12-Step Program to Overcome Doubtaholism
By Jennifer LeClaire
Doubt is like a debilitating disease that leaves its victims helpless and hopeless. Find out how to combat doubtaholism.
Doubt is the door-way to unbelief.” When I heard the Holy Spirit speak those words, I began to ponder the danger of doubt. I began to see doubt as more than just a mindset that prevents us from casting the proverbial mountain into the sea. I began to see doubt as a spiritual disease whose goal is to cripple our Christian lives. I dub this disease doubtaholism.
Doubt is a cousin of fear and suspicion that blocks faith and discernment. To doubt is to lack confidence in the Word of God. Doubt is failing to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like alcohol, doubt is a depressant. It damages our heart, lowers our resistance to infection, and leaves us impotent. Just like alcoholism, chronic doubt impairs our learning ability, disorients us, and causes mental confusion.
In Deuteronomy 28:66, we learn that doubt is part of the curse of the law: “Your life shall hang in doubt before you; day and night you shall be worried, and have no assurance of your life.” But Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of the law. The good news is while alcohol withdrawal can causes tremors and convulsions, withdrawing from doubt causes freedom and liberty.
Whether you are a full-blown fretting doubtaholic or merely sip from the cup of cautious hesitation, it’s important to recognize the symptoms of this spiritual state. So let’s take a closer look at doubt as the doorway to unbelief, its symptoms, and the remedy for dealing with doubtaholism. It’s time we see this sinister spirit for what it is and silence its nagging voice so we can walk in peace, faith – and victory.
Doubt is the doorway to unbelief because the skeptic must first question the Source of information before he is finally unwilling to accept the truth. If doubt is dangerous, then unbelief can be deadly. At the very least it can cripple your prayer life. Ponder this: If it only takes faith the size of a grain of mustard seed to move a mountain, then how much doubt does it take to cancel out a prayer? Jesus said, “Only believe.”
Like any disease, doubtaholism manifests in progressive stages. The early symptoms are confusion and inaction. Left unchecked, we move on to fear and anxiety. Finally, we move on to instability, double-mindedness and backtracking that leave us unable to receive the wisdom of God. James, the apostle of practical faith, encourages believers to ask the Lord for direction as needed – in faith, with no wavering, hesitating or doubting. “For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides] (James 1:6-8 AMP).
Does this sound like a person who is walking in victory? But there is hope for those James described in his epistle. There is deliverance from doubtaholism. It begins, continues and ends with the Word of God. God’s Word makes thousands of promises to those who believe. Let’s examine a 12-step program designed for doubtaholics.
1. Admit your problem: The first step to recovering from doubtaholism is to see this debilitating disease for what it really is: sin. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
2. Confess your fault: Healing and deliverance begins with confessing the fault. Once you truly repent, then your effective, fervent prayers will make an impact (James 5:16).
3. Rely on God: Believe that the Lord is faithful and just to forgive you of your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
4. Examine your heart: Search your heart to determine what allowed the doubt and unbelief to enter in the first place (2 Corinthians 13:5).
5. Decide to trust in the Lord: True repentance will bring lasting change as you decide once and for all to trust in the Lord with all your heart instead of trying to figure everything out on your own (Proverbs 3:5).
6. Renew your mind: Renew your mind with Scriptures about trust in the Lord and read passages that demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His servants over the ages (Romans 12:2).
7. Build your faith: Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Don’t just read your Bible. Speak the Scriptures out of your mouth day and night. Then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8).
8. Be a doer of the Word: When we hear the Word and do it, it brings stability to our lives. Jesus said whoever hears His sayings and does them is a wise man (Matthew 7:24).
9. Pray in tongues: You can build yourself up in your most holy faith by praying in tongues. Allowing the Holy Ghost to pray through you will edify your spirit and ensure perfect prayers are being released on your behalf (Jude 1:20).
10. Fight the good fight: Since the battle is in the mind, keeping yourself from returning to the cup of doubt will require you to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). Faith speaks what the Word says even when circumstances defy it.
11. Reject fear: God has not given us a spirit of fear. Fear is the antithesis of faith. When you feel fear begin to grip you, remember that God has given you a spirit of power, love and a sound mind and perfect love casts out fear (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18).
12. Resist the devil: Now that you’ve submitted yourself to God, resist that old doubtful devil whenever he rears his ugly head and he will flee from you (James 4:7). When doubt comes, say “I resist you doubt. I choose rather to believe the Word of God.” And tell the devil, “It is written…”
If doubt is the doorway to unbelief, then faith is the doorway to God’s promises. Choose the ever living water of faith over the tumbler of doubt and receive everything God has planned for your life – no doubt about it!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Great Change Is Coming
WORD given to Billye Brimm
“It will come. You will see. You are the generation that will see the great manifestation of Me. Continue in unity. Continue to cry. The coming of the Lord is very nigh. And ‘ere He comes to take you away, you will see an awakening in your very own day. You are now where you should be now, but there is a further work to be done in you. Do not shirk to obey the Spirit’s leading. Do not shirk to obey. Keep proceeding. Pray every day. Pray without ceasing. Pray as you walk about. Pray as you sing and shout.
I will touch your prayers and you will be more conscious of their doing good than you have been before. You will be more conscious even in your mind that the prayers are finding My ear in another realm and you will begin to walk there with Me individually. You will begin to talk there with Me individually.
Great change is coming to My Body. It has to do with My presence in My Body. The glory of the Lord that is within you shall increase degree by degree, but it is increasing in relative response to Me. I am your source and you rely on Me. I could not allow you to think that a leader on earth was the answer. I could not allow you to think that men can give what none can give but Me.
For the hour is late. Even on the horizon My kingdom comes. Even on the horizon you move into the next day and ‘ere you do I call My saints away.
You must give attention only to Me and mention My Name oft that you might see the glory that is inherent there. Mention My Name oft in prayer, oft as you meet together to pray. And you will meet more and more. You will, in your places of gathering, when you walk in the door, sense such a degree of the presence of God that you’ll want to come oft to the place. But you shall also sense My presence when you are before My face alone at the throne.
Great, great change has begun and will increase until faith turns to sight and you see the Son.”
“It will come. You will see. You are the generation that will see the great manifestation of Me. Continue in unity. Continue to cry. The coming of the Lord is very nigh. And ‘ere He comes to take you away, you will see an awakening in your very own day. You are now where you should be now, but there is a further work to be done in you. Do not shirk to obey the Spirit’s leading. Do not shirk to obey. Keep proceeding. Pray every day. Pray without ceasing. Pray as you walk about. Pray as you sing and shout.
I will touch your prayers and you will be more conscious of their doing good than you have been before. You will be more conscious even in your mind that the prayers are finding My ear in another realm and you will begin to walk there with Me individually. You will begin to talk there with Me individually.
Great change is coming to My Body. It has to do with My presence in My Body. The glory of the Lord that is within you shall increase degree by degree, but it is increasing in relative response to Me. I am your source and you rely on Me. I could not allow you to think that a leader on earth was the answer. I could not allow you to think that men can give what none can give but Me.
For the hour is late. Even on the horizon My kingdom comes. Even on the horizon you move into the next day and ‘ere you do I call My saints away.
You must give attention only to Me and mention My Name oft that you might see the glory that is inherent there. Mention My Name oft in prayer, oft as you meet together to pray. And you will meet more and more. You will, in your places of gathering, when you walk in the door, sense such a degree of the presence of God that you’ll want to come oft to the place. But you shall also sense My presence when you are before My face alone at the throne.
Great, great change has begun and will increase until faith turns to sight and you see the Son.”
Thursday, July 2, 2009
God Isn't Our 'Heavenly Butler'
God Isn't Our 'Heavenly Butler'
by Mark Brazee
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17).
Someone once said to me, "You faith people make God sound like a heavenly butler."
I replied, "Let me ask you something. Suppose you meet someone on this earth who has unlimited means. As he gets to know you, this wealthy person decides he likes you, so he goes out and buys twenty years' worth of everything money can buy—cars, homes, everything.
"Then the rich man says to you, 'Now, I've bought everything you could ever want for the next twenty years. If you need it, want it or desire it, just come and knock on the door. I have it in a big warehouse, and it's for you.'
"Now, if you went to the door and said, 'I could sure use such-and-such,' would you be pushing that person around or treating him like a 'butler'? No, you'd be taking him at his word."
You might say, "Well, if God spoke to me like that, I'd believe Him." But He gave you sixty-six books, and in every one of those books He spoke to you! He said, "By Jesus' stripes, you were healed," so healing is yours. He said, "God supplies all your needs," so all your needs are met.
We're not pushing God around. Don't be concerned about that. He's big enough to handle Himself. No one pushes or controls God.
So just take God at His Word and choose to believe that what He has said, He will do.
Confession:
I go to the Word, my spiritual "warehouse,"
and obtain the benefits God has given to me.
I'm blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus,
who paid the price for everything I need. I take God
at His Word and believe healing is mine!
Source: 365 Days of Healing by Mark Brazee
by Mark Brazee
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17).
Someone once said to me, "You faith people make God sound like a heavenly butler."
I replied, "Let me ask you something. Suppose you meet someone on this earth who has unlimited means. As he gets to know you, this wealthy person decides he likes you, so he goes out and buys twenty years' worth of everything money can buy—cars, homes, everything.
"Then the rich man says to you, 'Now, I've bought everything you could ever want for the next twenty years. If you need it, want it or desire it, just come and knock on the door. I have it in a big warehouse, and it's for you.'
"Now, if you went to the door and said, 'I could sure use such-and-such,' would you be pushing that person around or treating him like a 'butler'? No, you'd be taking him at his word."
You might say, "Well, if God spoke to me like that, I'd believe Him." But He gave you sixty-six books, and in every one of those books He spoke to you! He said, "By Jesus' stripes, you were healed," so healing is yours. He said, "God supplies all your needs," so all your needs are met.
We're not pushing God around. Don't be concerned about that. He's big enough to handle Himself. No one pushes or controls God.
So just take God at His Word and choose to believe that what He has said, He will do.
Confession:
I go to the Word, my spiritual "warehouse,"
and obtain the benefits God has given to me.
I'm blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus,
who paid the price for everything I need. I take God
at His Word and believe healing is mine!
Source: 365 Days of Healing by Mark Brazee
The Insanity of Jesus
The Insanity of Jesus
by Jesse Duplantis
http://cfaith.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=715:the-insanity-of-jesus&catid=60:general
by Jesse Duplantis
http://cfaith.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=715:the-insanity-of-jesus&catid=60:general
How To Be Happy
How To Be Happy
by Rodney Howard-Browne
People think money, and the things it can buy, will make them happy. In one study, in another nation, they found out that in fact the more money people had, the less happy they were!
One of the things researchers have discovered is that one of the main sources of happiness is not money, possessions, intelligence, good looks, popularity, climate or health. They found out that the main source of happiness is gratitude! Gratitude is not something found outside of yourself.
Gratitude comes from within. It's not what's in your hands, but what's in your heart. Gratitude is an attitude—an attitude you choose to have and display. Gratitude is a decision—you can choose whether or not to be grateful.
I give thanks to Him Who has granted me [the needed] strength and made me able [for this], Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged and counted me faithful and trustworthy, appointing me to [this stewardship of] the ministry.
(1 Tim. 1:12 AMP)
Even though Paul endured horrific persecution, as well as physical, mental, and emotional challenges, to fulfill the call of God, he remained grateful to the Lord—grateful that He would even count him worthy to be in the ministry. Instead of being mad or complaining—he was thankful!
When he and Silas were arrested, thrown in a dungeon, and tied up in stocks, they chose not take it personally and ask, "Why me Lord?" Rather they chose to rejoice and praise God in the midst of their circumstance. Because they praised instead of complaining, God supernaturally delivered them. Gratitude does not consider the problem—gratitude considers the solution.
Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
(1 Thess. 5:16-18 AMP)
No matter what you are going through, be happy and give thanks to the Lord. It is His will that you would be happy and be thankful. Don't be dominated and defeated by your circumstances. The more you allow your situation to get you down, the more entrenched in the mess you will be.
Start to thank God for the way out; thank Him for the answer; and soon the solution will come and your circumstances will change. Don't talk about your financial lack or how you can't afford what you want and need. Thank God that you are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, and that you will lend to many nations and you will not borrow! Speak your hopes and your faith, not your doubt and unbelief.
Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
(Eph. 5:17-20 AMP)
Understand what God's will is and, at all times and for everything, praise and give thanks to the Father, in the Name of Jesus. Look for reasons to thank God and be thankful. Remind yourself of His blessings and what He has done for you. Don't wait for the pie in the sky before you'll be happy. With the help of the Holy Spirit, start to be happy and to enjoy your life right now.
Deuteronomy 28 says, "All these curses shall come upon you and shall pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. "
If you turn this scripture around, you could read it like this: "I am abundantly blessed, because I serve the Lord my God with joyfulness of mind and heart, in gratitude for the abundance of all with which He has blessed me."
Make a decision to serve the Lord with joyfulness of mind and heart. Make a decision to be grateful not only for what the Lord has already done for you, but also for what He has promised He would do for you, and see what wonderful things will open up in your life!
Revival Ministries International
by Rodney Howard-Browne
People think money, and the things it can buy, will make them happy. In one study, in another nation, they found out that in fact the more money people had, the less happy they were!
One of the things researchers have discovered is that one of the main sources of happiness is not money, possessions, intelligence, good looks, popularity, climate or health. They found out that the main source of happiness is gratitude! Gratitude is not something found outside of yourself.
Gratitude comes from within. It's not what's in your hands, but what's in your heart. Gratitude is an attitude—an attitude you choose to have and display. Gratitude is a decision—you can choose whether or not to be grateful.
I give thanks to Him Who has granted me [the needed] strength and made me able [for this], Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged and counted me faithful and trustworthy, appointing me to [this stewardship of] the ministry.
(1 Tim. 1:12 AMP)
Even though Paul endured horrific persecution, as well as physical, mental, and emotional challenges, to fulfill the call of God, he remained grateful to the Lord—grateful that He would even count him worthy to be in the ministry. Instead of being mad or complaining—he was thankful!
When he and Silas were arrested, thrown in a dungeon, and tied up in stocks, they chose not take it personally and ask, "Why me Lord?" Rather they chose to rejoice and praise God in the midst of their circumstance. Because they praised instead of complaining, God supernaturally delivered them. Gratitude does not consider the problem—gratitude considers the solution.
Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
(1 Thess. 5:16-18 AMP)
No matter what you are going through, be happy and give thanks to the Lord. It is His will that you would be happy and be thankful. Don't be dominated and defeated by your circumstances. The more you allow your situation to get you down, the more entrenched in the mess you will be.
Start to thank God for the way out; thank Him for the answer; and soon the solution will come and your circumstances will change. Don't talk about your financial lack or how you can't afford what you want and need. Thank God that you are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, and that you will lend to many nations and you will not borrow! Speak your hopes and your faith, not your doubt and unbelief.
Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
(Eph. 5:17-20 AMP)
Understand what God's will is and, at all times and for everything, praise and give thanks to the Father, in the Name of Jesus. Look for reasons to thank God and be thankful. Remind yourself of His blessings and what He has done for you. Don't wait for the pie in the sky before you'll be happy. With the help of the Holy Spirit, start to be happy and to enjoy your life right now.
Deuteronomy 28 says, "All these curses shall come upon you and shall pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. "
If you turn this scripture around, you could read it like this: "I am abundantly blessed, because I serve the Lord my God with joyfulness of mind and heart, in gratitude for the abundance of all with which He has blessed me."
Make a decision to serve the Lord with joyfulness of mind and heart. Make a decision to be grateful not only for what the Lord has already done for you, but also for what He has promised He would do for you, and see what wonderful things will open up in your life!
Revival Ministries International
Get Refired!
Get Refired!
by Jesse Duplantis
He's given us a better route. If we'll run the race He's set before us with joy, it'll be much easier to avoid fainting along the way.
Today there are many believers running in the wrong race. Unknowingly they trot along, leaning on their own understanding and standing in their own strength.
Although they want to believe the Bible and trust in God, they always seem to end up relying more on themselves and those around them rather than on Jesus. Consequently, their lives show it. They live pretty defeated and don't have much joy for themselves, much less anyone else.
There are a few different types of people who do this. Some people constantly speak about what the devil's done in their lives. They are always focusing on the problems of life and have a real hard time being cheerful.
Because of so many past defeats, they've become people with no confidence in themselves or in God. They say they'll never do anything, and so they don't. The devil has convinced them that they are useless.
If you are like some of those who have no confidence in themselves, but you want the ministry of cheerfulness to become a reality in your life, there is a way to gain that joy. Renewing your hope in Jesus and renewing your mind through His Word are the keys to gaining confidence in yourself.
Go back and find out what Jesus did for you on the cross and what rights His blood bought for you. Research all that you have been made through Him. It'll stir you up! It will cause you to begin focusing on Him instead of on the circumstances. Your mind has got to come off those problems and on to His promises. Hope needs to be nurtured.
As His Word becomes real to you, hope will come easily and then faith will too. When He is your focus, joy becomes inevitable! Choose to dwell on the fact that Jesus has already overcome!
Offices are not measured by their prominence, but by the fidelity in which they are carried out.
Another type of people who have trouble being cheerful are those who feel as if they never win the prizes in life. The high positions are always given to someone else. Somebody else always gets the job. They begin to complain about it, and self-pity starts to choke their joy.
Consequently, they are discouraged by any job they are given that doesn't seem prominent enough.
If you feel this way, I must tell you that God's offices are not measured by prominence. They are measured by the fidelity in which they are filled. God doesn't overlook anything noble! What you consider small, He considers very important, and He rewards those things that you do with a good heart.
No matter what it is, God wants you to be faithful with what He's placed in your hands. You have a job that you need to do with joy! It is important, and you need to know it! Be faithful, God will reward your diligence!
A veteran is never useless, and spiritual service is not measured by physical strength.
Then there are those who have been running the race for many years. They ran on the right path faithfully and saw God do many extraordinary things through their lives. Joyfully they ran for many, many years.
But time went on, and somewhere along the way they began to slow down. They were fainting, becoming weary in well doing. Eventually the devil convinced them that they were no longer needed. They began thinking of "retiring" instead of "refiring."
A veteran is never useless, and spiritual service is not measured by physical strength. It doesn't matter what your age in the faith, you can be a powerful force for the Gospel.
Did you know that Abraham did his best when he was 100 years old? He considered not his own body and staggered not at the promise of God. It has nothing to do with how much power, intellect or how many qualifications you have.
The only thing that matters is how faithful you are to the call of God. Faith in God will make you an overcomer and enable you to be effective no matter what your age in the faith.
While holding a revival meeting, the pastor invited me to speak at a luncheon for the widows in his church. These elderly women (most of them were in their 80s) were strong women of faith and had lived for God most of their lives. One of the women who sat next to me just sparkled with the fire of the Holy Ghost. I looked at her and said, "You have fire!"
She looked up at me and exclaimed, "I certainly do!"
When I jokingly asked her if she was planning on having another baby, she looked me right in the eye and said, "I'm not 90 yet!" She had learned to daily "refire" the gift of God in her life. The joy of the Lord had been her strength for some time and she wasn't even thinking about retiring in the faith.
Joy is going to be refired through relationship with Jesus. Trust in Him, and you will be free in this life. Free to be an overcomer, full of His joy. Man, it's easy to live smiling when you know God has it all under control! He can handle it all!
You can be an encourager to everyone you meet. When the joy of the Lord dominates you, true encouragement is unconscious. You'll encourage others without even realizing it! Let God flow through you to others. It's our purpose to have fellowship with Jesus and impart life and joy to others. We can be used to change lives! Joy, that holy fire, keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.
Source: The Ministry Of Cheerfulness by Jesse Duplantis
by Jesse Duplantis
He's given us a better route. If we'll run the race He's set before us with joy, it'll be much easier to avoid fainting along the way.
Today there are many believers running in the wrong race. Unknowingly they trot along, leaning on their own understanding and standing in their own strength.
Although they want to believe the Bible and trust in God, they always seem to end up relying more on themselves and those around them rather than on Jesus. Consequently, their lives show it. They live pretty defeated and don't have much joy for themselves, much less anyone else.
There are a few different types of people who do this. Some people constantly speak about what the devil's done in their lives. They are always focusing on the problems of life and have a real hard time being cheerful.
Because of so many past defeats, they've become people with no confidence in themselves or in God. They say they'll never do anything, and so they don't. The devil has convinced them that they are useless.
If you are like some of those who have no confidence in themselves, but you want the ministry of cheerfulness to become a reality in your life, there is a way to gain that joy. Renewing your hope in Jesus and renewing your mind through His Word are the keys to gaining confidence in yourself.
Go back and find out what Jesus did for you on the cross and what rights His blood bought for you. Research all that you have been made through Him. It'll stir you up! It will cause you to begin focusing on Him instead of on the circumstances. Your mind has got to come off those problems and on to His promises. Hope needs to be nurtured.
As His Word becomes real to you, hope will come easily and then faith will too. When He is your focus, joy becomes inevitable! Choose to dwell on the fact that Jesus has already overcome!
Offices are not measured by their prominence, but by the fidelity in which they are carried out.
Another type of people who have trouble being cheerful are those who feel as if they never win the prizes in life. The high positions are always given to someone else. Somebody else always gets the job. They begin to complain about it, and self-pity starts to choke their joy.
Consequently, they are discouraged by any job they are given that doesn't seem prominent enough.
If you feel this way, I must tell you that God's offices are not measured by prominence. They are measured by the fidelity in which they are filled. God doesn't overlook anything noble! What you consider small, He considers very important, and He rewards those things that you do with a good heart.
No matter what it is, God wants you to be faithful with what He's placed in your hands. You have a job that you need to do with joy! It is important, and you need to know it! Be faithful, God will reward your diligence!
A veteran is never useless, and spiritual service is not measured by physical strength.
Then there are those who have been running the race for many years. They ran on the right path faithfully and saw God do many extraordinary things through their lives. Joyfully they ran for many, many years.
But time went on, and somewhere along the way they began to slow down. They were fainting, becoming weary in well doing. Eventually the devil convinced them that they were no longer needed. They began thinking of "retiring" instead of "refiring."
A veteran is never useless, and spiritual service is not measured by physical strength. It doesn't matter what your age in the faith, you can be a powerful force for the Gospel.
Did you know that Abraham did his best when he was 100 years old? He considered not his own body and staggered not at the promise of God. It has nothing to do with how much power, intellect or how many qualifications you have.
The only thing that matters is how faithful you are to the call of God. Faith in God will make you an overcomer and enable you to be effective no matter what your age in the faith.
While holding a revival meeting, the pastor invited me to speak at a luncheon for the widows in his church. These elderly women (most of them were in their 80s) were strong women of faith and had lived for God most of their lives. One of the women who sat next to me just sparkled with the fire of the Holy Ghost. I looked at her and said, "You have fire!"
She looked up at me and exclaimed, "I certainly do!"
When I jokingly asked her if she was planning on having another baby, she looked me right in the eye and said, "I'm not 90 yet!" She had learned to daily "refire" the gift of God in her life. The joy of the Lord had been her strength for some time and she wasn't even thinking about retiring in the faith.
Joy is going to be refired through relationship with Jesus. Trust in Him, and you will be free in this life. Free to be an overcomer, full of His joy. Man, it's easy to live smiling when you know God has it all under control! He can handle it all!
You can be an encourager to everyone you meet. When the joy of the Lord dominates you, true encouragement is unconscious. You'll encourage others without even realizing it! Let God flow through you to others. It's our purpose to have fellowship with Jesus and impart life and joy to others. We can be used to change lives! Joy, that holy fire, keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.
Source: The Ministry Of Cheerfulness by Jesse Duplantis
Esteeming God
Esteeming God
by Taffi L. Dollar
By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col. 1:16-18 )
Do you believe what you just read? If you do, then your life should reflect "the preeminence" of Jesus Christ. He created you. He created the earth and every material thing you enjoy. He redeemed you from sin and gave you His righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. He is the head of the Church and His Body, of which you are a vital member. He holds the universe together, and He will hold your life together if you will let Him!
Colossians 1:16 also says that we were created for Him. We are here on Earth for His pleasure and for His purpose. This verse tells me that before I was born, even before He created the heavens and the Earth, Jesus mapped out a set course and plan for me to discover and walk in, which is far better than what I could ever desire for myself. What this means in everyday, practical terms is that I often have to lay aside my own opinions and plans to subject everything to His will and plan for my life. I must continually recognize that Jesus is the final authority.
I have learned that esteeming God is not going through a religious ritual a few times a week or saying long prayers before bedtime. We honor and esteem God when He is woven into everything we think, say, and do. He has first place and is the primary influence in our lives from the moment we awake in the morning, every hour of the day—and even while we are asleep. We are always conscious of and subject to His desires and His will. His Word and His Spirit are at the core of everything that concerns us or influences us.
If we don't keep God first and foremost in what we do, it is so easy to get off course by all kinds of distractions. We can avoid this by first setting aside time every day to spend with God and no one else and then stay in continuous communication with Him throughout the day. We cannot limit our time with Him to a two-hour church service on Sunday morning and an hour or two on Wednesday evening and then do anything we want to do the rest of the time. We may set priorities, but they will probably not be of God! We don't know His will if we don't talk with Him, and we won't stay in His will if we don't stay in communication with Him.
If we don't set the priorities in our lives, circumstances and people will. And setting priorities begins with esteeming God before anything or anyone else. The Bible talks about how the Macedonian Believers did this even as they were dealing with very hard times.
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
(2 Cor. 8:1-5)
The Macedonian Believers were going through a "great trial of affliction" and "deep poverty." Yet, they had an abundance of joy. How did they do that? The answer is found in verse 5, which says that they "first gave their own selves to the Lord." They esteemed Him above and through all they were experiencing in their lives. Isn't it amazing that, with everything they were going through and all that was going on around them, they remained devoted to and focused on the Lord?
Instead of getting entangled in all their problems and saying, "You know, it's hard to live right when you don't have money and you're being persecuted for your faith," they gave themselves to Jesus.
We are not supposed to give ourselves to situations, people, and material things. We are to give ourselves to the Lord. He doesn't tell us to do this to make our lives miserable. He tells us to do this so that we can have the abundance of joy the Macedonians had!
If we don't esteem God by giving ourselves fully to Him all day long, our lives can dry up and wither. We cannot bear fruit because we have stopped the daily flow of His love, life, power, and authority in our lives. But when we give ourselves to Him, all these things flow through us and we can be everything He's called us to be to everyone He wants us to touch.
God wants to bless you! He wants you to have abundance of joy even when you are facing terrific challenges in your life. And the sure way to get in the mighty outpouring of His blessings is to honor and esteem Him by putting Him first and consulting Him first at all times and in all situations.
Setting Your Priorities Today
Throughout your day today, keep track of what you think about. Are you giving the Lord your undivided attention whenever possible? Do you consult Him as you make all the little decisions as well as the big decisions? Whether you are a busy professional or a wife and mother going in five directions at the same time, you can train yourself to meditate on God's Word and commune with the Holy Spirit. This is esteeming God in your life.
Source: 21 Days To Your Spiritual Makeover by Taffi Dollar
by Taffi L. Dollar
By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col. 1:16-18 )
Do you believe what you just read? If you do, then your life should reflect "the preeminence" of Jesus Christ. He created you. He created the earth and every material thing you enjoy. He redeemed you from sin and gave you His righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. He is the head of the Church and His Body, of which you are a vital member. He holds the universe together, and He will hold your life together if you will let Him!
Colossians 1:16 also says that we were created for Him. We are here on Earth for His pleasure and for His purpose. This verse tells me that before I was born, even before He created the heavens and the Earth, Jesus mapped out a set course and plan for me to discover and walk in, which is far better than what I could ever desire for myself. What this means in everyday, practical terms is that I often have to lay aside my own opinions and plans to subject everything to His will and plan for my life. I must continually recognize that Jesus is the final authority.
I have learned that esteeming God is not going through a religious ritual a few times a week or saying long prayers before bedtime. We honor and esteem God when He is woven into everything we think, say, and do. He has first place and is the primary influence in our lives from the moment we awake in the morning, every hour of the day—and even while we are asleep. We are always conscious of and subject to His desires and His will. His Word and His Spirit are at the core of everything that concerns us or influences us.
If we don't keep God first and foremost in what we do, it is so easy to get off course by all kinds of distractions. We can avoid this by first setting aside time every day to spend with God and no one else and then stay in continuous communication with Him throughout the day. We cannot limit our time with Him to a two-hour church service on Sunday morning and an hour or two on Wednesday evening and then do anything we want to do the rest of the time. We may set priorities, but they will probably not be of God! We don't know His will if we don't talk with Him, and we won't stay in His will if we don't stay in communication with Him.
If we don't set the priorities in our lives, circumstances and people will. And setting priorities begins with esteeming God before anything or anyone else. The Bible talks about how the Macedonian Believers did this even as they were dealing with very hard times.
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
(2 Cor. 8:1-5)
The Macedonian Believers were going through a "great trial of affliction" and "deep poverty." Yet, they had an abundance of joy. How did they do that? The answer is found in verse 5, which says that they "first gave their own selves to the Lord." They esteemed Him above and through all they were experiencing in their lives. Isn't it amazing that, with everything they were going through and all that was going on around them, they remained devoted to and focused on the Lord?
Instead of getting entangled in all their problems and saying, "You know, it's hard to live right when you don't have money and you're being persecuted for your faith," they gave themselves to Jesus.
We are not supposed to give ourselves to situations, people, and material things. We are to give ourselves to the Lord. He doesn't tell us to do this to make our lives miserable. He tells us to do this so that we can have the abundance of joy the Macedonians had!
If we don't esteem God by giving ourselves fully to Him all day long, our lives can dry up and wither. We cannot bear fruit because we have stopped the daily flow of His love, life, power, and authority in our lives. But when we give ourselves to Him, all these things flow through us and we can be everything He's called us to be to everyone He wants us to touch.
God wants to bless you! He wants you to have abundance of joy even when you are facing terrific challenges in your life. And the sure way to get in the mighty outpouring of His blessings is to honor and esteem Him by putting Him first and consulting Him first at all times and in all situations.
Setting Your Priorities Today
Throughout your day today, keep track of what you think about. Are you giving the Lord your undivided attention whenever possible? Do you consult Him as you make all the little decisions as well as the big decisions? Whether you are a busy professional or a wife and mother going in five directions at the same time, you can train yourself to meditate on God's Word and commune with the Holy Spirit. This is esteeming God in your life.
Source: 21 Days To Your Spiritual Makeover by Taffi Dollar
Keep the Word Before Your EyesShare
things to print out and hang on your wall somewheres "keep it before your eyes for it will keep you and guard you" proverbs
from Keith Moore Ministries:
http://www.moorelife.org
Thanksgiving for the Victory quotes
http://www.moorelife.org/pdf/ThanksgivingVictoryQuotes.pdf
Write the Vision
http://www.moorelife.org/pdf/writethevisionlist.pdf
God’s Will to Heal
http://www.moorelife.org/pdf/GodsWillToHeal.pdf
from Keith Moore Ministries:
http://www.moorelife.org
Thanksgiving for the Victory quotes
http://www.moorelife.org/pdf/ThanksgivingVictoryQuotes.pdf
Write the Vision
http://www.moorelife.org/pdf/writethevisionlist.pdf
God’s Will to Heal
http://www.moorelife.org/pdf/GodsWillToHeal.pdf
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Seeing the Impossible
Seeing the Impossible
by Bill Winston
He has put His Spirit and Word inside you, and you know you are supposed to fight and win this battle. You know you are supposed to be a winner and not a quitter—you have an inheritance in Jesus Christ to possess.
When I found out about my inheritance, I said, "Wait a minute! Those giants are sitting on my stuff! That land belongs to me." If the children of Israel had lined up their imaginations and thoughts with God, they would have realized that He had had those giants prepare everything for them. Those big guys had built beautiful houses with atriums and gardens, and they had plowed the fields and had grown all kinds of wonderful fruits and vegetables to eat. God used those giants to prepare everything for His children!
The problem was, the children of Israel did not see their potential in God, and they did not see the giants as God saw them. Instead, they had a grasshopper image of themselves and saw those giants annihilating them.
The men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
(Num. 13:31-33)
The other ten spies brought back an evil report. They measured their lives by their natural abilities instead of God's Word and power. They saw themselves as grasshoppers, and God called that evil.
Personal Experience
I had a similar experience when God called me to quit my job and go into full-time ministry. I had a great job that paid well and had good benefits. I had a family, a mortgage, and the cars to pay for. All my bills seemed like giants to me. How could I quit my job and go into the ministry? That was where my thinking was at that time. My imagination was filled with pictures of me ministering full time in failure, poverty, and defeat.
I began to wrestle with these images in my mind. The Holy Spirit was telling me to leave that job! In desperation I began to meditate this verse of Scripture:
Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
(Mark 10:29-30)
Now I began to question the limitations and boundaries the world had placed on me. The more I meditated on and thought according to the Word of God, the less I was manipulated by old, ungodly thinking. I began to see myself prosperous and fulfilled as a minister of the Gospel.
The day came when I had such a clear picture in my mind of how fantastic it would be to serve God in full-time ministry that ministry was all I wanted to do. I became completely dissatisfied with my job even though it was a good job and everyone treated me right. One day I just picked up the phone, called my wife, and said, "I'm quitting my job!"
She said, "Well, praise the Lord!" God had already prepared her heart, and we were in agreement that it was time to take that step of faith. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had not meditated on God's Word and never allowed Him to change the picture I had of His faithfulness and my potential in Him. You see, I could not go where I could not see!
From this day on, let God fill your imagination and thought-life with His Word and His will for your life. Choose to be programmed by Him instead of the world around you and the enemy behind it. I promise you that you will be able to move forward in all He's called you to do with supernatural wisdom and ability you never dreamed possible. One day you will wake up and look back to see all the things you have accomplished and marvel that everything God showed you in your heart, with the eyes of your spirit, came to pass.
Source: Transform Your Thinking, Transform Your Life by Dr. Bill Winston
by Bill Winston
He has put His Spirit and Word inside you, and you know you are supposed to fight and win this battle. You know you are supposed to be a winner and not a quitter—you have an inheritance in Jesus Christ to possess.
When I found out about my inheritance, I said, "Wait a minute! Those giants are sitting on my stuff! That land belongs to me." If the children of Israel had lined up their imaginations and thoughts with God, they would have realized that He had had those giants prepare everything for them. Those big guys had built beautiful houses with atriums and gardens, and they had plowed the fields and had grown all kinds of wonderful fruits and vegetables to eat. God used those giants to prepare everything for His children!
The problem was, the children of Israel did not see their potential in God, and they did not see the giants as God saw them. Instead, they had a grasshopper image of themselves and saw those giants annihilating them.
The men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
(Num. 13:31-33)
The other ten spies brought back an evil report. They measured their lives by their natural abilities instead of God's Word and power. They saw themselves as grasshoppers, and God called that evil.
Personal Experience
I had a similar experience when God called me to quit my job and go into full-time ministry. I had a great job that paid well and had good benefits. I had a family, a mortgage, and the cars to pay for. All my bills seemed like giants to me. How could I quit my job and go into the ministry? That was where my thinking was at that time. My imagination was filled with pictures of me ministering full time in failure, poverty, and defeat.
I began to wrestle with these images in my mind. The Holy Spirit was telling me to leave that job! In desperation I began to meditate this verse of Scripture:
Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
(Mark 10:29-30)
Now I began to question the limitations and boundaries the world had placed on me. The more I meditated on and thought according to the Word of God, the less I was manipulated by old, ungodly thinking. I began to see myself prosperous and fulfilled as a minister of the Gospel.
The day came when I had such a clear picture in my mind of how fantastic it would be to serve God in full-time ministry that ministry was all I wanted to do. I became completely dissatisfied with my job even though it was a good job and everyone treated me right. One day I just picked up the phone, called my wife, and said, "I'm quitting my job!"
She said, "Well, praise the Lord!" God had already prepared her heart, and we were in agreement that it was time to take that step of faith. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had not meditated on God's Word and never allowed Him to change the picture I had of His faithfulness and my potential in Him. You see, I could not go where I could not see!
From this day on, let God fill your imagination and thought-life with His Word and His will for your life. Choose to be programmed by Him instead of the world around you and the enemy behind it. I promise you that you will be able to move forward in all He's called you to do with supernatural wisdom and ability you never dreamed possible. One day you will wake up and look back to see all the things you have accomplished and marvel that everything God showed you in your heart, with the eyes of your spirit, came to pass.
Source: Transform Your Thinking, Transform Your Life by Dr. Bill Winston
Why Faith is Important
Why Faith is Important
by Kenneth E. Hagin
During the great healing revival, evangelists would hold short meetings, and I'd come along behind them with longer meetings. By the time I got there, I often found people who had been healed in those meetings already had lost their healing. That happened in my meetings, too, but I learned how to get them healed and keep them healed.
In 1952, the foremost healing evangelist held a meeting in the high school auditorium in South Bend, Indiana. I was there for several meetings, and sat in a special sections reserved for preachers. One of the gentlemen there was a Full Gospel pastor from Florida.
Being a minister, he could have gotten in the healing line any time he wanted to. But he was there several days, so he got a card and waited his turn. (But a minister could break in anytime; they granted them that privilege.)
This minister wore a hearing aid. He couldn't hear without it.
The night came when they called for his number. He took that hearing aid off and put it in his pocket.
Finally this preacher stepped up in place and just smiled at the evangelist. The latter said, "We'll, let's see what's wrong with you." He laid hands on him and said, "Oh, oh!" He jumped back and said, "It's you ears. You're deaf." He laid hands on him, and the man's ears were opened instantly.
The evangelist had a very soft, low voice. He stood behind the man, talked in a whisper, and that fellow repeated everything he said. He was perfectly healed.
He had started to return to his seat when the evangelist said, "Hey, you're a pastor. You're a pastor of a Full Gospel church in Florida." He knew that by revelation.
Then the man came back to the preachers' section. We talked to him. He could hear everything, even when we whispered. We tested him. He was perfectly healed.
However, by the time the meeting was dismissed, he couldn't hear a thing. He put his hearing aid back on.
Sustain Your Healing By Faith
Why? He had been healed by a manifestation of the gifts of God, all right, but if you don't have enough faith in you to hold on to what you have, the devil is going to steal it away from you.
That's why I changed my ministry and did more teaching. Yes, I could advertise my vision, fill up an auditorium, and get many people healed—but they wouldn't keep their healing. So I held smaller meetings where I could teach the people daily in addition to ministering to the sick.
A well-known evangelist with whom I enjoy great fellowship told me the following story:
Many years ago—back in the forties at the beginning of this brother's healing ministry—he was holding a meeting and a call came that one of the church members, a businessman with a history of heart trouble, had had a heart attack at his home.
The man's wife called the parsonage and said, "If we move him, it will kill him. But if we don't move him, he won't regain consciousness, and he'll die right here on the bedroom floor."
So the pastor and the evangelist rushed over there. They laid hands on the man and instantly he rose up well. He had been in the process of dressing, so he put on his robe and slippers, walked downstairs, and sat and talked with them for a while in the living room.
Finally the pastor and the evangelist excused themselves, and the man said, "Well, I'll go dress and go to work."
The man's wife, the evangelist said, followed them outside, closed the door, went down the front walk with them, look around to make sure her husband couldn't hear, and said, "You all keep praying for him."
The evangelist said, "Why?"
"Why," she said, "the devil will come back and put another heart attack on him."
The evangelist said, "Sister, do you know what your problem is?"
She said, "What?"
He said, "You've got more faith in the devil than you have in God! You stood right here and told me what the devil is going to do. You believe he is going to do it. You believe he's got the authority and power to come back and put another heart attack on your husband and try to kill him. Why don't you say, 'The devil can't do it'?"
"Aw," she whispered, "I wouldn't say that for anything in the world!"
"Why?"
"Don't you know, the devil will hear me say it?"
Who Are We Believing Anyway?
So many Full Gospel Christians believe in the devil more than they do in God.
Have more faith in God than you do in the devil! Stand on His Word. God's Word is true. As F.F. Bosworth said, "Believe your belief and doubt your doubts."
Yes, the devil will try to put things back on you. But if the Word of God has been built into your spirit—if you've meditated on it long enough, fed on it, and put it onto your spirit until you know it has become a part of your inner consciousness—you can put the devil on the run every time.
If temptation comes—if pain comes—instead of being afraid and panicking, you'll just start laughing.
Source: How to Keep Your Healing by Kenneth E. Hagin
by Kenneth E. Hagin
During the great healing revival, evangelists would hold short meetings, and I'd come along behind them with longer meetings. By the time I got there, I often found people who had been healed in those meetings already had lost their healing. That happened in my meetings, too, but I learned how to get them healed and keep them healed.
In 1952, the foremost healing evangelist held a meeting in the high school auditorium in South Bend, Indiana. I was there for several meetings, and sat in a special sections reserved for preachers. One of the gentlemen there was a Full Gospel pastor from Florida.
Being a minister, he could have gotten in the healing line any time he wanted to. But he was there several days, so he got a card and waited his turn. (But a minister could break in anytime; they granted them that privilege.)
This minister wore a hearing aid. He couldn't hear without it.
The night came when they called for his number. He took that hearing aid off and put it in his pocket.
Finally this preacher stepped up in place and just smiled at the evangelist. The latter said, "We'll, let's see what's wrong with you." He laid hands on him and said, "Oh, oh!" He jumped back and said, "It's you ears. You're deaf." He laid hands on him, and the man's ears were opened instantly.
The evangelist had a very soft, low voice. He stood behind the man, talked in a whisper, and that fellow repeated everything he said. He was perfectly healed.
He had started to return to his seat when the evangelist said, "Hey, you're a pastor. You're a pastor of a Full Gospel church in Florida." He knew that by revelation.
Then the man came back to the preachers' section. We talked to him. He could hear everything, even when we whispered. We tested him. He was perfectly healed.
However, by the time the meeting was dismissed, he couldn't hear a thing. He put his hearing aid back on.
Sustain Your Healing By Faith
Why? He had been healed by a manifestation of the gifts of God, all right, but if you don't have enough faith in you to hold on to what you have, the devil is going to steal it away from you.
That's why I changed my ministry and did more teaching. Yes, I could advertise my vision, fill up an auditorium, and get many people healed—but they wouldn't keep their healing. So I held smaller meetings where I could teach the people daily in addition to ministering to the sick.
A well-known evangelist with whom I enjoy great fellowship told me the following story:
Many years ago—back in the forties at the beginning of this brother's healing ministry—he was holding a meeting and a call came that one of the church members, a businessman with a history of heart trouble, had had a heart attack at his home.
The man's wife called the parsonage and said, "If we move him, it will kill him. But if we don't move him, he won't regain consciousness, and he'll die right here on the bedroom floor."
So the pastor and the evangelist rushed over there. They laid hands on the man and instantly he rose up well. He had been in the process of dressing, so he put on his robe and slippers, walked downstairs, and sat and talked with them for a while in the living room.
Finally the pastor and the evangelist excused themselves, and the man said, "Well, I'll go dress and go to work."
The man's wife, the evangelist said, followed them outside, closed the door, went down the front walk with them, look around to make sure her husband couldn't hear, and said, "You all keep praying for him."
The evangelist said, "Why?"
"Why," she said, "the devil will come back and put another heart attack on him."
The evangelist said, "Sister, do you know what your problem is?"
She said, "What?"
He said, "You've got more faith in the devil than you have in God! You stood right here and told me what the devil is going to do. You believe he is going to do it. You believe he's got the authority and power to come back and put another heart attack on your husband and try to kill him. Why don't you say, 'The devil can't do it'?"
"Aw," she whispered, "I wouldn't say that for anything in the world!"
"Why?"
"Don't you know, the devil will hear me say it?"
Who Are We Believing Anyway?
So many Full Gospel Christians believe in the devil more than they do in God.
Have more faith in God than you do in the devil! Stand on His Word. God's Word is true. As F.F. Bosworth said, "Believe your belief and doubt your doubts."
Yes, the devil will try to put things back on you. But if the Word of God has been built into your spirit—if you've meditated on it long enough, fed on it, and put it onto your spirit until you know it has become a part of your inner consciousness—you can put the devil on the run every time.
If temptation comes—if pain comes—instead of being afraid and panicking, you'll just start laughing.
Source: How to Keep Your Healing by Kenneth E. Hagin
Defeating Discouragement
Defeating Discouragement
By Dr. Larry Ollison
Have you ever been discouraged? I mean really discouraged. So discouraged that you felt like giving up? Let me ask you this. Are you discouraged today? Do you feel like giving up? Well, if you answered yes, I have good news for you today. You do not have to be discouraged. That's right. God has a plan in His Word, the Holy Bible, that tells us how to defeat discouragement.
Discouragement is a combination of fear, depression and a lack of hope. We could almost call it “anti-faith.” Discouragement is not from God and He does not want you to have it. When we are discouraged we do not function in the spirit realm the way God wants us to. When we are discouraged, it becomes difficult to hear God and easier to listen to the discouraging words of the world.
The Bible tells us that when the Hebrews went out of Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness. Although they were under the leadership of Moses, they did not enter into the Promised Land for 40 years because they did not believe God. What did God say that they didn't believe?
Listen to this. God told them that if they would go into the Promised Land, He would fight all their battles for them. Now, also keep in mind that this is after they had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and when the enemy tried to follow, God closed the waters and the enemy was completely destroyed. God had already proven His ability to fight. All the Israelites had to do was let Him.
Before making the decision to listen to God and enter the Promised Land, the Israelites sent twelve spies ahead. When they returned, they all gave their reports. The spies did not all agree. Two of the spies gave a positive, encouraging report and ten gave a negative, discouraging report.
The ten negative speaking spies said the land was full of giants. In fact, they said the giants were so large that the Israelites were like grasshoppers to them. This was an obvious exaggeration, but the people believed the negative report of the ten spies instead of the positive report of the two. The Bible says the people then became discouraged and decided not to enter into the land God had for them.
Thousands of years have passed, but people still are the same. When they hear a negative report they get discouraged.
The world is full of negative reports. It seems that everywhere you go there is someone telling you, “You won't make it,” “You can't win,” “God doesn't want to heal you,” “Faith doesn't work,” and so on and so on. The world does not want you to make it. But here's the good news. God does!
God's words are positive. God's words are full of faith. His Word says in Psalm 103:3 that He heals all our diseases and in Psalm 34:19 it says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” And in Romans 8:28 God's Word says, “that all things work together for good to those who love God.”
Well let me ask you this. Whose report will you believe? Will you go with the majority and believe that all is lost? Or will you go with God and let Him fight your battles for you?
Be encouraged. God does not lie. Believe His Word and act on it. Then discouragement will flee.
By Dr. Larry Ollison
Have you ever been discouraged? I mean really discouraged. So discouraged that you felt like giving up? Let me ask you this. Are you discouraged today? Do you feel like giving up? Well, if you answered yes, I have good news for you today. You do not have to be discouraged. That's right. God has a plan in His Word, the Holy Bible, that tells us how to defeat discouragement.
Discouragement is a combination of fear, depression and a lack of hope. We could almost call it “anti-faith.” Discouragement is not from God and He does not want you to have it. When we are discouraged we do not function in the spirit realm the way God wants us to. When we are discouraged, it becomes difficult to hear God and easier to listen to the discouraging words of the world.
The Bible tells us that when the Hebrews went out of Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness. Although they were under the leadership of Moses, they did not enter into the Promised Land for 40 years because they did not believe God. What did God say that they didn't believe?
Listen to this. God told them that if they would go into the Promised Land, He would fight all their battles for them. Now, also keep in mind that this is after they had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and when the enemy tried to follow, God closed the waters and the enemy was completely destroyed. God had already proven His ability to fight. All the Israelites had to do was let Him.
Before making the decision to listen to God and enter the Promised Land, the Israelites sent twelve spies ahead. When they returned, they all gave their reports. The spies did not all agree. Two of the spies gave a positive, encouraging report and ten gave a negative, discouraging report.
The ten negative speaking spies said the land was full of giants. In fact, they said the giants were so large that the Israelites were like grasshoppers to them. This was an obvious exaggeration, but the people believed the negative report of the ten spies instead of the positive report of the two. The Bible says the people then became discouraged and decided not to enter into the land God had for them.
Thousands of years have passed, but people still are the same. When they hear a negative report they get discouraged.
The world is full of negative reports. It seems that everywhere you go there is someone telling you, “You won't make it,” “You can't win,” “God doesn't want to heal you,” “Faith doesn't work,” and so on and so on. The world does not want you to make it. But here's the good news. God does!
God's words are positive. God's words are full of faith. His Word says in Psalm 103:3 that He heals all our diseases and in Psalm 34:19 it says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” And in Romans 8:28 God's Word says, “that all things work together for good to those who love God.”
Well let me ask you this. Whose report will you believe? Will you go with the majority and believe that all is lost? Or will you go with God and let Him fight your battles for you?
Be encouraged. God does not lie. Believe His Word and act on it. Then discouragement will flee.
Don't Quit Now
Don't Quit Now
Articles - Christian Living
by Larry Ollison, Ph.D
Jesus is prepared and ready to return with the spirits of the saints of God and call forth the bodies of the living and the dead who are the church. We are in the final moments before rescue. This is not the time to give up or lose heart.
Paul said, "When I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11). Paul was not saying that it was sinful to be a child or that there was anything wrong with being a child. Children are children. Children are young and think like children, act like children, and talk like children. But there is a time when a person is no longer a child. At that time, wisdom would say put away the childish things and walk in the new season.
For 1900 years the church existed in an era looking toward the end of days. For 1900 years the earthly nation of Israel did not exist. The biblical prophecies of the future said that it would, but it didn't. And so during these 1900 years, the great men and women of God, who were called to proclaim the Word of God, spoke of a future—a future when Israel would become a nation. A time when that generation would not pass away until all of the prophecy of the end of days had taken place.
On May 15, 1948, a miracle took place. A nation that had not been a nation for 2,000 years, a nation that had no army, no land, no national currency, and no government came into existence in one day. That nation occupied the prophetic land that the prophets of old had predicted. The nation of Israel was re-born and the church moved into a new era.
For centuries the church had taught about the time that was to come, but today we are in that time. The fulfillment of prophecy is upon us. We are no longer children thinking about maturity, but we are now the mature church preparing to be received into the glory. It's time to build upon the basics we have learned. It's time to be mature. It's time for the church to walk in the strength and power that was prophesied all those centuries ago, "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" (Eph. 5:27).
If you are a born again believer, you are the church and you have a responsibility to walk in the full anointing, to stand in full faith, and to be the conduit in which God flows His miracle power into the earth by way of His Holy Spirit. The time of playing church is over. The church has been in training for a long time. But now is the time to walk in what we've been trained for.
For centuries the church has been preparing for this time, and recently the preparation has been intense. But now, we must apply the knowledge and walk in the anointing and power we have been given. Only by walking in this strength will we be the glorious church that the Lord is coming to get.
The games of childhood are behind us and the solemness of our calling is at hand. As we press into this new time, you have the responsibility to speak God's Word in such a way that those who hear will have life changing experience. If someone needs salvation, counsel, or healing, you should be the instrument of deliverance.
The words you speak and the actions you take should be so led by the Holy Spirit that there will be no doubt that you represent the King of Kings. The pettiness of offense and unforgiveness should drop off. As a church, we must not look back at past failures or even past accomplishments, but must place all our effort on preparation for the return of our Savior.
The enemy has increased his attack because he sees his end drawing near. Because you are the church, you are the one being attacked. As you well know, the mission statement of the enemy is to steal, kill, and destroy. But the enemy has no authority over you. His only weapon is his mouth and it only has power when you place your belief with his words.
So as we press into this new era, do not fear. Do not become discouraged and above all, do not quit now. We are only moments away from hearing the great shofar blow in the heavens and seeing the appearing of our Savior.
Larry Ollison Ministries
http://www.larryollison.com/lom/
Articles - Christian Living
by Larry Ollison, Ph.D
Jesus is prepared and ready to return with the spirits of the saints of God and call forth the bodies of the living and the dead who are the church. We are in the final moments before rescue. This is not the time to give up or lose heart.
Paul said, "When I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11). Paul was not saying that it was sinful to be a child or that there was anything wrong with being a child. Children are children. Children are young and think like children, act like children, and talk like children. But there is a time when a person is no longer a child. At that time, wisdom would say put away the childish things and walk in the new season.
For 1900 years the church existed in an era looking toward the end of days. For 1900 years the earthly nation of Israel did not exist. The biblical prophecies of the future said that it would, but it didn't. And so during these 1900 years, the great men and women of God, who were called to proclaim the Word of God, spoke of a future—a future when Israel would become a nation. A time when that generation would not pass away until all of the prophecy of the end of days had taken place.
On May 15, 1948, a miracle took place. A nation that had not been a nation for 2,000 years, a nation that had no army, no land, no national currency, and no government came into existence in one day. That nation occupied the prophetic land that the prophets of old had predicted. The nation of Israel was re-born and the church moved into a new era.
For centuries the church had taught about the time that was to come, but today we are in that time. The fulfillment of prophecy is upon us. We are no longer children thinking about maturity, but we are now the mature church preparing to be received into the glory. It's time to build upon the basics we have learned. It's time to be mature. It's time for the church to walk in the strength and power that was prophesied all those centuries ago, "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" (Eph. 5:27).
If you are a born again believer, you are the church and you have a responsibility to walk in the full anointing, to stand in full faith, and to be the conduit in which God flows His miracle power into the earth by way of His Holy Spirit. The time of playing church is over. The church has been in training for a long time. But now is the time to walk in what we've been trained for.
For centuries the church has been preparing for this time, and recently the preparation has been intense. But now, we must apply the knowledge and walk in the anointing and power we have been given. Only by walking in this strength will we be the glorious church that the Lord is coming to get.
The games of childhood are behind us and the solemness of our calling is at hand. As we press into this new time, you have the responsibility to speak God's Word in such a way that those who hear will have life changing experience. If someone needs salvation, counsel, or healing, you should be the instrument of deliverance.
The words you speak and the actions you take should be so led by the Holy Spirit that there will be no doubt that you represent the King of Kings. The pettiness of offense and unforgiveness should drop off. As a church, we must not look back at past failures or even past accomplishments, but must place all our effort on preparation for the return of our Savior.
The enemy has increased his attack because he sees his end drawing near. Because you are the church, you are the one being attacked. As you well know, the mission statement of the enemy is to steal, kill, and destroy. But the enemy has no authority over you. His only weapon is his mouth and it only has power when you place your belief with his words.
So as we press into this new era, do not fear. Do not become discouraged and above all, do not quit now. We are only moments away from hearing the great shofar blow in the heavens and seeing the appearing of our Savior.
Larry Ollison Ministries
http://www.larryollison.com/lom/
Learning How to Wield the Power of the Source
Learning How to Wield the Power of the Source
Articles - Holy Spirit
by Jesse Duplantis
Some Christians try to get people saved, but they blow everybody out of their seats with condemnation. Others try to get people healed or show them the way out of an addictive lifestyle, but instead of harnessing their power for good, they end up knocking people down with critical words.
They become ineffective. Instead of giving words of love, peace and guidance, they choose words that are laced with a slightly "holier than thou" attitude. Their words are like bright clouds, thinly lined with guilt or condemnation.
These Christians may never notice this. They think they're just "calling the kettle black," saying what is right and putting their foot down for God. But God doesn't need His children putting their foot down on His behalf unless they are doing it in love - His love.
Love Over Condemnation
If you've been trying to receive something from God, you may have experienced this kind of attitude from others firsthand. If so, I want you to know that God isn't into condemnation. He loves you and has enough power to heal your physical body and deliver you from any situation you may be facing today.
And while His kids aren't always perfect, He is perfect! He can control His power. And He wants to show you how to do it too.
God has equipped us with words of wisdom, and they're all included in a book called the Holy Bible. No matter what you need from God today, it is important to know that you are the valve. You determine how much water comes out of the hose! And if you'll open up your heart to receive His words, I can guarantee that you will know what it means to receive a strong, steady flow of God's power in your life.
You will tap into the Source of the supernatural—your Creator, Healer, Deliverer and Provider. You will tap into the awesome power of your Father God!
In my years as a child of God, I've come to know that nothing is impossible, because everything, and I mean everything, is possible with the Lord.
There is always a way out of life's problems. And that way out always starts with God's Word.
Source: Breaking the Power of Natural Law by Jesse Duplantis.
Articles - Holy Spirit
by Jesse Duplantis
Some Christians try to get people saved, but they blow everybody out of their seats with condemnation. Others try to get people healed or show them the way out of an addictive lifestyle, but instead of harnessing their power for good, they end up knocking people down with critical words.
They become ineffective. Instead of giving words of love, peace and guidance, they choose words that are laced with a slightly "holier than thou" attitude. Their words are like bright clouds, thinly lined with guilt or condemnation.
These Christians may never notice this. They think they're just "calling the kettle black," saying what is right and putting their foot down for God. But God doesn't need His children putting their foot down on His behalf unless they are doing it in love - His love.
Love Over Condemnation
If you've been trying to receive something from God, you may have experienced this kind of attitude from others firsthand. If so, I want you to know that God isn't into condemnation. He loves you and has enough power to heal your physical body and deliver you from any situation you may be facing today.
And while His kids aren't always perfect, He is perfect! He can control His power. And He wants to show you how to do it too.
God has equipped us with words of wisdom, and they're all included in a book called the Holy Bible. No matter what you need from God today, it is important to know that you are the valve. You determine how much water comes out of the hose! And if you'll open up your heart to receive His words, I can guarantee that you will know what it means to receive a strong, steady flow of God's power in your life.
You will tap into the Source of the supernatural—your Creator, Healer, Deliverer and Provider. You will tap into the awesome power of your Father God!
In my years as a child of God, I've come to know that nothing is impossible, because everything, and I mean everything, is possible with the Lord.
There is always a way out of life's problems. And that way out always starts with God's Word.
Source: Breaking the Power of Natural Law by Jesse Duplantis.
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