In The Last Days

Introduction

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10

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. James 5:14-16

God is the Way-Maker, the wind in the storm, the harvester, the Changer and the Shifter. No one can stand in His path. He opens and closes all doors. Not all who call on God saying ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter His Kingdom, but only those who are truly worthy and open and desire His Will and not their own. God knows who they are. He knows His true servants. He is not fooled by men’s outward appearance and behavior. He is not fooled, nor taken away by very whim of man. He has remained longsuffering and forbearing, trying to give room for a change of heart, yet men have not opened themselves to Him nor have they changed.

God expects His people to do what’s right. He expects them to bring justice and judge rightly. They have no choice in this. They must do what is right. They must act with righteousness. They must seek justice and wisdom. They must uphold truth at all costs! They have no choice they must do it. He has called them to do it. He did not give them the right to pick and choose their preferences of what they do. He told them directly. He commanded them to do what is right. They have their orders from their Commander-in-Chief! But God is upset with their willful wayward ways. He is literally shocked that they can’t do what’s right and hear Him calling them! He is furious with them and His wayward ones will pay the price for their self-righteousness. He will have it no other way because they have turned their back on Him when they turned it on righteous, justice and truth.

God’s true ones must let Him be their confidence, strength and high tower. They are to run to Him and He will provide for them all they desire and need. Pleasures should not be the priority of existence on this earth to His people. Material gain should not be what counts. God will provide but it is not of paramount importance. What counts is--are the needs of the fatherless, widowed, imprisoned and dying meet? Has hope been provided to the end of their days? Has peace be provided to every dying sheep in the pastures out there? The shepherds alone should not be doing this job. All of God’s people should be doing this job and not just the leaders. Ten percent must do ninety percent of the work. Why? God has ordained everyone with hands and feet and time to give. He wants more from His people. He wants much, much more. He is tired of waiting to see what they will do. It is time for them to turn to Him and look into His face and go and do what He has commanded them to do. They must do what He has called them to do? They are called to do His will in good service to others. To love and forgive and care and carry the burdens of others. To make the yoke easier not heavier. To give new hope and spring in their step. This is possible through the empowerment of His people as they depend on Him and receive His power, gifts and word. They must act and go do what Good has called them to do. It is in the word, let them do it.

Chapter 1

Then He Dreamed

Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. "Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." Genesis 28:10-16

God wants to give His people an open heaven so that miracles, healings, signs, wonders, visions and revelations will become natural to us and we will live in the supernatural realm all the time. And yes, Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life by which we go into the supernatural realm. First we are born again by the Spirit of God. Then we are Baptized by the Spirit of God with the evidence of speaking with tongues. And then we allow the gifts of the Spirit to flow and move through us for the blessing and profit of all. God’s word is unchanging:

Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' John 3:5-7

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4-5

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

Because God has given a man a free will and He only gives men things as they become hungry for them and ask for things by faith, most of God’s people don’t receive at the same moment the New Birth, the Baptism of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit, even though it is possible to do so. Yes, with God all things are possible and He can do anything in a split second including healing a sick body, delivering a demon possessed person and make a person whole body, soul and sprit. And if we are open each one of us can have a supernatural encounter with God just like Jacob did, where God will speak to us and even give us visions and dreams!

Jacob went to sleep one night and He encountered one of God’s “instant miracles.” He dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. "Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." Jacob never expected to go to sleep and encounter God and have a heavenly visitation. Similarly the same thing could happen to us! But if we are closed just like a tea kettle with a closed cover, God could pour His Spirit upon us and nothing will happen. The choice is ours! God’s word is unchanging:

'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. Acts 2:17-18

God has promised to do tremendous things on earth in the last days when He pours out of His Spirit on all flesh. As a result our sons and our daughters shall prophesy our young men shall see visions; our old men shall dream dreams. And on His menservants and on His maidservants He will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. Yes, it’s our inheritance to see into the spiritually realm and live as supernatural beings living in a physical body. Believers in Jesus Christ have the Holy Spirit living inside of them and at any moment, they can have access to the thoughts and the mind of Christ. They can also access the deep things of God through the Spirit in Him who brings revelation and searches all things. (For those who don’t understand the last days are the days just before Jesus returns again.)

Divine revelation is available in abundance and it’s available to each child of God. God loves speaking to His children and giving them supernatural revelation as they by faith open their spirit to Him. God is in the business of giving good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:10-11). But the greatest of these good gifts the Father wants to give us is relationship with Him, which involves communication and hearing His voice and then obeying His voice. However our spirit man due to ignorance or fear restricts how and when and the method God can use to reveal Himself and His visions and revelations and prophecies to us. As a result some of us need to pray that God will open our eyes to see into heavenly realm just like Elisha prayed for his servant, Gehazi, that the eyes of his heart could be opened to see into the second heaven. It is just like riding a bicycle. Once we get the hang of it we can revelations, visions, dreams and prophetic words from God any time that we want. God’s word is unchanging:

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:11-12

God given freedoms, rights and privileges can only be abrogated by God or ourselves for we are complete in Christ, who is the head of all principality and power who has disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it and causes us to triumph and be more than conquerors. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. And since we are primarily spiritual beings created by God then it makes sense that the solutions to all our problems are spiritual! God’s word is unchanging about any mountain, foe, kingdom, problem, sickness or lack:

When evening had come, He went out of the city. Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:19-24

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." Romans 10:8-13

Yes, if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Yes, God created His children for victory and through the cross of Christ He has given them victory and the power over all things (Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Isaiah 51:1-3,61:1-11,65:13-16, John 14:12-14,16:7-14, Romans 12;6, 1 Corinthians 3:21-22, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 4:8, Galatians 3:3, James 2:5). Through Christ Jesus, we who once were poor have became rich in faith for through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich and inherit the blessings of Abraham, spiritual and physical. And as a result whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven and whatever things we ask when we pray, believe that we receive them, and we will have them.

Now if we allow ourselves to be deceived or blind to what God in Christ Jesus has done for us that is our right and God will not interfere with our right to make mistakes and our own choices! But if we believe God, negative circumstances, the size of the enemy, or demons have nothing to do with us for God’s word is unchanging:

Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be. There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!' Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places." Deuteronomy 33:25-29

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:10

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]. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 Amplified Bible

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

Chapter 2

The Spirit Shall Rest On Him

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah 11:10-11

The ministry of Jesus was a result of the Spirit of the Lord that rested on Him giving Him wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And that is the way every ministry should be done through God’s Spirit, not by the works of the flesh! However every ministry is limited by the level of the faith of the Minster. Faith is a gift of God and hence Apostle Paul prayed for Christians that their faith might increase through the gift of the spirit of wisdom and knowledge of God 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 1:15-21). God’s word is unchanging:

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21

Yes, we can seek God’s face until heaven falls on us! As we are rooted and grounded in love and filled with all the fullness of God, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. But we have to make the choice and allow God to do and give us all things including wisdom and revelation knowledge about the Holy Spirit and the realm of heaven and the kingdom of God. When the Spirit of the Lord rests on us, wisdom and understanding as well as counsel which brings might and revelation which brings power will be our portion. And then we will minister just like Jesus did by tapping into God’s heart and mind by stirring up the Spirit of the Lord that is in us and upon us and getting the wisdom and revelation that comes from above.

As we have a revelation of the exceeding greatness of God’s power, our faith will increase and we will have the manifestation of the exceeding greatness of His power. But revelations are also connected to intimacy with God and intimate knowledge of Him. Through prayer, intimacy, worship, sitting as feet and being in God’s presence His divine power comes to us to give us everything we need to do the things that He has called us to do. God’s word is unchanging:

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 7:73-39

"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

Thirsting and drinking of God and having rivers of living waters flowing out of our hearts is not only a scriptural doctrine but a religious experience that Jesus said believers would have. That lack of such an experience would lead to assume that the person is not a believer or a follower of Jesus because God’s word is unchanging:

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Psalm 63:1-3

In the bible the water, the river, speaks of the literally Presence of and Experience with the Holy Spirit. And we do live in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water, where there is no manifestation of God, no revival, no renewal, and no refreshing, but only emptiness. But Jesus taught we can enjoy the manifest presence of God and drink of Him and have rivers of living waters flowing out of our hearts in the deserts of life when we are empty. As we pray, read the word and wait upon God, His manifest presence becomes a reality and changes us and things around us. God’s manifest presence always changes things just like when Jesus showed up at the wedding in Canaan of Galilee where they ran out of wine. So just when the wedding feast or party was going to run dry Jesus turned the water into the best tasting wine there ever was and the celebration continued. Yes that is what the presence of God does in our lives - it turns the water into wine and enables us to be full of righteousness, peace, joy and the Holy Spirit. So when we have a wilderness experience where there is no water we can expect God to show up and give us water. His word is true:

"The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, The myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine And the box tree together, That they may see and know, And consider and understand together, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:17-20

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." Isaiah 35:1-4

Yes, what God has done before for others He can and will do again for us! But we don’t have to do what the children of Israel did in the wilderness? They murmured, they grumbled and they complained so that God complained and sent them to die in a wilderness of their own choosing. Instead we can praise the LORD and expect Him who is the same yesterday today and forever to save, heal, and deliver us, bring us out with silver and gold, satisfy us with the bread of heaven, open the rock and make the water gush out in the dry places of our lives like a river. In other words we can expect miracles from God for His word is true and unchanging:

He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed, For the fear of them had fallen upon them. He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy promise, And Abraham His servant. He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations, That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the LORD! Psalm 105:37-45

Or we can become the children of Israel and wander around and end up being in that dry place and die there just like they did. It’s our choice! We can have joy in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, walk in power and have angels ministering to us or die in a wilderness of our own choosing were we have defeat, depression, apathy, complacency, hunger, thirst and desperation? Yes God will turn rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it. God’s word is unchanging:

He turns rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness, For the wickedness of those who dwell in it. He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings. There He makes the hungry dwell, That they may establish a city for a dwelling place, And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest. Psalm 107:33

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:8-11

Chapter 3

But You Would Not

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But you would not, And you said, "No, for we will flee on horses"- Therefore you shall flee! And, "We will ride on swift horses"- Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! Isaiah 30:15-16

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

God wants to do and give great and wonderful things for His people but they alone decide what they will have, be it refuge, rest, restoration, righteousness, strength, justice and peace or humiliation, distress, defeat and darkness. Yes, the rejection of light doesn’t give more light but rather darkness and more of it just like Jesus promised:

"For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Matthew 13:12

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

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

Real confidence and strength comes from God and being in His presence. It is those who wait on the LORD who 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 40:31). God wants our fellowship, not our activity. He who made and sustains heaven and earth is very active on behalf of those who wait for Him. His word is true:

Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be. "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!' Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places." Deuteronomy 33:25-29

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

God wants to walk and talk with us and for us to enjoy His presence as He breathes on us. He wants us to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. We cannot enjoy His presence and person if our words and deeds are contrary to what He is saying and doing. If we are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity we will not know the freedom that God gives. We must put off, concerning our former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. We must put away lying and speak truth with our neighbor, for we are members of one another. We must be angry, but not sin and are not to let the sun go down on our wrath, nor give place to the devil. We must not steal but rather labor, working with our hands what is good, s o that we may have something to give him who has need. We must not corrupt word proceed out of our mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we were sealed for the day of redemption. We are to put away from us all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking. We are to kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave us. Otherwise we will not know the blessings of God including His manifest presence and victories over our enemies. We will not know and experience His presence, glory, power, ministry, miracles, signs, wonders and wealth because we have iniquity in our hearts. God’s word is unchanging:

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah Psalm 32:1-7

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10

Yes, we can know and experience an intense and radiating presence of the Lord continually if we walk in the light as He is in the light! We can experience an open heaven and see visions from God and feel the thick presence of Jesus. We can get filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues; and then we can see people healed, their legs started growing out, miracles, creative miracles, shoulders, bones straightening out, spines straightening out, necks, backs, etc. Yes we can have new anointings and great and wonderful mantles of ministry from God as long as we don’t allow envy and jealousy and bitterness set in. God’s word is unchanging:

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:1-10

Chapter 4

Filled With The Fullness Of God

"Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. Isaiah 41:1-3

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8

Every Christian has been given "the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3). A measure of faith was bestowed to each one of us when we accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. But every Christian doesn't operate at the same level of faith. Why? Since every one was given the same measure in the New Birth, why are some operating in great faith while, at the other end of the spectrum, some Christians are operating in zero faith — in no faith at all? I'll tell you why. Some Christians have developed their faith to a greater degree than others.

There are too many average Christians in the Body of Christ. But anybody can be average. We need more men and women to rise up and lead the pack, so to speak, determined to receive everything God has for them and to live the abundant life He has provided. [i][i]

Jesus Christ the source, author and finisher of our faith, stands ready to increase our faith and give us whatever we have need off. He stands at the point of our need ready to meet each and every need that we have be it spiritual, physical, social or financial. The other fact of the matter the word of God doesn’t deny the power of our faith but only qualifies it. God’s word is unchanging:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corintians 13:1-3

Without love even though we have faith so that we could remove mountains we are nothing. But if we have love then speaking with tongues of men and angels, moving mountains and doing good works profits us greatly. Faith is very important because it is how we overcome the tests, trials, and obstacles and hindrances that come against us in life. God’s word is unchanging:

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

To believe in Jesus is to put complete trust in Him for everything, it is to have confidence in His word that He will do what He say He will do. It is to walk in the same Holy Spirit that He walked and to depend on that same Spirit. It is hear and obey the voice and visions of God just like Jesus heard and obeyed the voice and visions of God. It is to speak the words that our Father gives us just like He gave Jesus the words to speak. It is be anointed with the Holy Spirit and power and go about doing good, casting out devil and healing the sick. It is to believe that all things are ours (1 Corinthians 3:21) because God’s given us all things richly to enjoy. God’s word is unchanging:

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

The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:1-5

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17

Yes, those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to idols, nor sworn deceitfully, shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of their salvation. Yes, those who trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy can do good, be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Yes, those who have proper faith will overcome the world which is ruled by Satan and his cohorts (2 Corinthians 4:4) just like Jesus did. Yes, through revelation of God's Word, they can rise up with faith in their heart, or spirit, and overrule Satan and the world system. They can prevail over all the works of the enemy with world-conquering faith! Yes, the earth is ours and everything in it, because what belongs to God belongs to His children too. But unfortunately many of God’s people are crippled in their faith and they cannot allow their faith to rise to believe God for great and wonderful things. They need to be healed and delivered from their crippling disease that has ruined their faith. God’s word is unchanging:

Apostle Paul prayed for the faithful saints in Ephesus that the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ would grant them according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith; that they, 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 they might be filled with all the fullness of God? Obviously you don’t have to be extremely intelligent to figure out that just because people are saints they are not filled with the fullness of God just like Barnabas was about whom the Word of God states, 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). The bible also tells us that Stephen was a man full of faith and power and the Holy Spirit who did great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:6-8).

There is this idea taught in some churches that we are all anointed ones and are full of the Holy Ghost? But if this is the case where are the works of great wonder and signs among the people? Nonexistent! In the secular world people have no problem doing their all to achieve something even if it would cost them their life. In March 1923, in an interview with The New York Times, the British mountaineer George Leigh Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, and replied, 'Because it's there'. The answer became famous, not least because Mallory himself was lost on Everest in the following year. It was sometimes suggested that he and his fellow-climber Andrew Irvine, who were last seen 'going strong for the summit', might in fact have reached it before their deaths, but there was no proof.

In May 1999, 75 years later, the body of George Mallory was found on Everest, and the press coverage surrounding the discovery focused again on Mallory's 'Because it's there' as a statement summarizing the mountaineer's reasons for climbing. One such report quoted from Robert William Service's `Dauntless Quest', which was inspired by Mallory's words:

Why seek to scale Mount Everest,

Queen of the Air,

Why strive to crown that cruel crest

And deathward dare?

Said Mallory of dauntless quest

`Because it's there.'

Well there is more to life than just being a saint and struggling with the mundane things of life. You can be a saint that is strong in the Lord in the power of His might, rooted and grounded in love, knowing the love of Christ be filled with all the fullness of God and doing great wonders and signs among the people? God put no limits on what is people can achieve, have or be except the limits that they set on themselves! Unfortunately many of them become circus fleas who jump so much and no more! Fleas ride dogs and they jump. This is all they ever do, it would seem. If you catch a flea and put it in a jar... with out even thinking it'll just jump right out. But if you want to train that flea, put a lid on the jar. Then you can sit and watch it jump. The flea will start hitting its head on the lid of the jar. And every time it tries to get out. You can come back in an hour. It will still be jumping, banging its head on that lid. Two hours it’s still jumping, still trying and whacking its head on that lid every time it tries. Come back at some point though and it will still be jumping but not hitting it's head on that lid any more. That flea eventually learned to adjust its jump. And to always stop short of hurting itself. That flea is trained and you can take the lid off and watch the flea jump. It will not jump out of that jar. Not because it can't. That flea can see everything it wants, going on all around it. But will never have it. Only because the flea no longer believes it can. And never will again. And unfortunately this happens with people who have bad experiences and hurts in life and don’t allow their faith to be stretched any more, they go so far in God and no further. They had prayed and prayed and God didn’t seem to answer and now they don’t pray any more. But the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is unchanging:

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12

There are no shortages in heaven of anything including the mercy and grace and there should be no shortages on earth. God is gracious and good enough to meet as promised all the needs of His people if they will only trust and believe Him for it. His word is unchanging:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

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

I Am Love

Teresa Seputis (ts@GodSpeak.org)

Child, I have loved you with an everlasting love. I held you in the palm of My hand all of those times when you felt far from Me, and I never let go of you. All of those times when you felt too weak to hold on to Me, I sustained you and I had a strong grip on you. Child, I have seen you at your absolute worst and I still love you. I have seen your failures, and even though you are disappointed in yourself, I am not disappointed with you. I do not judge you by the same criteria that you judge yourself by.

Child, I do not judge you by your performance alone, but by your heart after Me. There are times when you feel weak and helpless and all you can do is to cry out to Me. You have thought in your heart that I must be displeased with you because of this. But child, I am not like that at all, for I am love.

I know the depth and severity of each thing that I allow to come into your life. There are times when I allow much to come at you, and in those times, all I ask of you is that you remain standing. But in those times, you so often feel frustrated with yourself because you are not advancing; you are not taking new ground or winning new victories – you are merely holding the ground that you have already taken. And you assume that I must be frustrated with you because of that. But child,

I am love and I am a reasonable God and I am a pleasable God. I do not expect you to take new ground for Me in those times, I only expect you to stand firm. And I am so pleased with you when you do stand firm and remain true to Me in difficult times.

Child, I want to teach you more of Myself, so that you will know Me better and understand how I think. I do not think like a man and I do not react like a man. Come to me and learn of My love.

I do not hold any condemnation towards My own dear children. I have said this in My word for a reason -- it is true. It is your enemy, the devil, who tries to condemn you. Love would not do that. But do not fear, for I have already defeated this foe, and I have broken the power of condemnation in your life. Your defeated enemy still tries to lay expectations upon you that are not from Me, then he accuses and condemns you when you do not live up to them. Do not fret, I know you inside and

outside. I have already accepted you and I will not reject you or push you away. When you are weak and failing, I do not condemn you. And when you cry out to Me for help, I strengthen you, I equip you and I make you an overcoming one.

I am a good God and a loving God and I have much good in store for you. Do not fear, but trust in Me, for I will surely bring it to pass. I am with you and I will never leave you. I have forgiven you and I will never condemn you. So do not be afraid that you will not measure up. Do not let your fears keep you from Me. Instead come to Me and allow Me to embrace you. The more you dwell in My presence and truth, the more you will be transformed by My radiance and the stronger you will grow in Me.

If you feel weak, then come to Me and allow Me to strengthen you. If you feel discouraged, come to Me and allow Me to encourage you. If you feel dirty, come to Me and allow me to cleanse you.

See, child, I am love and I will not reject you or push you away.

Chapter 5

According To Your Faith

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

You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows. You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. Job 22:27-28

Faith is a very powerful and effective instrument that God has given His children to achieve whatever they need. Jesus told the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour (Matthew 9:12). Later on that day two blind men followed Jesus crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened (Matthew 9:28-30). The bible tells us in Hebrews 11 that Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David 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. In order for faith to accomplish something it must be released throw words, deeds and/or actions. King Joash of Israel had a problem with Syria and went to Elisha for help. And Elisha gives him the solution to his problem which in the natural didn’t make sense. But many times when God wants to give victory He requires faith and obedience not sense and dollars?

So Elisha told the king, "Take a bow and some arrows." So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow." So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king's hands. And he said, "Open the east window"; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot"; and he shot. And he said, "The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them." The arrow represented two deliverances one the Lord’s deliverance and the other deliverance from Syria. But then king Joash something most of God’s people do in regard to their faith, he limited his faith and his aggressiveness even though the word of God states, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12) Elisha told him, "Take the arrows"; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground"; so he struck three times, and stopped. And the man of God was angry with him, and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times." God puts no limitations to our faith as to what we could or not do with it. We are the ones who determine the size of victory that we will have over any negative circumstance that we face or need that we have. The riches and resources of heaven are unlimited and are available to meet each and every need that we have and to demolish and decimate any enemy that we face. But we must use our faith and release it to see God accomplish great things for us.

Many of God’s people have a victim mentality not a victor mentality. They need a fresh revelation of who they are in Christ. Their eyes shall be opened to the fullness of what God’s work on the cross accomplished. They need no longer walk as a victim of their circumstances but are to look their adversary straight in the face and speak God’s Word over that situation. They need to press in for breakthrough until it comes. They need to look past the horizon of their limitations and see the cloud the size of a mans fist arise and grow into a rain cloud. They are to use their mustard seed faith to sow that faith and reap a moved mountain. They need to meet God at the cross and die of all that would be a hindrance so that His Holy Spirit power shall flow through them in its fullness. They need to walk under His anointing and the fullness of who God is. They need to strike their arrows more than three times and by faith laid hold of their promise of victory and breakthrough. Like a seed that takes time and persistence, so they will need to be persistent with prayer until they get their desired results.

There are many ways of releasing faith including through believing prayer, prayers of agreement, decreeing words from our mouth, giving to the poor and needy, confession of sins, and restitutions for wrongs done. God’s word is unchanging:

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:1-10

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. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Proverbs 4:20-24

God did all His miracles by the spoken word. In Genesis, He created the world by the spoken word. Hebrews 11 tells us, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." The important point is that your words are involved in your miracle. Many Christians put prayer above all and believe that if you pray, it will happen. Prayer is like water or fertilizer that you put on the seed. But, without planting a seed, watering is useless. If God was moved by need, every person's need would be met. Also, those in the worst situations would get their needs met first. That's not true. You must plant a seed, which is the Word of God. First Peter 1:23 says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." We are born again of incorruptible seed-the Word of God. The word "seed" in this scripture means sperm. We are born of a supernatural union and the seed of the Word of God. Farmers believe that if you plant wheat, you get wheat. If you plant corn, you get corn. They don't question it-they are simply laws. Everybody agrees with that in the natural; but when it comes to spiritual things, most people don't believe that. But the truth is if you aren't reaping what the Word of God says, you haven't planted what the Word of God says to plant. You reap what you sow. If the Word of God is primary in your life, you're going to get the results of the Word of God. That doesn't mean Satan won't fight you and you won't have problems. The end result will be you're going to have what the Word of God says. Satan may fight you, but you'll win. Many of us know this intellectually, but in our hearts, there is fear or reservation. We don't have the absolute confidence that God's Word is going to prevail in our lives.[ii][ii]

It takes faith to plant a seed and to believe that God will give a harvest? And faith is what pleases God! Now planting a seed in the lives of others takes many forms including the giving of money, prayers, love, concern and understanding. It’s what we give away that God multiples and gives back to us and not what we hoard. Our attitude in giving is very important for God loves a cheerful giver. Jesus who is our example constantly gave out of love and compassion to heal and deliver the sick and afflicted. Faith and patience is also is required once we have planted a seed. God’s word is unchanging:

"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:30-34

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:11-15

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7

Chapter 6

The Power Of Declaration

"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24

God created Adam and Eve in the beginning not only to live healthy, wealth and prosperous lives but to have dominion in the earthly realm, to have authority to make decrees on earth. However the devil deceived them and caused them not only to disobey God's instructions, but to steal their dominion from them (Genesis 3). Their real failure caused all of us to live inferior and defeated lives, to suffer under the curse of sin and to lose our dominion over the earth. We also lost the power to make kingly decrees. However God did not leave us in this helpless estate forever! He sent Jesus Christ to redeem and rescue us (Isaiah 53). And He gave us His living word to come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and wisdom and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews. 4:16).

God not only restored all things that we had lost but has given us a better dominion than in the beginning. Our dominion includes the physical and spiritual dominion where we can take authority over the devil in the heavenly realm. As sons of God and joint heirs of God we have been given the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. We can also speak to any mountain and say 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and it will be done. But for many of God’s people this doesn’t work because they have failed to heed what Jesus told them:

"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 15:4-8

We are to look to and abide in Jesus and His words and then we can make decrees that will work for God raised Jesus Christ 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. So everything must bow at the decrees that are spoken in Jesus name as we speak what the Father tells us to speak. It’s to be noted that we have no choice but to abide in Christ or we will be defeated and even destroyed by the onslaught of the enemy that will come against us from Satan who is very jealous of us. 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 we must take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13). God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:15-23

Everything that we get from God including the new birth must be first conceived in our spirit and then proclaimed with our mouth. But we cannot conceive in our spirit what has not been revealed to us! Hence we need to ask God to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance, 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. Through anointed eyes and ears we need to learn to access the realm of heaven and live in the presence of God. We need to be marked by an element of heavenly DNA and atmosphere that we will carry with us so that the people might know and sense that we have been with God and heaven is our dwelling place. And for this we will even require many angelic visitations from the realm of heaven! God’s word is unchanging:

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:11

But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:13-14

We need an encounter with Jesus and with angels to see the promises of God’s word fulfilled in our hearts and lives. The rational ascent and belief in the Word of God will not cut it. Scriptures are meant to lead us to a supernatural encounter with God and His Son, His Holy Spirit and His angels. God’s word is unchanging:

"But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:38-40

Mighty promises of God in the bible are birthed and manifested on earth through those are who in direct fellowship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Believers can't just go to the Word and claim the Lord's promises and expect to see it happen just because they read them. God’s word says that we are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3). The only way to see spiritual blessings in heavenly places turned into manifestations of blessing in the natural realm is to access the heavenly places and bring them back with us. Our promises are accessed in the heavenly realm where we are seated with Christ! Each time we have an encounter with the Lord we are filled with more of His fullness and carry more of His presence and we are changed from glory to glory. And from the glory that comes upon us and who we are in Christ we do things as we He made us accepted in the Beloved, we are "highly favored" ones who have been freely blessed. With our deep intimate fellowship resulting in heavenly encounters with the Lord we therefore take dominion and destroy the works of the devil by the power of God. We have been given free access to the Throne of Grace (Hebrews. 4:16) and encouraged to seek the things above (Colossians 3:1-3) and have the Holy Spirit will come upon us and the power of the Highest overshadow us (Luke 1:35).

In the intimacy with the Holy Spirit anything and everything is possible but without Him we can do and are nothing. Jesus Christ was totally dependent on the Holy Spirit for all things and so should we be. We must get to know the Holy Spirit! We are not to be afraid to worship the Third "Person" of the Godhead in addition to the Father and the Son. Holy Spirit is just as much God as the Father and the Son. God consists of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We need the intimacy of the Spirit for those who develop an intimate relationship and exchange with Holy Spirit will have the strongest anointing and power in their lives and ministry for it's the Holy Spirit that brings the manifestation of heaven to earth! Yes, we need to fellowship with God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit, for then we will have our delight in the Almighty, and lift up our face to God. Then we will make our prayer to Him, He will hear us, and we will pay our vows. We will also declare a thing, and it will be established for us. God’s word is unchanging:

"Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you. Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, And lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; You will remove iniquity far from your tents. Then you will lay your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. Yes, the Almighty will be your gold And your precious silver; For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows. You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. When they cast you down, and you say, 'Exaltation will come!' Then He will save the humble person. Job 22:21-29

We need to press into God as never before and get to know and experience Him more in all His facets. Then the glory of heaven, the deposits of heaven, will rest on us and will simply overflow and people will be filled with the Holy Spirit and be blessed by us. We will be vessels who cause heaven to invade earth. God’s word is unchanging:

"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. Joel 2:28-32

Chapter 7

I Will Bless You

Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3

As a result of the truth the Gospel of Christ we have been crucified with Christ, we have shared His crucifixion and it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us. And the life we now live in the body we live by faith in by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself up for us. As a result of hearing the message of the gospel of Christ we have received the Holy Spirit and God works powerfully and miraculously amongst us pm the grounds of faith. For those who are people of faith are blessed and favored by God just as Abraham was because in Christ Jesus they are all sons of God through faith and were baptized into Christ, the Anointed One. And since they belong to Christ who is Abraham's Seed, then they are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to promise God made to Abraham:

Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: "By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son- "blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." Genesis 22:15-18

God Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has come to make us whole body, soul and Spirit. Through Jesus Christ He has adopted us as His own children. In Him we have redemption, deliverance and salvation through His blood, the remission, forgiveness of our offenses shortcomings and trespasses in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding. In Him also we also were made God's heritage, portion, and we obtained an inheritance. God’s word is true:

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Gensis 15:1

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Isaiah 91:1-4

Because of Christ God, the Father of glory, longs to us a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we can know and understand the hope to which He has called us, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints , that we can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. God’s word is unchanging:

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. Gensis 26:12-14

Because of what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary and the victories He won there we now have an open heaven and direct access to the throne of God where we can receive wisdom, power, and knowledge to live a prosperous, abundant life, ministry and business! As God opens up the windows of heaven we can freely receive, not only material blessings, but also the presence of God, holy visitations and revival. We can also receive miracles, signs, wonders and revelation. Because of Jesus we have free access to everything in heavenly realms, to a free flow of God's abundant grace and ministry power and financial blessings.

God created all of the heavens for us to experience, even while we are here on earth. Although we are spiritual beings in a physical body we are not of this world. We are citizens of heaven. We can seek God’s face and by faith, the abundant earthly blessings that God has for us as the heavens over our lives open up. Yes, our Father desires that we experience intimacy with Him, that we walk in the many levels of heavenly revelation and that we are blessed in every area of our lives. God’s word is unchanging:

"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, nd 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

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

The Kingdom of God is not demonstrated by words but by power. Unfortunately in most churches in North America, we hear a lot of words but see very little in any a demonstration of God’s power especially in the area of healing and deliverance. Yet the apostle Paul told us that his speech and preaching wasn’t with persuasive words of human wisdom, “but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

Unfortunately due to carnal thinking, preconceived ideas, hidden fear or pride, unconfessed or un-dealt sins, looking to men rather than God, lack of discernment and being deceived through religious bondage, such as Deaf and Dumb Spirit, stupor, dullness, many of God’s people fail to get their needed healing and then say it wasn’t God’s will. But that is nothing but a lie from the pits of hell for if God only healed one of His children He has an obligation to heal all of His children as He is no respecter of persons and shows partiality to no one!

The enemy steals the Word before it can become firmly rooted in them to produce the healing. The truth is that sickness is the result of an oppression of the devil. Acts 10:38 says, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him...” The devil inflicts us with sickness and doesn’t want God's Word to bring healing and destroys his work. The devil continually tries to reestablish his infliction by stealing the truth of the Word from us (Matthew 13:19). He tries to steal the Word before it can become firmly rooted in us to produce the desired beneficial result - be it salvation, deliverance, healing, blessing and prosperity. The devil knows that the Word of God is more powerful than his works including sickness and poverty. So he works hard to cut-off the Word in us before it gets rooted. Only seed rooted produces a harvest. 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

God has ordained that all His blessings come through the seed of the Word of God. Whatever we need or desire we plant the seed of the Word of God in our hearts and in due season it will produce the desired result if the enemy doesn’t steal it or if we don’t give up. We are the farmers who are responsible to ensure that we get a good plentiful harvest from the seeds of the Word of God that we have put into our lives. We must also water the seeds with prayer. God’s word is unchanging:

"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, we wrestle daily not against flesh and flood but against powers of darkness led by Satan who are out to steal, kill and destroy. Satan's primary objective is to discredit God. And spoiling our bodies is one way he operates. Created in the image of God, we are caught in the middle of this spiritual battleground. We are commanded to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8). He will devour us with disease and sickness if we let him. Our great advantage is that God sent His Son to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:3). God through Jesus Christ will destroy Satan's evil work in our body! But our failures come because of an imperfect understanding of God's word. God's word declares that, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). Satan our adversary knows the truth better than we do. Until we discover and start claiming what is legally ours, Satan will continue his harassment and assault on our life. He knows our weak areas and he is full of different wiles that he uses on God’s people including attacking their finances and saying its God who did it for their best good or attacking their bodies and saying God wants to produce character in them! But the character of Jesus in us comes through the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of the Spirit and manifests the gifts of the Spirit in us.

Because we wrestle not against flesh and blood we must contend for miracles including healing for God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Because we have faith, hope and love we can contend with any negative circumstance until we get out miracle. Jesus was manifested to destroy all the works of the devil. Sickness and disease are an oppression of the devil and they don’t exist in God’s kingdom. Sickness diseases and death all come from the devil’s kingdom and every infirmity should be treated as the work of the devil including infirmity, blindness, sickness, pain, etc which robs us from the fullness of life. But Jesus Christ healed and heals all oppression of the devil. He who is the same yesterday today and forever still heals all our diseases, forgives all our iniquities, and redeems our life from destruction and executes righteousness and justice for the oppressed. Yes, came to set at liberty those who are oppressed. God’s word is true:

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

"The Spirit of the LORD 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

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

Chapter 8

Bringing Every Thought Into Captivity

And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. Luke 1:50-53

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, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Imaginations cause people to have problems as they become gate ways for unclean spirits. We were created to serve God with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. We were not created to have a heart that devises wicked plans. From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. (1 Chronicles 28:9, Proverbs 6:18, Matthew 5:27-28, Mark 7:21-23, 1 Corinthians 3:21). God created the powerful force of imagination for man to tap into his unlimited creative and productive mind. But when Satan invaded man’s imagination in the Garden of Eden it became filled with his own selfish desires and wicked thoughts. God’s word is unchanging:

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:1-3

Through Christ Jesus, God wants to restore the mind totally by cleaning out selfish desires, goals, and wicked thoughts by casting down every wicked imagination and replacing self centered desires with God created desires and his word. Satan attacks man’s imagination by placing his imagination. A mental picture is flashed into man’s mind. As man begins to entertain and mediate upon the mental picture of the temptation his innermost desires take over his mind and his will is weaken. Man yields his will to the temptation and openly sins. The bible records of such an event:

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 2 Samuel 11:2-4

Satan tricks, lies, deceives and temps man who can resist through his restore will for Jesus has destroyed Satan’s hold on the mind.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, Romans 6:8

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:17-24

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1-3

Those who have been born again and are filled with the Spirit of God are complete in Christ who is the head of all principality and power. They have access to the same Holy Spirit that Christ had and not only have the mind of Christ but can do greater things that Christ did. God’s word is unchanging:

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12

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

Because they are not really open to the Spirit of God and don’t have the mind of Christ but live and walk in the flesh according to the flesh, many of God’s people don’t recognize that fear, self pity, murmuring, complaining and depression comes from Satan our enemy who likes to exasperate or magnify our reactions when we face negative circumstances. If we give into these negative forces then they not only will affect our negative emotions and their intensity but this will result in our having real physical sickness, as well as even being immobilized, scared and worried. As a result we cannot release our faith to receive what we need for victory. We need to crucify or put to death these negative feelings and allow the Holy Spirit to rise up within us to rebuke Satan and speak the word of faith just like Jesus did with Peter. The bible records:

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Mark 8:31-33

We must yield our spirit and our will to the Word of God and the voice of the Spirit not to our fleshly desires or emotions. Our spirit should control our body and emotions and not the other way around. We are primarily spirit beings not fleshly beings! We are created in the image of God to rule over all things and not have things rule over us! As we continually yield ourselves and are guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit, we will not obey the desires and lusts of our flesh and be no longer in bondage. We now have the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead to give us power and strength and to work in use. We can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might and stand against all the wiles of the devil.

God has appointed Jesus Christ as the legal owner of all things in heaven and in earth and everything between. And as joint heirs seated with Christ in heaven at the Father’s right hand everything that belongs to God belong to Jesus and hence belongs to us as His brothers and sisters. So we don’t have to use our imagination to dwell on negative things or allow negative emotions to occupy us, as we can dwell on the fact that God’s storehouse is full and it all belongs to us? Spiritual riches, perfect health, abundant prosperity and total victory all belongs to us and by faith we can lay claim to it and see it become a reality in the current time of life. Yes, all these wonderful things belong to us as heirs of the kingdom and sons and daughters of the King and kings and Lord’s of Lords and as kings and priests who rule and reign with Christ. God’s word is unchanging:

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.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Philippians 4:5-8

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

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelations 1:4-6

Chapter 9

Be Of Good Cheer

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

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

Just for the asking Jesus Christ who has overcome the world has promised to help His trusting ones to overcome all things. In themselves they can do nothing but they can do all things through Christ who strengthens, empowers and fellowships with them. Victory and fruitfulness comes from abiding in the vine. God’s word is unchanging:

Our great, wonderful and mighty God has not problem restoring to His people destinies, dreams and possession that have been plundered and mangled by the enemy of the Kingdom and people of God. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer (1 Peter 3:12). He has stated, Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27). He has also stated, "Have faith in God." Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, `Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. (Mark 11:22-24). His word stands unchanged, Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:19). It is our Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. All of it! His word is true:

"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

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

The kingdom of God is not only righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit but is also divine health, divine favor, divine blessings, divine prosperity, divine health and divine victory! And it’s all wrapped up in Jesus Christ who became poor so that we might be rich. It’s a fact that we are immensely rich because we have Jesus Christ and He is priceless. He is our all our, our brother, our friend, our Lord, our reward and our all. He is the best thing that we ever have or will have! And there is no one like Him or greater than He is. God’s word is unchanging:

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

But the other side of the coin about lack is that we cannot treat what God has given us freely unwisely and be unfaithful with the different gifts. One day we will give an account to God for all the gifts and giftings that He has given us. So we need to ask the Father for wisdom and discernment to handle the wealth and gifts that He give us and to use them all wisely. God’s word is unchanging:

And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." Genesis 41:38-44

And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous. Exodus 23:8

For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:8-11

We must be filled with the Spirit of the LORD and be discerning and wise just like Joseph was if we want God to promote us and to use us greatly. We must discern good and evil and not be perverted and corrupted by others including the enemy. We must have an understanding heart to judge God’s people and to understand to discern justice and the unsavory. Yes, we must cry out for discernment, and lift up our voice for understanding. God’s word is unchanging:

Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly. Proverbs 15:21

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge. Proverbs 19:25

"And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. Ezekiel 44:23

Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him. Malachi 3:18

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1 Corinthians 11:29

Yes, we must discern between the unclean and the clean, between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. Otherwise we will find ourselves in the judgments of God for supporting the unclean and wicked ones. We must discern the times we live in as well as God’s seasons and timings in life. And we must not be undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful or we will find ourselves in places we never expected to be. Yet God’s word is unchanging:

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

Chapter 10

But The LORD Is With Me

But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You. Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For He has delivered the life of the poor From the hand of evildoers. Jeremiah 20:11-13

"You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; "and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all-you are this head of gold. Daniel 2:37-38

God to whom belongs wisdom and might, changes the times and the seasons, removes kings and raises up kings, gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding, reveals deep and secret things, knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him humbled proud and arrogant king Nebuchadnezzar for seven years so that he ate grass and lived amongst the animals that the king might know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.

God’s dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" He is the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down. And this mighty God rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men. And we might be insignificant or weak but God is all-powerful to grant us power like how He granted to king Nebuchadnezzar. We serve a mighty God and we can to believe in this mighty God and receive power from Him. The Bible says in John 15:5 that without Him we cannot do anything. However, with God we can receive everything. "And because this Almighty God abides with us like a mighty warrior and all that is in heaven and earth is His, through Him we can achieve great things for He gives His power to man. His word is unchanging:

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. Psalm 107:19-20

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. Proverbs 15:33

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 Chronciles 29:11-12

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 5:6-7

Yes, God gives grace to the humble and contends with the proud. He has promised that the meek shall inherit the earth. And there is nothing that God cannot do in heaven or on earth especially for those who believe including giving them riches, honor, power, might, greatness and victory just like He has done for kings before them including Solomon. Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah about whom the bible states:

All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. For the king had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year. 2 Samuel 10:21-25

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 2 Chronicles 17:5

Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab. 2 Chronicles 18:1

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; 2 Chronicles 32:27

In the kingdom of God confession of faith is the key to victory. We confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and we are saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” And God's word defines salvation as preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, enemies or evil:

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

Jesus Christ, who is God manifest in the flesh, demonstrated God’s will for us by healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. When they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, He healed them (Matthew 4:24). Sickness, disease, demons, poverty or lack are not our friends but our enemies and Jesus came to destroy these things! Yes, God who is the same yesterday, today and forever wants to give His people the victory over all this enemies just like He gave the children of Israel victory over the Egyptian enemies, spoiled them with the wealth of Egypt and brought the out of all their bondage and afflictions. Yes, for those who obey His voice and walk in His ways, Jesus Christ causes their enemies to be defeated. He blesses them coming in and going out! He is the God of all and unlimited power and resources who has overcome the world for them!

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

Chapter 11

And The Angels Ministered To Him

And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Mark 1:13

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

When we talk about the supernatural realm many people think about Ghosts and demons and angels with wings and think that there is nothing good there or that supernatural experiences are just for the special saints of God like Apostle Paul who went to the third heaven or Apostle John who was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and saw a door standing open in heaven. He records what followed:

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created." Revelations 4:1-11

God’s people have been walking in supernatural experiences from the beginning of the Bible to the end of the Bible and so can we if we allow "the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation” to come upon us and make ourselves available by faith to God to show and reveal to us anything that He wants too. Heaven and the supernatural realm are real and they should be more real to us than the natural realm that we live in. Angels ministered to Jesus many times and they should do the same to us for they are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). We need to ask the Lord to open the eyes of our heart that we will come into the reality of the spiritual realm for God wants to make us naturally supernatural. It's time for your launch into new realms of the Spirit. God and His angels can do more in a split second in the natural that a billion years of our perspiration cannot every do including healing sick bodies and delivering people from demons.

Yes, God created all of the heavens for us to experience, even while we are here on earth. Remember, we are spiritual beings in a physical body. We are not of this world; we are citizens of heaven. Yes, we can seek God's face and cry out to Him that He would open heaven and quicken our spiritual senses. Yes, we can receive, by faith, the abundant earthly blessings that God has for us as the heavens over our lives open up. The Father desires that we experience intimacy with Him, that we walk in the many levels of heavenly revelation and that we are blessed in every area of our lives. Yes, we can walk under an open heaven and God can use us to bless others and to impart the reality of the supernatural to people around us.

We need to ask God impart to us that supernatural anointing of eyes and wings‑eyes to see what He is doing and the wings to go into the heavenly realm with Him. We need for the Lord to open up our eyes to the realm of angels, trances, visions and dreams and to remove every thought and belief that hinders us from seeing into the heavenlies. We need to be a vessel, a channel for signs and wonders in heaven and on the earth. We need to walk like Jesus walked on a daily basis‑seeing into the heavenlies; healing every sickness and disease, casting out demons as well as preaching and teaching God’s word. We need to do those things that we see the Father do. We need to be filled with the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that our life would be a living testimony of the reality of the supernatural realm. We need for the Word of God to be a constant reality in us and to be alive and real to us. We need to ask for the anointing of glory and the cleansing of the blood of Jesus. We need to be cleansed from every thought, every ungodly conversation or gossip and every corrupt word that's come out of our life.

We need to remember that 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 (2 Peter 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 US…"

"The Kingdom of God is WITHIN US…"

"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 God who sends 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 us 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 waiting 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

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 12

The New Covenant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The message of the cross and the Gospel is not only that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He is now is seated at the right hand of the Father with all power given unto Him in heaven and earth waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. But the message of the cross and the Gospel is also that as a result of the victories Jesus won on the cross, He has now given and shared all that He has with us (John 16:14) and He is also with and for us continually (Matthew 28:18-20). God in Christ Jesus has literally become our inheritance and great reward; as well as everything else which we need, including our healer and deliverer. As result of the Cross, God said about Jesus and of us who have become strong and overcomers:

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

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

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

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The name of Jesus Christ is far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And God has put all things under His feet including sickness, defeat, poverty and lack and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. So if it is under Jesus feet and we are His body it is therefore under our feet! And if it’s under believers feet then why do we allow negative things to raise their ugly heads in our lives? Because we really don’t believe that is all under Jesus feet. We are like the prodigal son who ended up in a pig’s pen even if his father was filthy rich. But then he came to his senses and realized what his father had and returned to his father and his negative circumstances changed. How many of God's people suffer needless in poverty, want or lack and with sickness or disease? Too many! How long before they will look at themselves and say as the prodigal son who when he "came to himself" said, "I will arise and go to my Father!" God is waiting with opened arms to receive every penitent child! God is waiting with opened arms to touch, heal, deliver, and bless His children. They can can rely on Him to do what He has promised to do! We need to understand the reality of all the victories that Jesus won on the cross of Calvary. God’s word is unchanging:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 13

Kept By The Power Of God

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

Through the power of His resurrection, we have a living hope of all that Jesus paid for. Jesus paid the price for our total redemption. What the enemy took from man when Adam sinned, Jesus (the second Adam) bought back when He became our sacrificial Lamb. Yes, He was sacrificed us, but thank God, He arose. He won over death, hell and the grave. He did it all for us. Through the power of His resurrection, we can have divine overcoming power against all the powers of the enemy. We can have divine peace and contentment every day of our life as well as healing, blessings and prosperity. Healing is the children's bread; it's on the table all the time. God is able to move for us and supply all things needed today. He has all power so we can trust Him and receive daily that which is needed. God’s word is unchanging:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Because of Jesus death and resurrection we now enjoy great benefits. Jesus was punished in our place, because of that, we are forgiven. Jesus became a sin offering; we are made righteous. Jesus became a curse; we are blessed, Jesus was beaten and whipped; we are healed. Jesus died in our place; we have been given life eternal. Jesus was rejected by man and was also rejected by God; we have been accepted in the Beloved and we will never be forsaken by God. Jesus suffered unbearable trauma; we have been given peace. Jesus was resurrected; we were made a new creature.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christ's Righteousness for Our sin

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

Peace with God for Wrath of God

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

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

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

Life for Death

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal. 2:20

The New Man for The Old Man

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

Grace for Law

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

His Strength for Our weakness

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

His Purity for Our Impurity

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

Every Spiritual Blessing for Being His Children

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

God's Power for Weakness and Self strength

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

Wisdom and Redemption for Hopelessness and Despair

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

Good Cheer for Tribulation

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

Victory for Defeat

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

Joy for Sorrow

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

Hope for Despair

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

Fullness for Emptiness

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

Goodness for Evil And Self Control for the Flesh

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

Love for Fear

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

Rest for Busyness

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

Freedom for Bondage

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

Deliverance for Darkness

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

Truth for Lies

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

Riches for Poverty

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

Spiritual mind for Carnal mind

Boldness for Fear of Judgment

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

Abundance For Lack

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

Healing for Sickness

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Chapter 14

Let The Weak Say, 'I Am Strong

Proclaim this among the nations: "Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, 'I am strong.' " Joel 3:9-10

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:1-2

In the realm of faith which is the key for everything in the kingdom of God, we can call those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17) to see what we need to be manifested in our lives. Hence the bible states “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ “So when storms of life come we don’t panic but use our faith to speak to the mountains and tell them to move in the sea just like Jesus showed us how when He stilled the troubled sea with His words “Peace, be still!” God’s word is true:

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" Matthew 4:35-41

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 1:2-8

Everything that we need in life including life itself we get freely from God by faith, not by works. The new birth and the Baptism of the Spirit which God has freely given us is not the end of the journey but the beginning of our journey with God. Along the way we need many gifts from God, including a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the four winds of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit including love and the gifts of the Spirit including wisdom and miracles, which is wrapped up in the person of Jesus Christ, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Everything that we need is found in Jesus Christ who is our all, our all sufficient one, and our best friend! If we have Jesus Christ, we have everything we need. Every problem we have in our life is not the problem because of the lack of finances. It is the problem of the lack of knowing what to do to get it. It's never a money problem. It's an idea problem. When we know what to do and where to go we will always receive. Well we can always go to the Lord and receive from Him prosperity, provision, wisdom and understanding and everything that we need.

Wise King Solomon admonished us to incline our ear to wisdom, apply our heart to understanding, cry out for discernment, and lift up our voice for understanding. We were to seek for them just like one seeks silver, and search for them just as one search for hidden treasures. Then we would understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then we would understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path (Proverbs 2:1-9).

But wisdom, knowledge, discernment, miracles is all found in the person of the Holy Spirit and His anointing. The bible tells us about the Spirit and anointing that rests upon God’s true ones:

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. Isaiah 11:2-4

The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure. Isaiah 33:5-6

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Acts 9:31

When the wind of the Spirit comes and with it revival it brings four categories or four spiritual winds of God. These four winds of God were on the Lord Jesus Christ. There are four winds of God. The first wind is the wind of revelation. Then there is wind that brings provision. Then there is wind that brings judgment. And there is wind that brings deliverance. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor is the spirit of revelation. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted is the spirit that brings healing, the spirit of counsel and might, judgment on the enemy. To preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind and to set at liberty those who are oppressed is the spirit of deliverance, the West wind. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord is provision and the acceptable year of the Lord points to the year of Jubilee.

It’s to be noted that the Spirit of wisdom and understanding is connected to the spirit of prosperity. The book of Proverbs tells wisdom and prosperity are connected. It says wisdom is in the streets crying and calling that who so ever follow wisdom. We have prosperity on one hand, riches and honor on one hand and long life on the other. We cannot get the spirit of prosperity without the spirit of wisdom. If we don't have the spirit of wisdom there is way we can get prosperity. Prosperity comes by wisdom in the application of God's law and handling the things of God. But the other side of the coin is that the spirit of foolishness brings poverty. The two are linked up in the book of Proverbs.

The spirit of counsel and might enabled Jesus Christ to do His mighty works. The spirit of might is the same spirit of power and of judgment. Every time there is a healing Satan is judged. 1 John 3: 8 tells us for this purpose the Son of God was manifest that He might destroy the works of the devil. This is the spirit of counsel and might. The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord is the spirit of deliverance. Jesus told us we shall know the truth and the Truth shall set us free. These same four winds were on the Lord Jesus causing Him to say:

The winds of God in the bible speak about the four spiritual winds: the North wind, the South wind, the East wind and the West wind. Each wind has significance. Let's start with the East wind, which is the most common wind. We realize that in the bible there is a lot of what I call dual prophecies. When it talks about the winds in the bible, there is an actual wind blowing from the geographical direction. But it also points to something spiritual. That's what we want to do. How do we know that? Because each time God call forth the natural wind from a certain direction it always causes the same thing. It always brought forth the same thing.

The East Wind

The East wind is known for bringing blight and famine. The East wind is known as a wind that brought forth judgment.

Genesis 41: 5- 7[Pharaoh] slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. The East wind is the wind that brings judgment. It is the wind that comes with great power and great force.

Let's see a little bit of this wind in the book of Exodus 10: 12-13 Then the Lord said to Moses. Stretch out your hands over the land of Egypt for the locusts that they may come upon the land. So Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt. And the Lord brought an East wind on the land all that day and all that night. And when it was morning the East wind brought the locusts. It's so consistent that you cannot miss it. Every time the East wind is mentioned there is some sort of judgment happening.

We also want to look at Exodus 14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. And the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all than night and made that sea into dry land and the waters were divided. Notice it was the East wind. It was a wind of power and might. It's the East wind that parted the Red Sea. There is tremendous force and power in the East wind. We will not do any application yet. We will show in the bible what all the verses are on the wind. And then we will do a little bit of application.

The South Wind

Let's look at the South wind. Psalm 78: 26-27 He caused the East wind to blow in the heavens and by His power he brought in the South wind. Now the East wind brought judgment but it says here he brings also the South wind. He also rained meat on them like the dust, Feathered fowl like the sand of the seas. The South wind brought provision. The South wind brought food provided for them.

We can substantiate that with more scriptures. In Zechariah 9:11-14 "As for you also, because of blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I will declare that I will restore double to you. For I have bent Judah, My bow, fitted the bow with Ephraim and raised up your sons, O Zion against your sons, O Greece and make you like the sword of a mighty man." Notice that he says I will restore you double. He promised Zion provision; He is going to provide for them, bring abundance for their lives. That is not over yet. Then the Lord will be seen over them and his arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord God will blow the trumpet and go with whirlwinds from the south. Now the South wind is the wind of provision. That is the South wind it provides. And it is quite consistent in its bible usage.

We need to also look at Song of Solomon 4:16 Awake, O north wind and come, O south. Blow upon my garden that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits. Notice that the South wind together with the North wind symbolizes pleasantness and provision. The South wind is the wind that provides is the move of the Holy Spirit in provision.

The North Wind

Let's look at the North wind. We have seen the East wind, the wind of judgment. The South wind is a wind of provision. Let's look at the North wind as you saw in the Song of Solomon 4: 16 that it has to do with pleasantness, spices, fragrant.

Now let's look at Proverbs 25:23 The North wind brings forth rain. Why is it connected to provision? The North wind is important because the North wind brings the presence of God. In the Song of Solomon the North wind brought fragrance. The North wind brings the presence of the Lord.

Look at Ezekiel 1:4 Then I look and behold a whirlwind was coming out of the north. Why not south, why not east, why not west? Because the North wind always symbolizes the presence of the Lord. The Lord comes from the north. A great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself. And brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of ember out of the midst of fire. The North wind brings the presence of God.

The West Wind

Finally the book of Exodus 10:19 the Lord turn a very strong West wind which took the locusts away and blew them into the Red sea. There remains not one locust in all the territory of Egypt. The West wind that took away the locusts symbolizes the wind of deliverance. That is the main verse that mention about the West wind.

It’s to be noted that all the four winds of the Spirit were in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. And those are the four winds of revival that God wants to bring forth upon his people. It takes four winds to have a proper revival and to see God’s people make perfect whole and complete. The army of God needs to be healed, needs deliverance to come forth to them, needs provision to come forth into their lives. And they need to be anointed with fresh oil in the presence of God. And then we will have a living army of the Lord.

Some people have prayed and prayed, and they minister and minister but they only have one wind. All the time they only have the south wind. It will never perfect the body of Christ. As we pray for revival, we got to pray for the four winds of God. There are not enough of the four winds of God blowing. They need to come forth from the North, come forth from the South, come forth from the East, and come forth from the West. And we need to bring them together like the whirlwind of the Lord. And let the presence of the Lord surround and fill our lives. In the days of the latter rain, ask for rain. And speak it forth. 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

The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know." Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 'Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. "I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD." ' " So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ' " So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Zechariah 37:1-10

It’s also a fact that a great and mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit brings down the fear of the Lord upon men can causes sinners to be afraid and the righteous to see the King in His beauty! The bible tells us:

The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure. Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; They will see the land that is very far off. Your heart will meditate on terror: "Where is the scribe? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?" Isaiah 33:14-18

Chapter 15

Make You Complete

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

God who by His great and mighty power brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the same power that works in us and to make us complete in every good work to do His will. God in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, and sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory is only limited by our lack of faith and our will. If we are willing to obey and believe Him, He can and will do all things for us just like He has done for others including delivering us from the den of lions. God’s word is unchanging:

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.

Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6:19-28

Yes, our God is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He still delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, and is the One who had delivered Daniel from the power of the lions where his envious confreres had put him there. Mind you his enemies never anticipated that the tables would be reverse 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. But God’s word is unchanging:

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. Proverbs 11:5

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. Proverbs 26:27

Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. Proverbs 28:18

Yes, God wants to save each person and make him well and to live in good health and through the name of Jesus this is possible. In and through the name of Jesus, each person can be saved and be established in "protection, preservation, prosperity, promotions, provisions, soundness, healing, deliverance, and ministry! And God has to the power to save, heal and make whole every person living on this planet who would heed His voice. His word is unchanging:

"If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. "Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. "Also the LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. "And you will again obey the voice of the LORD and do all His commandments which I command you today. "The LORD your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the LORD will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, "if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 30:4-10

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

For those in whom Jesus is preeminent in their life, God able to make all grace abound toward them, that they, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Jesus became poor on the cross so that they could be rich and abound in all the work of their hands and have great increases. Prosperity is part of the atonement and their spiritual right. They do have to live below their covenant rights and can be prosperous and successful in all things. Every weapon of Satan planned for them will turn on him and they will be more than a conqueror filled with blessings from God. All spiritual and natural blessings are theirs as inheritors of the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. God’s word is unchanging:

Yes, even this day God will perform miracles for His trusting ones. The battle belongs to the Lord! He will fight for them. He will revive their bodies again and restore all that they have lost. He who raised Lazarus from death will help them as well, as they turn their eyes towards Jesus. He will lift them up from the valley of thee shadow of death and bring them into a new and fruitful day. God’s word is unchanging:

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

Celebrate

Teresa Seputis (ts@GodSpeak.org)

Precious one, celebrate and rejoice in Me. Know that I am a good God and that I desire for your joy to be full. Put off the garments of heaviness and sorrow and take upon yourself the garments of radiant praise, for that is the garment that I have given to you.

I am your Shepherd and I am good. Yes, it is true that there are times when I lead you through the valley of the shadow of death. I take you there because of things in your character that can only be molded in that valley. But I never intended to leave you there; My plan has always been to lead you through the valley and out of it. I will bring you back to the mountaintop, for I do not desire that any of My dear ones reside permanently in the shadow of death. I have indeed prepared a place for you, and that dark valley is not the place that I have prepared.

The place that I have prepared for you is a place of victory and overcoming and peace and joy and life. I have come that you might have life and that it might be full and abundant.

Little one, trust Me to lead you through the valley and out the other side. Do not fix your gaze on the shadows in the valley. Do not allow your mind to dwell on the trials or difficulties you may face there, for they are but passing things and they will not rule in your life. I am your deliverer and I will surely fight with you and give you the victory in every battle you face. Do not focus your attention on your foe. Instead, focus it on Me. For I have already placed the seed of joy and hope in your heart, and it is also the seed of rejoicing and celebration. That seed is not watered by looking at the shadows in the valley -- it is watered by looking to Me and looking to the good things that I will accomplish in your life as I bring My glory into your situation.

Child, you do not have to wait until the victory is fully accomplished before you can begin to celebrate and rejoice. For I am with you and I am your victory as well as your substance. So do not wait until the journey through the valley is completed. I walk with you in the journey. I am with you right now, right this very moment. So celebrate My presence and celebrate My nearness. Celebrate the glory that I have already promised into your situation.

Rejoice! My plans for you are very good. I will not allow a single good thing that I have ordained for you to be withheld from you. All that I have ordained for you will come to you, no matter how long it may seem to tarry. For I am with you, and I will never leave you. I bring joy and I bring peace. I have already won the victory and I have given that victory to you. You shall overcome in Me and you shall abide in My presence and you shall behold My glory. Shout for joy at that prospect --celebrate and rejoice!

Chapter 16

I Will Restore

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. Neheiah 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 abut 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 incluidng 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 beginging. 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 additonal 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 abiltiies and resources to God’s unlimited abilitiies 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:

"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 17

You Are Complete In Him

"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." Colossians 1:27

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

God has given us natural senses to touch, taste, smell, hear and feel the things of the natural realm. In the same way, God has provided a spiritual creation for us, the spiritual senses to experience the spiritual world. That is why we have an inner man with inner ears, eyes and other senses on the inside of us. In fact, because it is eternal, the spiritual realm is even more real than the physical realm. Everything that we have in the natural earthly realm came out of the invisible realm.

When we were born again at the moment of our salvation, we received the most important and powerful gift in the universe, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. In other words we have God Himself now living in us along with all the power, anointing, revelation and glory of heaven. We are also now seated with Christ who is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heavenly places. We are now complete in Christ but we need to totally yield to the Holy Spirit in every ways so that we can grow and consume every soulish and fleshly area of our lives and be all that we can be and have all that we can have! As believers, we are sons of God and co-heirs with Christ. We are "masters of all." But we need to grow up and mature so that we can operate in our inheritance and rule in the kingdom. We need to 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. God’s word is unchanging:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:12-14

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you are not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

We need to eat the solid food of heaven including the Word of God, divine and secret mysteries, and have the great power and anointing from the Holy Spirit, and the very glory of God as our own atmosphere! And God has given us the five-fold ministry so that the body of Christ might grow into a mature man with the fullness of Christ and no longer be children. We need to exercise our spiritual senses, become more familiar with the spiritual realm through intimacy with God, and become mature spiritual people full of His fullness! We don’t need to become quite old physically and still be a baby spiritually. If we limit how much of God we can have and express or what He can or cannot do in our hearts and lives we will remain babes and not mature sons of God. We need to ask God to overshadow us with His Spirit and cause His Kingdom within us to grow and expand and have dominion over every area of our lives. We need to allow Him to demonstrate His character, His Glory, and His power in us.

Fear, ignorance, unbelief, apathy and other things keep us from constantly living in God’s supernatural realm. The spiritual realm is as real as the natural realm and by the Spirit it’s just as easy to walk and live in that supernatural reality as it is in the natural reality. Our heart's cry should be we want heaven to touch the earth. We want heavenly glory. We want to open up the windows of heaven and we want to live in the supernatural provision of God's grace, power and presence. The Kingdom of God is not in word only but in power. And we need to see the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power. And we need to walk in God's power.

We need to believe in what God is now releasing by the power of His Spirit—the prophetic word, angels, dreams, the realities of the spiritual realm, the manifestation of heaven touching earth and people being healed and set free. By the power of faith and believing we can ask God to open up the spiritual realm and release the power of God, favor and resources into our lives and we shall receive. Believing is the door that opens up the spiritual realm and that brings heaven; it's the entrance through which heaven touches earth and through which miracles, signs and wonders come. God’s word is unchanging:

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

The Bible encourages us to set our mind on things above where Christ is seated. Yes, we need to get our mind high up there. Get our mind heavenly minded. Get our mind thinking about how real it is in heaven and that that realm is more real than the world that we live in. And we will experience demonic powers and principalities for the Devil is real and he really does want to kill, steal and destroy. But thank God there are more for us in the heavenly realm than those who are against us and Jesus Christ leads us constantly in victory over all our enemies. However we need to wait upon God and take time to listen what He has to say to us and act on what He tells us.

Because we are in Christ, we live under an open heaven just like Jesus did after He came up from the waters of baptism and the heavens opened and the dove came down. We understanding the reality of the spiritual realm and walking with the expectation that it is accessible to us, to every believer. As a full heir of the spiritual kingdom we should be touching, tasting, hearing, seeing and feeling what is going on in heaven for we are just as much a spiritual being as a natural being. The true church of Jesus Christ should be involved in the changing of weather patterns, the cleansing of lepers, the raising of dead, the casting out of demons, the healing of sickness and disease as well as seeing of dreams and visions. We are to be a sign; we are to be a living epistle of God and the supernatural realm should spill out of our lives and break into the natural realm everywhere we go. We are made for signs and wonders and we are called to carry around us an activity of heaven that creates signs and shows manifestations of heaven touching earth. There is an absence of sin, sickness, disease, death and poverty in heaven and so should it be the same in our lives. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to come and touch us and heal us and our spiritual senses so we can touch heaven and God with our spiritual sense. We are to be carriers of signs and wonders. God has called us to live in the place of "as it is in heaven" and to walk in the anointing of the spirit of wisdom and revelation. 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. 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

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Acts 19:11-12

Yes, we are a natural creation but we are also a spiritual creation. And God wants to give us that spirit of wisdom and revelation and enlighten the eyes of our understanding is for the knowledge of Him and He wants us to live in that intimate place now rather than when we die. We are to enjoy the presence and power of God every day and have Him speak to us at all times. We need to cultivate a lifestyle of seeking for and living in the presence of the Lord and having various levels of visions and revelations and smelling the fragrances of heaven. Often it's the natural that keeps us from the heavenly—it keeps us from the fullness of everything we have in God and which is promised in scripture. There will always be a war between our flesh and a war between our spirit.

Many saints of old had thrown away their prophetic destinies because they ended up despising prophecy. They just abandoned them. Others tried to keep their prophecies by fighting the good fight of faith, but when the battle became fierce they ran away. When the temptations of the world came, the Christian warriors just left their post, all their prophetic words and dreams. Whole churches and movements, cities, nations and individuals walked away from their vision, abandoning their dreams! But God is in the restoration business and He wants to restore to us all things not only financial wealth but great spiritual wealth including fulfillment of our dreams and prophecies. He wants to release the resurrection life of Jesus in every place where there has been death in our lives including the death of our dreams. He wants to breathe in every dream and every vision and remove every cap that we have so that we can lift that vision higher. He wants us to dream big dreams and see every true prophetic word or promise come to pass in the name of Jesus. He wants us to call forth those things that be not as those they are and release them from the realm of the spirit today. God’s word is unchanging:

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:3-6

Chapter 18

For Profit Mix With Faith

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

The children of Israel after they were delivered from their oppressors, the Egyptians, didn’t go into the promised land but wandered in the wilderness until they dropped dead because they believed the evil report of the cowardly spies who themselves died by the plague before the LORD. But Joshua and Caleb who fully followed the Lord along with their households went into the Promised Land. It’s also a fact that when God walked the earth as the Son of Man and Son of God in Christ Jesus He didn’t do much miracles where there was unbelief. The bible records:

And when He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" So they were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:54-58

Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. Mark 6:6-7

The problem we have today is that too many of God’s people are listening to pastors, priests and preachers who know only slightly more than them. They listen to pastors, priests and preachers who have a form of godliness but deny its power. Pastors, priests and preachers who don’t do what Jesus has commanded them to do:

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 16:14-20

It’s a fact that people need real miracles and healing and not just words that are dead the moment they are spoken because they don’t have life in them. Life comes from God and His Spirit and not from them. Life gives life and not just empty promises of a pie in the sky! God’s word is unchanging:

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

"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

Phillip was not an apostle but an ordinary layman filled with faith and the Spirit of God to serve upon the widows. And if Philip could have a miracle ministry than any pastors, priest and preacher can if He is a true man of God. For the same Spirit that was on Jesus is available to be on all His servants. God’s word is unchanging:

Yes, the same anointing that was upon David, Jesus and all the Apostles is to be on all of God’s servants today! Yes, they can have the same Spirit of the LORD resting upon them, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. As a result their delight will be in the fear of the LORD, and they shall not judge by the sight of their eyes, nor decide by the hearing of their ears; But by the Spirit of the LORD with righteousness they shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; they shall strike the earth with the rod of their mouths, And with the breath of their lips they shall slay the wicked. God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:4-8

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17

Chapter 19

The LORD Will Fight For You

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

Yes, Jesus is the LORD and He is unlimited in His abilities, He is unlimited in His power, He is omnipotent; He is unlimited in His knowledge, He is omniscient; He is not limited by time or space, He is the omnipresent; immutable, unchangeable, I Am: but above all, Christ is the unlimited Lord of love. The past, present and future are all present with our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful comfort to know that God holds the future in His hands, and He not only holds it, He can control and change it, and inform us of it. Christ is our great, immutable, unchangeable, “I Am.”

God by giving the fullness of His blessing to His reconciled enemies proves His perfect and unlimited love for us and we can respond by trusting Him at all times. Yes, Jesus is our redeeming God, “The Lord our righteousness,” and that those who accept Him as Lord and Savior can know forgiveness of sins and peace with God and be healed and made perfect, whole and complete. And our Redeeming Lord will baptize us in the Holy Spirit and gives the gifts of the Spirit so that we can see others become redeemed believers made complete in Christ who is all that they need for body, soul and spirit for Christ is unlimited in power and richest.

The doctrine of Christ's unlimited ability has a very practical application to us in our daily lives. Jesus is omnipotent; He can save, deliver and keep us. Jesus is our omniscient and all-wise Lord, He knows all about us, and can guide us in all our problems. Jesus is omnipresent; He is with us in every situation. Christ is the Great I Am; He knows and is in control of our future. Jesus is the Lord of unlimited love, He really cares for us. What a comfort these Divine attributes of Jesus give to those who love and serve Him. God’s word is unchanging:

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

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, My servants shall eat, But you shall be hungry; Behold, My servants shall drink, But you shall be thirsty; Behold, My servants shall rejoice, But you shall be ashamed; Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, But you shall cry for sorrow of heart, And wail for grief of spirit. You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; For the Lord GOD will slay you, And call His servants by another name; So that he who blesses himself in the earth Shall bless himself in the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Shall swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My eyes. Isaiah 65:13-16

Yes, in times when a great tempest comes against God’s trusting ones, it’s wonderful to know that a vessel with Jesus in it cannot sink for even the winds and the sea obey Him as well as everything else, including demons. Jesus will bring them safely to the other side of plenty and prosperity and victory. But this is something that God’s people do not seem to understand that no matter what is going on the miracle working God of all power and unlimited riches and resources is on their side. He is for them and with them and not against them and wants to see them get safely through to the other side. His trusting ones must not be fearful but are to faithful to stand against all the wiles of the enemy who seeks to destroy them by any means. For the enemy walks about like a roaring lions seeking whom he may devour by any means.

Now the children of Israel saw great miracles that God did for them in Egypt when He delivered them. But they did not understand His wonders and did not remember the multitude of His mercies, and rebelled by the sea-the Red Sea. Nevertheless God saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power known. He miraculously rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up. He led them through the parted waters. He miraculously saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

But not all of God’s miracles, even in the current time of life, are positive and constructive ones. There are some very negative and destructive ones depending if a person is evil and wicked. For the same miracle that caused the walls of Jericho to come down for the children of Israel destroyed their enemies who were behind the walls. The waters that parted miraculously at the Red Sea and saved the children of Israel also destroyed miraculously their enemies in it. As a result not one of them was left alive. The lions that miraculously did not touch praying and faithful Daniel destroyed with pleasure all his envious enemies who put him there before they hit the bottom of the lions den, each and every one of them. The bible records:

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."

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.

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6:19-28

God has not and doesn’t change one single bit. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is the living God, steadfast forever and a great miracle working God as well as the Judge of all the earth and a man of war. His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He still delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. Signs and wonders which bless some and destroy other. There are no sickness, famine, pestilence, poverty, suffering and lack in heaven and should not be on earth. The LORD who IS A GREAT MAN OF WAR AND UNCHANGING will bring His trusting ones into abundance of prosperity and give them every victory. His word is unchanging:

"When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. "So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. "And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 'for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you' (to give you victory, KJV). Deuteronomy 20:1-4

The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. "I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp at once. I will lay waste the mountains and hills, And dry up all their vegetation; I will make the rivers coastlands, And I will dry up the pools. I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them. Isaiah 42:13-16

My Jesus is a Man of War

(Exodus 15:3, . Revelations 19:11, Author Unknown)

Some think of Jesus calm and shy

And quite as a mouse.

But I see Jesus as my Lord

And guard of all my house.

Some say He’s tender, meek and mild

And doesn’t raise His voice.

But I can see Him charge through Hell

To give to man his choice.

Some say His hands are always clean

He won’t let His feelings show.

But I can see Him roll His sleeves

And fight off every foe.

My Jesus walks through Hell itself

To set the captives free.

My Jesus upturned the table tops

To gain His victory.

He bore my sins upon a cross

My sorrows in His hand.

My whipping for unrighteousness

My pain He did withstand.

He took my stripes to make me well

My crown of thorns He wore.

And all my fears He crucified

And all my shame He bore.

My Jesus is a Man of men,

A Warrior brave and bold.

My King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Yes, He all Victory gives and holds.

Chapter 20

In Paths of Righteousness

Many claim that the Lord is their shepherd but they are in want and are not walking in the paths of righteousness. Something is wrong because God’s word is true though every man is a liar. That is the problem with Christianity is that it’s all head knowledge and very little heart experience with the Shepherd who is the Lord. It’s not the Shepherd who has moved or needs to be changed but it’s the foolish and dumb sheep. They are not blameless! They do not have clean hands or a pure heart! And they don’t love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and might and are deceitful about it! Hence they do not receive a blessing from the Lord. They are not victorious in the presence of their enemies but have brought a reproach to God’s name, integrity and character. As a result justice is turned back, righteousness stands afar off, truth is fallen in the street, equity cannot enter and truth fails and goodness and mercy do not follow them but yet they say that they are called by God’s name and are His people.

These are things that people do not want to hear about themselves because everybody always has a better and nicer point of view about who they are and where they are. They seek God daily, and delight to know God’s ways as do they did righteousness, and did not forsake the ordinance of their God. But ask them how they apply the Word of God including:

"When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. "And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:12-14

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

The bible doesn’t say to bless the rich and use one another? Everyone pays the price for how they ministered to one another, whether it be out of a heart of love for the brethren or whether is was from a heart of seeking after gain. They lose and pay when they strive to get ahead using worldly measures and don’t keep their heart right and live righteously. They lose and pay for their mistakes when they seek after worldly gain by using the brethren to make a profit. They lose when they follow after the multitudes that lust after riches, and use God’s word and the gifts He has given them as the tools in which they wish to profit by. They lose when they don't repent of using God’s people for their own gain. They need to turn from mammon to God once again. They need to return to their first love. They need to draw near to God and keep their eyes on Him. They need to cast all their cares upon Him. They need to check their heart, their motives and their love for one another. For without love they will not prosper in anything that they do.

Many Christians and ministries use the words “we love and care for you” so flippantly. But God so loved that He gave His only son. Love and care are words that if expressed with out action are not only a clanging cymbal but hypocritical. To say that “I love God” but not express it in deeds to His people is hypocritical. No wonder the churches in America are mostly empty because the hearts of the people are empty and devoid of true meaning and demonstration of the word love. Again strong words but true ones! Until we recognize this to be true, we will not be delivered or healed but will continue to go in our wilderness ways and experiences.

There are many in the house of God today seek the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit but they also miss out the first and second commandment which is:

Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

True revival will come to America when each individual understands and puts into application the meaning neither of the apostolic creed nor the catechism of the church nor doctrines of their denomination but the first and second commandment of God. Until then all the laughter movements and other revival movements, as well as any form of Evangelism are just a waste of time. For those who do not obey and demonstrate the most important commandments of God, do not know nor Love the Shepherd. Anything that is done with out love profits nothings. God’s word says it:

If all of God’s people obeyed and did the first two commandments of loving God and their neighbor there would be no more need of preaching in churches and this world would never be the same. For most of God’s people to confess Psalm 23 is not only a waste of time but a mockery of God and His kingdom for they pay Him lips service and their heart is far from Him. Actions speaks louder than words and true active love, the kind Jesus showed and talked about, is very rare to find in the house of God never mind America. Many of God’s people will have to confess and pray another psalm:

Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Psalm 51:4-11

While others who think that they have arrived will have to confess and pray:

O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart- These, O God, You will not despise. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar. Psalm 51:15-19

They will have to seriously consider and understand the words of Jesus about them who said:

"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. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 15:1-10

But the winds of change are blowing across the land and nothing will be the same any more.

The Winds Of Change

The winds of change are blowing--all across the land.

The sea winds are whirling like a great white funnel.

The path it takes may seem random but don’t be fooled.

The hand that moves the gale is the Hand of the Lord!

The winds of the seas are blowing--all across this land.

The path they travel are going--all across this land.

The ship is tossed to and fro but the ship and crew are never lost.

Because I the Lord protect my own.

The road to life’s purposes may seem misty.

The path to my purposes may seem unclear.

But the footsteps in the sand are not yours--their mine.

So trust in your Master, He is carrying you further.

The future is hopeful full of the bounty of the earth.

The promises are full of the bounty of the Lord.

The world is beautiful because of who He is.

It’s His free gift to all who love Him.

Don’t be concerned for tomorrow, it’s in the palm of the Lord.

Don’t be concerned for plenty, He promised in His Word.

Don’t live without Him, there is no purpose.

Just surrender to Him and all is yours.

Life may seem painful, but He is in your pain.

It may seem hopeless, until He’s given first place.

It may seem lonely, but never the same.

It may seem cold, but His warmth heals that place.

Don’t give up the struggle, it’s just warming up.

Don’t give up the fight, the Battle is the Lord’s!

Don’t give up the attack, the enemy will retreat.

Don’t give up brave soldier, the enemy is at your feet.

The battle is almost over.

The victory almost won.

The enemy is defeated.

The spoils of war will come.

The LORD is our Redeemer.

The LORD is our Friend.

The LORD is our King.

The LORD is our Victor

Let no man deceive you. The battle is won.

The victory is yours, keep the faith in Him.

Don’t let anyone deceive you. You are a conquering hero.

Don’t let anyone tell you what the Holy Spirit has already said.

The enemy is gone. The battle is over.

The spoils of war go to the soldiers of war.

All is being restored, what the cankerworm has eaten.

The promise has been kept, the inheritance has been restored.

Don’t be afraid of tomorrow. The Lord would never let you down.

He has great things for you as He promised in His Word.

The peace and joy you’ve been seeking are all yours.

Don’t believe the world, to the victor goes the spoils!

Chapter 21

Use Your Faith To Get Victory

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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 11:29-34

Under an inferior old covenant or Old Testament Elisha had no problem using His anointing and faith in God to get miracles be it parting the river Jordan, healing the salted water or getting his adversaries destroyed. The bible records for our profit and instruction of the miracles Elijah and Elisha did:

Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."

So he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."

Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.

Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. Then they said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send anyone." But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, "Send them!" Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?"

Then the men of the city said to Elisha, "Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren." And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.' " So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. Then he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria. 2 Kings 2:8-25

Elijah and Elisha had no problem using their anointing and faith to have their needs met, including parting the river Jordan so that they can walk to the other side without getting wet? Elisha healed the water so shall be no more death or barrenness. Just like Jesus cursed a fig tree and commanded it to die, Elisha pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD on the forty two youths who mocked him for being bald. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled them. Yes the Word of God is full of examples of God’s people who used their faith to subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of fire, escape the edge of the sword, out of weakness be made strong, become valiant in battle, turn to flight the armies of the aliens. Jesus who used His faith to bring heaven on earth taught His disciples that "According to your faith let it be to you." (Mark 9:29). God’s word is unchanging:

"Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53

And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Mark 1:3

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14

Jesus didn’t have a problem with angels ministering to Him in His hour of need. The only reason He didn’t pray to the Father to provide Him with more than twelve legions of angels was because the will of the Father was to be fulfilled in this particular circumstance. Otherwise He would have asked for the angels who are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation. Many of God’s people are not blessed and are defeated in different situations is because they have not availed of the angels that are available to help them in their hour of need like Abraham did when he needed a wife for Isaac. The bible records:

So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. "The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. "And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. "Now my master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; 'but you shall go to my father's house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.' "And I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me.' "But he said to me, 'The LORD, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father's house. Genesis 24:34-40

Yes, God sent His angel with Abraham’s servant to prosper his ways to find a wife for Isaac and angels are available today to help each child of God including defeating their enemies. The bible records of what angels can do:

And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses-all dead. 2 Kings 19:35

An angel of the Lord saved King Hezekiah who had cried to the Lord about his enemies and said:

… "O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. "Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. "Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, "and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands-wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. "Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone." 2 Chronicles 19:15-19

Now God, who is no respecter of persons and shows partiality to no one, will do for His trusting ones even this day whatever is required to save, heal, deliver, bless and prosper them if they will use their faith, call upon the Lord and put no restrictions upon Him. He will do for them what He did for Peter who was thrown into prison by King Herod:

Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." Acts 5:17-20

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.

Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 0 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." Acts 12:5-11

Twice Peter was put into prison by King Herod and twice the angel of the Lord delivered him miraculously out of prison. God who is the God of the supernatural has no problems using His angels to bring miracles and victories to His trusting ones. He will do whatever is required to help and heal them because they are His servants. It’s was ironic but God who used an angel to deliver Peter from Herod also used an angel to kill Herod. God’s word is unchanging:

Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:23

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. 1 Peter 3:22

Chapter 22

God Is A Good God

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm23:6

The Word of God tells that the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and His goodness and mercy are with us. His loving kindness goes before us. As a Good God, He gives us good and perfect gifts. Sickness and disease is part of the curse of the law, and Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse. His plan is to bless us and not cause us harm. Hence in the name of Jesus Christ, we repent of sin and close the door to the devils' gifts and accept God’s goodness. In the name of Jesus Christ we can come against the enemies of fear, debt, poverty, and greed. Galatians 5:28 - 29 says, "There is [now no distinction] neither Jew, nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ [are in Him, Who is Abraham's seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to promise. (Amp.) As a seed of Abraham, in the mighty name of Jesus, we can thank almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, for the abundant blessing that He is giving us. His word is unchanging:

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5

The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9

Yes, the Lord is good to all who call upon Him and put their trust in Him. He loves to give miracles, breakthroughs and victories to all those who trust Him. The LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly? (Psalm 84:11). 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 8:32). God is loving, faithful, just, and righteous. He will defend us and protect us and provide for us as we live for Him. His word is unchanging:

Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26

Yes, the LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. The bible records king David having lost everything, strengthened himself in the LORD and looked unto HIM for comfort. As a result, the LORD did deliver him from all troubles and made him recover all that he lost (1 Samuel 30:19). The Lord who blessed and gave Abraham unlimited riches and delivered and promoted David hasn’t changed and He will do the same for those who trust only in Him! Yes, we are called to:

(a) to do the Lord's ministry with power and compassion of the Lord Jesus followed by signs, wonders and miracles and bring God's comfort and His transforming power to multitudes;

(b) to walk with God and talk with God face to face as Enoch, Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ Himself to intercede for the people who have no hope and to make them receive God's direction to organize their life;

(c) to be filled with the 9 Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit, in order to be transformed into the image of Christ and to reflect Him to the world in one's daily life.

We are a needy people with a great and wonderful Savior who has promised to meet and supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We need for God to assign His Warrior Angels with swords of light, to surround us everywhere we go and protect, defend, and preserve them from the enemy. We need him to heal and protect us from sickness and disease and infirmity and for every curse to be broken from our lives! We need for God to place a hedge of protection around us and restore all things thirty fold this day! We need for the Lord today to deliver us; heal our land; change our circumstances; bless and prosper us in all things. We need all the miracles and things that God can do and give today for us and be a blessing to others! And God is more than able to do all this and more. His word is unchanging:

One of the misunderstood phrases in the bible is to “wait on the Lord” which is not something passive because it’s to expect earnestly, to watch with neck outstretched, to persevere, to remain around for, to wait on or towards something to happen that God will do. And yes, God, who worked on and provided total salvation for man in Jesus Christ, will bring real salvation for His trusting ones because He has promised that none who wait for Him shall be ashamed. And those who have trusted in His Holy name shall rejoice in Him because of all that He will do for them. No matter what the negative circumstances that we might find ourselves in, we can wait upon God to save, heal and deliver us because He is our shield, our exceeding great reward, our defense, our friend and our God. We can wait only upon Him for our expectation is only from him. None other can do what He can do. He is after all a miracle worker and a mountain mover. He inclines His hear to us and hears our cries. He brings us out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay and sets our feet upon a rock and establishes our steps. He exalts us to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off for with the Lord there is mercy and abundant redemption. His word is true:

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities. Psalms 130:5-8

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

The bible has many examples of what expectantly waiting on the Lord and hope in His word for His plenteous redemption and deliverance and what it shall accomplish. One of my favorite stories is about when Elisha and the children of Judah were besieged by the enemy and were starving. Ben-Hadad king of Syria had gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. As a result there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver. However Elisha the prophet said:

"Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: 'Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.' " So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, "Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" And he said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it." 2 Kings 7:1-2

God does nothing on earth unless He reveals it to His prophets. But God has also stated that those who despise the word of His prophets, He will require of them. So the officer who was the right hand man of the king put his life in jeopardy when he despised Elisha’s prophetic words. (It’s true that some foolish men just do not learn and accept God’s word on some matters and they pay for their deeds even with their lives.) God’s word goes on to state:

Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, "Why are we sitting here until we die? "If we say, 'We will enter the city,' the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die." And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there.

For the LORD had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses-the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, "Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!" Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact-their tents, their horses, and their donkeys-and they fled for their lives.

And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried some from there also, and went and hid it. 2 Kings 7:3-8

The lepers had enough of their circumstance and situation and decided they were going to act and do something even if it would cost them their lives. (Yes, many times God’s bring His people to a place where they must walk on the water or sink. It is in such times that they find the miracle working power of God to be true and see that the Lord is the Lord and that He does what He has said He would do to bless, protect and preserve His own. For after all He is the Lord and He loves to bless and prosper His own even miraculously with the spoils of war from their enemies, just like He did for these lepers.) God’s word records:

Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king's household." So they went and called to the gatekeepers of the city, and told them, saying, "We went to the Syrian camp, and surprisingly no one was there, not a human sound-only horses and donkeys tied, and the tents intact."

And the gatekeepers called out, and they told it to the king's household inside. So the king arose in the night and said to his servants, "Let me now tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry; therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, 'When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.' "

And one of his servants answered and said, "Please, let several men take five of the remaining horses which are left in the city. Look, they may either become like all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; or indeed, I say, they may become like all the multitude of Israel left from those who are consumed; so let us send them and see." Therefore they took two chariots with horses; and the king sent them in the direction of the Syrian army, saying, "Go and see."

And they went after them to the Jordan; and indeed all the road was full of garments and weapons which the Syrians had thrown away in their haste. So the messengers returned and told the king. Then the people went out and plundered the tents of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. 2 Samuel 7:9-16

Men are not accustomed to believing God, walking by faith and not by sight and trusting His word and those of His true prophets, even though Elisha had said that God would provide a miraculous deliverance. So they would not believe the words of the Lepers until they could see things for themselves with their natural eyes instead of their spiritual eyes. But the fact of the matter remains that the officer who scorned Elisha’s words paid with his life for his foolish actions. 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 23

Great is The Lord and Mighty In Power

Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Psalm 147:5

It is possible to be in the center of God’s will and be in a terrible storm that threatens to destroy God’s own. The wind can be boisterous, the lighting crisp, and the waves almost overwhelming. Yet it is always darkest just before the dawn. This is exactly what happened to the disciples when they obeyed the words of Jesus who told them to go to the other side. God’s word records:

Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"

But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:23-27

The Word of God tells us that a great tempest arose suddenly and the boat was covered with waves. But Jesus was asleep so the disciples awoke him and asked Him to save them as they were perishing. Jesus response was unusually for mortal men "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He rebuked the winds and the ways and there was a great calm.

It does not matter why or how a storm arises, no vessel can sink with Jesus Christ in it. But God’s true ones must keep the faith and are not to be fearful. For everything in heaven and earth must obey Jesus voice and commands. Jesus Christ does not change because a storm comes up. He is the same yesterday, today and for ever. He is mighty in power and His understanding is infinite. God’s precious ones are to despair no matter what the situation or circumstance. The road may be tedious and dark but the Light is at the end of the tunnel. They have seen the Light and are receiving from the Light who is Jesus Christ the light of the world. So they are to be sustained by the Light and walk in His beauty and wisdom. They are to be filled will all of the Light and trust His truth to guide them through. Jesus Christ is able to instruct them and lead them out into their promised land. He is able to bring them through to the other side of their hopes and dreams. They are to keep the faith as His precious children. They are not to give up as He is their Hope and assurance in the midst of many storms. This one or any other they may face and He is their loving Heavenly Father! He will bring them through to the other side.

If we examine the sudden storm which came upon the disciples, we will note that Jesus had a purpose to go to the other side. Hence the forces of darkness tried to stop the purposes of God. For God’s word records:

When He had come to the other side, to the country of theGergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.

So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.

Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. Matthew 8:29-34

To Jesus the great Deliverer and Redeemer who had come to destroy the works of the devil, it was important for Him to deal with and help the demon possessed men. Mind you the demons did not like the idea. They liked to live and possess flesh. Jesus cast the demons out of the men and granted the demons request to go into the heard of swine.

It is interesting that the herd of swine did not like this idea and the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished there. Neither did the people of the region like the idea of the power that Jesus had in casting out demons and causing losses to them.

You would have thought that men were grateful that people were delivered from being possessed by demons instead of being concerned about their own prosperity and wealth. But that is humanity the physical realm is more important than the spiritual one.

Oppression or possession by demons and power of darkness are real things and not just a figment of imagination. Jesus spent as much time casting out demons as healing the sick and He also gave power to His disciples to do the same. His word is true:

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17

"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

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14

Yes, through the anointing which is in the Holy Spirit God gives to His true ones authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall by any means hurt them for His word is true:

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; Isaiah 43:1-5

God is always for, with and never against His true ones. He the God of all power is on their side no matter what storm, waters or fire they are going through or what mountain they have to move. He is on their side and will be do and give everything for them as they trust in Him and use His name - he name which is above every name and which stills the storms and casts out demons. We have a good example of all this in the life of faithful and praying Daniel. Daniel discerned the word of the LORD spoken through prophet Jeremiah that the seventy years of desolation’s of Jerusalem would come to an end. He set His face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes and to confess that they had sinned and committed iniquity.

Daniel acknowledged that all the disaster has come upon them because the LORD their God is righteous in all the works which He does, though His people had not obeyed His voice. He prayed that God would turn His anger and fury away from His Jerusalem, because of their sins, and for the iniquities of their fathers. Daniel stated:

"Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. "O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

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; Daniel 9:17-23

The moment Daniel started to pray God sent angel Gabriel to tell him that his prayers were answered and to give him understanding about what God was going to do with Jerusalem. When Daniel prayed, just like when God’s true ones pray God hears and answers their prayers, but demons and principalities try to stop and delay the answers. So God sent His angel to Daniel who said to him:

"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 10:12-14

God true ones do not have to fight with God for He is on their side. But they do have to contend with principalities, power and rulers of darkness of this age and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. For God’s word is true:

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 6:11-13

No matter how long the fight and how great the battle against forces of darkness victory is guaranteed and is assured. Because of what Jesus Christ had done on Calvary and the victories He had won there. For the words of Jesus are true:

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

It is the Lord who is the great and might one in this universe and no other. His word is true:

"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."

The pillars of the earth are the Lord’s and He will guard the feet of His saints. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces for by strength shall no man prevail. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth and exalt the horn of His anointed even this day. As a result He will honor His word to His true ones:

"Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. "And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you.

"You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. "And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you.

"And you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Deuteronomy 7:12-16

Chapter 24

The Storm is Almost Over

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

God never promised to keep us in a negative circumstance but to bring us safely through. As a result in life we are either in a storm, going into a storm, or coming out of a storm. But for those who are in a storm we can know that the storm is almost over, and there is something we can do while we wait for the sun to peep through the clouds. We can remember that storms in our lives prepare us for greater works. No one enjoys going through a storm, but it is preparing us for our breakthrough. When God wanted to purge the earth of sin, what did He do? He sent a flood. When He wants to purge us of some unpleasant thing in our lives, what does He do. He sends the rain as a cleansing agent to rid us of pride, arrogance, selfishness, jealousy, idolatry and any other sin that may be blocking our blessings.

Storms come and storms go. But what do we do while we are in a storm? Here's help from the sanctuary . . . Don't let go of your HOPE. HOPE is the only thing that will keep us from drowning. Hold on to our HOPE. So we must go on and put the H back in Hope. Hope will restore our health, healing, and your happiness. Go on and put the O back in hOpe. Keep going On! It is the only thing that will help you get over those difficult days and out of your storm. Go on and put the P back in hoPe. Continue to pray, praise and have patience. And remember God's promises. Go on and put the E back in hopE. Everything will be all right in the morning. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

It is so easy to be hopeless when we are going through storms. The one who drowns is the one who gives up all hope. The one who survives and goes on to do exploits for the Lord is the one who continues to have hope when there seems to be no way out. Believe with each passing moment that the storm is almost over. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord in spite of your storms. God’s word is true:

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. Nahum 1:3-8

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

There was no necessity for the disciples of Jesus to encounter a storm on the Sea of Galilee just because they obeyed Jesus words "Let's go to the others side"? The storm's origin was demonic and hence Jesus rebuked the demons and the sea became calm. Just because demons cause storms doesn't mean that God is in them or they are for our advantage as is implied by the unscriptural phrase "Storms in our lives are necessary to prepare us for greater works" or "storms in our lives are heaven sent?"

You don't correct people by throwing stones at them? So the idea that God throws at us or allows negative things to come into the lives of His people like sickness to correct them or teach them some important lesson is hogwash? Most normal parents teach their children by speaking to them with kind words and only resort to any use of force as a last resort if they are rebellious, stubborn or unteachable. So is God any different? No! He teaches His people by His Spirit through His voice and spoken words and not by negative circumstance. His word is unchanging:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

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

The bible tells us what when God spoke as a result of His word heaven and earth came into existence? In other words, when God speaks a miracle happens? But not all of God's miracles are positive ones as Pharaoh and his mighty army can testify when God parted the Red Sea and closed it on His enemies! When Jesus spoke miracles also happened because He is God. So what happened when Jesus spoke to the false ones of His day and our day and said "Woe to you?" They died in the judgments that followed in 70 A.D. at the hands of God's other ministers, the Romans, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil (Romans 13:4).

Jesus Christ is the Way-Maker and the World Changer. Life may not be fair but it is sure He is the only answer in it. God true ones are to hold to Him and walk in Him and hear His voice in the midst of the battles and storms of life. When the wind is howling around them and the storm is about to swallow them that is when He is in the boat with them and helping them to walk on water. It is important to walk there or they will be defeated by the sheer force of life. It is not always what they want or desire. It is what has been ordained and allowed for their betterment. To make them strong in Him. To make them sure of Him. To help them walk in the assurance of His provision and protection and position.

The ways of men are not God’s ways. They are the ways of men who walk in their own understandings and based on their own half-baked truths. He is not at all like them nor will He ever be like them. God’s true ones are not to fear them and stay close to Him and hold on to Him. They are not to let them intimidate them or harass them or change them in their current course of action. They are foolish and shifting sands but God in Jesus Christ is their Rock and High Tower and their hiding place in the midst of the storm. He is their Wing under which they can take refuge and their Savior in the storm. He is the Fourth Man in the fires of their lives. He is their victor in the battles of life. He is always with them. They are not to look to the right or to the left, but look only to Him. He is going to do all He has promised them and He above others keeps his word.

God has given His true ones all authority over the enemy. They have all strength and courage in the face of the enemy. They are not to let a demon ever frighten them. No circumstance--ice, snow, or pestilence or disease ever frighten them because He Himself is with them. He will let no one and nothing ever overwhelm or harm them in any way. He is their safety and high tower in the midst of the storms of life. He will not let them go for any reason. He is able to make the worlds and galaxies to come into being, so He is able to do all them need or require. But He does it in His timing as He has important lessons of spiritual life for them to learn.

Then, He will release them to do the work to which He has called them. They too are being established and made ready for the battle to which He has called them. He has called them will keep and establish them. He has promised it and He is able to do what they have committed to Him against that day. He has promised it and it is so. Cause it was spoken forth from His very mouth. It can never be taken back or changed. He has spoken it. They can consider it already done. Whatever, is of faith is to be considered already done because He, their Lord, considers it already performed and done. Principles of law and truth in the spiritual realm are not at all like those in the physical or fleshly realm and they transcend the physical, overriding the events and circumstances of the physical world. If they live in the spiritual realm, they cross all the barriers of the physical world and live on a new plane of understanding, gifts and the very person of God. This new way of living is nothing anyone can teach them except by the Word of God and the Presence of the Holy Spirit.

Not Down, But Through

By Annie Johnson Flint

"When Thou passest through the waters,"
Deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge,
And his promise is our hold;
For the Lord himself has said it,
He, the faithful God and true;
"When you come to the waters
You will not go down, but through."

Seas of sorrow, Seas of trial,
Bitter anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation
Sweeping over heart and brain...
They will never overflow us
For we know His work is true;
All His waves and all His billows
He will lead us safely through.

Threatening breakers of destruction,
Doubt's insidious undertow,
Will not sink us, will not drag us
Out to ocean depths of woe;
For His promise will sustain us,
Praise the Lord, whose word is true!
We will not go down, or under,
For He says, "You will pass through."

Chapter 25

I Am Gentle And Lowly In Heart

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 1 Peter 5:2

Many of us have experienced abusive pastors or religious leaders who have believed that a gift from God or some anointing has made them better than others, and they abuse the power and position that has been given to them in love. True ministry must be done in the same spirit that Jesus ministered to others. He who is gentle and lowly in heart never verbally beat his disciples into any form of submission to achieve His own stated purposes. Jesus Christ who was meek and mild had numerous occasion to rebuke and tell off impetuous Peter who didn’t always control his tongue, but He didn’t! Hence Peter learned by experience what the true shepherd was like and told all religious leaders, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.”

The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word overseer as:

o·ver·se·er n. 1. One who keeps watch over and directs the work of others, especially laborers. 2. A supervisor or superintendent.

A supervisor or superintendent is not a king, never mind a benevolent dictator? He is an employee who has been given the task to keep watch over and direct the work of others. However he should heed the words of Jesus who told us what would happen to bad supervisors:

"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. "Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

"But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:45-51

Since the “once saved, always saved” teaching is a doctrine of demons, then any unfaithful Christian leader can find himself cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Yet God’s word is unchanging:

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

In his book, Churches That Abuse, sociologist Ronald M. Enroth ( Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1992) identified 10 sets of features he found in abusive churches: control-oriented leadership, spiritual elitism, manipulation of members, perceived persecution, life-style rigidity, emphasis on experience, suppression of dissent, harsh discipline of members, denunciation of other churches, and the infliction of painful exit processes. An overview of the churches described indicates that control was obtained over every aspect of temporal life—ranging from dress codes, the space between parishioners in pews, the kinds of cookies eaten, the assigning of marital partners, the destruction of marriages, the separating of families—to the point that the readers see that individuals were led to replace their conscience and internal accountability with leader-dominated dictates that reflected that man's personal desires. (Few were woman pastors, and most of the pastors were self-appointed rather than ordained. Mind you, quite a few ordained pastors had been put in jail for other crimes including murder and rape.)

A common protest thrown at those who take a stand for the truth is that we are not supposed to judge. However there are innumerable verses in the Bible dealing with false teachings and refuting the errors. Hebrews 5:14 tells us that mature believers, those who are of “full age,” are those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern (judge) both good and evil.” Jesus Himself said: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). In 2 Timothy 2:17 Paul not only warns of the heresies of two men, he also names them. He also states “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9). “That you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3).

For the record, Jesus taught His disciples to beware of false prophets, who would come to them in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they would be ravenous wolves. The false ones will be known their fruits. Those who reject and deny what God has not denied including apostles, prophets, gifts of healing, miracles and speaking in tongues cannot be true prophets, but rather false ones. Those who rob, rape and use the sheep to build their own kingdom rather than those of the sheep cannot be true shepherds. For God’s word is unchanging:

“As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:15-16

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4

True shepherds of the flock of God serve as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to them, but being examples to the flock. Unfortunately as seen by the many religious scandals in America true shepherds are very hard to find.

But there are those foolish religious leaders who teach “Judge not, that you be not judged” or “touch not my anointed?” But if you don’t judge a religious leader how can you be a fruit inspector? You cannot! No, God’s word is unchanging about the whole counsel of God:

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. “Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. “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 20:27-35

Take heed, watch and remember are not passive verbs but active verbs and is something that God’s word instructs all of God’s people to do. They have a divine calling to be fruit inspectors. For God’s word is unchanging:

“Remember Lot’s wife. “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:32-33

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” John 2:13-17

No, Jesus Christ was not very kind and nice to moneychangers in the house of God. Rather He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. He gave an example what His true disciples were to do also! To be like Jesus is to do what Jesus did? God’s word is unchanging:

Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”

But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? “Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? “Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? “How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?-but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:5-12

“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, “who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Luke 20:46-47

Being dumb and stupid and not taking heed and being beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees is not something that would please Jesus or God? Otherwise Jesus would not warn His disciples about the false ones and their deeds and teachings! God’s word is unchanging:

Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance," When they were few in number, indeed very few, and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, "He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm." Psalm 105:11-15

For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:30-32

The Word of God tells us Miriam, the wife of Aaron, spoke against Moses and she really put herself in a lot of trouble with God. The bible records:

Then He said, "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?"

So the anger of the LORD was aroused against them, and He departed. And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. Numbers 12:6-9

Because Moses was faithful in all God’s house God spoke to Moses face to face and treated him differently from others who only heard about God. Now many presumptive idiots who think that because they are in leadership they are automatically the anointed ones like Moses was and anybody who speaks against them is going to be zapped by God and lose their life. But the Word of God tells us that we are all anointed ones and God’s word states:

“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:150

The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15)

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28

Foolish ones, including religious leaders, fail to appreciate the fact that when they harm of God’s true apostles or prophets by word or deed they harm themselves and cause the judgment of God to fall on them. A prudent person would do well to ensure that he or she harms no one and obeys God’s word that states:

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10

Chapter 26

In The Power Of God

I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-8

Nowhere did Jesus Christ tell us that Apostle Paul was to be our role model for the Christian life or that his suffering were to be the pattern for our lives? Now we can profit and learn from everything that is written in the scriptures and we are not to make the same mistakes that others did? But all of this doesn’t change the fact that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God or that our speech and our preaching are not to be with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power! Unfortunately what we see in most of Christian live and ministry is not the power of God but the power of the flesh!

"Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. John 5:14-19

In order for us to do the works of Jesus we must do what Jesus did? Nothing! Jesus told us clearly "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. If Jesus said, 'I do nothing,' then in doing nothing, we do the works Jesus did. Yes we need the wind of the Holy Spirit to touch and revive us and help us to rely on the Holy Spirit to do the work of God through us. We need to have a walk of the Spirit and not a self-walk where we do all the pushing and shoving to get something done and are constantly stressed out. The Holy Spirit needs to be the Chairman of the Board in our lives to tell us what to do and we just obey Him just like Jesus did. God’s word is unchanging:

"I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30

Then Jesus said to them, "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." John 8:28-29

"I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30

If we will really be like Jesus, we will live a life of crucifixion and humility. Other Christians and ministers, who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but we cannot do it, and if we attempt it, we will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make us sorely penitent. Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow us to do any such thing. Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy left to them, but God wants us to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying our needs day by day out of an unseen treasury. Others may be honored and put forward, but we will be kept hidden in obscurity, because God wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. Others may do a work for God and get the credit for it, but we work and toil on and make our reward ten times greater when Jesus comes.

Yes, we have settled in our hearts to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that He has the right to tie our tongue, or chain our hand, or close our eyes, in ways that He does not seem to use with others. We have chosen to be so possessed with the living God that we are, in our secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over our life in that we have found the vestibule of Heaven. We have chosen to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The flesh is not a friend of ours but our enemy.

Dr. Basil Frasure in his article Training The Flesh wrote an excellent thesis on “The Impossible Mission!” [iii][iii]

God did not create us to live the spiritual life with physical strength or soul power. When we try to do so, the result is death, opposed to life and peace. The carnal mind stands against God. It is not under the authority of the law of God. It can never be trained to perform. Many people want to train their flesh, trying to break various habits. They want to train their bodies not to overeat. They want to train their minds to think the right thoughts, their wills to make strong positive decisions, and their emotions to feel good at the right time. Those in authority teach us some method of training the flesh. We are taught to train the flesh at home, school, work, and sometimes even at church. The problem is that we can not train the flesh to live the Christian life. Why? The Flesh can not please God. "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:5-8).

The flesh not only stands against the Spirit, it enters into conflict with the Spirit. The Flesh wars against the Spirit. "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (I Peter 2:11). The flesh is in contention with and even is an enemy of the Spirit. Furthermore, it brings hurt to the soul. The world says, "Have a few drinks. It will do you good." However, in reality, it destroys our ability to think clearly. The world says, "Get even. Someone needs to put him in his place." The problem is that bitterness is like cancer destroying our emotions.

God did not mean for us to complete in spiritual battles in the flesh. Our flesh can not fight the spiritual war. "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:4-5). Do you remember what happened to the sons of Sceva (Acts 19:15)? The went into a house to cast out a demon from a man. The demon said, "Jesus, I know and Paul, I know, but who are you?" The men ran out of the house naked! It does no good to try to counsel with a demon. They are twelve spiritual weapons that to deal with demons: (1) The Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), (2) mediation (Isaiah 26:3), (3) revelation knowledge (Daniel 11:32), (4) the prayer of faith (Ephesians 6:16), (5) praise (Psalm 149:6-9), (6) the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18), (7) the blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11), (8) a submitted life to God (James 4:7), (9) obedience to God (Deuteronomy 28:1, 7), (10) a pure conscience (I Timothy 1:18), (11) unity of Believers (I Timothy 1:18), and (12) the fullness of the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). These are all spiritual in nature.

There are always consequences for trying to live the spiritual life in the flesh. There will be both outward (social) and inward (within the soul) struggles that will often lead to fatigue and ultimate spiritual failure, followed by moral failures and addictions. Some people become spiritual dropouts, while others become floaters, moving from one church to another. Still other people get into a fringe spiritual group that emphasizes fanatical thinking with some opening the door for demonic control. Some people become anger, bitter, depressed, and even suicidal. These will often exhibit antisocial behavior. Other people move into deep self-deception. Some pick up drug, sex, or work addictions to cover their feelings of failure and rejection. Some people even withdraw from society because of the fear of failure. Many will wrestle with anxiety.

Since we can not train the flesh, what are to do? First, we are to make no provision for the flesh. "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14). When we stop to think about it, we plan for most sin. We plan to buy the extra food that we should not eat. We plan to watch the movie that causes us to think lustful thoughts. We plan to say things to hurt others. We plan ways to hurt others who have hurt us. You may ask a friend to come to church. His response may be, "Well, I will have to see about it." What is he saying? He is trying, most likely, to plan a way that he does not have to be in church. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14 12). We set ourselves on one road or another. Then we start walking down that road. We may go farther down the road than we thought that we would, but we set ourselves on whichever road we are walking. We must remember the words of Paul to Timothy, the young minister, "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (I Timothy 4:8).

Second, we are to bring the flesh under subjection. This means that we are to make the flesh a slave to God. Paul wrote to the carnal church of Corinth, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (I Corinthians 9:27). We should see that we are either serving God or we are serving the flesh (self). Jesus therefore said, "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13). We can't walk down two roads at the same time. Furthermore, we, as Believers, don't have to be a slave to sin. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Romans 6:12-16). The question is, "To whom have I made myself a slave?" We are either a slave to self, the devil, or to God.

It is as if there is an executive board meeting. At that meeting is the flesh that says, "I desire such and such." The mind (intellect) says, "I think such and such." The will says, "I will do it, I can do it, I will not do it, or I just can't do it." The emotions say, "I feel such and such." The Spirit is also there. The Spirit says, "You should do such and such." Now the will is the chairman of the board and can take charge itself (I will) or it can yield to any other party that is there (the flesh, mind, emotions or the Spirit). The will should do this! It should yield to the Spirit. We should say, "Not my will, but Thy will be done." "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). We should make our will the servant of the will of God and do His work by His power.

Third, we are to take off the old man and put on the new. Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). Have you ever tried to put two coats, the same size, on at the same time? It doesn't work very well. Jesus illustrated the point when he said, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell" (Matthew 5:28-30). We must take off the coat of the old man before we put on the coat of the new man in Christ. "A" must come before "B".

Fourth, we are to deny the flesh. Listen to the words of Jesus. "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26). We all know people that have lost control of their mind, will, and emotions. However, if we hold on to self, we lose self. The reason secular psychologists have such a booming business is that they try to help people find themselves. "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:34-37). We are not to go about trying to find ourselves! First, we are to put self on the shelf. We are to lay it aside. We are to put self behind us. Then, second, we are to take up our cross. This is a picture of dying to self. Then, third, we are free to follow Jesus and should follow him. Steps one and two must come before step three. Otherwise, there will be World War III between self and following after Jesus.

Fifth, we are to mortify the members of the flesh. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:1-5). We are to focus our attention on what God would have us do, and we are to put to death those things that lead to death. We are not to allow fornication (sex outside of marriage) live in us. We are not to allow burning lust to live within us. We are not to allow our minds to be turned over to evil thoughts. We are not to allow covetousness to remain alive within us. Paul again says, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Romans 8:13). One way that we put to death the members of the flesh is to focus our attention on what God would have us to do.

Sixth, we are to reckon the flesh crucified. Paul wrote to the performance oriented, Corinthian church, "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:24-25). We are to consider it a past experience. When we, as Believers, committed our lives to Jesus, we were spiritually united with Jesus. Therefore, when Jesus died, we died. When Jesus was raised from the dead, we were also raised from the dead. Paul explains, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:6-11). We should know that we have been crucified! We should understand this, acknowledge this, believe this, and confess this truth. We can see a two sided coin. On one side is our death with Christ, but on the other side is a resurrection to a righteous new life in Him.

Seventh, we are to live an exchanged life. We are not to prop up the old man and try to fix the flesh, but we are to exchange our old life for the new life in Christ. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). The new life is to replace the old life. Paul further said, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Again, we can't be doing two things at the same time. You have see the picture of a little angel sitting on one shoulder and a little demon sitting on the other. When one obeys the one (either the angel or the devil), he will be disobey the other. We are to obey the Spirit so that we will not obey the flesh.

Finally, we need to understand that we must give up everything to follow Jesus. This is the condition for discipleship. Look at the words of Jesus, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26-27). We should understand that one can be a born again Believer without being a disciple. The word "disciple" means a "disciplined one". Jesus makes his point clear when he said, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33). Being a disciple is more than just being a Christian. There may be many Christians, but few disciples. There may be many carnal Believers, but few Believers walk in the Spirit. To be a disciple, we must lay down everything that pertains to our lives. Furthermore, we must be willing to do this every day. Are you willing to do that right now?

Yes, we are to purpose to make no provision for the flesh, to bring the flesh under subjection, to take off the old man and put on the new, to deny the flesh, to mortify the members of the flesh, to reckon the flesh crucified, and to live an exchanged life. God’s word is unchanging:

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

Circumcision of the heart becomes a reality as we allow the Holy Spirit do a deeper work by the cross. "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:1). Confidence in the flesh destroys the victorious life in Jesus. If we allow the Holy Spirit to humble the flesh He will glorify Jesus through us.

We have to discern between flesh and spirit so that we can worship in the spirit. We must patiently seek the truth (impatience is fleshly). We must pray and trust the Lord to lead us into truth. Not lose perseverance and try different "methods" of obtaining spirituality. The only method is death and resurrection. We have to distrust the flesh completely. Assigning the flesh to the curse of death and humbly co-operating with the Holy Spirit will strip it from all its power.

We have to watch for the unconscious stirring of the flesh that will try to make us believe that the victory brought about by the Holy Spirit is of our own doing. Following victory over the flesh, we must be on guard against over confidence. After we've learnt how to and experienced sustained victory we must never forget its malignant nature. The flesh will never give up in its quest to rule the being. Independence from the Holy Spirit will quickly afford the flesh an opportunity to regain power. This is not instantaneous, but left unchecked it can accumulate enough power to take complete control, even to the point of committing the most defiling sins.

We must learn to cultivate an attitude of complete dependency on the Holy Spirit. We have to learn to recognize any form of carnal thinking. Carnal thoughts lead to carnal deeds. We must learn to guard our conversation. Any plans, however commendable, not initiated by the Holy Spirit should be thrown out. The best that the flesh has to offer should immediately be put to death. The basic fact that it comes from the flesh makes it unacceptable. Sin and the righteousness of the flesh should be treated in the same way. We need to repent from the "good" works as much as sin.

When we fail, we examine ourselves, confess the sin and request the cleansing power of the blood. We seek not only to be cleansed from sin but from every deed of the flesh. [iv][iv] God’s word is unchanging:

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 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. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors-not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. John 8:5-14

Chapter 27

Expect A Miracle!

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. Matthew 9:27-30

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24

When Pharaoh had let the people go from their bondage and captivity in Egypt, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. (Exodus 13:17-18)! For His faithful children God orders and ordains their steps, and many times it not the way they expected to be for He leads them to a Red Sea with their enemies at their backs and the sea in front of them! He brings them to a place not to destroy them but rather where nothing less than a miracle will do.

God is a good God who loves to meet His children at the point of their need. His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). As a result we sow in weakness, and it is raised in power (1 Corinthians 15:43)! God brings us to place where just like the desperate blind men used their faith to say to Jesus "Son of David, have mercy on us!" we say “have mercy on us.” And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened! God’s word is unchanging:

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. Psalm 107:19-20

Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:28-30

There are certain situations and circumstances that all the perspiration and endurance will not change but only a miracle from God will bring about healing, deliverance and victory. As a result we have need of the Lord to save us out of our distresses, to deliver us from our destructions, to calm the storms, bring us to our desired haven, and to meet and supply all our needs! With God nothing is impossible. He is gracious and big enough to fulfill our heart's desires and to abundantly supply, physically, spiritually and financially in Jesus name.

Hence we can expect a Miracle as God is a Good God and Jehovah Jireh is our provider, and He will meet all our needs. The LORD is faithful and true, and He is El Shaddai, the All Sufficient One. The LORD is the MIRACLE WORKER, and He is our Deliverer. Our faith shall not fail its reward. The Lord has promised, and has sworn to His words that He will reward our faith. It is not necessarily how much faith we have, (in terms of quantity) but how much we exercise what we have. When we call out to God and stand fast in prayer, He hears our prayers and answers them. His word is true:

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. (Psalm 77:1)

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17)

God's Word reminds us we must continue, "praying always with all prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:18). We are encouraged to remain strong in our intercessory prayer because, "whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do these things that are pleasing in His sight" (I John 3:22). God’s word tells us:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

We are not to be afraid or dismayed. For the Lord is always with us. He will not leave, fail or forsake us. He will not leave us unprotected or ill prepared. If we will follow His lead He will take us to places we have never been or those before us. For this is truly a new age of new beginnings. This is the age of Miracles and wonders yet untold. There is nothing that has been done that cannot be done again. He has promised it and it is happening now as promised.

There are windows of heaven open for all who will receive All of God's blessings and promises and provisions. He is laying bare His cupboards for His trusting ones. He is giving them their miracles and healing the land. His word is true:

"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 Lord who called also and supported, and blessed and increased Abraham and Sarah is able to do the same for each one of His children who look to Him in faith to be their All and their source of total supply. As a result the Lord will comfort them and all their waste places. He will make their wilderness like Eden, and their deserts like the garden of the LORD. As a result joy and gladness will be found in them and thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Wealth and riches will be in their house. For God's word is unchanging about the righteous man:

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. Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.

He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 112:1-10

Now when a man marries a woman whom he loves he not only gives her his name but all that belongs to him now belongs to his wife. Well God is no different. When He calls and chooses through Christ Jesus a person to be His child, He not only gives them His name, Christian, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, His wonderful Counselor, the Holy Spirit, but all that belongs to Him now belongs to them. All of heaven's riches and resources and power belong to them as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. For His word is unchanging:

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." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17

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 8:32

So why are God's people poor and lacking in total provisions, spiritual, financial, physical or emotional if all that belongs to the Father now belong to them? Because of unconfessed and unrepentant sin, arrogance, pride, unbelief, deceivement and foolishness! But all the good things of heaven and the kingdom of God are theirs for the asking by faith in Jesus name! For God's people have a free will and they can choose life or death, blessing or cursing, poverty or prosperity, lack or abundance, sickness or health, and negative things or positive things. As God's word is unchanging:

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, "in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.

"But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, "I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." Deuteronomy 30:15-19

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

Life, blessings, good and miracles are found in serving and following the Lord, death, desolation, destruction and evil are found in serving and following other things. As a result, Moses commanded God's people to love the LORD their God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, so that they may live and multiply; and the LORD their God would bless them in their land. But those who make the wrong choice will pay for their choice and will perish.

Joshua also told God's people to choose for themselves whom they will serve the gods of this world or the Lord. But Joshua made a choice that he and his house would serve the Lord. Now Jesus told the parable of a son who made a wrong choice and how he paid for that choice. The bible records:

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. Luke 15:11-16

The world ways are wonderful for a short season but when the season is over than reality of its ways hit, hunger, pain, suffering, loss, desolation, distress and destruction. As a result the bible records:

"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 15:17-24

Our Father God is waiting with open outstretched hands and the riches and resources of heaven to bless all those who will return back to Him and make their right choice to live in the Father's house rather than in the world.

Now unfortunately for them there are those who are living in the Father's house but are not partaking or benefiting of what belongs to the Father even though it is all theirs. For the bible records:

"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. "So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' "But he was angry and would not go in.

Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 'It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.' " Luke 15:25-32

Yes all that belongs to the Father belongs to God's true children. If they do not partake of what is theirs they have no one to blame but themselves. For God's word is unchanging:

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

If we call upon the LORD and put our trust in Him and His Name He will save us from all our enemies whatever they might be - enemies such as poverty, lack, defeat, despair, sin, or self. He can and will turn our greatest failure into our greatest success just like He did for Jesus Christ on Calvary. Where God took the very worst that the world threw at Jesus and made it the best thing that ever happened in this universe. For He is the Great I Am, the One who has Created and made the whole universe.

Chapter 28

If God Is For Us?

Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces." Psalm 122:7

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

Our Father-God has already given us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ so that we shouldn't perish but have eternal life with Him and He is our eternal and everlasting life. He has given to us His own wonderful counselor the Holy Spirit and is willing to be, do and give all things more for us that we need. God desires and will promote, establish and bless His true ones beyond their wildest dreams. He is capable of handling everything that is committed unto Him. For His word is true:

Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:5)

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

God is a good God who serves His Children in Spirit and truth. As they surrender and commit everything to Him, He is more than able to deal with and work it all out. He is able to move on their behalf and bring healing to their body and their circumstances! For His true ones have a great advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ who is always for them, with them and not against them.

Hence God's true children are not to be afraid or dismayed but are to be strong and of good courage no matter what circumstance or situation they might face! For their God is miracle working God, a good, powerful and mighty God! There is no other like Him! He is God alone! He will do in due season what His word says He will do! His Spirit is not limited but powerful, mighty! He, who is their shield and exceeding great reward, will do great and marvelous thing for them! His word is true:

"It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God." (Psalm 78:28)

The empty Cross and grave of Jesus Christ now says to you and I, that for every defeat there is victory in its place, for every failure there is success, for every weakness there is grace, for every sickness there is healing, for every hatred there is love, for every injustice there is justice and for every poverty there is riches.

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

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

We are to keep holding on for God is on your side. If you ask him for bread He will not give you a stone or a serpent. So expect your miracles and draw closer to God and His word in Jesus name.

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!' For God's word is true:

"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:23

He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:16-19

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:30-32

In all circumstances we can look up to the Lord and hold on to Him. He will be beside us and be very close to us. Whatever we have lost, He will give us in double measure and bless us exceedingly. We are not strangers and foreigners. We belong to the household of God. The Lord is dwelling amongst us. He dwells amongst in our loneliness. We can cast our burdens and cares on Him. He will sustain us. He will be with us in moments of trials and tribulations. He will deliver us from all afflictions as promised. He will dwell amongst us when we pass through days of hardship. He will strengthen and make us rejoice many times more than our period of distress and misery. He will dwell amongst us always and will continue to bless us more and more. God’s word is unchanging:

"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

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you. The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD. Isaiah 60:1-6

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." Isaaiah 61:5-9

Because of Jesus death and resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the unsearchable riches of Christ, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ, are now made available to us who have become the sons and daughters of God, kings and priests unto God. All that belongs to God now belongs to Jesus and hence belongs to us who walk not after the flesh or after our senses but after the Spirit. God’s word is unchanging:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

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

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.

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

Chapter 29

He Humbled Himself

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 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. Philippians 2:3-8

We sing in many of our churches “to be like Jesus. All I ask is to be like Jesus?” And then we go out and look out only for our own interests and leave out the interest of others. We ignore God’s word that states:

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"

So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "

And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

"Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

"On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'

"So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"

And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37

It’s possible to know and believe everything about the bible including all its doctrines and not to obey the first and second commandment of God and to go to hell. Fools do it all the time including the devil.

You can believe that God is the Eternal, infinite, unchangeable, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love and still not obey Him? You can believe that from all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory and still murder, lie and steal? Why there are even pastors and preachers who do these kinds of things and yet they believe and say the different Christian creeds.

You can believe that God's kingdom is everlasting and that from His throne, through His Son, His eternal Word, God created, upholds and governs all that exists including the heavenly places, the angelic hosts, the universe, the earth, every living thing and mankind and that He created all things very good and still not trust Him to get your needed miracle?

You can believe that Satan, originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a host of angels with him and He was cast out of God's presence and, as a usurper of God's rule, established a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth and still be deceived by Him and accept unknowingly doctrine of demons, such as “Once saved, always saved!”

You can believe that God created mankind in His own image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth and that under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth and through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation and live in defeat and failure and not manifest the victories of the cross in your life?

You can believe that Jesus came into the world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin as fully God and fully man in one person, was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to resist temptation, preach the good news of salvation, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead and not do the works that Jesus did?

You can believe what ever you want to believe about the bible, the Old and New Testament and not love your neighbor as yourself? You can graduate from Seminary, call yourself a Christian and reject the “Baptism of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit” and be a blind one leading the blind?

You can be very sincere and religious and still go to hell for not obeying the teachings of Jesus on certain matters as being reconciled to an offended brother or not being a respecter of persons?

The things that people believe are one thing and the things that they say and do, as Christians, are another thing! This dichotomy or contradiction is very common in the lives of many people who call themselves Christians. And yet they think that somehow God will make all things right for them because after all they are sincere and presumptive on His grace and they are His children? But God’s word is unchanging:

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

God, who knows the hearts of all men, gives His grace to those who really need it, but no one fools Him. Those who continue to lie and deceive themselves and others that they are Christians, even though their actual behavior is against the Word of God, will find themselves in places they never expected to be. Neither Peter nor Judas asked the LORD for forgiveness of their sin of betraying Jesus. But the LORD forgave Peter for betraying Him before men but He never forgave Judas for the same sin. For God’s word is unchanging:

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."

He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"

Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"

Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." John 21:15-22

Chapter 30

According To Your Faith

Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again." Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Mark 21:18-22

"For with God nothing will be impossible." Luke 1:37

Jesus told us that the things that are impossible with men are possible with God. He told us that according to our faith so shall it be (MK 10:27). In the gospel of Matthew 9:27-28, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you.” God’s word is unchanging:

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

So God rewards people who seek Him with miracles including spiritual, physical and financial! The blind men received their sight because they used their faith. And because Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever, He is more than able and willing to do wonderful things for those who believe. But if some people are not receiving their miracles is probably because they don’t believe God that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Yet God’s word is unchanging:

"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16

Jesus Christ chose us and appointed us that we should go and bear fruit and that our fruit should remain. It is not His will that we be barren and fruitless and faithless. Yes God expects us to be people of faith who have results through our prayers, words and deeds. No matter whether we are in the deepest valleys and the darkest nights, we don’t let fear take over but use you God given faith in God to call upon Jesus go boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). God’s word is unchanging:

If we are living and walking in the Spirit of the Lord and are obedient to His voice we will have the faith that produces results. As a result the Holy Spirit is our helper, our guide, our teacher who helps us by the Spirit us put to death the deeds of the body. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26). He also enables us in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, to fully preach the gospel of Christ. God’s word is unchanging:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

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

Our speech and our preaching are not to be with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that the faith of our hearers should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. We speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual for we have the mind of Christ. And our words are confirmed with signs and wonders following! We lay hands on the sick, and believe they shall recover (Mark 16:17-18). We have a faith that heals, and faith that delivers—the faith of God. Miracles and healings are the wonderful works of faith. Faith in God heals the sick; the Bible declares it. Dead faith doesn't belong to God; He has nothing to do with dead faith. Live faith comes from God; when He gives us faith, He gives us His heart, His mind, His greatness, and in return, so we can be His hands, His eyes, His ears and do the same works His only begotten Son did when He was here on earth and even greater works. God’s word is unchanging:

Then the Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Acts 6:7-10

Chapter 31

Arise, And Go!

And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word." Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. "And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." 1 Kings 17:1-9

The bible tells us that there lived a widow in Zarephath, a town in Sidon. And when God’s provision for Elijah had ceased, and there was severe drought over the Land, the Lord sent Elijah to Zarepath where He commanded that a widow would provide for him. So when Prophet Elijah entered the gate of the city where he met the widow. She was gathering sticks to make fire. Elijah called her and asked her for water and food. She told him that she had only a handful of flour and little oil in the jar and was gathering sticks to make something to eat for her son and for herself and that she may die after eating it. Elijah encouraged the widow not to worry and asked her to make first a cake and bring it to him and then they can have for themselves. He told her that the Lord has promised her that the flour in the bin will never get used up and oil in the jar will never run dry. So she did according to what Elijah told her and was greatly blessed. But if Elijah had a better idea, and didn’t trust the LORD and do exactly what He was told to do, would he have been blessed by God? No! God’s word is unchanging:

Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Those who reject the word of the LORD for their lives will find themselves rejected just like Saul was rejected from being king. Saul for the love of prominence, riches and fame rejected the word of the Lord and was rejected by the Lord from being king. His end was worse than His beginning as the Lord turned His face from Saul. God replaced him with a better man with a man after His own heart who would listen to His voice and obey His commands.

But being in God’s will doesn’t mean that we will not be without problems and challenges from the enemy! The bible tells us that this widow who owned the house her only son became sick and died. She came and poured out her problems to Elijah. The bible records:

So she said to Elijah, "What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?" And he said to her, "Give me your son." So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. Then he cried out to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?" And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him." Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives!" Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth." 1 Kings 17:18-24

Problems come not to destroy us but prove who we are and the power that we have. Elijah proved that he was a true man of God by taking the son to his upper room, laying him on the bed, and crying out to the LORD to resurrect this boy. And Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives!"

Elisha, who received a double portion of the anointing that was on Elijah, also raised a woman, who also owned a home, her son from the dead. The bible records:

Then Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, "Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven years." So the woman arose and did according to the saying of the man of God, and she went with her household and dwelt in the land of the Philistines seven years. It came to pass, at the end of seven years, that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines; and she went to make an appeal to the king for her house and for her land. Then the king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, "Tell me, please, all the great things Elisha has done." Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son he had restored to life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life." And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed a certain officer for her, saying, "Restore all that was hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now." 2 Kings 8:1-6

In obedience to the word of the LORD spoken by Elisha, the woman arose and went to the land of the Philistines along with her household for the LORD had called for a famine to come upon the land for seven years. As a result she lost her house and her land and she went to make an appeal to the king for her house and for her land. And as God would have it, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, about all the great things Elisha has done." And it happened, as he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life that the woman whose son he had restored to life, appeared. And Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life." So the king appointed a certain officer for her, saying, "Restore all that was hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now." In other words those who obey the word of the Lord will find that God will take care of them no matter how negative the situation might be.

Storms don’t mean that we are not in the will of God as the disciples of Jesus proved to be true! Jesus told His disciples "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." So He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, and they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a suddenly a windstorm came down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and the disciples were afraid. The bible records:

And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, "Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!" Luke 8:24-25

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 5:8-11