Sacred truths : The Lord Is Very Compassionate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:13-15

Chapter 1

The Three Temptations

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " 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 4:1-11

Unlike most of us, Jesus didn’t fall into temptation when tempted by the devil but He was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And there Jesus through resisting the devil expressed three truths that are very important to each person:

1. "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'

2. "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "

3. "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'

Unlike many of us Jesus didn’t deny the Old Testament but accepted it as the word of God and used it against the devil. He stressed the importance that 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Now this is quite a statement that is rejected by our modern selfish self centered greedy materialist society which looks out for number one first and what is in anything for “me.” Directions and instructions from God by His Spirit and written word are not important in our daily lives! But temping God and fate to get things for our lusts is very important even though Jesus told us "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " And Jesus warned us in Mark 4:19 "and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Yes the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it doesn’t bear fruit in our lives. Then we wonder why instead of demonstrating the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control we are demonstrating works of the flesh and adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like even though God’s word warns us:

Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:11-18

And when we that the wisdom that does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic here envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. So instead of saying "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve' we walk in the flesh and serve our lusts We fail to heed the word of God which clearly tells us:

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. Galatians 6:7-9

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

Yes we are deceived not understanding that 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. The law of sowing and reaping doesn’t change while we live our lives on earth! However when we have Jesus we have hope of real change for God’s word is unchanging:

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. Psalm 107:1-7

When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:1-5

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:2-4

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

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 Christ has become a Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. A better covenant that is established on the basis of love, not the law. Through the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us we would obey two simple commandments to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love other people as we love ourselves. In doing this, the law and the prophets were fulfilled. God’s word is unchanging:

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

Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 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 13:7-10

There are no other rules and regulations in this new covenant, but those of love. God’s love for us and our love for Him; and in and through that love for us and our love for Him, there is perfection. And then we love our neighbor as ourselves. In this new covenant of love God has promised to meet all of our needs, according to His riches in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. He, the God of all comfort, has provided comfort, love, peace and joy as part of the covenant. Concerning our material and spiritual needs, He “delights” in blessing us with spiritual and temporal blessings! He meets ALL OUR NEEDS “abundantly above and beyond all that we could ask or think” as we trust and obey and walk in love. In covenant , we agree to love Him and love others. It’s that simple.

But Christians complicate this covenant by adding all kinds of things to it including adherence to certain doctrinal beliefs, religious activities, the giving of money, mandatory church attendance every time the doors are opened, etc. And then they fall into the trap of judging and condemning others and setting themselves above others ignoring the fact they are to “owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Love for Him that prompts our willing obedience. And His first requirement out of that love is that we love others.

Jesus through Apostle Paul told us “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Because He is the God of love and “His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” we are filled with unlimited love to give to others. And what we lack in love, patience, peace and joy we can go to God to get more because it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. God’s word is true:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

Yes, it is our responsibility, our obligation, to the terms of this covenant and our required position to honor the terms of the covenant to love others as we love ourselves. This is what God has told us to do. This is what we agreed to do. This is a debt. We have no choice but to pay it if we are going to merit God’s meeting all our needs. Love others. Not because we want to. Not because we feel like it. Not because they are easy to love or even that they merit our love. But loving them solely because it is our moral obligation under the terms of our heavenly agreement – the New Covenant. We are commanded by Jesus Christ Himself to love one another, bear one another’s burdens, consider the interests of others, be a servant to one another and to minister to one another. God’s word is unchanging:

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28

"Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say to you. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:33-35

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. "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. "These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:12-17

We are called not serve men but God and not to serve men for our own gain. We are to serve others out of sincere love. Showing mercy and giving grace. Giving them unmerited love. We are to be the channel of love through which God pours His gifts to others expecting nothing in return. We are to doing everything out of love and a servant’s heart or we are wasting our time and our lives. We are called to be doers of the word and not hearers only. God’s word is unchanging:

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 1:21-27

Chapter 2

Our Faith Gives Us The Victory

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

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

Faith that is given from God overcomes the world, the flesh and the devil and gives us the victory. The enemy we have to contend with is not physical, so we cannot attack him with physical weapons. The only way to stand against him is to resist him with our faith. The quality of our life is a product of our faith. We will never get any victory that is bigger than our faith. This is why the enemy is constantly warring against us, to make sure that our faith is weakened. If Satan can cause our faith to fail, he has us! Our faith is the fortress that keeps the devil off our territory. Hence God’s word tells us:

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:16-18

When we are in faith taking the shield of faith, we are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked and to have the victory over him and all things. Our victory can only be won and sustained by our faith. There is no other way. "The just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). God has designed it so. It is our faith that puts us over in all life’s difficulties. Faith is essential for personal victory. And God intends for us to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The reason that many of God’s people are defeated is because they are not standing in faith and using the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. How can you swing the sword of the Spirit if you are ignorant of the word? You cannot! They allow the enemy to steal the word of God from them just like Jesus said happens:

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

God’s Word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). But anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. While for others when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumbles. And some hear the word but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and they becomes unfruitful. However he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. God’s word is unchanging:

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23

"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

I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14

Yes if anyone loves Jesus, he will keep His word; and His Father will love him, and they will come to him and make their home with him! If anyone abides in Jesus, and His words abide in him, he will ask what he desires, and it shall be done for him. Those who have the word of God abiding in them are strong and overcome the wicked one. Our agreement with God is what determines what heaven releases to us. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, (Hebrews 2:3). It is our agreement with God that determines our fate in any conflict of life. We just have to discover what heaven demands of us, to be triumphant and ever victorious in life, and give it all we have got. Only our agreement with God will guarantee His walk with us, and when God is for us, who can be against us? We must believe and act on God’s word that states:

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

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

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

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

As children of God we have been given power, authority and rights including the use of the name of Jesus to change negative things and make them positive. We are a product of power. We came from the Almighty, Omnipotent God. We are a product of the Omnipotent God. We are a power line on the earth! We now have the God-order of power. When we first believed He gave us power. Then when we were baptized in the Holy Ghost, we were endued with power (Acts 1:8). God immersed us in power! Power that we can use at will and that makes us superior over all the forces of the enemies! The greater one is in us. We can walk in the consciousness of the power that we carry. God’s word is unchanging:

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. "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 16:18-19

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

and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:10

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

We are a power-container! We have God on our inside. Any problem or mountain might seem too great to overcome but the greater one is in us! And with God all things are possible to Him who believes. The power of God in us when released will subdue His and our enemies (Psalm 66:3). The power in us is greater than what Moses had when he confronted Pharaoh. It is far greater than what Elijah had. Nobody was endued with power in the Old Testament. They only had visitations, they never had the indwelling of the power of God.

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:17-20

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

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

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

Nothing happens on its own. Things are made to happen. Even God, the Almighty, could not wish His intentions into existence, He had to make them come by creating them. The things God has promised us are there, but we have to bring them into manifestation here on earth. We must loose the creative forces of God in us into action by exercising our divine authority including prophesying to dry bones and causing them to live and speaking to the mountains in our lives to be moved into the sea and be no more. God’s word is unchanging:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

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: 25-29.

"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. Mark 11:23

Many of God’s people are waiting upon God to move and do something about their negative situation. But God is waiting for them to use the deposit of creative power in them, that is released through their mouth. The moment they get what the Word says about their situation, faith is built up, then they must present their case, and stand to address the situation, that creative miraculous power is released into the situation. The host of heaven - the angels of God that excel in strength – that go into swift action are ready and waiting to move on their behalf but the word of the miraculous has to be released from their mouth before this can be done. God’s word is unchanging:

Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: Numbers 14:28

As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me. The foreigners fade away, And come frightened from their hideouts. Psalm 18:44-45

I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10

Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? Ecclesiastes 5:6

The fact remains that if they take the Word of God and speak it boldly to their situation by faith, it is as powerful and as effective as when Jesus Himself is speaking it. It is impossible to walk in the realm of signs and wonders without the correct use of their mouth. Their victory in every battle of life is tied to their mouth. What they call forth is what answers. Until they call their case dead, it is still alive. In other words what they say is what they get. We are to declare boldly and with absolute confidence the things we believe, for God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). He said He is watching over His Word and He will hasten it to perform it. God’s word is unchanging:

Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, 'You shall be inhabited,' To the cities of Judah, 'You shall be built,' And I will raise up her waste places; Who says to the deep, 'Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers'; Isaiah 44:26-27

Hear now what the LORD says: "Arise, plead your case before the mountains, And let the hills hear your voice. Micah 6:1

Chapter 3

Destroyed For Lack Of Knowledge

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12

When Jesus hung on the cross, great things began to happen in the realm of the spirit. He took the place of man in sin, sickness, poverty, death, and every evil thing in the world. He was God’s sacrificial lamb for man’s redemption from the hands of the chief slave master, the devil. Jesus did not only carry our sins on Himself, He also carried the whole world’s diseases and sicknesses, He carried all pains and afflictions. Every evil thing in this world was laid on Him (Isaiah 53:4-5).

When Jesus said "It is finished" in John 19:30, He finished our battles against sin, difficulties and every evil. And when Jesus went to hell it was in there that He cemented our victory and sealed the devil’s doom of defeat. He took the keys to hell and death and rose victoriously! (Revelation 1:18). There He spoilt, defeated and stripped principalities and powers of all their power. Before this time, the devil had the power (key) of death. But when Jesus entered hell, He fixed the devil for good and destroyed all his powers! (Hebrews 2:14). "And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15).

Jesus finished everything as is written of Him and rose triumphantly. This is the springboard for our victory over Satan. Jesus fixed Satan! He took us out of the house of bondage and brought us into life (John 10:10b). He restored us as God’s man on the earth. Jesus restored everything that man lost in the garden of Eden. He has put all things into our hand. The victory is total - spirit, soul and body. It was a perfect job (Hebrews 10:12,14). Jesus now has the key of David that opens and no man can shut, and shuts and no man can open (Revelation 3:8). Having thus lost every bit of power to our Lord Jesus Christ through the drama at Calvary, Satan is now left with nothing! No power is left for the devil. As a result we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ is we will believe and accept it.

But because the Church is not hearing God's Word on divine healing, many in the Church are a natural victim of disease. The church is full of prayer requests and always praying for sick people, asking and thanking God for the lessons He had taught them through sickness. (Since they couldn't learn it when they were well, perhaps they'd know it better in sickness? What a joke?) Because the Church is not hearing teachings on prosperity, many in Church are wallowing in poverty. Many are "As poor as church mouse!" Because the light of God's Word has not dawned on the people, they cannot began to walk their way out of poverty into plenty! But perfect health, great wealth and long life are their covenant right. All they need is an understanding of its terms. When that happens, then they are set to enjoy all its benefits for God is not a man that He should lie (Num. 23:19). His word is unchanging:

Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:9-16

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

Power, authority, healing, deliverance, blessings, prosperity and long life are the benefits for all those who have made the Lord their refuge and savior. The truth of God’s word sets God’s people free and enables them to truly live life and have it more abundantly with perfect health, great wealth and lots of power and not in sickness, penury and destitution! God’s word is unchanging:

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

It’s only what you believe God for can you receive. As a result unbelief is not only dangerous but devastating because it robs God’s people of their Abrahamic Covenant blessings and birth right for being of the seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ, who owns all things and has overcome all things including the devil! God’s word is unchanging:

"So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" Luke 13:16

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

Every manner of affliction is one kind of imprisonment or the other. Disease, infirmity, poverty, sin, etc. fall into this category. Most of God’s people are blind to the fact that is the devil holding such victims hostages just like he bound the daughter of Abraham for eighteen years. Many of God’s people don’t have a spirit of wisdom and revelation of insight into mysteries and secrets in the deep and intimate knowledge of God and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints, His set-apart ones. They don’t know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for those 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 above every title that can be conferred, not only in this age {and} in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come (Amplified bible).

Whatever is under Jesus feet who is supreme Head of the church is also underneath the feet of His bride, blood bought and blood washed believers of the church of Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus Christ came to set men free from anything and everything that keeps them in bondage or oppresses them including sickness, disease, poverty, lack and demons. God’s word is unchanging:

THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed {and} qualified me to preach the Gospel {of} good tidings to the meek, the poor, {and} afflicted; He has sent me to bind up {and} heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison {and} of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, {and} failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours. Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor {and} reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs. Isaiah 61:1-7 Amplified Bible

Jesus came through the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord God and the preaching of the gospel so that defeat can become victory, crooked be made straight, injustice can become justice, wrong can become right, poverty can become plenty, lack can become abundance, negative things can become positive things, sickness can become health, weakness can become strength, curses can become blessings, sadness can become joy, despair can become hope, depression can become praise, unbelief can become faith, loss can become restoration, bondage can become redemption, wealth and riches can become a reality and mountains can be moved into the sea and be no more for those who believe the good news!' God’s word is true:

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? Isaiah 53:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5

Satan is defeated and Jesus is the victor. God’s people are no longer in the kingdom of darkness but in the kingdom of light where they rule and reign with Jesus. As a result they don’t have to remain sick, frustrated, in reproach or shame. They have been called unto glory and virtue. Their name is glory. Their name is virtue. Not shame, reproach or pity. Sickness, barrenness, failure and poverty should no longer be identified with them. Everyone that sees them should know they are the seed which the Lord has blessed. No mark of the enemy is to remain in their life anymore! There’s nothing too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:27). Their mountains shall be leveled, their valleys shall be filled, the plagues in their life shall be destroyed, all curses in their lives shall be destroyed, all sickness shall be healed and they shall be set free indeed as they open the door to their covenant blessings.

Some people are even deceived into believing that God is the cause of their problems and misfortunes! The reason people have so many problems is because they are not conscious of the indwelling power of God in them. So the enemy takes advantage of this, and everyone keeps begging and binding Satan. God is not their enemy. If they are born again, God is their Father, and His thoughts for them are thoughts of good, never of evil (Jeremiah 29:11). God is always programming good and success for them. The devil is the enemy. He perpetuates his evils through his agents whom the Bible calls "principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:13). He keeps accusing them before God. He has sworn that nothing will go well with them. He does not want to see them progress and prosper. He wants to ruin their business. He is always mounting pressures on them, just to keep them away from God. He is not interested in anything good coming their way. His thoughts towards them are completely and continually evil!

Satan is the unseen hand behind every evil thing. Any time we’re attacked by sickness, he has come to steal our health, joy, peace, comfort, money and even our life. He is desperate about this. His ultimate aim being to destroy us. He is the enemy, not people, things or lack! But Jesus defeated our enemy and we share in His victory. God’ s word is unchanging:

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15

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

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

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

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

By this you have become accepted in the beloved - the Family of the Father God. God declares you righteous. He becomes your real Father, and you become His real son (John 1:12). He comes into you with all His strength, glory and majesty, and makes you strong in Him.

We are God’s offspring. We are His loved children. We occupy a special place in His heart. We have His nature, His life, His Spirit, His faith, His love (Ezekiel 36:26). Everything God is and has, is now made available to us (Ephesians 2:4-6). We have become one with Christ. We are joined with Him. What we lost in Adam in the beginning, we have regained in Christ. We are now restored to our former place of authority and dominion. We can now hold sway over every situation in life, by virtue of our new class of being. We are as invincible, as indestructible as God. No devil can defeat us as we stand in our proper position in God. The nature of God is now ours personally. We have been declared more than a conqueror.

God took us out of the powers and kingdom of the devil, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. This is a mystery. But it is the truth and is real. We are no longer that person whom it was so easy for the devil to cheat, oppress and afflict. Now we can boldly say to him, "Satan, get lost!" God’s word is unchanging:

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. James 4:6-7

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 4

Salvation Is From The LORD

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:6-7

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:39-40

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. "The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. "Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. "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. "And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. Deuteronomy 28:7-12

The things of God are quite simple. God made man in divine love. He came down to walk and talk with man in the cool of the day. His desire was for man to never be sick, never have a heartache or trouble. Unfortunately, man took himself out of God's divine care when he sinned against his God. So it would take Calvary to bring man back into fellowship with God. God loved us enough to send Jesus who redeemed man and restored to man all that He lost. But it requires faith to take God at His word and receive this restoration. Yes, God has provided, by faith in His Word, good things for those who believe in Him. He has promised health, wealth, increase, prosperity, peace and deliverance. All of these things are promised in His Word for those who seek Him in faith. God’s word is true:

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 11:6

There is no limit to what God will do to give His trusting ones the victory. We cannot number how many people, nations and kingdoms God killed to bring victory to the physical Israel. How much more shall He do for those sons of men who have become sons of God? Yes, God is committed to their success. It does not matter what the situation is. If God did anything for the nation of Israel, He will do much more for them. They are His very seed. They are His partner in the covenant. They are the apple of His eyes. They are His sons and daughters. As a result God is against anybody that is against them. They can overcome always for the greater One is in them. He is at work in them now. He is greater than all their life battles, so they can win them all. He is working His good pleasure in them. They are born winners.

But how much they receive from God depends on how much they believe Him for. Personal faith is the answer. Jesus said often, "According to your (own) faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29). So what they believe God for is what they will receive! God’s word is unchanging:

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

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:15-20

Yes, Jesus came to earth and gave Himself as a sacrifice for sin in order to buy back for us everything that Adam lost. He came to destroy all the works of the devil...sickness and disease included. Once we have received Him as Lord of our life, all the rights and privileges God originally intended us to have (the right to things like fellowship with God, health and prosperity) are restored. But we are the one who has to exercise those rights!

The devil is an outlaw and even though Jesus has taken away his authority in the earth, even though he has no legal right to kill or steal from the children of God, he'll do it anyway...as long as we will let him get away with it. We must enforce his defeat by speaking the Word of God in faith. We must act on His Word. We must demand that sickness and disease leave us in the Name of Jesus. Then we must refuse to back off that demand. We must resist the devil with all we have. He might fight us for a while, but sooner or later, he will have to flee from us!

Jesus gave authority to the seventy disciples He sent out. Jesus also gave this same authority to everyone who believes in Him. When Jesus gave this authority to all who believe, He was giving the authority to the church. Christians are the church. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our spirit within us becomes “born again.” We become a part of the church. When the Bible talks about the church, if we are a believer in Jesus, it’s talking about us. And, as a Christian, we are an heir to the authority Jesus gave. So when Jesus said “I give you authority ...over all the power of the enemy,” He’s talking to us. As a believer we have been given authority over the demonic forces of this world. They are subject to us.

But authority that is not exercised has no value? So the devil doesn’t care if we have authority over him as long as we don’t exercise it. As long as we stand idly by and let him destroy our home, finances, and body, he could care less how much authority we have. All that concerns him is whether or not we use it. We have to wake up to the fact that we have been given authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And we should walk daily in our authority. We should keep things under control. When we allow things to get to the limit, we usually act out of desperation rather than authority. God’s word is unchanging:

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

"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

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 1:22-23

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

The word of God tells us that we are the body Jesus is the head and we sit together in heaven places in Christ Jesus. God has put all things, principalities, powers, might and dominion and everything that has a name under the feet of Jesus. The feet are a part of the body. As the body of Christ, as believers, the enemy is under our feet. Satan has been defeated, but he hasn’t been destroyed. We must take authority over him daily. And we can. Jesus gave us that authority. And we can use that authority to bind and loose things. We can bind the devil from operating in our lives, homes, business and finances. And based on God’s word we can loose breakthrough and prosperity in our business and finances and our total healing. Yes, wealth and riches will be in our house, and our righteousness endures forever. God’s word is unchanging:

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

For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.", 1 Peter 3:12.

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

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

Chapter 5

Be Sober, Be Vigilant

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? 1 Peter 5:8

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

I find it strange that many so called Christians don’t believe that sickness, financial problems, lies, slander, and other negative things don’t come from the devil, but are just part of normal living. If that is the case why did Peter write to saints, pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, telling them Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? And why did Jesus tell us:

"But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Matthew 13:20-21

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. Matthew 24:9

"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

"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

Tribulation is defined as 1. Great affliction, trial, or distress; suffering. 2. An experience that tests one's endurance, patience, or faith. One thing for sure tribulation is not a pleasant thing and the book of Job tells us that Job’s tribulation came not at the hands of God, but the devil! And Jesus told us that the enemy would bring tribulation or persecution because of the word as his job is to steal the word of God and prevent it from bearing fruit or becoming a reality! But the word of God also tell us that endurance is a very important fact in tribulation:

"and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. Mark 4:17

"And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Mark 13:13

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 1 Corinthians 4:11-13

so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thessalonians 1:4-8

If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 2 Timothy 2:12

So the idea that our faith will not be tested in the furnace of afflictions or trials is nonsense! However for those patiently endure through faith and patience will inherit the promises:

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

Blessed be 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

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

Although many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19). And the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Comfort is defined as 1. A condition or feeling of pleasurable ease, well-being, and contentment. 2. Solace in time of grief or fear. 3. Help; assistance. 4. One that brings or provides comfort. 5. The capacity to give physical ease and well-being. After his tribulation Job didn’t die, but was comforted and restored. God restored Job's losses and 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. And 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. 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. He also had seven sons and three daughters (Job 42:10-17)

So if God comforted Job in his afflictions and trials we can expect and believe for God to do the same for us, no matter what we are going through! We can bring all our burdens to the Lord like a child. We can look up to Him for help (Psalm 121:1-2) with an indomitable faith nothing is impossible with God. At the right time, He will send help from Heaven. He shall listen to everyone of our petition. We are not to lose hope and confidence. We are to wait on the Lord to be renewed by His Spirit. God has the power to overcome all the forces on this earth that are working against us and will give us victory. His word is true:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. They just didn’t let things happen through their faith they made things too happen. Spoils of war went to those who fought in the battles even of their own choosing. The bible records for our profit and instruction:

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

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

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

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:24-31

Chapter 6

Salvation Belongs To The LORD

"Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 'I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 'And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the LORD.' "Exodus 6:6-8

God is known by His deeds and the promises He keeps. He promised the children of Israel that as the LORD He would bring them out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, He would rescue them from their bondage, and He would redeem them with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. He would take them as His people, and He would be their God. He would bring them into the land which He swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and He would give it to them as a heritage. And He kept His word because God is faithful and true. His word is unchanging:

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

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

The Bible speaks of the first miracle that Lord Jesus Christ performed at Cana. Jesus and His disciples and His mother were invited to the wedding. When the hosts ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus replied saying, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." Now there were six huge water pots and Jesus commanded the servants to fill them with water. When they did so, he turned them into wine. He then asked them to taste it and when they did, they were astonished that the wine tasted the best (John 2:1-9).

When the mother approached Jesus to do a miracle, He could not refuse His mother! Even today, the Lord has promised salvation to His trusting children and with a heart of compassion He must do miracle and wonders whenever they ask Him for His word is unchanging:

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23-24

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

"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 15:15-16

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31

It is a fact that God is alive and well not only in heaven but on planet earth and in the lives of His trusting ones. The word of God tells us in Psalm 147 that the Lord builds, …He gathers,…heals,.. binds,…calls them by name,…gives food, …takes pleasure in those who fear Him,… Yes, the Lord is alive and works actively in the lives of people. Yes, He is alive and active in working to fulfill the blessings of God in their life even in the dark times of life. His word is unchanging:

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Psalm 146:1-11

Yes, we must remember that God’s word is true and God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. Yes we are to behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.

Yes we can be still, and know that He is God; He will be exalted among the nations, He will be exalted in the earth! Yes the LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge (Psalm 46:10). Yes the Lord is actively working to deliver his trusting from their problems by doing a miracle in their life. With God there is dawn after darkness. And we see this in the life of Joseph who faced bitter sufferings in life in his young age. He was thrown into a pit by his own brothers in jealousy and then was sold to travellers who were going to Egypt. There in Egypt he was sold as a slave to Potiphar, officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. He was falsely accused by his wife and thrown into jail. He would have had no clue of where he was heading to in life. But in all his sufferings he feared the Lord and sought Him faithfully. The Lord exalted him to rule Egypt. Pharaoh set him over all the land of Egypt and said, “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.” If people had pity on him and delivered him, he would have lost the blessings and honour from God (Genesis 37:24; 36; 39:10-21; 41:40-44).

And the Lord Who exalted Joseph is alive and actively working in the lives of people who believe in Him. The Bible says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2). We are not to be discouraged by the dark times of our life. The Lord loves us and has not forgotten us. He has allowed such times in our life and is working actively to exalt us to great position and honor in life. His word is unchanging:

'I said to the boastful, 'Do not deal boastfully,' And to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.' "For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, And the wine is red; It is fully mixed, and He pours it out; Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth Drain and drink down. But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 'All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." Psalm 75:4-10

Chapter 7

The Eyes Of The LORD

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. Psalm 34:15

"Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, And I will destroy it from the face of the earth; Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob," Says the LORD. Amos 9:8

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

Contrary to what men say or teach God is involved in planed earth for the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). Now if God shows Himself strong on behalf of the righteous what happen to the unrighteous then? They put themselves into a heap of all kind of trouble because unlike Noah they don’t find grace in the eyes of the LORD nor do they find themselves under God’s protection and provision in a land for which the LORD their God cares; the eyes of the LORD their God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year (Deuteronomy 11:12). Yet God’s word is unchanging:

Then he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them in the East Square, and said to them: "Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. "For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him. "They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. "Therefore the wrath of the LORD fell upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has given them up to trouble, to desolation, and to jeering, as you see with your eyes. "For indeed, because of this our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity. 2 Chronicles 29:4-9

Just like there are positive consequences in obeying and serving the LORD, there are negative consequences in disobeying and not serving the LORD including, the wrath of God, a shorter life span, trouble, desolation, etc! For the eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good and He renders to men their due even in the current time of life. Yet God’s word is unchanging:

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

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. Psalm 103:11-13

Yet because of grace through Christ Jesus God's trusting ones have wonderful blessings including forgiveness of all their iniquities, healing all of all their diseases, redemption of their life from destruction, being crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies, being satisfied with good things so that their youth is renewed like the eagle's and having righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

Yes, grace is so great and so wonderful that we have trouble comprehending it. But through grace our destiny is not dependent on our good works. Our healing is not based on deserving. Our prosperity is not based on deserving. Our salvation is not based on our good works. Grace is being able to have all these benefits although we don’t deserve them.

We give good things to our children when they don’t deserve it because we love them so much. And so does God. God's gifts are given by grace and through faith and by His children asking according to His will with a pure heart. His word is unchanging:

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

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

"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 30:19-20

God will force nothing on us. He has given us the ability to freely make our choices between life and death, blessing and cursing! We can run to God to find in Him everything we need or we can run from God and blame him for all negative things. That is our choice!

Jesus is the God that is too much, and God wants us to have more than enough in every area of our lives. He wants us to have more than enough health and strength, more than enough prosperity, and more than enough victory in every area of our lives. But for this to happen, we have to get into the Word and become fully persuaded.

God is not cheap, and He doesn't want us to live in poverty or lack. He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Jesus, Himself, took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses, and by His stripes we were healed. He redeemed us from the curse of law, He delivered us, He wishes above all things that we prosper, and be in health, even as our soul prospers.

As we grow and develop spiritually and renew our minds to God's Word, and act on God's Word, we'll get results. But we won't get results if we just sit back and say, ‘Whatever will be, will be, God knows what's best...’ Yeah, God knows what's best, but His best is not happening! His best was for the children of Israel to take the promised land! But they didn't do it. Then, they had to wait 40 years until everyone died off, except for Joshua and Caleb. The Bible said Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit - the spirit of faith. And we, having the same Spirit of faith, call those things that be not as though they were.

Every believer has to learn to talk their covenant if they're going to walk in divine health and victory, and if they're going to please God. God was displeased with the children of Israel because they fell in the wilderness. That was not God's idea. God met their need, He helped take care of them, but it wasn't His best. His best was for them to have more than enough. God's best for us today is in His Word, and we've got to get into the Word. Religion came along, and got us to lay aside our faith, dominion and authority, and just let everything be up to God. Religion says, "Let the will of the Lord be done."

If a believer -a born-again child of God - does not use their spiritual authority, and does counter Satan's attacks and talk back to Satan, they'll end up dying prematurely with something they’ll wish to God that they never died with. We need to realize that God wants us to walk in divine health. It's not what God can do that we're going to get. It's what we can believe God for. It's always going to be according to our faith.

God doesn't miss it. He's never failed one time. There's not one promise in the Word of God that God's ever failed to come through on. What we've had is people failing. So we need to keep ourselves walking in the God kind of love, being led by the Holy Spirit, and walking by faith. So often, a dear believer is counting on someone else to do their spiritual work for them and they don't do any spiritual work themselves.

Each one of us, as believers, has got to take authority over the devil. When sickness, pain, fever, or anything else comes to us, or our family or loved ones, immediately we are to say, "Oh no, Satan, you can't put that on us. We're redeemed from the curse of law, and no plague will come nigh our dwelling, for it is written..." Then we are to just quote what is written. We are to follow the example of Jesus. We are to just do the Word of God. Jesus talked to the devil. He told us to resist the devil. He said in Ephesians 4:27, Neither give place to the devil.

We have a blood covenant with God Almighty when we make Him Lord of our lives. In this covenant everything God has belongs to us and everything we have belongs to Him. He has all the provision we need physically, spiritually, financially, emotionally and mentally. In everything we have the Precious Holy spirit in us, with us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us to lead, guide and pray through us. We walk in the same anointing Jesus walked in on this earth. We have the same power and ability He had. We have the power to believe the Word of God, confess it and work it in our lives and the lives of others. We have power and authority over sickness, disease, debt, anything the enemy comes against us with. We have authority with the name of Jesus to defeat the enemy. Romans 14:11 it is written: “‘as surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' "

The name of Jesus gives us power and authority. We do not need to fear the devil, sickness, debt or anything the enemy brings against us. We have the name of Jesus. The all powerful name of Jesus. We are recognized as children of God when we use the name of Jesus. We are bound to God Almighty and He is bound to us. We are the righteousness of God because of Jesus. Genesis 15:6 and he believed in the Lord and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Abraham believed God. We can believe God and walk in the fullness and wholeness of all He has for us. When we speak God’s word for each situation we remind Him of our covenant with Him.

Jesus is the surety of the New Covenant. Hebrews 7:22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Jesus makes intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25 therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. We have the resources of heaven with our new covenant. Nothing is impossible with God.

God also asks of each one the impossible that no matter what negative circumstances that we find ourselves be it sickness or financial poverty to 'Arise and walk' for what is impossible with men is possible with God. God specializes in things thought impossible. No matter what circumstances God’s trusting ones might be facing the Lord is the Victory and Waymaker for them. He makes a way where there is no way. He is God almighty and there is nothing too hard or impossible for Him to do. He can heal a broken heart or a defective heart it makes no difference to Him. His power has no limits except what unbelief will set. As the song of the old chorus used to say:

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains you can't tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible— He does the things others cannot do. (Eliason © Renewal 1973 by Singspiration, Inc.)

All God needs is a willing heart full of faith, and He can and will do the rest! Legally we have inherited all things. Jesus has been appointed the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:1-2) and, since we have received Christ and have become children of God, we then are heirs of God and joint-heirs of Christ. The Blessings God has planned to enjoy our legally ours as Jesus bought them for us through His death and resurrection. The enemy, Satan, cannot legally take our inheritance. But we can forfeit them by failing to appropriate God’s promises. And this is what most of God’s people do they fail to appropriate all the promises that God has for them and to act on them. But the Lord remains

Yahweh/Jehoval: “The Lord, the eternal God Who was, is, and is to come.” He is the “I am that I am”, the All Sufficient One, unchanging, from everlasting.

Jehovah Elohim: “The Lord is God…the self-existent Creator” who commands the wind and the sea to obey Him and through Him we can

El Shaddai: ”The Almighty God,” the All Powerful God who delivers His people out of the hands of their enemies.

Jehovah- Jireh: “The Lord Will Provide,” our Divine Provider who remains the God with ability and willingness to provide and supply all the needs of His people. In Him He is all that we need. He has promised us that whatever we ask in His name, we will receive.

Jehovah-Repheka: “The Lord is Healer” who opens blinds eyes, restores hearing, makes the lame to walk, and heals all our are oppressed of the devil for He has power to destroy the works of the devil and heal all those who trust in Him.

Jehovah-Nissi: ”The Lord is Conqueror” who always conquers he enemies of His people. He has faced Satan, defeated him, and stripped him of his power over us. As a result He will give us victory over every enemy we face including sickness, disease, financial problems, and all kinds of problems and troubles for He is the Might Conqueror and makes us more than conquerors!

The word of God tells us, 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 powers (Colossians 2:9-10). Yes, in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and we are complete Him who is the head of all principality and powers. If we abide in Him then we are made complete and there will be nothing lacking and we will have power, God’s power over all the power of the enemy and power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. God’s word is unchanging:

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

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Luke 5:17

"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

Chapter 8

The LORD is The LORD

"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. Deuteronomy 30:4-7

"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:29-32

For His trusting ones God is still God and He keeps all His promises every one of them! And there is no one like the LORD the God of all power whose might, power, riches and understanding are unlimited and unsearchable. And God wants to bless His people not with poverty but with abundance. He wants to touch and bless every area of their lives. It is God’s will for them to be healed in every area of their life – spiritually, physically and financially. His word is unchanging:

"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: "Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. "Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. "Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. "Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 28:1-7

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts; "And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

Yes, the Lord wills to give His people abundant prosperity to enact all the plans He has in store for them. And ‘abundant prosperity’ means ‘immeasurable prosperity’. He wills to open for them the windows of heaven and pour out for them such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. Yes God wants to give them immeasurable and abundant prosperity and blessings as never before and in such a measure that there will not be room enough to receive it. He wants them to have abundant prosperity and not a partial prosperity for God is not poor at all and He doesn’t want His people to be poor. His word is 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

Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I return your captives before your eyes," Says the LORD. Zephaniah 3:19-20

God’s goodness, character, love and kindness for His people has not changed one bit. He desires the best for them. He wants too and has promised to deal with all who afflicted them; to remove the afflictions and appoint them for abundant praise and fame in every place where they were put to shame. Yes the Lord shall bless them with abundant blessings. God’s word is true:

The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. Psalm 128:5

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

God doesn’t want His teachers and preachers to point to themselves but to God. He wants His sheep to turn to Him and He will give them their marching orders. Then, they will find victory in battle and they will do the right kind of service to Him. They all have a part in His great plan and purposes. Yet, God is left with a weak and hurt people. This will not be forever. He is coming through to strength His people and unite them in a way unprecedented in the history of the church. He has ordained it from the beginning. The church, His body, will learn to learn and hear His voice and follow their true shepherd. This day is coming and all will see it.

But His true ones are not to be shy. They are to ask God what they will and He will do it because He loves them so much. He has promised to do whatsoever they ask in Jesus name. They can come to His throne boldly and He will hear their prayers and He will deal with their concerns. For they have His promises, His person and Him. Hence they can walk in the assurance of God’s Presence in their life. For as God walked with Noah, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Elijah, and Jesus so now He walks with them. God in Christ Jesus has given to us His P’s. The P’s of His presence, promises, person, power, protection, provision, prosperity, providence and promotion:

His Presence - God is always with His own. He has commanded them to be strong and of good courage and not to be afraid, nor be dismayed. For the LORD their God is with them wherever they go and His presence goes with them to give them rest and victory.

His Promises – Every promise and every line in the bible is theirs including that no weapon which is formed against them shall prosper and those who rise against them shall become a nonexistent thing.

His Person - God is a Good God who is for them, with them and not against them. He is on their side no matter what they are facing. There is no searching of His understanding. His ears are open to their prayers and His eyes are upon the righteous to bless them.

His Power – When God’s true ones have His presence, promises and power they can trust Him to use His power for their good in all kinds of circumstances and situations. Just like God did for Jesus on Calvary when He raised Him from the dead, gave Him victory over all His enemies and seated Him at His right hand.

His Protection - God is the shield and exceeding great reward of His true ones, as well as He is their rock, refuge, strength, tower security and inheritance. He will bless and promote His own and He will deliver and honor them.

His Provision - God has promised to meet and supply all their need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus and He unlike others is able to keep His word.

His Prosperity – God is not poor or stupid and neither should His children be. He is their security and inheritance and provision in the deserts of life. He is their hiding place! He will move out every mountain and deal with every enemy and dispel every lack in their life. Their prosperity will come upon them as the dawning of a bright and new day. They will not be able to contain their joy and ecstasy at the provision and security He is providing. He will multiply back to them a hundred fold all they have done for Him.

His Providence - The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and though he fall God will not allow him to stay down but will lift him up.

His Promotion – God has promised that for those who set their love upon Him He will deliver them and set them on high because they have known His name. He has promised to make them head and not tail and above and not beneath. They shall call upon Him and He will answer them. He will be with them in trouble and deliver and honor them. With long life He will satisfy His true ones and show them His salvation.

As a result, the psalmist stated it very well about those who put their trust in God alone and not others for their deliverance:

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. The LORD shall reign forever- Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD! Psalm 146:5-10

For after all is said and done God has not changed. He still is a miracle working God who gives the best to those who ask Him for the best. He gives His all to those who give Him their all and believe Him for His all. His word does not change to His true ones:

“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. “From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

“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 1:2-9

"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

Chapter 9

I Make All Things New

I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid." Zephaniah 3:12-13

Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelations 21:5-8

God amongst many other things is not only a Savior, Healer and Deliverer but He is a Creator. Hence He doesn’t have a problem to make all things new be it a failed life, a failed marriage, or a failed business! And He will do all things for those who are righteous who are a meek and humble people, trust in the name of the lord, do no unrighteousness, speak no lies and do not have a deceitful tongue! God’s word is unchanging:

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:1-3

Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, To my cause, my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor Who exalt themselves against me. Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long. Psalm 35:23-28

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

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

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

King David, the anointed one, had much trouble in his life, especially with his many wars with King Saul and his house, cried out to God for help, healing and deliverance on many occasions. David was not disappointed by God and found Him to be all that He needed! As a result the bible tells us about what God did for David in 2 Samuel 7:1 the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 Samuel 7:8-9 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. "And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth” and 2 Samuel 12:8 'I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! As a result David testified of the goodness of the LORD:

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:1-10

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. Psalm 34:15-22

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

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 4:7-10

As believer we must do our part in every trial and tribulation including being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, putting on the whole armor of God, submitting to God and resisting the devil until he flees from us. We need to draw near to God, and truly repent for our different sins as well as humbling ourselves in the sight of the Lord! Things in life don’t just happen by themselves or automatically. Each one has a great and important part to play in our lives and in those around us including seeking God’s first. The word of God tells us:

Then the LORD said to me, "Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. "Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: 'Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; 'I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the LORD; 'I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the LORD your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,' says the LORD. "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. "And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.- Jeremiah 3:11-15

Israel had been "faithless." They had "perverted their way" and "forgotten the LORD their God." They had not obeyed God’s voice. As a result, their leaders had deceived them, they faced economic troubles, and they were experiencing countless problems. But God was eager to change their circumstances and bless them. He was "gracious" and would not look upon them in anger.

God promised to give them shepherds after His own heart, who would feed them on knowledge and understanding. Instead of financial lack, they would experience abundance. They would not "walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart" but would realize He had given them "a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance."

For these promises to be fulfilled, God required repentance. People needed to humble themselves before Him and confess their sins. And, as God repeated three times in this chapter, they needed to "return" . If God's people returned, they would call Him "My Father" and not turn away. He would heal their faithlessness. They would see they had followed the wrong path and wrong leaders, and realize they could find salvation only in Him.

How easily we can be like Israel-following the wrong paths, being deceived, acting faithless and disobedient, forgetting about God, and going our own way. But God beckons us, "Return to Me!" Today, no matter who we are or what we've done, we must make sure that we humble ourselves before God. Confess your sins. Seek first His Kingdom. Declare that Jesus is our Lord. Seek His wisdom, and turn aside from the wisdom of the world. Dedicate our life to serving Him, and be faithful.

Frank Dara of http://www.revivaldays.com/ talks about the importance of repentance and stated:

I think it is high time, we repent from modern theologies that are polluted by the fallen world of greeds and lusts, in order to recover the true GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ which is able to save the lost and disciple them to the glory of Father who had called them out of darkness.

Everywhere in the Bible we are commanded to go out and preach the preach the GOSPEL to the unsaved, and in the event of believing, accepting the message, they should join the church(the body of Christ. Today, we are quick to invite the unsaved to the church, to join us as one joining an organization. And sooner or later these unsaved people may become leaders/Elders or even Pastors who at most times pastor those who are saved thereby causing confusion in the church whereas God is not the Author of confusion. When these confusion arises we are quick to blame or point accusing fingers at the innocent, poor souls who do not know much about the scripture.Instead of us to repent, we are tend to twist the scripture and make them feel guilty.

Secondly, the church Blood has to recover the FIVE-FOLD ministry. Every church should realize that no Pastor has the ability to do all by Himself nor other ministers should work for Him as Servants. They are all equal, should enjoy equal benefits if any, as they are all parts of Christ’s ministry on earth working with the Master(Jesus hrist)reconcile the world to God. A Pastor overseeing a congregation does not make him the Head. Christ is the HEAD.

“According to Ephesians chapter 4:11-13, God gave the church the five-fold ministry for PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY, AND FOR EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST till we all come in unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”

In view of the above, how can one man perfect the Saints, execute the work of the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ and edify the body of Christ independently? Men have set up their own doctrines and traditions that conform with their greeds and unchecked quests for high places of honor in the expense of others, therefore making themselves Lord over others.

One may substitute these five-fold ministry with first Ladies, Board of trustees or even Deacon board but the body of Christ will still remain starved of perfection, edification and thus make the progress of the ministry in view of winning souls and discipleship retarded

Therefore, we should all repent of these anomalies, repent of unbiblical Clegy/Laity order in the church and embrace the paradgm exhibited by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even the first century Apostles did not create Clergy and Laity. They were all disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ working together for a common goal……..Preaching the GOSPEL and DISCIPLING the saved to conformed to the image of their Savior according to the book of Acts.

Non of them had ever claimed to be working for God, they were all working together with God as co-Laborers in His vine yard.

Finally, we need to repent individually to trigger corporate repentance and then be followed by national repentance and world revival.

Chapter 10

God Is Good All The Time

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

"Thus says the LORD: 'Again there shall be heard in this place-of which you say, "It is desolate, without man and without beast"-in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, 'the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever"-and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD. Jeremiah 33:10-11

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

Unlike others, God is good all the time. He is a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. His power, might, love and riches are unlimited! And He told us that in Mark 9:23 “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” It appears that most Christians are unbelievers in that they don’t believe in seeing or doing the impossible or what Jesus taught them!

But the other side of the coin is that we cannot cast away our faith in God or His word in the midst of trouble or tribulation which will come just like Jesus prophesied or taught:

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me." Luke 22:31-34

And Apostle Peter who didn’t give up on his faith later he told us that our faith much more precious than gold that perishes and produces results including the salvation of our souls and inheriting a blessing. Yet Peter also warned us there will be false prophets amongst us:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8

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

Yes faith which is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, brings real concrete results for those who use it! The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us 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. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Just like taking your money from the bank produces real benefits so does you use of faith in God produce beneficial results! God’s word is true:

Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?- Galatians 3:5

By the hearing of faith and believing and acting in faith God supplies the Spirit to us and works miracles among us, and not by the works of the law. We are saved, healed, delivered, justified, blessed and prospered by faith, and not by any other method. Benjamin Conway of Tree of Life ministries post some interesting comments about faith in God and the practical applications and the foolishness saying “God will do whatever He wants”:

When it comes to healing we cannot say “God will do whatever He wants”. He has made it clear that He is the Lord Our Healer, that He has redeemed us from sickness and disease, that by the stripes of the precious Lord Jesus we are healed.

If someone who was weary came to the Lord, and said “You don’t know what God will do, God is the Boss”, you would say “Actually I do know what God will do, He will give that person rest and in no ways will He cast them away.”

If someone had sinned and wondered if God would forgive, I would tell them that God is faithful and just and forgives us from all our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

If someone had a need, I would explain that God meets all our need according to His riches, I would not say “Well, God’s the boss, you don’t know what He will do.”

I agree God is the Boss. He is God, I am not. He is Lord, I am not. However, it is BECAUSE He is the Boss, that when He says that He redeemed me from sickness and that He heals all our diseases and that His Word is health to all my flesh, that I agree with Him. It is because He is the Boss I don’t present traditions or religious cliches or my experiences or my Nan’s experiences against His Word and His precious and true promises.

The disciples could not heal a boy. They asked Jesus why not. Jesus did not tell them that it was because God’s will was mysterious or that you never know what God is going to do, or anything like that. He told them: because of your unbelief.

When the sick are not healed, I don’t blame God’s capricious will. I go and spend time in the Word because faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God and all things are possible to Him who believes. To those who believe, they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover. According to your faith be it unto you. If we believe, we will do the works that Jesus did.

It is that simple: believe and receive or doubt and do without. We must get rid of religious traditions that do not line up with the Word of the living God and preach the Word and signs and wonders always follow the preaching of the Word.

Chapter 11

The Mighty One

The Mighty One, God the LORD, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down. Psalm 50:1

And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Isaiah 19:20

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

God alone is the Mighty One the God of our salvation. In other words, safety, deliverance, preservation, protection, deliverance from judgment, healing, prosperity, and victory is to be always and evermore attributed and ascribed solely to our God. He alone is the author of salvation, and the Lord Jesus Christ - the Lamb of God - is the One Who obtained it, purchased it, and then offers it to us. God alone - through His Son Jesus Christ - delivers from sin, danger, and death. It is He alone Who causes us to triumph over every enemy and rescues us from the eternal burnings in Hell Fire. His word is unchanging:

Therefore the Lord says, The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies. Isaiah 1:24

Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me." Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, Or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children. I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." Isaiah 49:23-26

You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles, And milk the breast of kings; You shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. "Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness. Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise. "The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.. Isaiah 60:16-19

After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! "For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her. Revelation 19:1-2

God alone has the power to save His trusting ones from and in their trouble and in and from all things including sin, Satan, poverty, lack, death, destruction or any other negative thing or demon. His true ones don’t look to themselves, their resources, another man, or an institution to rescue them to but their powerful God who is the God of all power and authority. He is still an ever-present helper Who blesses daily and continues to deliver. He is God saves us, and destroys His and our enemies. His word is unchanging:

Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah Psalm 3:8

Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah Our God is the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death. Psalm 68:19-20

"When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple. "Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." Jonah 2:7-9

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Salvation is not just the saving of our soul so that we might go to heaven but it’s an ongoing thing including deliverance from our different enemies including demons, sicknesses, diseases, poverty, lack and miracles for whatever impossible situation that we face. The God, who made heaven and earth and sustains them, is rich and powerful enough to give and do whatever His children need. His word is true:

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. Psalm 18:35

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:39

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

God, who saved us from us sin, healed our bodies, made us the righteousness of God in Christ and raised us up to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, is our strength and everything that we need in time of trouble. He stands ready to do and give all kinds of miracles for His trusting ones. Jesus proved this when He walked the earth as the son of man and the son of God by healing and delivering all that came to Him. The bible tells us:

Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:24

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 8:16-17

Because Jesus Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses, total and complete healing and deliverance is available to all even this day. All authority is given unto Jesus both in heaven and in the earth." And has also give that authority to believers by giving them His Name and promised that they can use it:

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

Chapter 12

You Cannot Do Things In The Flesh

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Corinthians 15:50

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Galatians 1:15-17

Most people know the expression “Garbage in, garbage out” or “You are what you eat.” As a matter of fact many of us are destroying our bodies by consuming food that is not good for us and then we have to run around looking to be healed and delivered by doctors or God! Well we not only live in a body that is made of flesh but we also have a spirit and a soul. And what we allow to come into our spirit and soul affects us greatly. That is why the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life which is not of the Father but is of the world are very dangerous and harmful because they pervert and corrupt us and ultimately destroy us. We need to be filled with the fullness of God and be under the constant control of the Holy Spirit and by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body so that we might live. God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:5:16

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 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. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:17-25

Yes, we suffer in our body in the current time of life because of the works of the flesh including adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries,. We open the doors to demonic spirits that cause us sickness and pain. And if we accept them directly or indirectly including spirits of infirmities, we will have trouble sickness and diseases in our bodies.

But we don’t have to accept any of these things because of what Jesus did on Calvary and by His stripes we are healed. So we can rebuke all sickness, diseases and oppressive spirits from our bodies and tell them to go to hell where they belong in Jesus name. Through the avenue of bitterness, unforgiveness, we open the door for demons to enter into our bodies and lives and suffer as a result. God’s word is unchanging:

"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. "Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:20-26

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 8:16-17

But some Christians refuse to accept that afflictions and sickness are oppressions of the devil and they can be healed off them. Yes, there are those Christians who say that only Jesus Christ is important and nothing else and they are suffering for Jesus sake, His suffering. Even though by Jesus stripes they were healed and He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. They literally don’t fellowship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. They don’t know and experience the love of the Father or the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Their faith is composed on solely knowledge of the written Word of God. They forgot that the new birth is not known solely by knowledge but solely by experience. Yes, through the avenue of faith, they believed on Jesus, called on His name and were saved and He gave them an experience call the new birth or being born again. They didn’t go on to being baptized by Jesus Christ, the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit with fire and tongues of fire, because it’s an emotional experience which doesn’t make sense to their carnal mind. But being born again is an emotional in body experience and so is the Baptism of the Spirit and operating in the gifts of the Spirit and is not based solely on intellect!

Then there are others who have experienced the Baptism of the Spirit and only relate to the Holy Spirit solely on the basis of power, gifts, shaking, electricity, someone falling down under the power. While others relate to the Holy Spirit in the context of the work He does for us, or the times He gives us a word of wisdom, knowledge or prophecy, we grieve Him. But the Holy Spirit is a person who wants to be loved, accepted and fellowship with us as a unique person just like each one of us wants to do as a unique person and not just some creature or entity. And God is interested in us not only having the gifts of the Spirit but demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit. 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 Corinthians 13:1-3

Understanding the Person of the Holy Spirit, having an encounter with Him, worshipping, respecting, embracing the Holy Spirit and loving Him in His function are the keys that will bring His power and anointing on our lives. We need to have on going visitations and relationships with the Holy Spirit. God’s word is unchanging:

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

Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 1 Corinthians 10:20

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32

Yes, when we are full of God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, it will come out of us including love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and not uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy. As God’s word is unchanging:

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:11-17

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14

If we have an intimate bond and relationship with the Holy Spirit we will be able to know and do many things that are humanly impossible because it’s what God does through us that matters and not we do in the flesh. We will be surrounded by God’s presence and glory and people will know and experience not only that something is different about us but God Himself. That is why the bible records about healing and Peter’s shadow:

And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:14-16

Yes, we must honor and give proper place in our lives to our Wonderful Counselor, the Spirit of Truth and be totally dependent upon Him for everything including guiding us into all truth and delivering us from lies of men and demon! We must consciously acknowledge His presence in everything that we would do and ask Him to possess us and direct us so that we will walk Him in all things. Then we will know the blessing of partnership with the Holy Spirit as we bring the saving, healing, and delivering power of Jesus to the world. We need to present ourselves, all of us to the Holy Spirit and line ourselves up with Him. We have to keep asking Him to help us; we can't accomplish the purposes of God on our own, apart from His guidance. God’s word is unchanging:

"If you love Me, keep My commandments. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. "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 16:7-15

Chapter 13

We Have The Victory

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

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

God desires a people who will not be afraid of the circumstances they face but who will stand strong on the foundation of God’s Word, in full confidence and assurance that God is faithful! All that He has promised, He will do. It takes our faith to be able to please God by receiving every good and precious gift He has already planned for us and provided to us, for our benefit. He wants us to get this ingrained so deeply into our hearts that we are not moved by circumstances or conditions.

We don't need to fear or tremble when the storm rages, and the boat rocks because of the waves. Jesus is with us! We are blessed by God. And we are not to accept anything less than God's best for our lives! The enemy is mad, and he's throwing a tantrum, but he is a LIAR! Our LORD and Father God IS true, and Jesus Christ is the Truth! He is blessing His children TREMENDOUSLY, and He will not stop doing so! So we must focus on Christ Jesus! His word is unchanging:

They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:5-10

"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

"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. Acts 20:32

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Yes, blessed, not cursed, is the man who trusts in the Lord and fears Him. There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. The Lord Himself is our shield and exceeding great reward and He wants to build us up and give us an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. And we are not to be fearful of or dismayed by anything. Jesus gave us authority over our enemy (Luke 10:19).

God gave us dominion over everything that we would ever face in this earth. Sin, sickness, poverty, the devil and everything that he ever tries to throw at us is under our feet! We just have to RISE UP, and STOMP all over him!!! AMEN Hallelujah!!! God SAID, the victory is ALREADY ours! It's not "going to be" ours. It IS ours ALREADY! AMEN. His word is unchanging:

Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains." Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."

…."Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. "And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. "Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, "since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. 2 Samuel 7:1-11

Yes, the LORD is with us because we are with us. He is making us head, not tail, above not beneath. He is with us where ever we go and is cutting off all our enemies from before us. And He is making our name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. He is giving us rest from all our enemies. He is establishing a house for us and is showing Himself strong on our behalf. 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

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a

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

'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. Isaiah 45:2- 3

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Surely I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, both the strong one and the one that was broken; and I will make the sword fall out of his hand. Ezekiel 30:22

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

Grace is defined as God’s riches at Christ’s expense. God is making all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to us in abundance, so that we 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. He is showing us everything, and anything, that the enemy may be trying to use against us. He is revealing every secret, hidden trick, and device, every plot, plan, scheme, trap and ploy! He is give us His divine spiritual vision, wisdom, and discernment so we can cancel every plan and assignment of the devil against our health, families, finances, home, jobs, relationships, over EVERY area and facet of our lives, in Jesus Name! We can say with joy “The LORD rebuke you Satan! We are blessed of the LORD God, Almighty and Most High!”

Because of God’s grace and favor in which we live and stand we can call His blessing, favor, peace, health, and joy into our lives permanently! We are the head and not the tail, above only, and not beneath! We are blessed in the city, and blessed in the field. Blessed coming in, and blessed going out! Blessed when we rise up, and blessed when we lie down! Everything that we put our hands to is blessed, and prospers exceedingly, abundantly above, and far beyond anything we could ever ask, think, or imagine! We belong to our Father God! Nothing and no one can pluck us out of His loving and protective hands! Glory to His Name! Hallelujah! As a result we can pray and say:

Father, by Your Holy Spirit and power, remove everything that is NOT part of your plan for us, and bless and fill our lives, minds, hearts, bodies, families, and homes with ALL that You have for us. Surround us with the right people, set us in the right place, and reveal Your perfect holy plan, and will for us Father, in Jesus' precious and Holy Name! I pray John 15, and Psalm 91 over all of Your children, dear Father. Your love, and Your Word breaks every yoke! Your Holy Spirit fills us continually. And where the Spirit of the LORD is, He gives freedom! No weapon formed against us will prosper! Every word that has ever been spoken against us will fail, and fall to the ground in utter defeat! I decree a crop failure over every curse and hindrance, every negative thing ever brought to bear against us, in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah! He is our banner, our peace, our provider, our righteousness, our LORD, our EVERYTHING! Jehovah Nissi! Jehovah Shalom! Jehovah Jireh! Jehovah Tsidkenu! El Shaddai! Adonai! El Elyon! Elohim! Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!

Father, sometimes we have people and things in our lives that are NOT bad or evil, but they are not Your will for us, for our inner circle. Father, move them out, and replace them with the people that You have anointed for our lives!

There are times when we are not in the RIGHT place of Your divine will for us, Father. It may not be a BAD place, but it's not Your best for us. Father, move us from that place, and take us into the place that You have especially prepared for us, so that we can operate in the fullness of Your power, favor, and anointing. When we dwell in Your place, the secret place of the Most High, we abide under the shadow of the Almighty. There, we can be used by You to be a blessing to others!

Father, we may have plans and ideas that "appear" to be good. But, these plans may just be something that our limited minds conceived in an attempt to prosper our lives. Maybe they are plots of our enemy to distract us and get us off course. Either way, even if they aren't BAD plans, they are NOT Your BEST for us! They are not Your good, and perfect, and acceptable will. Remove these plans from our hearts and minds, and remove us from these man-made plans, and bring us to the acceptance of Your will! Not our will, but "Your will be done, in earth, as it is in Heaven."

Father please, increase our divine wisdom, godly knowledge, spiritual discernment, and good understanding! Increase our hope and faith in Your will, way, and timing! Help us, and encourage our hearts. Hold us up during the times when what You really want us to do is WAIT on You! Father, You know that sometimes waiting is harder than moving! But LORD, whether You tell us to stand still and KNOW that You are God, and You are working ALL things together for our good, or, if You tell us to step out of the boat and walk on the water, You work in and through us to HEAR and OBEY Your voice, immediately, without delay! We want to be good, and fertile ground in which Your good seeds are planted so that they will grow and flourish, bringing forth abundant good, healthy fruit! Hallelujah!!! AMEN

LORD, You said, "My sheep know My voice, and a stranger they will not follow." We know that we are Your children, Your people, and the sheep of Your pasture. When the enemy tries to come to us, and against us with his lies and tricks, Your Holy Spirit gives us a check in our spirits. You said that when the enemy comes in like a flood, Your Spirit would lift up a standard against him. He MUST flee from us 7 different ways. He will have to give back EVERYTHING he EVER stole from us 7 times over! Thank You Father! Glory to Your precious Name Jesus!

Help us to surrender to Your will LORD, so that we immediately recognize Your direction, and heed the warnings of Your Holy Spirit! Do not let us have peace about the things that the enemy of our souls wants us to do, and say. Father, please keep giving us a shock to our spirits when we are in trouble or danger. Do whatever You need to do to get our attention, loving Daddy! We would rather endure Your chastening, than suffer the consequences of moving out of Your will. AMEN

Father we thank You for Your love! We thank You for making us Your children! We bless You for Who You are! Our souls boast in You, and magnify You, dear LORD! Glory to Your Holy Name! Be glorified in our lives everyday! In Jesus' Name, we give You ALL of the praise, and glory, and honor, both NOW and FOREVERMORE! AMEN and AMEN!

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace, the peace of His Kingdom, at all times and in all ways, under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

"Let the redeemed of the LORD SAY SO, whom He HAS redeemed from the hand of the adversary" Psalm 107:2 (NASB)

Chapter 14

The All Conquering Christ!

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

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer . Revelations 6:1-2

Jesus conquered all for us so that we can be more than conquerors through Him. There are many things we face in life that we could never conquer in our own strength. David could have never defeated Goliath in his own strength. He faced in the name of the Lord. The battle wasn't David's; it was the Lord's. We don't have the might or the power to conquer the giants that come against us - giants of sickness, giants of despair, giants of spiritual wickedness in high places - but Jesus does. Through faith in His name and in His promises, we are more than conquerors. The song 'tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus’ tell us: Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, And to take him at his word; Just to rest upon his promise, And to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Precious Jesus, is Savior and friend and He will do battle for us and conquer. We can trust Him above all else and expect help from on High. We can take God's promises and hold to them daily. As we learn to lean on Him, He will not only direct our paths, but He will conquer for us spiritually, physically, and financially as we trust in the blood of Lamb. Our power and authority comes from the blood of the Lamb. Our testimony which is what we say in a situation is our belief in the blood or our doubt. Satan is defeated in our lives by the power of the blood of Jesus. There is no greater power on earth. We have this authority when we declare what God’s Word says in the situation in our lives. We defeat Satan not in our strength but the same way Jesus did by saying it is written.

Satan, sickness, disease, debt, poverty, lack of any kind is defeated by the power of the blood of Jesus. When fear comes our way the blood gives us faith. When sickness comes our way the blood heals. We plead the blood, God’s part it to heal, deliver and provide for us. Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. We look to the One Who has triumphed gloriously and is a Man of War! God’s word is unchanging:

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

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelations 19:11-16

The LORD has made the earth, and created man on it. He has stretched out the heavens, and all their host He has commanded. He is a man of war and the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty belongs to Him for all that is in heaven and in earth is His. He is the One Who gives all riches and wealth. The Bible says, “As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor-this is the gift of God.!”(Ecclesiastes 5:19; 3:13; 2:24). All these blessings come to His trusting ones from the hands of the One Whose love surpasses the love of a mother. He has inscribed them on the palms of His hands; their walls are continually before Him (Isaiah 49:16). And He loves to give His trusting ones victory over all their enemies. The Lord will never put His trusting ones to shame when they trust Him in trouble. He shall never allow the wicked to triumph over them but He will deliver them and honor them. His word is unchanging:

The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright. Psalm 11:5-7

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Psalm 32:10

For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalm 37:28

Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalm 37:34

The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. Psalm 145:20

For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; 2:22 But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it. Proverbs 2:21-22

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

In Exodus 14:11-13, the people of Israel escaped from the hands of the Egyptians who had made them to undergo many difficulties. With great rejoicing they had come as far as the Red Sea, but when they turned back they saw Pharaoh and his army coming after them from behind. Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?" (Exodus 14:11).

After all the miracles, signs and wonders they had seen instead of trusting God, the children of Israel chose to murmur and complain . They didn’t "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7) and to do His work so that they could see the salvation of God and His glory. They didn’t know that is the one who never makes a mistake and never delays. But it is necessary that His people should wait patiently for Him to act. He would take all responsibilities regarding their needs and future for Lord will neither forget nor forsake them.

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

When we try to solve our problems without seeking God we get the result of total failure. We need to ask God for His mercy and forgiveness. Then we need to acknowledge that we need the Lord, and without His strength we cannot do anything on my our own. We need for Him to teach us to wait patiently for Him till the time He has set for His action and follow His footsteps and leading. God’s word is unchanging:

For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks. For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:27-36

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11

Chapter 15

The Heritage

HEAR my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. You will prolong the king's life, His years as many generations. He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows. Psalm 61:1-8

It’s the Word of God that determines truth and not the devil or anybody else. And the Word tells/gives us our heritage and our benefits for those who are believers such as forgiveness of all our iniquities, healing of all our diseases, redemption of our life from destruction, being crowned with loving kindness and tender mercies, our mouth being satisfied with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's and seeing the LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:1-6. The devil is not stupid if he can steal the word of God from our hearts through any means he knows we will not enjoy our God given blood bought heritage and benefits!

The truth always remains unchanging including Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ( Hebrews 11:1). Our faith determines the results in the battle of life! God’s word is unchanging:

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. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it." Matthew 9:27-30

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:30-31

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

Negative circumstances including blind eyes, boisterous waves, the mouth of lions, huge armies, or false prophets don’t determine the will of God but God’s word does including "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23

Peter got into trouble when he concentrated on the realm of the physical senses and the situation around him instead of on the word of God given by Jesus , "Come." When Peter first jumped out of the boat that day in response to Jesus' word, what happened? He walked right across that water without a problem. His whole being was fastened on that word Jesus had spoken to him, "Come!" But when he took his eyes off that word, he started looking at the storm. He started looking at the impossible thing he was doing. After all, he was a fisherman. All his training and experience told him when the waves were that high, you were going under. He started to focus on what he knew in the natural instead of what Jesus said. When he did that, his faith slipped out of gear and he started to sink.

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide, helper and everything that we need. And once He gives us revelation from the Word of God, about a promise we are to hang onto it and not focus on anything else. The devil will push every button to get us to turn it loose including telling us that the problem or negative circumstance is too big for God to handle this time. But the devil is a liar and God can handle anything that has been committed to Him. God can be trusted in everything and we are to walk by faith not by sight until we obtain the promise, the victory, the blessings and every good thing! God’s word is unchanging:

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:14-16

"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

"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. "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it. Luke 8:12-16

The devil comes and takes away the word out of the hearts of some people in whom the seed of the word of God has been sown, lest they should believe and be saved. The devil also bring pressure, persecution, difficulties, problems and temptations so that other people would give up the word that was sown in their hearts. And for others the devil chokes the word of God with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and they bring no fruit to maturity. But then they are others where the seed of the word of God 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. They fight the good fight of faith with patience hold fast to their profession and resist the devil with truth until they see their desired result.

But the other side of the coin is if we are not discerning and are not checking everything with the Holy Spirit but allow heresies to take root in us or associate with wrong people we will find ourselves in places we next expected. God’s word is unchanging:

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. "Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-22

Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:1-2

For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 1 Corinthians 11:31

Yes we will be judged and even chastised by God if we don’t judge ourselves and some of the things we say and do or even believe including associating with other so called Christians who have and demonstrate lack of love towards the brethren and/or lack of love of the truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and above all things we are to love truth and not run away from it! God’s word is unchanging:

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 1:6

He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 1 John 2:21

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 1 John 3:14

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 1 John 5:16

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 1:3

Chapter 16

What God Has Joined

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1

"But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 10:6-9

Beloved! A division in the family is the most pitiable situation we see in the present day world. Even for a petty reason, the husband and wife quarrel. They stand firmly reason on the ego, “I and mine” and easily get separated. In the midst heated arguments and quarrels, people never think of asking themselves questions like, “Is it acceptable to God? Can I do like this? Why can’t I be patient?” The word of God says, “The house of the righteous will stand” (Proverbs 12:7). Those who seek a righteous and God fearing life, will be eager to take Lord Jesus Christ as their Shepherd (Psalm 23:3). Family prayers, thanksgiving prayers and personal prayers will always be part of the house of the righteous. Sis. Stella Dhinakaran

God created husband and wife before He created the church! And the Lord has brought the husband and wife together to be one and He is not happy with them living separate lives no matter what the excuse! (1 Corinthians 7:5). He is a God who answers fervent prayers of a righteous man or woman (James 5:16) and is able to transform a spouse and to give a blessed family life. But the LORD needs to be the head of any family and to bind the family with His love and understanding for each other. He needs to dwell in each family and desires to make them shine for His glory together as a family. He desires that His peace, joy and goodness abound in each family. God’s word is unchanging:

Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate," says the LORD. "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:12-13

"For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously." Malachi 2:16

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:22-28

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 1 Peter 3:1-2

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The headship of a husband over a wife in sacrificial love is in the word of God given by God and is not to changed by anyone be it a pastor or a priest or a layman! The word of God is also clear that God hates divorce! And Jesus clearly stated:

"Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 5:31-32

You cannot disobey the word of God concerning divorce without reaping serious negative consequences for the sin of adultery. The writer of Hebrews tells us, Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4). The institution of marriage was established and ordained by God (Genesis 2:24). Therefore "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27). He created "the woman for the man" (I Corinthians 11:9). Therefore, "marriage is honorable". "Children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward." (Psalms 127:3). In order to provide for continuation of the species, God created within male and female the potential for bearing children. The first commandment given to Adam and Eve was to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Genesis 1:28). Marriage between male and female provide the structure for conceiving and raising children. Compliance with this command of God is a physical and biological impossibility in same-sex unions.

Regardless of how men define marriage, we must define it as God defines it. God's standard always prevails over the whims of men.

1) Deut.12:8 "Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes."

2) Deut.13:18 "When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God."

3) Prov.21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts."

4) Prov.16:25 "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

5) Prov.30:12 "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness."

6) Acts 5:29 "We must obey God rather than men.

When a man and a woman enter into the covenant of marriage, they are taking on one of the highest vocations that exist upon this earth. The offices of ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ bear more weight upon the success and failure of a person’s life than almost any other office they will hold. And although one may have understood this years ago, maybe even decades ago, one’s marriage never remains stagnant, but always presents itself with new challenges, blessings, and warnings.

Marriage is sexual - Marriage is a sexual union. We must be careful not to get our categories mixed up. Sex is a gift, and like any created gift, it can be enjoyed properly, or perverted, misused, and taken and used as a club upon another. And so, the writer makes two points back to back.

The Marriage Bed is Undefiled – Understood and handled rightly, sexual union for a husband and a wife is a glorious gift; and in that context, there is nothing to be ashamed about. There, in the protection of the covenant walls, the cultivation of physical love is a great protection (1 Cor 7:2-3) and a place of mutual pleasure (Song of Solomon 7:10ff).

Fornicators and Adulterers God Will Judge – Sexuality is an incredibly naked thing, and affects the entire person, not only his or her body. Therefore, violators of the covenant of marriage will receive the strongest rebuke from the Judge. Fornicators are those who engage in sexual activity absent a marriage covenant. Adulterers are those who engage in sexual activity contrary to an established marriage covenant. The bottom line is that there is no ‘wiggle-room’ for those who are trying to establish their own standards.

Marriage It is not used to legitimize fornication or adultery. Let's define adultery.

1) Adultery is when a person who has an honorable marriage seeks and obtains sexual activity outside of that marriage.

2) Ezekiel 16:32 defines adultery. It says, "A wife that committeth adultery taketh strangers instead of her husband!" Same could be said of the husband.

3) Romans 7:3 "So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man."

The people of Jesus' day were seeking to legitimize adultery through marriage. Jesus didn't tolerate it.

1) Matthew 5:31, 32 "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery."

2) Luke 16:18 "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery."

3) Matthew 19:9 "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."

Neither does the Bible recognize same sex marriages as anything but fornication.

1) Romans 1:26, 27 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet."

2) We note that those who approve of such actions fall under God's condemnation as well. Romans 1:23

a. KJV "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

b. ASV says "who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them."

c. ESV says, Romans 1:32 "Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

D. Scott Meadows in his article THE DUTIES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES bring out some very important biblical key points:

A. The universal obligation of it. "Let each one of you," no matter how good you are or how bad your spouse. All husbands are entitled to their wives' respect, whether they are wise or foolish, intelligent or slow, skillful or clumsy. All wives are entitled to their husbands' love, whether beautiful or ugly, rich or poor, submissive or rebellious.

B. The particular application of it. "In particular," each and every husband and wife should apply this to their own particular case.

Summary of Duties.

A. Every husband's duty. To love his wife. This is not the only duty but it includes all others. He should love her as himself. This is both how (the Golden Rule) and why he is to love her (because they are both really one, loving her will result in blessings to him).

B. Every wife's duty. To fear (Greek) or reverence (KJV) or respect (NKJV) her husband, both for his person and his position. This necessarily includes love, because if she loves him, she will try to please him, and avoid offending him.

Remember this is your Creator's counsel, clearly articulated in both the Old and New Testaments, and by both Paul the apostle to Gentiles (Eph. 5:23 ff.; Col. 3:18 ff.) and Peter the apostle to Jews (1 Pet. 3:1 ff.). These two duties (husband-love, wife-respect) are not exhaustive, but are mentioned particularly either because they are the most common failures of each or because they include all other duties. Another explanation is that respect is what husbands need most, and love, what wives need most, from their spouses (Doug Wilson). God counsels not only that we may have eternal life, but comfort here and now. A godly marriage is a bit of heaven on earth. Reviewing these duties should humble us for our past failures, and challenge us to future improvement.

THE DUTIES BELONGING TO BOTH ALIKE

1. Living with Each Other. He must "leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife" (Gen. 2:24), and she must "forget her own people also, and her father's house" (Psa. 45:10). He must "dwell with his wife" (1 Pet. 3:7), and she must not "depart from her husband," even if he is an unbeliever (1 Cor. 7:10). The other duties of marriage require living together, as regular sexual relations, which they both owe each other (1 Cor. 7:3-5). The OT prohibits husbands from going to war during their first year of marriage (Deut. 24:5). This shows the importance of living together.

2. Loving Each Other. This is both the husband's (Col. 3:19) and the wife's duty (Tit. 2:4). Love is the great reason and comfort of marriage. This love is not merely romance, but genuine and constant affection and care for each other "fervently with a pure heart" (1 Pet. 1:22). Marital love cannot be based on beauty or wealth, for these are passing, and not even on piety, for that may decay. It must be based upon God's command which never changes. The marriage vow obliges "for better or for worse," and married persons ought to consider their own spouses the best in the world for them. Marital love must be durable, lasting even after death has severed the bond (Prov. 31:12). This true-hearted love brings true content and comfort in its train. It guards against adultery and jealousy. It prevents or lessens family trouble. Without it, the marriage is like a bone out of joint. There is pain until it is restored.

3. Staying Faithful to Each Other. Every man should have (sexually) his own wife, and every wife her own husband (1 Cor. 7:2), and only their own. Imitate the first Adam who had but one wife and the second Adam who has but one church. The marriage covenant binds you to your own spouse as the dearest, sweetest, and best in the world. The slightest infidelity, even in the heart, may lead to full-blown adultery. Without repentance, adultery destroys both earthly happiness and reasonable expectation of heaven. It almost dissolves marriage, and in the OT was a capital crime (Deut. 22:22). Be careful to avoid temptations to this sin. The man who is not satisfied with one woman will never be satisfied with many, because this sin has no boundaries. Faithfulness also involves keeping each other's secrets. These must not be disclosed unless there is a greater obligation. Telling your spouse's secrets is bad when accidental, worse when the result of temper, and the worst when it is motivated by hate.

4. Helping Each Other. The wife should be a "helper comparable to her husband" (Gen. 2:18), implying they should both help each other. They should carry these things together:

A. Their work. If she works at home and he works outside, both their work shall be easier. For motivation, let him give attention to all of Proverbs, and her to the last chapter especially.

B. Their crosses. Though newlyweds expect only pleasure in marriage, trouble is bound to come (1 Cor. 7:28). You may face loss of worldly goods, harm to your children, afflictions from both friends and enemies. Spouses must be friends to each other through thick and thin.

C. Their commitment to Christ. Live "as being heirs together of the grace of life" (1 Pet. 3:7). The highest end of marriage is to promote each other's eternal happiness. Cooperation here is very important. His knowledge must aid her ignorance, and her zeal his discouragement. When the husband is home, he must instruct and pray with his family and sanctify the Sabbath, but in his absence, she must look to these things.

5. Being Patient with Each Other. This duty we owe to all, but especially to our spouse (Eph. 4:31-32). There are many temptations in marriage to become impatient! Hot tempers ignite civil wars indoors, and no good ever comes of them. Both need a meek and quiet spirit. Learn to hold your peace to keep the peace. Withdraw until the storm is over. You are not two angels married, but two sinful children of Adam. Wink at lesser faults, and be careful in confronting greater ones. Acknowledge your faults to one another and confess them all to God. Yield to one another rather than to the devil (Eph. 4:27).

6. Saving Each Other. 1 Corinthians 7:16 insinuates that our great duty is to promote the salvation of our spouse. What good is it to enjoy marriage now and then go to hell together? If you let your spouse be damned, where is your love? Both should inquire into each other's spiritual state, and use the means appointed to improve it. Chrysostom said, "Let them both go to church and then discuss the sermon together." If both are Christians already, then they should do what they can to help each other to become thorough saints. Speak often of God and spiritual things. Be fellow-pilgrims to the Celestial City.

7. Maintaining Regular but Moderate Marital Sex. "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4). Marital sex is designed to remedy impure affections, not excite them. You cannot follow every sexual folly you can imagine with your spouse, just because you are married. Owning wine gives you no permission to get drunk. Be moderate and sensible. For example, you might abstain for a time to give yourselves to prayer (1 Cor. 7:5). Even in marital relations we must show reverence to God and respect for each other. True love does not behave rudely.

8. Looking Out for Each Other's Interests in All Things. Help each other's health, and be sick together, at least in spirit. One should not be rich while the other suffers want. Advance each other's good reputation. A husband naturally and rightly cares for things that are of the world, how he may please his wife, and the wife does the same (1 Cor. 7:33-34). This brings honor to their faith, comfort to their lives, and a blessing on all they have. They should be bosom friends, laughing and weeping together, with nothing but death separating their interests.

9. Praying for Each Other. Peter warns against "their prayers being hindered" (1 Pet. 3:7), which suggests they should pray for and with each other. "Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren" (Gen. 25:21). We should pray for everyone, but especially our spouse. The purest love is expressed by earnest prayer, and prayer will preserve love. Seek times for prayer together. Mr. Bolton prayed twice privately, twice with his wife, and twice with his family, each day. Prayer elevates Christian marriage above heathen marriages and the cohabitation of animals.

THE SPECIAL DUTY OF A HUSBAND: LOVE

Love is the foundation of all other duties toward her. Everything flows from this. Without love, every performance of duty toward her seems hard. Tenderness, honor, care, and kindness are merely the beams from the sun of love.

1. The Dimensions of a Godly Husband's Love. The love of a husband to his wife is peculiar to this relation. It is distinct from parental love and from animal lust.

A. The ground of it. Your are married to her and God commands husbands to love their wives. This alone will last forever, since she may become less attractive in many ways.

B. The extent of it. You must love both her body and soul. Therefore you should choose a wife that is physically and personality/spiritually attractive to you, or you do her disservice.

C. The degree of it. Above his love for all others, including his parents and children, and certainly above any person outside the family. "Always be enraptured with her love" (Prov. 5:19).

D. The duration of it. "Always" (Prov. 5:19 quoted above), not only in public but in private, not for a week or month or year, but until death. Your love should daily increase through old age. You had her beauty and strength, so why not her wrinkles and illnesses? Inner loveliness usually increases as outer loveliness decreases. There are many biblical reasons for a husband's perpetual love.

2. The Pattern of a Godly Husband's Love.

A. Jesus Christ's love for His church. "Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the church" (Eph. 5:25). "Nourish and cherish her, just as the Lord does the church" (5:29). While we cannot attain equality with Christ, yet the quality of our love should be the same as His. How, then, does Jesus Christ love His church?

1) Genuine, without hypocrisy. His love was so real and intense that He died for the church.

2) Free, without conditions before or expectations after. He gave Himself to cleanse His church, implying she was no beauty beforehand. The husband must draw love from her by his own love. True love is more about bettering the object loved than enriching the subject.

3) Holy, without impurity. Christ loved the church "that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word" (5:26). This teaches the husband to labor diligently to further the sanctification of his wife.

4) Great, without comparison. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). This is what Christ did for His church (5:25).

5) Constant, without change. Even until He presents her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle" (Eph. 5:27). Many times has Christ been put off by them, and yet He continues to love them. Husbands should copy His example. No bad behavior on her part is grounds to stop loving her.

6) Active, without neglect. He "nourishes and cherishes her" (5:29). He must do his utmost to supply all her needs, whether for support, or constant friendship, or a nurse for her illness.

B. The husband's love for himself "So husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies" (5:28). "Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself' (5:33). Now although this pattern is less than Christ's love for His church, yet it is easier to comprehend.

1) Tender. We handle our own sores and griefs more tenderly than anyone else. "No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it" (5:29). Wives are like crystal glasses, easily broken if not tenderly handled. Women are more liable to fears and passions and griefs.

2) Cheerful. No man is so ready to help a man as himself. Best friends sometimes fail you but you help yourself. So be ready to help your wife. If a cloud arises between you, dissipate it by your love. You will not stay angry with yourself very long. No mediator should be needed.

3. The Demonstration of a Godly Husband's Love.

A. In word.

1) He teaches her. "Dwell with her with understanding" (1 Pet. 3:7). She should "ask her own husband at home" if she wants to learn something, and not speak in the church (1 Con 14:35). Woe to the husband that lacks either the will or the skill to teach his wife! He ought to acquire it in either case. Otherwise she will probably curse him forever in hell!

2) He reproves her. "Love will cover a multitude of sins" (1 Pet. 4:8), so he should overlook many faults. Just as a sword dulls with constant use, so does reproof. Yet true love sometimes requires rebuke, but it must be given with the greatest wisdom and tenderness imaginable, not before strangers, rarely before the family, mainly for sins, seldom for anything else. Give commendation first, and explanation afterward. Reproof should be short, like a very swift and slight slap (of course this is pure simile; a husband should never strike his wife). If the potion is too hot, it does more harm than good. Follow Job's example, when he said merely, "You speak as one of the foolish women" (Job 2:10). Mild reproof is the most likely to induce her sincere repentance (Prov. 25:15).

3) He encourages her. Praise when she does well. This is important because it will help her to realize the sincerity of your love when you must reprove, and make reproofs more convicting.

4) He comforts her. Especially when she is hurting emotionally or physically. Elkanah's tender reasoning with Hannah brought her to dinner (1 Sam. 1:8-9). A husband's kind word is like medicine to his wife. Do not underestimate it.

B. In deed.

1) He provides for her. It is mainly the husband's duty to provide for his wife (Exod. 21:10). She should help as she is able. The "honor" a husband must give to his wife as the weaker vessel may well refer to maintenance (1 Pet. 3:7; cf. Matt. 15:6; 1 Tim. 5:3). He should make provision for her not only while he is living, but also after he is gone, as Christ did for His church. If He can, he should also give her "some pittance in her own disposal" (exact quote) so she can exercise charity and encourage servants and children in their duties.

2) He shows great tenderness to her. This is especially shown in his protection of her from dangers, temptation, harm, reproach, contempt, and his sympathy with her in troubles.

3) He is a good example to her. Wives usually follow their husbands to hell or to heaven. His example is a greater influence than he may realize. Solomon calls him "the guide of her youth" (Prov. 2:17). Therefore set the pace in piety, seriousness, charity, wisdom, and goodness. She will learn to pray from your prayers. Your life will be a rule or law for hers.

4) He grants her reasonable requests. Remember David granting Bathsheba her request of the throne for her son (1 Kings 1:15-31), Isaac granting Rebekah her request of a godly wife for Jacob (Gen. 27:46; cf. 28:1), and Jesus Christ granting the reasonable petitions of His church. A husband should be anticipating her requests, and giving her before she asks. He should seek her advice, as Elkanah and Abraham did (1 Sam. 1:23; Gen. 21:12), and yield to her when she is right.

5) He trusts her in domestic affairs. "The heart of her husband safely trusts her" (Prov. 31:11), especially if she has enough sense to guide domestic affairs, as she ought to have. A husband has more important things to do than direct the household servants. She may occasionally consult him so that if things do not turn out well, she may escape blame. But generally he should move in his sphere outside the home, and she in hers, within the home. He should fetch honey, and she should work it in the hive.

6) He exercises authority toward her. The all-wise God invested the first husband with authority (Gen. 2:23), and this was not taken away in his fall (Gen. 3:16). The light of nature and the gospel requires this (Est. 1:22; 1 Cor. 11:3). Only proud and ignorant women dispute it. But a husband must use it:

a. wisely. He can only keep authority by a truly spiritual, serious, and manly behavior. It will be hard for her to reverence him if he does not reverence God. If he is light or effeminate, he will lose it.

b. mildly. Remember that though his position is superior, their souls are equal. She is your companion, therefore you cannot rule her as a king does his subjects, but as the head does its body. Eve was not taken from Adam's head or foot, but from his side, near his heart. His attitude must be friendly, his language sweet, his commands sparing and respectful, and his reproofs gentle (Col. 3:16). Do not think the way to keep a wife under authority is by intimidation. If meekness of wisdom will not prevail with her, then you are undone in this world, and she in the world to come.

THE SPECIAL DUTY OF A WIFE: RESPECT

This is her special qualification. If she has all beauty and learning but no respect for her husband, she is not a good wife. Creation suggests it. She was made after the man (1 Tim. 2:13), from the man (1 Cor. 11:8), and for the man (1 Cor. 11:9). This order was not by man's doing, but God's. Even after the fall the divine order stands: "He shall rule over you" (Gen. 3:16). The New Testament confirms all this (Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:16). Even if she is the sweetest thing and her husband the meanest, she still has a duty to respect him. First, she must fix in her heart that her position is inferior to his, and then she will be able to fulfill all [that] respect implies with ease and delight. It is not fitting to set the rib above, or even on the same level with, the head.

1. The Description of a Godly Wife's Respect.

A. She highly esteems him. "All wives will honor their husbands, both great and small" (Est. 1:20). Ponder the excellence of his person, and value it properly. And if he is not accomplished, then she should consider the excellence of his place as "the image and glory of God" (1 Cor. 11:7). You esteemed him when you chose him as your husband, and you should continue to do so. Remember Michal's disrespect to David and her punishment from God (2 Sam. 6:16, 23). Her family and neighbors will respect her about as much as she respects her husband, so in honoring him, she honors herself.

B. She dearly loves him. This respect is composed of love, which is also the wife's duty (Tit. 2:4). Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel left parents, friends, and country entirely out of love for their husbands. A young woman named Clara' Cerventa was married to Valdaura whose body was so riddled with disease that no one else would touch him, but she dressed his sores with all care, and sold her attire and jewelry to maintain him. Finally he died, and when comforters came to her, she told them she would buy him back again with the loss of her five children if she could. She can beget her husband's love no better way than by her reverence toward him.

C. She diligently pleases him. The word "respect" in Ephesians 5:33 is literally "fear." She should maintain "chaste conduct accompanied by fear" (1 Pet. 3:2), for one without the other is inadequate. This fear is not servile, but a sincere desire to please and refusal to offend him. "I will do my utmost to please him, though I do not fear his hand, but his frown. I would rather displease the whole world than my husband."

2. The Pattern of a Godly Wife's Respect.

A. The church's respect for Christ. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Eph. 5:22). "Just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything" (5:24). Her submission is to be like the church's ideal submission to Christ.

1) In everything. In things great and small, agreeable and disagreeable to her. Only when he requires what God forbids or forbids what God requires is she to refuse submission. She may reason with him in things inconvenient to her, but if he will not be persuaded, and there is no sin in the case, she must submit to him.

2) Free, willing, and cheerful. The service Christians do to the Lord is with goodwill (Eph. 6:7). So the wife should submit to her husband as if there were but one will in their two hearts. Leah and Rachel followed Jacob like his shadow (Gen. 31:16). Sarah's reverence was sincere, as she called her husband "lord" (Gen. 18:12), and this is an example for Christian wives (1 Pet. 3:6). Therefore a grudging obedience is unacceptable, and usually springs from her unmortified pride and self-conceit. Even if he is severe, it is better for you to do your duty, and leave his judgment to God.

B. The body's respect for the head. "For the husband is the head of the wife" (Eph. 5:23). All members of the body realize the head is useful for their good. The hand will accept a wound to protect the head. Whatever the head decides to do, the body gets up and follows as long as it can. This is the way the wife should honor her husband, second only to God. It is ludicrous for the head to go one way and the rib another, for a soldier to command his general, or for the moon to pretend superiority over the sun. Only if the husband is insane is this altered. "The man has authority in his house unless he is verbum anomalum; that is, a fool" (Luther).

3. The Demonstration of a Godly Wife's Respect.

A. In word. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). If she really respects him, it will show in what she says. "On her tongue is the law of kindness" (Prov. 31:26; cf. 15:4).

1) She speaks respectfully of him in his absence. No wife is too great or good to imitate Sarah's godly example of giving her husband a title of respect like "lord" (1 Pet. 3:6). A wicked woman refers to her husband as "the man" (literal Hebrew in Prov. 7:19). Would that this was the worst thing wives call their husbands behind their backs!

2) She speaks respectfully to him in his presence. Beware of

a. interrupting him while he is speaking, or saying ten words to his one. Silence commends a woman's wisdom more than speech. The wise woman uses words sparingly.

b. using disrespectful words or tone. Strive for "a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Pet. 3:4). Do not be afraid that this will make your husband worse, but trust in God's wisdom (1 Pet. 3:1; Prov. 25:15). Remember God hears and will judge you for every idle word (Matt. 12:36). Ideally, both the husband and wife should be slow to passion, yet where one must yield, it is most reasonably expected of the wife. No woman gets honor by having the last word. Some women argue that their tongue is their only weapon, but the wise know that their tongue is set on fire by hell (Jas. 3:6). See how Rachel spoke rashly to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die" (Gen. 30:1), and as soon as she had two, she died (Gen. 35:18)! On the other hand, Abigail behaved prudently with a very bad husband, and was raised to honor. If respect will not prevail with him, anger never can. That is why the husband and wife ought to agree never to shout at one another.

B. In deed.

1) She obeys his directions and restraints. Sarah obeyed Abraham, and she is a worthy model (1 Pet. 3:6). He said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes" (Gen. 18:6), and she did it promptly. The wife is bound in conscience to obey her husband in everything that is not contrary to the revealed will of God, and even in this case, she should refuse respectfully. For example, she cannot consent to omit Bible reading, or prayer, or sanctifying the Lord's Day, although he command it ever so sternly. The house is her proper place; she is its beauty; there is her business and safety. Only urgent necessity should call her abroad. The prostitute's feet did not abide at her house (Prov. 7:11). She must live where her husband judges best. Wives are to "love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers ["keepers at home," KJV; Greek, oikouros, meaning caring for the house, working at home, keeping at home and taking care of household affairs, Strong's Concordance], good, obedient to their own husbands" (Tit. 2:4).

2) She asks his counsel and hears his reproofs. Rebekah would not send Jacob to her brother Laban without consulting Isaac (Gen. 27:46). Sarah would not discard Hagar the servant without consulting Abraham (Gen. 21:10). The Shunnamite woman would not receive a prophet into the house without advising her husband (2 Kings 4:10). Her hardest task is in hearing a reproof lovingly and thankfully, especially if she has a proud and contentious spirit. But she should remember she has her faults, and no one can see them better than her husband. So to answer him harshly for reproof shows great ingratitude. If she really respects him, this will be a much easier pill to swallow.

3) She maintains a respectful and cheerful attitude at all times. She should not indulge irritability or gloom when he is happy, nor be giddy when he is sad. She should try her best to make him delight in her. Let her express contentedness in her goods and position, and a sweet disposition so he will enjoy being at home with her. Let her study how he likes his meals, his clothes, and his lodging, and conform to his pleasure, because even in these small things many sharp arguments may arise. She must never let her familiarity with him breed contempt. His love must not make her forget her duty, but rather increase her efforts. His fondness must not decrease her respect for him. It is better to obey a wise man than a fool. Most husbands are liable to reform if their wives respect them properly. Likewise, most wives can be won to respect by his wisdom and affection.

However due to doctrine of demons by false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:13) many women are deceived in believing they are free from marriage responsibilities and commitments when they are not! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G6kQY4oyD4 )

“Thou are loosed woman” is from the mouth of Satan who in Genesis 3:1- who spoke to Eve when he told her “You don't have to be in bondage any longer God's holding you down. You can be wise and powerful! God got you serving a man but you can be just as powerful. You go and eat off that tree of knowledge! God said you are going to die but you are not going to die. Go and do your thing.”

In other words Satan is saying to women “ You are loosed from what God has said in His word that a woman has to submit to a man.” But a woman is not free from the authority of God's word including submission!

We know there are certain things that are always sin. Pride, adultery, covetousness, and fornication are always sins. There is no such thing as good adultery and bad adultery. Adultery is always sin. There is no such thing as good pride and bad pride. Pride is always sin. We know there are certain things that are always sin. Pride, adultery, covetousness, and fornication are always sins. There is no such thing as good adultery and bad adultery. Adultery is always sin. There is no such thing as good pride and bad pride. Pride is always sin. And God’s word is unchanging:

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

Chapter 17

They Will Not Endure Sound Doctrine

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Matthew 23:23

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

The whole Christian world is in the grip of false doctrines, apostasy, confusion and dissention and the Body of Christ lacks unity amongst the different members due importance not being given to the true apostles and prophets who are the foundation of the Church. Today we have in our midst true apostles and prophets like Paul, Peter, John, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, etc. but we do not recognize them. The Word of God tells us:

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

Yes, we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone” just like the saints at Ephesus were! Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets is not an one-time affair but a continuous affair. We need true apostles and prophets who would take the Church in the right direction by dealing with false doctrines and apostasies which are more prevalent today than during the New Testament period.

Paul in his epistles dealt with the doctrines of Judaism and taught the new converts on the doctrines of salvation by faith. John in the book of Revelation revealed the spiritual condition of the seven churches in Asia. But we will not accept the apostles and prophets today who would expose the plethora of false doctrines, which have surreptitiously crept in the churches, and to guide the children of God? We have many false teachers in the body of Christ. But we need teachers who teach the right doctrines and who rightly divide the word of truth. We attach less importance to the Bible Study. In the Bible Colleges, we need anointed teachers and not people with merely doctorate degrees in theology. Of course, we need teachers who have a thorough knowledge about other religions also and who are filled with the wisdom of God and not merely Biblical knowledge.

It’s a sad state of affairs in our churches when we do not go in search of the true apostles and prophets. But we go in search of the evangelists who perform miracles or healing ministries. If at all a prophet is perhaps recognized, people flock to him to know their future and pester him to find out God’s will concerning their marriages, businesses or careers. Hardly do they seek him to know the call of God in their lives for His ministry.

Christians today don’t want prophets to tell them the truth lest they will have to change their ways and repent. But Jesus as Prophet did not spare the Scribes and the Pharisees of His time. He exposed their deeds and unmasked them before the very people who were the victims of these religious leaders. He did not give any message palatable to their taste. Jesus could not tolerate “Phariseeism”, while forgiving sinners. He rebuked them on their face, saying seven times, “Woe unto you!” He even called them, “Blind guides”, “Blind Pharisee”, “Whitewashed tombs” Hypocrites”, “Serpents, brood of vipers”.

The Scribes and the Pharisees had the misconception that they were upholding the Law of Moses. They in fact followed the Law of Moses in letter but not in spirit. They preached something, which they could not practice. And the modern Scribes and Pharisees in our churches are no different. They preach what they do not practice. They bind heavy burden, hard to bear and lay on men’s shoulders but they themselves would not move them with one of their fingers. They quote the Bible verses and ask the members to follow these commandments. They go on adding a list of dos’ and don’ts to the existing list of Old Testament commandments. But they will not help their members in obeying the so-called commandments because they or their own children do not follow such commandments (Matthew 23:4-5).

On Sundays, they long to make long sermons and love to preach, and not to intercede in their closets before God for their sheep. They do not allow others or the budding ministers to give sermons on Sundays. They make their debut only in the pulpits on Sundays and are missing either in their churches or in their houses the other days. They are thus not available to the parishioners who are in need of their prayers or counsels. They do not visit the houses of the poor parishioners nor do they visit the sick. They want their works to be seen by others. They wear special dresses on the dais or in the pulpit but in their secret life they do not practice righteousness and holiness. They love the best places on the dais or in the churches. They love greetings in public places and in churches and to be called with suffixes or affixes to their names . They do not want to serve their congregations but want to be served by their congregations by tithes and offerings. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant (Matthew 23:6-11).

They shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. They neither go nor do they allow others to enter to go in. By falsifying the truth of the Bible, they present another gospel to the people. They preach that there is neither hell nor the Devil. They justify divorce and adultery. They do not condemn sin. They question the authenticity of the Bible and its translation. For pretence, they make long prayers in prayer meetings and in churches. But they oppress the weak people and covet their money. If a single soul is converted, they make his new life in Christ miserable by binding a heavy burden on his shoulder (Matthew 23:14-15).

Yes, they are hypocrites, as their inner life does not reveal their so-called righteousness and holiness, which they pretend to possess. They demand and prefer outward sanctification to inward sanctification. They condemn and persecute the true and humble servants of God who do not dance to their tune. But God’s word is unchanging:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, "and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. "Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Matthew 23:27-33

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

The Word of God tells us that there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, Yes we must raise our voice against the modern Scribes and Pharisees in our churches, and to unmask them. If we allow them to practice Phariseeism, we will be partakers of their sin.

We, the members of Christ’s body, do constitute the spiritual Jerusalem. We are the children of the promise. But Jesus weeps over our Jerusalem. The Church, which is ordained of God as “the light of the world”, is not shining brightly and steadily but flickeringly. If the Church, the salt of the earth, loses its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5: 13-14). The Church of today is a divided house and has backslidden. It is laden with lukewarmness, worldliness, prayerlessness, unfaithfulness, heresy, rivalry, hatred, etc. To rub salt into the injury, the false prophets and false teachers are throttling the Church from within. Though it has a name that it lives, it is indeed dead (Revelation 3:1). Although Christ, the Head of the church is not divided? (1 Corinthians 1: 13) but, the Church, the body of Christ is divided by man – divided mainly on account of some doctrines, some of which are but minor. “There is one body, and one Spirit….” (Eph.4: 4). “By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

God is not to be blamed for the division of the Church because He has never intended any such division. But it’s a fact that many of those belonging to one denominational church look down upon or even hate those belonging to another denominational church. “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now”. Darkness hath blinded his eyes (I Jn.2: 9-11). “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (I Jn.3: 14). Nobody can claim salvation through the Blood of Jesus if he hates his brother and thus abides in death. Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer and no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (I John.3: 15).

But in our present day Christianity the disciples of Christ Jesus write or preach in a derogatory manner against one another, thereby persecuting the very body of Christ, of which they are themselves, members. “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Church: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones” (Ephesians 5: 29-30). The Church has thus become a divided house. And then the demons of drugs and alcohol, divorce and adultery, homo-sexuality, abortion, lustful pleasures are spreading their tentacles on God’s spiritual children, our brothers and our sisters. We must confess our sins and iniquities, repent of our backslidings, humble ourselves before the glory of His Cross and turn to God so that God may not send “His armies of Babylonians” to destroy these spiritual children in the body of Christ.

Yes, it’s a wake-up call for us to fast and pray on behalf of all those in Christendom. And we should not persecute the prophets that the Lord sends to our churches! In many churches, the pastors stone these prophets who are appointed in the second place in the body of Christ by God. These prophets give warning and prophetic messages to the churches. We need to accept them in our churches and heed to their messages. They function like the white corpuscles in the body of Christ. When some foreign bodies (false prophets/false teachers) enter the body of Christ, these prophets fight the false prophets with the two-edged Sword of the Spirit. They are inbuilt members of the body of Christ. When a human body is short of white corpuscles, it becomes prone to deadly diseases like AIDS. We must heed God’s word”

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD'S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'? "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." Mathew 21:42-44.

Yes, there are chief priests and Pharisees in our midst. They claim through their mouth that they have accepted Christ as their Savior but deny Him through their life. The Lord has blessed them with all resources including abundant finances so that they might bring forth the fruits. They have built their own empires and not the Kingdom of God. They evangelize the same people who have already heard the gospel. They have not used their resources for preaching the gospel to those who have not heard the gospel even once in their lifetime. They may prophesy in Jesus’ Name. They may cast out demons and do many wonders in His Name. If they have not done the will of the Father, Jesus will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, ye who work iniquity” (Matthew 7: 21-23). The ministries given to these people will be taken away from them and given to those who will do the will of the Father and who will bring forth the fruits thereof.

Whoever falls on this stone will be broken. Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone of the Church or the household of God, which is being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2: 19-20). Those people who do not do the will of the Father may fall on this Stone in the household of God and will be broken. It may be an anointed servant of God, a Christian ruler or a Christian businessman. If he or she does not do the will of the Father, he or she will stumble on this Stone and will be broken. On whomsoever this Stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder. This Stone will fall on those who persecute the body of Christ and will grind them to power. The Son of God is angry and His wrath is kindled but a little. They will perish in the way unless they repent and turn to the Son (Psalm 2:10-12).

God who has done something before can and will do it again. God chose Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylonians to judge and destroy His own people of Israel (Hab.1: 6) The armies of Babylonians or Chaldeans became the armies of God. And even today the King of kings and the Lord of lords will become furious. He will send out His armies, destroy these murderers and burn up their city . Gods word is unchanging:

But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Matthew 22:7

Chapter 18

Waiting On The Lord

Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14

For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:9

Many times we get hasty when things do not happen our way but the Bible urges us to wait on the Lord in prayer. When we wait on the Lord, He gives us a new heart. Then we will not think like the people of this world but we will think according to the will of God. The worldly people always speak negatively, “I have become weak! My family has crumbled! I do not have hope etc. But we ill know that that 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 40:31) just like David did on many occasions!

In spite of all the negative things that are going on in the world around them, God’s trusting ones can be strong and of good courage in the fact that the LORD their God is with them wherever they go and He gives them richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). As we wait upon Him the Lord gives us courage to face all trials and tribulation that comes our way. We are made perfect by the thorns that are in our life. He teaches us to march forward in our life and with His divine strength helps us to overcome all hurdles. We have in our earthen vessels a great treasure the power of God that manifests the life of Jesus in our bodies. Hence we do not lose heart, even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory as God’s word is unchanging:

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Yes, our sufficiency is God who is unlimited in riches, resources and power that He uses for our good. A God who makes all grace abound toward us that, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). A God who has made us ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). A God who is our refuge and strength and a very present help in time of trouble and who helps us and right early just like He had helped David many times! God’s word is unchanging:

So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all. 1 Samuel 30:8

So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all. 1 Samuel 30:18-19

David his men came to Ziklag, to find that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. It was very distressing to find their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. So David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. David was also greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God and inquired of the LORD Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all. And because David heard from the LORD He pursued and recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.

Now the good news is the LORD has not changed one bit, He is with us to save us and to deliver us and to help us recover all that the enemy has stolen from us, be it money, health, or our good name. He is just as much for us as He was for David. His word is unchanging:

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. Psalm 145:18-20

There is no one in the universe as close as the LORD is to all who call upon Him in truth. He literally is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He hears the cries of those who fear Him and saves them. He fulfills their desires and brings them to their desired haven. He gives them victory, salvation, healing, deliverance, richest and rest. He also gives them Himself for He is all that they need. He upholds all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. He rescues them from their enemies, He is a great and good God who does whatever He pleases in heaven and in earth and His mercy endures forever! His word is unchanging:

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

I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. Psalm 142:5

For those who have been born again and filled with the Spirit of the living God, the Lord has become their all, including their shield, their exceedingly great reward, their refuge and their portion in the land of the living. As they abide in His presence and under the shadow of the Almighty, He will take care of all their needs, fight all their battles, and give them victories over all their enemies whoever or whatever they might be. His word is unchanging:

"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. "Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. "But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. "For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. "You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. "So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. "No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. "I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. Exodus 23:20-27

"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

Chapter 19

The LORD Is Good

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

"Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited Isaiah 54:2-3

Jabez, who sought the Lord earnestly, looked up to the Lord in his distress and said, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil." God answered his prayer and protected him from all troubles (Psalm 34:6) for the Lord is good to those who wait for Him (Lamentations 3:25). Now if God answered the prayer of Jabez and blessed him with protection how much more shall He do things for His blood bought children who trust in Him with all their heart? He shall answer their prayers and bless them with His protection and goodness. He shall enlarge their borders and fill it with peace. As they walk closely with Him He shall remove all their lacks and fill their life with goodness in abundance for the LORD is good and His mercy endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:4). His word is unchanging:

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long. Psalm 35:27-28

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

Yes, it is true there is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Yes the LORD has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. Yes the LORD God will deal wondrously with His people and they people shall never be put to shame, those who seek Him.

Connie Giordano asked the question “Where Have You Placed Your Trust Today? “

There is no help in man.
His efforts are simply worthless or vain.
The Lord is the one and only confidence of His people (Proverbs 3:26).
In fact, He is “the confidence of all the ends of the earth” (Psalm 65:5).

Psalm 146:3 outrightly directs - “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”

The Scriptures tell us that there are many things in which man places his trust.

He oftentimes depends on another man for help. The Word of God says that he makes “flesh his arm” (Jeremiah 17:5).
He trusts in “uncertain riches” (1 Timothy 6:17) and “the abundance of his riches” (Psalm 52:7).
In making decisions, he trusts in “his own heart” (Proverbs 28:26).
While living in sin, he places his trust in his own “wickedness” to cover up his sin (Isaiah 47:10).
He relies on the world system - “Egypt” - for help because they are “strong” and “many” (Isaiah 31:1).
Lastly, he trusts in “princes” or leaders for help, safety, deliverance, etc. (Psalm 146:3).

The Scriptures also explain that those who trust in -
…man - are “cursed” since their mind and heart turn aside from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5)
…their riches - fall (Proverbs 11:28]
…their own hearts - are fools (Proverbs 28:26)
…their own wickedness - are perverted (Isaiah 47:10)
…the “shadow of Egypt” (the protection of the government) - the world system - reap confusion (Isaiah 30:3)
…princes or leaders - receive no lasting help, relief, safety, or deliverance (Psalm 146:3).

On the other hand, the Word of God does tell us where to place our trust.

Micah 7:7 says - “…I will look unto the LORD…”
Psalm 62:8 says - “Trust in Him at all times…”
Proverbs 3:5 says - “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart…”

When we trust in the Lord, the Bible says that -
…we are blessed (Psalm 40:4; Jeremiah 17:7)
…God fights our battles (2 Chronicles 32:8]
…He saves and delivers us from our persecutors (Psalm 7:1)
…We are not afraid of evil tidings when they come (Psalm 112:7)
…We live in safety (Proverbs 29:25)
…We are as Mount Zion - solid, sturdy, and immovable in our faith (Psalm 125:1).

The Bible admits that it is better to put our confidence in the Lord than in man or even princes (Psalm 118:8-9).

Psalm 60:11 explains why - “for vain is the help of man.”

If we have not learned it yet, we will eventually come to the conclusion that man’s help is generally ineffectual, to no purpose, empty, and worthless.
“…Safety is of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31).
“…Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9).
Victory comes “through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Isaiah 2:22 admonishes us to - “Cease ye from man…”
Our opening Scripture commands - “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”
On the contrary, Hebrews 13:6 says - “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

There is no help in man. His efforts are simply worthless or vain.
The Lord is the one and only confidence of His people (Proverbs 3:26).
In fact, He is the “confidence of all the ends of the earth” (Psalm 65:5).

Do you honestly believe that?

Then prove it by turning completely from the “arm of flesh” and totally trusting in the Lord Jesus today.

Chapter 20

God Is Love And A Redeemer

"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him." (Psalm 91:14-15)

The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

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

Those who believe that sickness, diseases, poverty or lack is the will of God for their lives don’t understand or know God at all for God is not only love but a Redeemer and Giver. As a result He loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The reason perfect love casts out all fear because God is good and He demonstrates by His acts. The bible tells us:

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. "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 16:12-15

" For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.." Colossians 1:9-14

When a man falls in love with a woman and marries her, he gives her not only his name but access to all that he is and has and the same with God. Though Christ God has redeemed us from the curse of the law, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us by faith. All that belongs to God now belongs to us who walk in love and are in Christ. As a result we have been delivered from the power of darkness, and had been translated into the kingdom of his dear Son, can wake up to the abundance of heaven that's been made ours through Jesus. Wake up to the fact that we've been translated out of a world of poverty into a kingdom of abundance. We, the blessed ones, can rejoice for heaven's unlimited resources have been made available to us! God’s word is unchanging:

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

Whether we chose to partake of them or not, all of God’s benefits are ours. All of them including salvation, forgiveness, healing, redemption, loving kindness, tender mercies, power, might, wisdom, fruits of the spirit, gifts of the Spirit, other good things, physical renewal and justice are ours for us to have and enjoy! The Lord desires to fill us with His wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). When we receive the Lord, we receive His treasures that are in Him. But Satan is constantly at work trying to blind our eyes from receiving the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives. “Whose (people) minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). But the Lord says that when we ask Him to come into our lives, He will come in and transform us into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Bible says in 1 John 4:17, “as He is, so are we in this world.” The Lord desires to transform us into His image full of wisdom and understanding. The devil tries his best to destroy us through the lust of eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life that we may not receive Him (1 John 2:16). But when we seek the Lord, He will transform us into His own image.

When Lord Jesus Christ was in this world, He was full of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel was upon Him, and the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). He was able to overcome the temptations of the devil easily and lived a victorious life in this world. Further, the Bible says that the fear of the Lord was the key to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in His life (Isaiah 33:6). So, we must not only invite Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts, walk in the fear of the Lord, but be full of wisdom and understanding then we shall live a blessed life in this world.

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. God’s word is true:

"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; 4:19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." Luke 4:18-19.

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:

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."

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

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

Chapter 21

My Cup Runs Over

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:31-36

Those who are Christians abide in God’s Word and they know what God in Christ has wrought for them. They enjoy and walk in what God through the Word and the Spirit has wrought in them. They know what they are to the Father in Christ and what power and authority they have in Christ including the power of their words. They confess the Lordship of Jesus and that they have become the righteousness of God and are saved. God’s word is unchanging:

You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. Job 22:28

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." Matthew 21:18-22

Yes, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will say to a mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive because you know who you are in Christ, a son of god. Yes, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). He is a new creation created in Christ Jesus with the life of God, the nature of God, and the ability of God in him. In Christ we have our redemption through His blood, the remission of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence. (Ephesians 1:7-8).

Satan’s dominion has been broken. He lost his dominion over our life the moment we became a new creation. We received a new Lord, Jesus Christ, to reign over us. Satan’s dominion ended and Jesus’ dominion began. Disease and sickness can no longer lord it over us. The old habits can no longer lord it over us. We are a new creation created in Christ. Yes, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. God’s word is unchanging:

"But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Isaiah 41:8-13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We have not only God’s life in us and the great Holy Spirit who rose up Jesus from the dead in us to give us wisdom, discernment, knowledge, understanding and power but we have the use of Jesus' name. Jesus has given to us a legal right to use it. Hence whatever we ask of the Father in His Name, He gives to us. He has given to us the power of attorney. And we can use that that power to help men. We can let Jesus working His own work through us and live His own life in us. Our hands and mouths s become the medium through which His life pours out through us. Our words are His words. His words ‘broke the power of death, of demons, and healed the sick. They do the same things in our lips. God’s word is unchanging:

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

Chapter 22

The Big Deception

Mark 16:15-17 He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.

What some call “Pentecostal religion” is the fastest-growing segment of worldwide Christianity today. The Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements were major religious events in the 20th century. Some researchers estimate that the Pentecostal Church today, in its varied expressions worldwide, is second only to the Roman Catholic Church in numbers of professing Christian. Pastor Jim Feeney http://www.jimfeeney.org/

However there are serious errors and deceptions in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements that cause many sincere wonderful Christians to be deceived.

Historically, speaking in a tongue (glossolalia) by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was common among Christians in the first-century Church, then seemed to fade out gradually in succeeding centuries. In the very early twentieth century there came a resurgence of this biblical practice, most notably in Topeka, Kansas, and in revival meetings on Azusa Street in Los Angeles.

From those and other places of spiritual renewal came many of today’s leading Pentecostal denominations. Subsequent movements in which speaking in tongues was a prominent feature included the Latter Rain revival, the mid-20th-century healing ministries, the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship, and the Charismatic Renewal. In this latter movement especially, the biblical doctrine of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, spread broadly into both the Roman Catholic Church and many Protestant denominations.

By the early 21st century, speaking in tongues (the theological term is glossolalia) — that is, languages unknown to the speaker, given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit — had become broadly if not universally accepted within worldwide Christianity. Many portions of the worldwide Church today have once again come to embrace one of the historical ancient landmarks of the Church that Jesus created.

The verses above are an excerpt of Mark’s account of Jesus’ Great Commission. It was Jesus Himself who initiated the subject of speaking in tongues in the New Testament. He said that it would be a “sign” that would accompany believers as they went into all the world and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Jim Feeney http://www.jimfeeney.org/ believes we should encourage speaking in tongues today, in the 21st century because:

• Jesus said that believers would (Mark 16:17).

• Tongues certify and give evidence that the person is baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 11:15-17; 19:1-6).

• Speaking in tongues is a good opportunity to submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading (Acts 2:4).

• Tongues demonstrate the reality of God in the speaker’s life (Acts 11:15-18).

• The baptism with the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues, opens the door to other gifts of the Spirit (Acts 19:2,6).

• Tongues with interpretation are “for the [church’s] common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7, 10).

• Speaking in tongues is speaking to God (1 Corinthians 14:2a).

• Praying in tongues is praying “in” or “with the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-15).

• The speaker in tongues is edified (1 Corinthians 14:4).

• The apostle Paul expressly approved of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5a, 39).

• A tongue followed by an interpretation edifies the church (1 Corinthians 14:5, 12-13).

• Tongues allow us a balanced prayer and worship life, both with the spirit and with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).

• When speaking in tongues, you may be giving thanks well to God (1 Corinthians 14:16-17).

• Speaking in tongues was apostolic practice (1 Corinthians 14:18 and at Pentecost).

• Tongues with interpretation are an appropriate, strengthening part of an edifying church service (1 Corinthians 14:26). s there has been increasing interest in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues, divine healing, prophecy, and the ministries of Christian prophets and modern-day apostles.

Speaking in tongues? Prophecies? Healings? Discerning of spirits? These and other supernatural signs and spiritual gifts were commonplace occurrences in the early Church and should be expected in our churches today as well as all the nine gifts of the Spirit outlined in 1 Corinthians 12. Healing is a valid and very important part Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements:

God’s heart is for healing. It is a “benefit,” as is the forgiveness of sins, that Jesus secured with His death, burial, and resurrection (Psalm 103:2-3). It is a historical "ancient landmark" of both the Old and New Testaments.

Jesus healed again and again while He walked the earth. And He remains “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus heals today!

Biblical healing methods vary, and they include healing prayer, the laying on of hands, the spoken word, and anointing with oil by praying elders, among others.

Jesus has entrusted the healing ministry to His Church. The first apostles healed the sick. So did a large group of disciples. In the Great Commission, Jesus encouraged all believers to lay hands on the sick for healing. And there will be some in the churches whom the Holy Spirit will endow with specific “gifts of healing.”

Exodus 15:26 I am the Lord, who heals you.

Psalms 103:1-3 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

However in many charismatic churches there have entered things that are not of God including

1) praise and worship dance in our church.

2) “holy laughter” and “falling out” (or being “slain in the Spirit”)

3) False prophecies that come from the flesh not the Spirit

According to Pastor Jim Feeney Praise and worship dance is not to be practiced in the church because:

1. The New Testament does not teach worship dance.

2. Jesus and the apostles are not recorded as ever dancing or encouraging it. It would be a major oversight on the part of God to leave out of all 27 New Testament books such a key end-time truth (as praise dance is considered by some to be) while including extensive New Testament instruction concerning other key truths.

3. Jesus spoke of a transition of worship from the physical and even geographical basis to worship in spirit and in truth.

4. Dancing is a stumbling block to many people. It should not be introduced into the church where we, unlike Israel of old, are trying to graft people in and assist them in serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. It is very difficult to dance modestly. I have been in churches where people dance by jumping up and down vertically. This is conducive to immodesty, and especially so among women. That reason alone should bring great inhibition to dancing in church. It suggests, perhaps, a reason why the women of Israel often drew apart from the men when they danced.

6. Many valid Old Testament truths are not carried over to or validly practiced in the New Testament.

7. There is no indication in Scripture that the people of God will dance before the Lord in heaven. I draw that conclusion from Scriptural silence, which is not always an infallible principle for biblical interpretation. However, the silence in this case is quite extensive and persuasive. Many scenes of heavenly worship are included in the Bible, especially in the Revelation, and they include many illustrations of the redeemed worshiping God in many ways. But they include no instances or references to praise dancing in those worship contexts.

8. The prevailing sweep of the Bible is from the natural to the spiritual.

9. That which we validly receive as present-day restoration of lost truth may have Old Testament roots, but it also must have clear New Testament revelation. Dancing as worship does not meet this requirement.

http://www.jimfeeney.org/dancingasworship.html

Holy laughter, “falling out,” and being “slain in the Spirit” is a very controversial thing in many Pentecostal Charismatic churches with many counterfeits where people are out of control contrary to the fact that one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:23). The gospel tells of the signs and wonders that Jesus did to conform the Word of God were :

• Healing the sick

• Raising the dead

• Cleansing the lepers

• Casting out demons

• Multiplying the loaves and fish, and so forth

And much of what is going on in the Laughing/Falling Revival is:

1. Unrestrained emotionalism

2. Learned responses, often manipulated by the speaker

3. An increasing element of the demonic

Pastor Gordon Williams has stated about the real “slain in the spirit”:

Like a lot of things that are counterfeited all of the above have theirs. Years ago, I searched the Scriptures in order to see if there were legitimate experiences as these. For the “slain in the spirit” or falling down under the power of the Holy Spirit, I had to find the references by going through the Hebrew and Greek Concordances and discovered there were something like 42 references about people being caused to fall down as the result of the Holy Spirit. In the English translations it is easy to mistake the verses where people cause themselves to fall down before the Lord and not see the differences. The most obvious one i found in Isaiah 28: 10 – 13. People have been misled to think that falling down is necessary so they can spend floor time with the Spirit and so they cause themselves to fall down.

Legitimately, when people are caused to fall down by the Holy Spirit, it is the gift of miracles or properly translated, the gift of energizing power in action. The result will be a “miracle” such as salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or healing or some need will be met. None of this happens when a counterfeit is caused. As I told one woman who got hurt when she let herself fall down, in boxing if a boxer takes a fall, he is cheating and loses the fight and will lose his license to box.

The legitimate results of the work of the Holy Spirit are as laughter which expresses the joy of the Lord. Tongues is not unrestrained emotionalism. But, a legitimate language which is used in personal prayer and to give messages which must be interpreted. People, who have never received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, mistakenly think that tongues is unrestrained emotionalism or ecstatic utterances which outside of the believers control which is not the case at all. Being drunk in the Spirit actually describes the fact that when a person who has legitimately fallen down under the power of the Holy Spirit attempts to stand up before the Holy Spirit has completed the work that He is doing, such as healing, the person will appear to be temporarily disoriented until the Holy Spirit has completed the healing.

On the Day of Pentecost, the believers were thought to be intoxicated, drunk, because they were witnessing about Jesus in different languages (tongues) about “the mighty works of God” (Acts 2: 11). With every legitimate move of the Holy Spirit, historically speaking, there was and is those people who develop counterfeits. These counterfeits are the result of people who are wrong because they know “neither the Scripture nor the power of God” (Matt. 22: 29).

When there is lack of leadership on the part of the pastors, evangelists, teachers, prophets, apostles, the enemy easily does their counterfeits. Nicodemus identified Jesus as “a teacher come from God; for no man can do these signs that thou doest except God be with him” (Jn. 3: 2), he did not use the Greek word for miracles as translated in many translations but what Jesus described in Mark 16: 17 – 18 was the Greek word for “signs”: casting out demons, speaking in new languages, protection (take up serpents & drink any deadly thing) while doing ministry and to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. The Greek word means “signs of authenticity” or what identifies an authentic believer. Any of us who know the Scriptures and the power of God easily recognize the counterfeits which comes from using and encouraging the proper use of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those who know the Scriptures well enough are able separate the real work of the Holy Spirit from the counterfeits.

The Holy Spirit often causes people to temporarily shake and temporarily laugh until He has effectively made a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5: 17). We have to look at the final results when people have been Baptized with the Holy Spirit and that is seen in the character of Jesus that has been developed in what Paul calls the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5: 22 – 23). And Paul describes should be happening in worship services (1 Cor. 14: 22f.) where the believers are allowed to use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the meetings. If not, then his meetings are not being done, “”decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14: 40).

Chapter 22

The Riches Of Christ

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

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Ephesians 3:8-12

Man seems to judge all things by his own resource and inadequacies rather than by God’s unlimited resources and adequacies and the fact that God can do what is impossible with man even in the current time of life! And the fact remains that God desires that that we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 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 (Ephesians 4:13-15). And it’s not the gale but the sail that determines the direction of a ship. So similarly our faith determines what God can do and what we will receive from God even in the current time of life. God’s word is unchanging:

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

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

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. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Hebrews 11:30-35

Through faith in God the impossible becomes possible, poverty becomes prosperity, sickness becomes health, defeat becomes victory, and so on! The blood of Jesus will never lose its power, and no power is greater than the power in the blood. The divine blood of Jesus is able to save to the uttermost. His blood saves, heals and delivers. Through His blood we have been made nigh to God, and we can have heaven’s divine help at all times. We are blessed to have the precious blood of Jesus applied to our hearts. Without that blood there is no forgiveness of sins or newness of life. There is miracle-working power in the blood! His blood was not shed in vain, and we can have Calvary’s benefits all the days of our life. We can look to Him in faith and expect miracles for our loved ones and ourselves for we are made in the image of God. God’s word is true:

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

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:7-8

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

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

The bible tells us that faith is not a set of religious beliefs but the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (Hebrews 11:1-3). True faith accomplishes things. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens (Hebrews 11:30-34).

Yes, faith in God produces positive results. In Lystra, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked a certain man without strength in his feet, was sitting and Paul observed that he had faith to be healed. So Paul with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. It was said of Stephen, And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). It was said of Barnabas, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord (Acts 11:24). But unfortunately this cannot be said of most Christians that they are full of the Holy Spirit, full of faith and power? Probably because they have grieved the Holy Spirit, have delegated Him to some dark obscure room in their house of clay and have designated faith to be some set of religious beliefs including that God doesn’t heal today and tongues are off the devil? They are not full of the Holy Spirit but full of unbelief and demons! It’s amazing what Christians define faith to be but it’s obvious that they don’t have the real thing or they would be more like Stephen, Philip or Barnabas. Yes, God’s word is unchanging:

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

Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?- Galatians 3:5

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

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

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Since they have presented their body to God, for it is the temple of the HOLY GHOST and not their own, they can make a demand on their body in Jesus name to release the right chemicals, to be in perfect chemical balance and their pancreas to secrete the proper amount of insulin for life and health (1 Corinthians. 6:19.). Through the Word, God has imparted His life to them and they can speak life to restore their body for it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. (John 6:63; Mark 11:23). Because their heart beats with the rhythm of life, carrying the Life of God throughout their body they can decree LIFE AND HEALTH ABUNDANTLY (John 17:23, Ephesians 2:22, Ex. 23:25; Mark 11:23). They can command in Jesus name all blood cells to destroy every disease, germ and virus that tries to inhabit their' body. They can command in Jesus name every cell of my body to be normal (Romans 5:17; Luke 17:6.). In other words they can command divine health and life for God’s word is unchanging:

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

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

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

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

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

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

They can speak to Satan in the authority of Jesus' Name and say to all his principalities and powers, his master spirits that rule this present darkness, and his spiritual wickedness in high places they are all totally and completely bound here as they are already bound in Heaven. They are loosed from all his power according to Colossians 1:13, as God has delivered them from the power of darkness and has conveyed them into the kingdom of the Son of His love, which is above every thrones or dominions or principalities or power, past, present or future. They can tell Satan that he has no authority to operate against their family and them in this or any realm for they are the property of Almighty God and that He lives within them. He who is in them is greater than he that is in the world as 1 John 4:4 declares. And finally because they diligently obey the voice of the LORD their God, to observe carefully all His commandments which He has commanded them, all the blessings God had spoken to Moses shall come upon them and overtake them and they will be blessed and prospered in all things because God’s words says so. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) His word is true:

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

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

Chapter 24

Jesus Was Manifested To Destroy

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 1 John 3:7-12

God is a God of abundance, plenty and wholeness and not of lack, poverty, sickness, disease and trouble! All the negative things in life come as a result of sin in the Garden of Evil and the works of the devil which Jesus came to destroy. The blood of Jesus destroys the effects of sin and it makes any person who accepts it and the finished work of the cross of Calvary to be a new creation!

Contrary to the beliefs of many unbelievers the gospel of Jesus Christ has the ability to meet man’s every need spiritual, physical and financial. God plus one is enough to handle and deal with any negative situation in life. And it’s the word of God that establishes truth and not people or negative circumstances and God’s word is unchanging:

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

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

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

It is a fact that Jesus has sent us into the world to live as He lived. Through the new birth, He's enabled us to exchange the sinful nature of Adam for the sinless nature of God. He's given us the ability and the command to live above sin, to live in fellowship with the Father, to preach the gospel, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to cast out demons, and to make disciples.

However many believers limit God without even realizing it by training their eyes on the limited resources of this world rather than the unlimited riches of God's kingdom. Their faith fails when they think of the troubled economy on the earth, of the shortages and scarcity that surrounds them. They wonder, "How is God going to bless me in the middle of all this?" They have failed to realize that he Bible says God has "delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." To be translated means to be taken out of one place and put into another. In other words, they are first and foremost a citizen of the kingdom of God. And this means this planet doesn't have any right to dictate to them whether their needs are met or not for the Bible says God will meet their needs according to His riches in glory! (Philippians 4:19). They can live by heaven's economy, not earth's economy--and in heaven there is always more than enough! God’s word is true:

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. "The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. "Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. Deuteronomy 28:1-10

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 one thing that Jesus had done for us, except to enter into the rest God’s has prepared for us since the foundation of the world by mixing with faith the good news of the gospel (Hebrews 4:1-12).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christ's Righteousness for Our sin

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

Peace with God for Wrath of God

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

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

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

Life for Death

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

The New Man for The Old Man

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

Grace for Law

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

His Strength for Our weakness

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

His Purity for Our Impurity

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

Every Spiritual Blessing for Being His Children

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

God's Power for Weakness and Self strength

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

Wisdom and Redemption for Hopelessness and Despair

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

Good Cheer for Tribulation

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

Victory for Defeat

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

Joy for Sorrow

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

Hope for Despair

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

Fullness for Emptiness

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

Goodness for Evil And Self Control for the Flesh

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

Love for Fear

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

Rest for Busyness

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

Freedom for Bondage

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

Deliverance for Darkness

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

Truth for Lies

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

Riches for Poverty

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

Spiritual mind for Carnal mind

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

Boldness for Fear of Judgment

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

Abundance For Lack

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

Healing for Sickness

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

Chapter 25

According To Your Faith

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:4-6

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13

God is a personal God and friend to all those who trust Him and seek Him and He proved it in the life of David and Jesus by hearing and answering their prayers. The psalmist testified how he sought the LORD, and He heard Him and delivered me from all his fears and out of all his troubles. The bible says of Jesus in Hebrews 5:7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear.

If we're in trouble, we need to pray. That's what the Word says. Notice it didn't say our pastor needs to pray for us or our friends need to pray for us. It says us need to pray. Too often we try to find a quick fix to our problems by asking everyone else to pray for us. There's nothing wrong, of course, with having others pray for us, but we'll never get our life to a place of permanent victory until we begin to pray ourselves. It’s according to our faith that is important and gets us the victory and keeps the victory! As a result the bible records for our profit and instruction about David’s deliverance after he cried unto God:

Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.' When the waves of death surrounded me, The floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry entered His ears. "Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry. Smoke went up from His nostrils, And devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down With darkness under His feet. He rode upon a cherub, and flew; And He was seen upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness canopies around Him, Dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him Coals of fire were kindled. "The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice. He sent out arrows and scattered them; Lightning bolts, and He vanquished them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered, At the rebuke of the LORD, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils. "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. 2 Samuel 2:1-20

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? God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip. "I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. 2 Samuel 31-33

Salvation, healing, deliverance, wholeness, blessings, fullness of God, prosperity and victories are the children’s bread as sons of God bought for them by Jesus on Calvary. They are made real in the current time of life by faith and prayer as testified by Jesus in Matthew 7:7-11 "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! "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!

And we need to hear the voice of God and to obey it as well as God’s word about wisdom:

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 along 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).

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.

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

Chapter 26

Pursue The Enemy

So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all." 1 Samuel 30”8

I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. I have wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. Psalm 18:37-38

Many of God’s people are standing around doing nothing waiting on God to move for them, while God is waiting for them to do something including putting that devil under their feet! Jesus has already given them all the power and authority they need to do it. He's given them the keys of the kingdom. He's promised them that whatever their declare bound on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever they loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matt. 16:19). That means they can speak the Word and bind wicked spirits. They can also speak the Word and loose the angelic forces of God to work in their behalf. What's more, they have been given the power of attorney that enables them to use the mighty Name of Jesus. A Name that's above every other name. A Name which will cause every knee to bow--in heaven, in earth, and under the earth! (Phil. 2:9-10).

So instead of worrying about the devil or their enemies they must take authority over them. They must bind the evil spirits that try to destroy their home, their business, their church, and their nation. They are to loose God's Word in the earth and enforce it with the Name of Jesus. They must possess the land until Jesus comes or they go to heaven. God’s word is true

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. "And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' "He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 'So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 25:14-30

God in Christ Jesus didn’t create looser but victors no matter what their negative circumstances might be! We have many instances in the bible of peiole who in spite of their negative circumstances became victors. The bible records for our profit and instruction:

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." 1 Samuel 14:6

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." 2 Kings 7:3-4

Israel was at war with the Philistines and one day Jonathan the son of King Saul said to young man who was his armor bearer, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison that is on the other side." The bible records:

Then Jonathan said, "Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. "If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. "But if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us."

So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden." Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." Jonathan said to his armorbearer, "Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel." And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land. And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling.

Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there. Then Saul said to the people who were with him, "Now call the roll and see who has gone from us." And when they had called the roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. And Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here" (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel). Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven. 1 Samuel 14:8-23

Yes God plus one trusting man of God is a majority is a majority in any conflict and God has promised to give the victory (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). God is not a God of science, reasoning, logic, fear and common sense. He is a God of faith and He supports and loves those who do things by faith and trust in Him just like Jonathan did which went against every conventional wisdom concerning doing battle with the enemy! And as a result the LORD through Jonathan saved Israel that day and He can and will do the same for His trusting ones for the battle is the LORD’s! God is a faith God and He honors faith and trust in Him. God’s word is true:

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. "Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S, and He will give you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45-47

David was also greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God and inquired of the LORD Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.

And because David heard from the LORD He pursued and recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.

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

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

Now skeptics and scoffers don’t believe that faith in God will open up windows in heaven and as a result they don’t see the impossible. But the bible has many examples of what expectantly waiting on the Lord and 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:

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 27

That Your Faith Should Not Fail

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. John 5:14-15

In Christendom there are those who like to blame everything wrong in the lives and around them on the devil and others want to blame everything on the flesh and the works of the flesh. Mind you God’s word tells us if we live and walk in the Spirit we will conquer all the works of the flesh which are also inspired by the devil! God’s word tells us:

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 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. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:13-25

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that you can be influenced by the flesh, by God or by the devil for the things that you do or don’t do. The devil does exploit our evil passions and strengthen our sinful tendencies and desires, nevertheless because of our inherently sinful nature we mostly commit sins of our own volition without the direct intervention of Satan and his demons.

Prof. Johan Malan, University of the North, South Africa Religious in his article “Spiritual Warfare” (http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Spiritualwar.htm ) states:

The devil tempts people to commit moral sins by enticing them through their unregenerate nature and fleshly lusts. Due to the fallen nature of humanity, the result of our first parents being deceived by the devil, “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9) and is inclined towards sinning. The following are examples of some of the sins which Satan may tempt our unregenerate, fallen nature to succumb to: narcissism, pride, love of money, stealing, bribery, fornication, lying, unfaithfulness, evil desires, gluttony, covetousness, adultery, slander, anger, wrath, filthy language.

A prayerful and holy life surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ is needed to overcome these and other temptations: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:41).

True dedication to the Lord demands the surrender of the old, sinful nature (the flesh) to be crucified and ever to be kept in that position: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23). That was Paul’s way of living: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14); hence his advice to the Ephesians: “...that ye put off concerning the former [conduct] 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” (Eph. 4:22-24).

Do not yield to temptations, but submit yourself to the Lord and resist the devil. The Lord Jesus will understand your problem, and is also able to help you because He Himself experienced and overcame temptations: “For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to [rescue] them who are tempted… For we have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 2:18; 4:15-16).

It is sad but many professing Christians live fleshly lives that are not crucified to sin (Lk. 9:23; Gal. 6:14). They do not heed the commands to holiness in 2 Corinthians 7:1, Galatians 5:16 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. They don’t understand their dependence on the Holy Spirit for sanctification and putting off the old man and putting on the new man. As a result some Christians try to work things out in their own strength and others just give up trying! But God’s word is unchanging:

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

Prof. Johan Malan (http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Deception.htm in his article Religious Deception also talks about the “Rejection of the doctrine of sanctification” and states:

During the revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries there was great emphasis on sanctification (being set apart to God as holy) as a second work of grace after conversion. Paul said: “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification… He… that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thes. 4:3,8). Believers who accept this teaching in faith have a new encounter with God, which may also be described as “being filled with the Holy Spirit”. In this way, lukewarm, powerless, carnal (fleshly), worldly-minded Christians who neglect prayer are able, by a gradual process, to grow spiritually. They do not reach perfection overnight but slowly become spiritually stronger to gain victory over temptation and fleshly desires, to devote themselves wholeheartedly to serving the Lord Jesus in His church and for the extension of His kingdom by evangelism.

If the doctrine of sanctification is rejected or neglected there will be little or no spiritual growth among believers. They are likely to remain spiritually immature infants in their Christian lives, “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the [trickery] of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph 4:14). The only escape from this stunted condition will be to surrender their old unregenerate nature to be crucified and to ask the Lord Jesus to fill them with His Holy Spirit. Only if they are under sound preaching, urging the need for repentance, is there any hope of spiritual growth. It was due to his great concern about their spiritual stagnation that Paul wrote rather reproachfully to the Hebrew believers: “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” (Heb 5:12-14 NKJV).

Believers who do not live holy lives tend to be worldly and prone to sinful thoughts and selfish, materialistic desires. They lack spiritual discernment and often fail to distinguish between truth and deception. They easily fall prey to various errors, such as charismatic theology with its emphasis on extra-biblical experiences, strange manifestations, signs and wonders, hypnotic, pop-style music and exhibitionism.

True spiritual discernment comes not only from the Word of God but from the Holy Spirit who has been given to us to be another Helper, the Spirit of truth, (JN 14:16-17), teacher, and reminder (JN 14:26). The Holy Spirit is part of the God head and is a real person who is not to be ignored or grieved by Christians (Ephesians 4:30). Everything that is taught by men concerning so called truth or the word of God is to be checked with the Holy Spirit for His verification especially as there are many liars, deceivers and even another Jesus and another spirit.

Prof. Johan Malan (http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Deception.htm in his article Religious Deception states

The Living Bible paraphrases these two verses as follows: “But the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some in the church will turn away from Christ and become eager followers of teachers with devil-inspired ideas. These teachers will tell lies with straight faces and do it so often that their consciences will not even bother them.”

To be able to clearly distinguish between the Holy Spirit and another spirit that impersonates the Holy Spirit, the following comparison may be helpful:

ANOTHER SPIRIT

The presence, power and gifts of this spirit become the dominating reality in life, while Jesus is subtly moved to the background.

He instills nice and relaxed feelings in you so that you forget all your problems and sins.

He convinces you through your supernatural gifts and experiences such as falling and laughing in the spirit that God is with you.

He uses people to instill ideas and suggestions in you that are supposedly from God, but are not in fact from Him.

He uses so-called ‘prophets’ as human mediators to convey messages to you about what God wants you to do. He also majors on extra-biblical revelations from God through dreams and visions.

He manifests his presence by way of sensual experiences such as ecstatic thrills, shivers in your body, a tingling in your skin, or a power that causes you to levitate or to be pushed down on the floor.

He removes guilt complexes on his own authority, without specific reference to the cross, and surrounds you with light and joy. You are ever dependent upon him.

By your supernatural experiences he makes you think you are born again, but he cannot regenerate your heart. He only manipulates your feelings and creates false impressions in your mind.

He does not convict of sin, and has no problems to live with lies, deceit, distorted versions of the truth, and moral laxity. He gives to people the false hope that they are saved and will go to heaven.

He does not make an issue of your sins. He ignores them and instead makes you feel guilty about things that are not sins. If you are a true believer he will accuse you of being critical of other believers and devoid of love.

He guides you through a process of inner healing to a spiritual reprogramming of your life in which the scars of the past, and even from before your birth, are put right by self-healing, positive confession and hypnotic regression.

He gives people an entirely new self-image, tending to pride, even arrogance. Their main purpose in life becomes a quest for new and more powerful spiritual gifts and attending exciting services where signs, healings, miracles and new revelations are experienced, also inviting others to such meetings.

An alien spirit produces a show of power to influence people and create the impression that they are in the presence of the Lord. Because people want to experience this power in their lives, they readily open themselves up to it. Without it they feel empty.

He teaches people to meditate. They switch over to their ‘right-brain’ to have mystical experiences and to hear strange voices. They empty their minds and withdraw themselves from reality to descend to the deeper levels of their subconscious mind which is ‘the world of the spirit’.

The emotions of people are manipulated by an alien spirit and they act like hypnotised captives. They may fall down, laugh, roar, bleat, howl or bark without knowing why they do so. The spirit of delusion gains authority over them.

He commands you and demands certain actions through prophecies uttered by other people. Driven by fear of disobedience to the prophet of God, you ignore your conscience by obeying a false prophecy.

You feel compelled to invite other people to meetings where events of false revival occur. There they can see exciting manifestations, experience healing, witness miracles, become drunk, laugh, dance, fall, prophesy and make animal noises in the ‘spirit’. You become critical and hostile towards all who react negatively to the modern revival movement. You are unaware that you are being deceived due to your mind being blinded and your emotions and senses being manipulated.

The leader of your worship group or church becomes a cult leader who prescribes your decisions and actions. You must obey him.

You receive gifts such as prophecy, healing, tongues, astral travel and clairvoyance. Spurious signs such as gold-dust appearing to fall on people, and other weird phenomena, may be the work of seducing spirits and consequently are false and occult in origin.

He tells you that you are a king already, who has dominion on earth and can claim and demand anything you like. You do not have to suffer poverty, disease, or other afflictions, and can change anything through positive confession. You are in command of your life

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself but reminds us of the words of Jesus and makes Him a reality in our lives.

He convicts you of your sin so that you may understand the real causes of your problems.

He convinces you of God’s righteousness as revealed through the perfect life and atonement of the Lord Jesus on the cross.

He convicts you in your spirit and reveals the condition of your heart and life to you in the way in which God sees it.

He speaks to you through the Word of God which is spirit and life, and reveals eternal truths to you. The Bible, as the Word of God, becomes more precious to you as you grow in grace.

He is primarily working on the level of your spirit to quicken your spirit in a quiet way that you may awake spiritually to hear the calling of God and put your trust in Him for salvation.

He leads you to the cross of Jesus where your burdens are lifted and where you are cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

If you act upon the Spirit’s conviction of sin and on the basis of Christ’s saving work, repent and get right with God, the Holy Spirit regenerates you into a new person who walks in newness of life.

He keeps on convicting you of sin that you may be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, live a holy life, walk in the light of God’s presence, and be very sensitive to sin and deception.

He is grieved by lukewarm, unfaithful believers who too easily yield to temptation and fall into various sins and lusts. He convicts you of sins so that you confess and forsake them, and recommit yourself to the Lord.

He leads you to search your heart, confess and abandon all sin, and to trust God for a pure heart. Cleansing by the blood of the Lamb and being filled with the Holy Spirit is God’s way to enable us to a life of victory.

He makes you conscious of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the only One who can guide your life. The Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of Christ who makes Him a reality in your life.

When He fills people they become holy, humble and willing to serve God. They are available to Him for any service, including evangelising a lost world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. They do not exalt themselves but live and give sacrificially in the cause of Christ and for His church.

The presence of the Holy Spirit can clearly be discerned where He is working and Jesus Christ is exalted. It occurs on a spiritual level and induces people to humble and submit themselves to the Lord. The peace and joy of the Lord fills their hearts.

He teaches you to pray. He helps our infirmities and intercedes for us. He gives us enlightened eyes of the mind that we may understand the things of God, and be able to pray intelligently. He helps us to gird up the loins of our mind and to be alert, sober and vigilant.

He controls the emotions and decisions of believers by enabling and empowering their regenerated heart and spirit. He works in their heart to produce His fruit of self-control, love, joy, peace, faith and goodness.

He guides you by God’s Word, the Bible, and through your conscience that warns you when you do something wrong. He gives you insight to know the will of God and the power to do it.

You are commanded to lead people to Christ where they can obtain mercy and the forgiveness of all their sins. It does not matter by which evil forces they are bound, Jesus is the Saviour of their souls and He is able to completely set them free from their bondage. Through the blood of the Lamb the hearts of sinners are cleansed and the power of the devil broken. They do not need human mediators to declare them sanctified by virtue of miracles.

The Spirit of the Lord Jesus is the One who guides you. You are faithful to Him and make yourself available to Him.

Spiritual gifts are given to you to increase your usefulness in the service of the Lord. Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit you can be a witness for Jesus, also minister encouragement to other believers as a good steward of the manifold grace of God.

The Holy Spirit makes you a servant of Christ, a soldier of the cross and a stranger in a world that lies in the sway of the wicked one. The authority for your actions is vested in God’s Word. When Jesus comes as King, you will reign with Him.

Chapter 28

"Peace, Be Still!"

When I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!' Psalm 38:11

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. Mark 4:35-39

The worldly life is an evil one. It is full of troubles and sufferings. Yet, those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10). The good news is that God has the power to say to the waves, “This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!” (Job 38:11). What He speaks will be done. What He commands will stand fast (Psalm 33:9). In our life also, afflictions and problems may rise like the waves of the sea. Storms may lash and waves may strike. But, we are never to lose heart. Our Lord rules over the raging of the sea and stills its rising waves (Psalm 89:9). We are to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ at all times. Just as He delivered Job from his many afflictions, the Lord will deliver us from our afflictions. Peace and joy shall abound in our life.

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

Because of Jesus, in all our trials and struggles, we can be more than conquerors through the Lord Who died on the cross to save us from the schemes of the devil and his wicked people (Romans 8:36, 37). God’s word is true:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. Psalm 121:1-8

Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He has mercy on us. Psalm 123:1-2

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

The word of God is clear that we walk by faith in God and His word rather than by sight. We believe what God’s word says rather than what the enemy, the world and negative circumstances say. And God’s word also tells us that God hears and answers our prayer because salvation, healing, deliverance, prosperity, victory and good things are His will. God’s word is unchanging:

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

God wants us well! He wants us healthy and strong in every single area of our life. He wants us to be spiritually strong. Strong in faith. Strong in the Word. Strong in redemption. Strong in the love of God. He wants us to be well in our mind, to be strong and stable emotionally. He wants us to have a healthy will, a will that's aligned with His will. He wants our body to be well. He wants us free from the bondages of pain, sickness, and care. Free from the worries and woes of this earthly life. Our heavenly Father wants us well! By faith we are to receive Jesus' healing power in every area of our life and resist all negative things including the devil. We are to commit ourselves to getting well and growing strong in every area of our life! We are to ask and expect nothing but the best from God in all things for He loves us and wants the best for us including total liberty. God’s word is true:

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. "Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:14-17

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:7-14

Because we have this treasure in earthen vessels, excellence of the power may be of God and not of us we don’t give up or quit no matter even if we are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. . And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

During the time of Isaac, the economy was in total devastation. There was a famine in the land. But Isaac sowed in this time of famine and became so prosperous that he was envied by the Philistines. The Bible tells us that he harvested a hundredfold even though his sowing was done during a time of economic crisis. (Genesis 26)

During the Great Depression of the 1930's countless people lost their life savings. But what has often gone unreported is this. Many millionaires were made at the same time. There is no less or no more wealth in the earth today than there was a year ago. It's only in different places.

The difference between Isaac and the others of his day is that he would not allow the conditions of the world to affect his determination to sow and even though there was poverty all around him, he became exceedingly wealthy because he did not abandon the principle of sowing and reaping.

As believers in these last days, we must be examples. Instead of drawing back because things look bad, we must continue in faith and cast all of our fear and anxiety upon Him. The result will be great victory and increase when it looks like failure.

When our back is against the wall and it looks like imminent defeat, God has a better plan. It's called imminent victory.

The Bible tells a story about a young man named Daniel. Daniel was taken as a slave into a foreign land. He was in completely new surroundings and was told that he could not follow any of the traditions of his homeland. Things looked bad.

But God prospered Daniel anyway. The Bible tells us in Daniel 6:28, “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”

Daniel prospered in spite of his surroundings. In fact, he prospered through two kings. One of the kings, King Darius, was so impressed with Daniel that he commanded that the entire kingdom of Babylon must worship the God of Daniel. God prospered Daniel where he was. We are not to limit God. He can prosper us where we are, and according to His Word, He will. His word is unchanging:

And Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near to me." So they came near. Then he said: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. "For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. "And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. "So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Genesis 45:5-8

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20

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

Victory Ministries

Walter Kambulow

June 1, 2008

Burlington, Ontario

Mail to walthope@mail.com

[i] First Word: Last Word Pastor Ken Gott

Great links
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/be-filled-with-all-fullness-of-god.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/power-of-blood.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-things-are-yours.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/be-not-ignorant.html
...http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/called-to-inherit-blessing.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/effective-fervent-prayer.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/who-is-like-god.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/let-god-arise.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/lord-will-hear.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/our-wonderful-redeemer.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/blessed-to-be-blessing.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-time-of-trouble.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/god-hears-and-answers-prayers.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/gods-will-is-healing.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/more-shall-be-given.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/greatest-is-love.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/lord-is-very-compassionate.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-believe-i-receive.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-sufficient-christ.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/is-sola-scriptura-true-and-from-god.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/tongues-is-not-for-believers.html

http://sacred/-truths.blogspot.com/2012/01/by-power-of-holy-spirit.htm
http://postedat.wordpress.com/2011/12/25/the-vanity-of-keeping-the-old-testament-commandments/
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/god-can-speak-directly-to-you.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/money-and-ministry.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/facing-death-and-devil-too.html
http://sacred-truths.blogspot.com/2011/12/about-apostles.html

1 comment:

Hanna Rosin18 April 2020 at 00:28
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Saturday 21 January 2012

The Lord Is Very Compassionate

1 comment: