselves.

The worst part of this ADMIRATION OF THE WORLDLY BIG-SHOT and THE BIG SINNER is the effect that it has on the young people in the church. THINK ABOUT IT! The children in these churches are surely left with the impression that the BEST way to become a BIG-TIME PREACHER is to become a basketball player, or a rich man, or a REALLY BIG SINNER first. THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!! But then of course, the surest way to get popular permission to “speak for God” is to produce some “paper credentials”.

The legalist preacher will thunder anathemas against cigarette smokers and beer drinkers from the pulpit, BUT, if that same preacher gets to have lunch with the mayor, and the mayor smokes . . . . Well, you know what I mean. I have heard many a Protestant preacher declare that one cannot be a member of any Lodge like the Masons and be saved. YET, these “preachers” fail to remember this if they get to see the President; most of our Presidents have been members of these “secret societies”; BUT THEY WOULD NEVER DARE CONDEMN THE PRESIDENT TO HIS FACE!

HYPOCRISY is really the only word that describes all this. These “preachers” are careful to distinguish between the weak and the powerful in how they handle people. If one is low on the totem pole, the “preacher” is quick to condemn or ignore him. On the other hand, if one is a BIG-SHOT in the world; and especially in the government; IT’S AMAZING how “broad minded” they can become. Their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having mens persons in admiration because of advantage (Jude 16). Those who are ambitious for worldly honor and privilege know who to flatter and who they can afford to insult. No matter how religious you claim to be and no matter how saintly someone else thinks you are, if you play this STEPPING STONE game with the ESTABLISHMENT, you are the enemy of God. In all of the 4000 years of Bible history only 2 Godly men made it to the top in a secular government: Joseph and Daniel. Neither one of these men ever compromised themselves to get there, AND, neither one of these men had any ambition to get there. They were both promoted to their positions by the providence of God. In the story of Daniel you can see how he constantly risked not only his position, but also his very life, in order to be FAITHFUL TO GOD.

And now, at the end of the Church-Age, Christendom has become a religious version of VANITY FAIR. The only element from VANITY FAIR that is now lacking are the nude women, though there are enough so-called “Christian sex-counselors” around to make up for that. LOOK, FRIEND; at the procession of MOVIE STARS, ROCK STARS, ATHLETES, POLITICIANS, RICH MEN, and BIG SINNERS that are being paraded through our churches! The whole nauseating pomp and glory of the Godless multitude is exalted in front of the Congregation of Christ, and their accomplishments are made to be the standard of God’s approval. A whole generation of children are being taught to love and admire people who reject and despise the teachings of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and the classroom where they learn this LOVE OF THE WORLD is the local church!

Jesus warned us about having a “life goes on” attitude by saying: Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (enjoying our prosperity), and drunkenness (hypnotized and intoxicated by our worldly success or our prospects of success), and cares of this life (faithless worry about things that God has promised to take care of), and so THAT DAY COME UPON YOU UNAWARES. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34- 35).

But NO! IN spite of the fact that nearly every prophetic commentator both past and present is pointing to THIS time in which we live as being the End of The Age and the time of the Lord’s return: IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL! While the people of Christendom are busy laying up treasures on earth (Matt. 6:19), and making all sorts of provisions for tomorrow (Matt. 6:34), the leaders of Christendom are busy building their own personal ecclesiastical kingdoms. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations: THEY CALL THEIR LANDS AFTER THEIR OWN NAMES (Psalm 49:11).

THINK ABOUT IT: As if there weren’t PLENTY of church-buildings and Bible schools around already; each one of these BIG-SHOTS has to spend the Lord’s money on his own “custom built” PALACE (headquarters). And, of course, it has to be called the SO AND SO MINISTRY, or, the MR. BIG-TIME RELIGION BIBLE SCHOOL, and the YOU ALL KNOW WHO I AM HOSPITAL. No matter what they say with their lips about the nearness of the Lord’s coming, their actions say: The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth (Ezekiel 12:22). Jesus warned these “would be” LEADERS of Christendom about this; that if they should begin to say: My Lord delayeth His coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken: the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 24:48-51).

They eat and drink WITH the drunken, not LIKE the drunken. These modern Pharisees and Sadducees will luxuriate in THE POISONED LIGHT of worldly fame, and boast of friendships with senators, rich men, and sports heroes; and they are drunken with worldly glamour. IN their lust for preeminence, they do not hesitate to SPY on each other, and to smite their fellow servants, by “tattling” on each other: this, of course, THEY SAY, is their “moral duty”. But I know, and THEY KNOW, that there are some benefits to be realized from closing down the “competition”. It’s BUSINESS AS USUAL in Organized Religion today; even though the Signs of The End are all around us. Jesus said, Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is . . . lest coming suddenly, He (Jesus) find you SLEEPING (Mark 13:33,36).

And then we have JANNES & JAMBRES IN THE PULPIT?

WITCHCRAFT is the self-serving manipulation of persons and objects by supernatural or psychological means: So we say, “She bewitched him by her beauty”, or “Hitler bewitched the German people by his eloquent oratory”. WITCHCRAFT is mostly the art of persuasion, and usually, those who do not believe in the power of the witch are not affected by any of their “hocus pocus”. Witchcraft is most effective when the one who is being “hexed” both believes in the power of the witch and KNOWS that they are being cursed.

Suppose you threw away some old shoes, and the Shaman fetched them out of the garbage, made little dolls to represent you and your wife, and stood them up in the shoes. Then, he thrusts the dolls through with needles, pours blood all over them, and pins dead scorpions on their backs: but you never knew that this was happening. No problem, right? But when he leaves those shoes on your front porch for you to find, YOU ARE AFRAID: not of his mumbo-jumbo, BUT OF HIM, or of someone he might send; because even though you do not believe in his mumbo-jumbo, you suspect that since he has gone this far, he may be willing to vindicate his own curse. On the other hand, if the Shaman does these things to someone whose whole life has been spent in conformity to a society that believes in this mumbo-jumbo, it might well scare them to death. The Shaman’s “symbols” of power: his title; his costume; his sacred objects; and his mumbo-jumbo, are almost comical to you: but they represent “the power of God” to his own people.

Evil spirits (demons) also “work with” the Shaman. The Bible plainly testifies to the existence of demons, and the terrible effects they can have on people. So it is, that many witches can and do demonstrate supernatural powers. We are all aware of stories about those who DID NOT BELIEVE in witchcraft until they were convinced by some supernatural event. These demons may cause psychological torment, pains and symptoms, frightening visions and dreams, and so distract someone that they become accident prone.

The power of the Shaman to influence and intimidate his own “congregation” is the same power that the “clergyman” has over his congregation. There is social pressure to yield to the “divine authority” of the Shaman. There is culturally conditioned superstitious regard for his symbols and titles. There are supernatural events that appear to confirm his spiritual authority.

Take way the costume, the “sacred objects”, the culturally conditioned regard for his mumbo-jumbo, and THE GANG THAT WILL DEFEND HIS HONOR, and what do we have left? Some dude in baggy shorts and a dirty tee-shirt who says “a curse on you” is hardly frightening. Let that same man put on his costume, dance around the fire, and pronounce curses on you IN THE PRESENCE OF the people that WILL defend his honor, and you dare not show your contempt. AND NOW CONSIDER THIS . . . .

Up on the stage is a man that everyone IN YOUR SOCIETY respects and holds in awe. He wears a special “outfit” or “costume” that distinguishes him as one of the leaders of his own culture (a business suit will do just fine in America). He waves around sacred objects, he performs solemn ceremonies; he looks up from his book of dark and mysterious secrets (that only he knows best), and utters ominous words. Everyone around you insists that something splendid and divinely significant is taking place.

For his incantations he borrows from the words of God Almighty. He doesn’t have a dog’s head on a stick, but he does have a “certificate” that guarantees that he is, indeed, “the man of God”. He has a title that all your ancestors and everyone around insist MUST BE RESPECTED.

He promises peace and prosperity to those who applaud him; he casts judgments, damnations, and excommunications against those who despise him. He says, Come not near to me, for I am holier than thou (Isaiah 65:5). He loves to go about in long clothing (special preacher outfits), and loves salutations in the market places, and the chief seats in the church-buildings, and the uppermost rooms at public social gatherings; he allows himself to be called “Reverend, Reverend”, and he devours widow’s houses (will take even their last nickel “for God” without guilt), and for a pretence makes long prayers (in public, of course). AND, if anyone putteth not into his mouth, he even prepares war against him (Micah 3:5). YOU DO KNOW WHO I AM TALKING ABOUT, DON’T YOU? Take away the “preacher’s costume”, the big black book with the gold edges, the ordination certificate, the public title, the brightly lit stage, and ESPECIALLY, the mob that stands ready to defend his honor, and what do we have left? JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY MAN, JUST LIKE YOU, saying, “God won’t bless you if you don’t admit that I am somebody special who ought to be respected and obeyed”.

The saints of God fear to offend their God, so when a man wraps himself in the symbols and titles of Christianity, those symbols become his “signs of authority”. Even if he is a heinous scoundrel, the church-folks are afraid to denounce him, because he’s got the big black book, the costume of public dignity, and a “certificate of spiritual authority”: and then, EVERYONE is aware of the mob that stands ready to punish you if you dare to mock their “priest”. The fact is, that the symbols and titles of Christianity CAN be used in exactly the same way that the Shaman uses his “symbols and titles”. As long as the Shaman or the antichrist holds forth these symbols of public authority, the people are afraid to despise or confront him. Take way the stage, the props, and the avenging mob from either of these men: all we have left is JUST ANOTHER MAN attempting to intimidate and subjugate other men by bombast and threatenings.

Now what I have been talking about all along, is what THE WORLD calls “clergymen”. There are men who have been sent, authorized, and empowered by God to represent Him: but these are described in the Bible, and what THE WORLD calls “clergymen” do not fit that description. Any man whose authority in religious matters is purely the product of his conformity to a popular standard is an antichrist. The very fact that all men in every time and place have had their “clergymen” invites the inquiry into just “what” these clergymen were and are in the sight of God. The fact that they represent differing creeds does not conceal the things they all have in common. They are both “the what” and “the who” that the fallen human race has erected before the eyes of their hearts in that place that should only be occupied by Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. "All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:7-9

Chapter 30
Be Anxious For Nothing

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 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 4:4-7

Through Apostle Paul the word of God gives us a simple recipe for trouble hearts in a troubled times -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. If we are trusting God and no other, we have nothing to fear for after all our help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth and sustains it (Psalm 46, 121). There is no greater help or friend than God? He is also the God of restoration and His word is true:

For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD, 'Because they called you an outcast saying: "This is Zion; No one seeks her." 'Jeremiah 30:17

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. Joel 2:23-26

God has promised to restore everything that has been stolen from us. It does not matter how many years we spent going through what we've been through. If we come back into His restoration day, He will give back to us what was stolen plus what would have been ours should we have been living in a good land. Everything that has been stolen through the years He will restore to us. God's restoration is not only giving us what we had, but also giving to us what we would have had should all the bad years we went through be counted as prosperous years. His word is true:

"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. Exodus 22:1"

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

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. Proverbs 3:5-8

We can take this word from God. It does not matter what has been stolen from us or what we may have got back in a ruined condition. God's word declares that restoration of seven, five or four fold is promised to us. We can trust in the LORD with all our heart, and lean not on our own understanding; In all our ways we acknowledge Him, and He shall direct our paths. He shall restore to us more abundantly what has been stolen from us. God's restoration means He is going to give back what we had, what we were supposed to have if nothing was stolen and all the good things that would have come with it plus more abundantly. Yes, every time we've been sick, whether it was a headache, the flu or cancer, time has been stolen from us. Each time there has been sickness in our life, time has been stolen from us. In those periods we have not been what we were supposed to be or what God intended for us to be. In times of sickness we were unable function the way we're supposed to function, we could not live the way we were supposed to and we could not be what we were supposed to be.

God has no problem restoring things multiple times. He has no problem to give health to our flesh and strength to our bones, if we turn away from evil ways, if we walk in the ways of the Lord and we do not lean on our own insight and understanding. If we honor the LORD with our possessions, and with the firstfruits of all our increase, our barns will be filled with plenty, and our vats will overflow with new wine (Proverbs 3:9-10). Yes if we will do as He tells us, we shall be healthy and our storehouses shall be filled with plenty and will be overflowing. And if our storehouse is not filled with plenty but is empty, it will be restored! God’s word is unchanging:

"And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. "The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. Deuteronomy 28:11

God has said that He will give us a surplus of prosperity in our body and in all our property, which means we will be healthy and we'll have more things than we can ever use or be in need of! He will command the blessing on us in our storehouses and in all that we undertake.And our store house is our body, our possessions and things and ground as well.

Because of Calvary our body is filled with health, because by His stripes we were healed. However, if a portion of our health has been stolen, what we need is RESTORATION in that portion of our body. We need to be RESTORED! If something is wrong with my heart, then it's not sickness that's come upon me, but rather health that has gone away from me. It needs to be RESTORED! And God has promised to restore all things. His word is true:

Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses." Matthew 8:14-16

Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Matthew 12:13

Those who were demon possessed needed to be restored. Those who were sick needed to be restored. There was a man who had a withered hand and Jesus restored it as whole as the other! Restored means everything that is out of the store will be put back. And there will also be overflow. There will be a surplus because our God is a God of abundance, a God of Health, a God of Wealth, a God who has everything that we need. He wants us to have restoration in our life. Just think of all that has been stolen from us in health, in our home, in our finances, in our time, in our joy, in our love, in our marriage, in our work. Just think of all that has been stolen from us. God says, "I have come to restore".

So, lets open up our storehouse wide today and say, "Lord, please fill it up". IF we are willing to give to the ministry of God? Are willing to bless the Lord's work out of our finances? Are willing to give out of our storehouse for the work of God? We can do it and God will restore our storehouse to overflowing! God’s word is unchanging:

"Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 'but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name. Nehemiah 1:8-9

The bible tells us that the king of Babylon had besieged Jerusalem city, destroyed it, and carried off to Babylon everything that was of value including the people because of the sins of God’s people. As a result the enemy had literally taken the ground, lock stock and barrel. And then God raised up Ezra and Nehemiah to restore things to God’s people. Ezra went back to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken down temple while Nehemiah returned to rebuild the broken down and burned walls of the city. Pastor Michael Jackson in his sermon “Take It Back!” brought out ten different areas that the God’s people in Judah repossessed from their enemy:.

1. WEALTH. The enemy had taken it; God restored it. The bible tells us:

And all those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods; and Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. This is the number of them: thirty gold platters, one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives, thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other articles. All the articles of gold and silver were five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar took with the captives who were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra 1:6-11

Now these are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his own city. Ezra 2:1

2. Their FAMILIES were returned. Ezra 2 and Ezra 8 stresses the fact that the people returned in families. The genealogy of those who returned was carefully noted. Isn’t it exciting that God favors the home; the family?

3. Their WORSHIP to God was restored. Ezra 3 covers the rebuilding of the altar. This was the first thing the people did upon returning to Jerusalem. The altar actually came before the temple. With the building of the altar came the sacrifices and the offerings of self-dedication unto God.

4. PERSONAL HOLINESS WAS RESTORED. God’s word tells us:

Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly. Ezra 10:1

They had a number of evil practices which they had picked up from the pagans. These were renounced and dealt with.

5. The WORD OF GOD was restored to it’s rightful place. The bible tells us

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:5-6

6. The TEMPLE was restored. They had been away from their temple for years. Now they had it back. What rejoicing; what victory.

7. THE CITY AND IT’S WALLS were restored and their sense of security also. The bible tells us :

"For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 9:9

8. He restored their JOY. Captives don’t know the sound of laughter. They only weep and moan. The bible tells us

Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off. Nehemiah 12:43

9. Their SERVICE to the Lord was restored.

10. Their TESTIMONY was restored. They were again known as a people of God. God was also known for who and what He was – the provider and savior of His people.

The Word of God tells us about Satan, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ( John 10:10). In the life of Job we clearly saw that it was Satan- the devil who caused Job his problems including great financial losses and physical sickness. But it was the Lord who healed, delivered, blessed and prospered him and made his end better than his beginning. God’s word is true:

And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. Now the LORD 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 he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 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. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days. Job 42:10-17

Job didn’t die prematurely living a life of defeat and poverty? He got back all that the devil had stolen from him and lived an additional one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. He died, old and full of days as well as rich and prosperous? And what God has done for Job, He can and will do for us because 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 (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Yes, through the use of Jesus name, the strength and power of the Holy Spirit and our faith, we have divine power to demolish strong-holds that have stolen things from us or are keeping things from us. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6). "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing (John 6:63). We come against Satan not in our power or name but in God’s power and the name of Jesus and He has to restore everything that he has stolen from us. We step out from our limited abilities and resources to God’s unlimited abilities and resources through the use of the name of Jesus which give us, Salvation: Acts 4:12 , Justification: 1 Corinthians 6:11, Healing: Acts 3:6; proclamation: Acts 8:12, Deliverance from demons: Mark 16:17, Worship: Ephesians 5:20, Prayer: John 14:13-14, the Holy Spirit: John 14:26.

A check without a signature is not worth the paper it is printed on. What makes the paper of value is that name at the bottom right-hand corner. That signature or name represents that person’s financial resources. It is as if Jesus left behind a check book full of blank checks which He has signed with His name. The believer fills in the amount as the will of God is revealed, and once the check is presented it is backed up by the inexhaustible riches of Christ. 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 14:12-14

"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. "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 16:22-24

Chapter 31
The God Of Abundance

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. 1 Chronicles 29:10-12

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23

King David, the anointed one, the man after God’s own hearted, who defeated the fleshly one King Saul and got all his wealth, influence, power, lands and kingdoms told us that both riches and honor come from God who reigns over all. And in God’s hand is power and might and in His hand it is to make great and to give strength and victory to all! David’s God was a God of abundance who told David, '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! 2 Samuel 12:8.

Now we live under a superior covenant than David did where God in Christ Jesus now lives in our hearts and have literally given us all things that pertain to life and godliness when He gave us Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption ( 1 Corinthians 1:30). And Christ who is sitting at the right hand of God is for us, with us and not against us. And His word is unchanging:

"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. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:18-20

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.

Note that Jesus said, “Again I say to you.” This was important enough for Him to say more than once to these men until they realized that if they would get in agreement with one another and establish a thing, Jesus would be in the midst of them to cause it to come to pass. What we would Jesus make to come to pass? His word:

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

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need, be self-sufficient—possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation….And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteous-ness….Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, [and your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 8,10-11).

it's wonderful that God's throne is open to every soul that believes and calls upon His name. It's wonderful that no matter the need, we can go to Him for help. He did not say, "Come to me if it is a small need," or "come to me if it is an impossible need." He said, "in time of need." In all our ways we are to acknowledge Him, and He will help us. He will direct our paths and supply our needs according to His riches in glory. Thank God, heaven is bending low to help and direct us in all things until Jesus comes. There is an open invitation from God Almighty for each of His children to draw help and direction from Him. If we ever feel like your need is greater than God's ability to perform, spend time in the Word of God and let our faith in God take over. Feelings can lock us up in a room of fear, but faith unlocks the door for heaven's blessings to flow. He is a very present help in time of need.

It’s also to be noted that in order for our prayers of agreement to be answered and effective we need someone to be an agreement partner with us. The most ideal situation is for a man and his wife to be in agreement. They are the best and most powerful situation on earth who can agree together in many areas. We need someone who will not relent and, once the agreement is made, will stand firm that it will come to pass. Jesus will bring even the impossible to pass if two Christians will agree firmly on His Word and its truth especially husband and wife. And that is one of the reasons why Satan loves divorce and separation because it breaks up a Christian marriage.

There are some key elements in seeing needs miraculously by God that we cannot ignore including ignoring the person, purpose and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives remembering that David prayed and said, Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11

1. We are to ask God to fill us with the Holy Spirit and to speak with other tongues as the Spirit give us the utterance (Acts 2:4)What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.1COR 14:15

2. When we have a need we are to get in agreement according to Matthew 18:19 for God to meet it. This is very important. The best and most powerful situation on earth is a husband and wife who can agree together in these areas. If this isn’t possible in your particular case, then get together with another believer and have him join with you.

3. Lay hold on it by faith. Use the principles set out in Mark 11:23-24. Believe it in your heart and confess it with your mouth.

4. Bind the devil and his forces in the Name of Jesus. You have the authority in Jesus’ Name to order Satan out of your financial affairs. This is your responsibility. Don’t ask God to do it. You do it in Jesus’ Name. Mark 16:17, James 4:7, Ephesians 6 and the entire New Testament tells you to resist the devil. It is important for the husband and father to do this. It is his responsibility as spiritual head of the home.

5. Loose the forces of heaven. Hebrews 1:14 refers to the angels as ministering spirits “sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation.” The Bible also says that angels hearken to the Word of God (see Psalm 103:20), so when you use the Word in the Name of Jesus, they are obligated to follow your command.

6. Praise God for the answer. Praise keeps the door of abundance wide open. The channel between you and God is clear so that you can receive from Him.

Victory Ministries

Walter Kambulow

June 1, 2008

All rights reserved

Burlington, Ontario

Mail to walthope@mail.com

http://walthope.tripod.com/answers.htm

---

[i] Frank and Ida Mae Hammond, ‘Confronting Familiar Spirits’, http://www.texasonline.net/setfree/fmlr-spir.htm

[ii] http://www.thepropheticyears.com/wordpress/2008/07/20/coming-christian-wealth-transfer-or-an-ongoing-third-wave-demon-transfer.html

[iii] http://www.moriel.org/articles/discernment/church_issues/delusional_world_of_mark_stibbe.htm

[iv] First Word: Last Word Pastor Ken Gott

[v] Sovereign God For Us and Through Us by David Eells

[vi] Sovereign God For Us and Through Us by David Eells

• 
  Great links
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/be-filled-with-all-fullness-of-god.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/power-of-blood.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-things-are-yours.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/be-not-ignorant.html
  ...http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/called-to-inherit-blessing.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/effective-fervent-prayer.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/who-is-like-god.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/let-god-arise.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/lord-will-hear.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/our-wonderful-redeemer.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/blessed-to-be-blessing.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-time-of-trouble.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/god-hears-and-answers-prayers.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/gods-will-is-healing.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/more-shall-be-given.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/greatest-is-love.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/lord-is-very-compassionate.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-believe-i-receive.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-sufficient-christ.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/is-sola-scriptura-true-and-from-god.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/tongues-is-not-for-believers.html
  
  http://sacred/-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/by-power-of-holy-spirit.htm
  http://postedat.wordpress.com/2011/12/25/the-vanity-of-keeping-the-old-testament-commandments/
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/god-can-speak-directly-to-you.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/money-and-ministry.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/facing-death-and-devil-too.html
  http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/about-apostles.html