HEARING IS IMPORTANT

Tune In to the Voice of God
 What is the Spirit of God saying to you today? What is He telling you about your spiritual development…your family…and your finances? If you’re facing trouble, what word of victory has He spoken to you?

As a born-again child of the living God, you ought to know the answers to those questions.

I’ve learned by experience, however, the majority of believers don’t. I can tell by just listening to them talk. “Oh, my goodness,” they’ll say, “I’m in a crisis and I don’t know what to do!”

If that’s your situation, I’m going to be straight with you. You’d better go to God and find out what to do. You’d better be quiet long enough to hear what He has to say and pay attention to it. You’d better get rid of that fear and start believing God. Otherwise, the devil is going to end up getting the best of you.

If you read the Bible you’ll see God has been trying to get His people to understand that for thousands of years. In fact, He gave those exact instructions to  an  Old Testament king named Ahaz back in the days of the prophet Isaiah. Ahaz was in seri- ous trouble at the time. He had two enemy armies coming against him and he had no idea what to do about it. So God sent His Word to Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah and gave him a whole new perspective.

Instead of agreeing with Ahaz about how powerful his enemies were, God let him know they didn’t impress Him much. He referred to them as two “smoking stumps” (Isaiah 7:4, The Amplified Bible). Then He assured Ahaz their plans against him would not stand if he would simply obey the following instructions: Take heed…be quiet…fear not (verse 4)…and believe (verse 9).

Check Your Receiver

Before you head down the road looking for a prophet like Isaiah to tell you what God is saying to you, let me save you a trip. You don’t need a prophet to tell you what to do. You have a better covenant than Ahaz had. You’re not just a servant of God like people were in the Old Covenant. Through the blood of Jesus, you’ve become a full-fledged son and the Bible says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

Jesus confirmed that fact in John 10 when He said that His “sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (verses 3-4, New King James Version).

As a child of Almighty God, you have the right and the spiritual ability to hear the voice of God for yourself!

“But, Brother Copeland,”you might say, “God never speaks to me.”

Sure He does. You’re just not listening.

Have you ever turned on your television and found something was wrong with the picture? Maybe it was fuzzy or the sound was crackling with static. Or maybe you couldn’t get a picture at all. Did you grab the telephone, call NBC and tell them that something was wrong with their transmitter? Did you get some tele- vision executive on the line and say, “Hey, you guys must not be broad- casting anymore. I turned on my set and you weren’t there!”

Certainly not! This didn’t even occur to you. You were smart enough to find out the problem most likely wasn’t with the transmitter. The problem was with the receiver. The problem was with your own television set.So instead of blaming the broad- caster, you started trying to find the problem on your end. You might have checked the electrical connections. You might have looked to make sure the cable was hooked up. You might have checked the settings on the television to make sure they were all adjusted correctly.

What’s more, you stayed with it until you got it fixed. Why? Because you never doubted the fact that the networks were still broadcasting. You understood if you could just successfully tune in, they would be there for you.

 Find His Frequency

Don’t you think we ought to have at least as much faith in God as we have in the television networks? They can break down. They can fail us. But God never will. He has given us His Word. He has promised He’ll lead us by His Spirit and enable us to know His voice. So if we’re having difficulty with those things, we need to stop blaming Him and determine where we’re missing it.

Actually, that’s not hard to do. When we have trouble hearing God’s voice, it’s almost always for one of the following four reasons:

•        We don’t believe He is speaking.
•        We’re not paying attention.
•        We’re allowing some kind of interference to drown out His voice.
•        We just plain don’t know what frequency He is on.

Let’s focus right now on that last point. Exactly how do you locate the frequency God uses to speak to you?

I’ll tell you right off the bat, you don’t do it by using those fleshly paddles on the sides of your head— your natural ears. Some people try to hear God that way. They think if He would just speak audibly to them everything would be solved.

They’re mistaken. Our natural ears weren’t designed to hear the voice of God.

We were created  to  hear  Him in our inner man or what the New Testament calls “the hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4).

As Hebrews 3:7-8 says, “Where- fore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...).”

God leads His children not by outward voices or signs and wonders but by the inward witness of “the hidden man of the heart.” So to find His frequency, the first thing you’ll have to do is tune in—not with your head but with your heart!

Learn to Discern

How do you know the difference between your head and your heart?

Scripturally speaking, your head is your soul, which is comprised of your mind, will and emotions. Your heart is your spirit, which is the core of your being that has been born again and joined to the Spirit of God. Granted, discerning the difference between the voice of your soul and the voice of your spirit can be challenging, and it takes spiritual wisdom to do it. But the Bible tells us clearly how to develop that wisdom: We do it by spending time in the written Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that The Word is  “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It contains the voice of God in its most tangible form.

God always agrees with His written Word and His Word always agrees with Him. In fact, Psalm 138:2 says He has magnified His Word even above His Name. That means God has put His Name on His writ- ten Word the way we would put our name at the bottom of a contract. He has given us His Word as a covenant and signed it in the Name of Jesus by the blood of Jesus.

Since God cannot lie, there is no way He will ever do or say anything contrary to that Word. He has abso- lutely joined Himself to it forever. So the first place God takes us to train us to recognize His voice is to His written Word. He uses it to tune our spiritual ears to the real so that we can easily recognize a counterfeit.

Have you ever watched an impersonator mimic a celebrity? If he is good at what he does, you’ll think, I know who that guy is impersonating. It’s so-and-so. He sounds just like him! But if you were to put the real personal- ity right next to the impersonator, the differences would be glaring. If you could see them both at the same time, you’d think, That guy doesn’t sound much like him at all!

That’s the way it is with God’s written Word. The better you know it, the more you’ve heard God’s voice speaking to you through it, the easier it is for you to tell the difference between His voice and another voice. The easier it is for you to divide your soul from your spirit and discern the difference between the voice of your head and the voice of your heart.

When you’re trained to hear God’s voice in His Word, the devil won’t be able to sneak deceptions in on you, either. When he tries to razzle-dazzle you with some religious-sounding voice that says, I love you, my son. But it’s just not my will to heal you at this time, you won’t buy it. You’ll rise up and say, “That’s not the voice of God. That’s a lie from hell because it doesn’t agree with The Word that says ‘by His stripes ye were healed.’”

Let me warn you though, you won’t get that kind of training just casually reading the Bible now and then. You won’t get it by knowing generally what it says…or by mixing what it says with your own opinions. If you desire to truly learn to hear the voice of God in The Word, you’ll have to do with it what God told Ahaz to do.

You’ll have to take heed to it. You’ll have to pay attention!

Zero In
Paying attention is more than just mentally assenting to a scripture and saying, “Oh yes, hallelujah. Amen.” To pay attention means to lock in on what’s being said and make a firm decision that from now on, you will see his  matter  the  way  God  sees it instead of the way you’ve always looked at it.

To do that, you’ll have to do the second thing God told Ahaz to do.

You’ll have to be quiet. You’ll have to shut up all the mental jabbering you’ve  been  doing,  stop  thinking about your own opinions and listen— really listen—to what The Word says.

Do you realize it’s possible to read great quantities of scripture and never really hear what God is saying in it? It’s not only possible, people do it all the time. Here’s how it happens. We’ll read a verse or two and something in them will trigger another train of thought. We may start thinking about what Aunt Sally said about that scripture. Or what Grandma used to say. Or we may even let our mind wander off on something else altogether—all the while we’re still reading our Bible! We end up with only a vague idea of what we read because we weren’t really paying attention to The Word, we were paying attention to our own thoughts.

Reading The Word of God that way was  like  shooting  scattershot  at a flock of birds—you don’t ever hit anything. To hear the voice of God through His Word, you have to take aim and zero in on every word as you read it. Instead of just breezing through the Bible reading it like you’d read a novel or a history book, read it deliberately.

Meditate on it by asking yourself, What does that mean to me? How does it change my life? Ask the Lord to reveal specifically what He is saying through that Word to you.

Read every verse with the attitude that this is God speaking to me and I am going to do what He tells me to do. Make a quality decision you’re going to act on that word as quickly as you would the word of your doctor, lawyer or a very close, trusted friend.

Determine in advance that you’re not going to bend The Word to fit your lifestyle. On the contrary, you’re going to bend your lifestyle to fit that Word. With that attitude, your spiritual ears will be open to hear whatever God has to say.

 Fear Not!

“But, Brother Copeland, I’m afraid I’ll do those things and I still won’t be able to hear the voice of God.”

Well, stop  being  afraid  of  that!

Fear not!

Instead take a step of faith and believe what Jesus said. He said you’re His sheep and you hear His voice. So stop doubting Him and calling Him a liar. Don’t ever, ever, EVER again say, “I can’t hear God’s voice.”

Start agreeing with Jesus. Start believing and agreeing with Th Word. Say, “The Word says I can hear God’s voice and I believe it! I do hear the voice of God!”

Then   put  your  faith  into  action. Open the ears of your heart and start listening for the voice of the Spirit, especially  when  you’re  reading  The Word. Pay  attention  not  just  to  the activity in your brain but to the quickenings in your inner man (primarily the area just below your chin, or chest area).

If you’re not sure where to locate those stirrings, just think back to a time when you had what we some- times call a “hunch.” Suddenly some- thing just dawned on you and you knew or understood something you hadn’t known before. Those  kinds of dawnings come from your born- again spirit.

Purpose to become more aware of the promptings that arise from your spirit because they are the leading of God. Learn to trust them. The Holy Spirit will help you step out on them a little at a time.

Initially He won’t be giving you risky, world-shaking kinds of leadings.

When you’re first learning to identify God’s voice, it will be mostly yes and no answers, not to go sell everything you own and invest it in some off- the-wall business venture. He’ll begin by showing you simple truths from The Word that you can act on. He’ll reveal from The Word, for example, how you can obey more fully the law of love. He’ll show you ways to bless the people around you.

The more you trust His voice and follow His leadings, the more clearly you’ll find you can hear from Him. Before long, hearing from God won’t be an occasional event but an every- day part of life. And when someone asks you, “What is the Spirit of God telling you today?” you won’t hesitate a moment.

You’ll know exactly what to say.

Prayer for Salvation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.

I am now reborn! I am a Christian—a child of Almighty God! I am saved! You also said in Your Word, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: HOW MUCH MORE shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13). I’m also asking You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, rise up within me as I praise God. I fully expect to speak with other tongues as You give me the utterance (Acts 2:4). In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Begin to praise God for filling you with the Holy Spirit. Speak those words  and  syllables you receive—not in your own language, but the language given to you by the Holy Spirit. You have to use your own voice. God will not force you to speak. Don’t be concerned with how it sounds. It is a heavenly language!

Continue with the blessing God has given you and pray in the spirit every day.

You are a born-again, Spirit-filled believer. You’ll never be the same!

Find a good church that boldly preaches God’s Word and obeys it. Become part of a church family who will love and care for you as you love and care for them.

We need to be connected to each other. It increases our strength in God. It’s God’s plan for us.

 About the Author

Kenneth  Copeland  is  co-founder  and  president  of Kenneth Copeland Ministries in Fort Worth, Texas, and best-selling author of books that include How to Discipline Your Flesh and Honor—Walking in Honesty, Truth and Integrity.

 

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DECEIVER

Rick Warren False Prophet

In that day the LORD of hosts will be  For a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty  To the remnant of His people,  For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, And for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. Isaiah 28:5-6

This also comes from the LORD of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance. Isaiah 28:29

Julia Duin, a newspaper columnist, in her Stairway to Heaven[xv] column  wrote in the Washington Times:

Atheist sees global faith revival

... Which is why I was glad to see two editors from the Economist magazine release "God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World" earlier this year. Co-author Adrian Wooldridge said he and John Micklethwait got the idea while compiling their 2004 book "The Right Nation," about America's conservatives. It struck them that religious observance is increasing worldwide and that irreligious Europe, not America, is the exception.

"Religion now goes hand in hand with modernity," he said. "Something happened from the 1970s onward that put that [into action] and now the world is going in the American direction."

...Like 21st-century versions of Alexis de Tocqueville, the French historian whose travels about America in the early 1830s revealed how the country's religious character worked hand in hand with its fledgling democracy, the two men traveled the world to see how religion is affecting the globe. China, Guatemala, Nigeria, Kenya and various Latin American countries were the biggest hot spots.

Pentecostal, he concluded, will be the major form of 21st century Christianity.

"The sort of religion that is on the rise is the emotive, assertive charismatic religion," he said. "It's compelling Catholicism in Latin America to change. There's a physical surprise when you go to Guatemala and see how vibrant the charismatic and Pentecostal movements are. Same thing for Lagos and Nairobi. I went into that book underestimating the power and vitality of religion." 

My friend Dr Pat Holiday and I are very intellectual Christians and not just emotional Pentecostals. And in her article New Age Pastor to the World -Rick Warren[xvi], Pat writes:

Signs are exploding everywhere that Jesus Christ is coming back soon. Apostasy and the great falling away is a key sign. The Seeker Friendly Church Model promoted through the New Age Internationalist Pastor, Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, is a system that no longer holds to the Biblical principles or the fact that Jesus is the ONLY way back to God the Father!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” (Jn. 14:6). Dr. Pat Holiday http://www.miracleinternetchurch.com/

Rev. Warren has become one of America’s leading Christian leaders. Sadly more than 400,000 pastors attend his “purpose-driven” church seminars; his books, including “The Purpose Driven Life,” have become international best-sellers.

In the premier issue of Purpose Driven Connection, Rick Warren has once again brought in New Age influences, which are given as tools to build Purpose Driven connections. America's most popular evangelical pastor, who few Christian leaders have dared to challenge on his beliefs and actions, is moving swiftly toward a global spirituality that will ultimately reject the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Purpose Driven Connection is a step toward this reality.

In a section of the magazine[xvii] called "The Scene," one page is devoted to popular "Christian" books. Warren has included books that have contemplative and or emerging slants, such as Brennan Manning's Ragamuffin Gospel, Bill Isley, MD says, “A man-centered gospel will always exalt man by downplaying his true sin nature. It will then reconstruct any and all elements of its theology to be consistent with that man-centeredness. Manning has clearly accomplished that objective in this, and presumably, other works. Man desires an egalitarian God Who is not sovereign and Who would never judge a person. [xviii]

Also listing The Shack as a "notable best-selling Christian" book (no disclaimer or warning provided, which gives the indication to readers that this is a good trustworthy book, and yet within its pages is the message of the Black Madonna, [xix]that God is in all things.

YOU WERE CREATED FOR CONNECTIONS WITH HUMANS?

An emphasis in Rick Warren’s new magazine is "Connection." In the "Editor's Letter," Rick Warren says: "YOU WERE CREATED FOR CONNECTIONS.... Life is all about connecting. A disconnected life merely exists" (p.2-3). Warren promises that the Purpose Driven Connection will give the "power" and the tools for this connection. "Power flows through connections.... When you're a member of the Purpose Driven Connection, we'll help you develop the four kinds of relationships you need in order to grow: mentors, models, partners, and friends" [xx]

False prophet and false gospel . . . absolutely not! You were born to fellowship with God and He’s made the provisions to do so!

Well I know my bible well enough to know that intellectualism and perspiration didn't produce the church of Jesus Christ  or Christians in the book of Acts? The bible says

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47

In my opinion Rick Warren is your typical Baptist pastor of the flesh and I used to be a Baptist for a number of years. And it's a fact according to Billy Graham's own statistic that 85% of their converts fall away and who is to say that the other 15 % are Christians since they deny the Baptism of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit.  You cannot say that you are a believer and ignore 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 and say that you believe only in love and 1 Corinthians 13. No, you  must accept all of the New Testament scriptures or reject them all. You cannot pick and choose what you want

The word of God is unchanged concerning believers of which Rick Warren and his bunch are not and have not accompanying signs:

 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

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

It’s a fact that the church of the flesh including Rick Warren's church preaches with persuasive words of human wisdom and not in demonstration of the spirit and power so that our faith might not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.  And for that reason alone, Warren is a false prophet. And the bible tells us:

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.  For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

Seriously Rick Warren cannot say “For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.” And I know and do many things by the Spirit of the Lord and the mind of Christ. And that is not a lie but a fact!

For the record I have fought with B.G.E.A. organization who told me they were going to sue me because of my article ECFA IS A JOKE http://walthope.tripod.com/ecfa.htm  and I told them go ahead and they ran away.

I also fought with many professors of the Southern Baptist Convention  seminaries for many years about their rejection of the Baptism of the Spirit. I also I fought directly with Jerry Falwell who was a Southern Baptist and a liar who didn't tell people the truth about many things!

It’s my opinion that a denomination which was born out of a desire to have slaves such as SBC can produce anything good!  And the “Fundamentalist” are very divisive that even Billy Graham didn't like them and embraced the term Evangelical

For the record “Tongues: is the least of all gifts but it leads into all the gifts of the Spirit and Apostle Paul still stated in 1 Corinthians 14:5, "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied;” And Billy Graham  said he didn't like tongues because he didn't like anything controversial! Hogwash! God’s word is unchanging:

If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.  But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.  Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40



AS MANY AS I LOVE, I (JESUS) REBUKE AND CHASTEN

Revelation 3
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' --- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked ---
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

1 Timothy 5:20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Titus 2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

YES TODAY'S FALSE PREACHERS OF MEGA CHURCHES DON'T KNOW THE WORD REBUKE AND THEY REBUKE NO ONE AS THEY ARE JUST ENTERTAINERS WITH A MISSION TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD AND SAY FALSELY THAT YOU CAN LIVE IN YOUR SIN AND GO TO HEAVEN!

EXTRACT FROM Be Not Ignorant
http://walthope.tripod.com/ignorant.htm
http://walthope.wordpress.com
https://plus.google.com/u/0/100302133262254344211/posts

CAST YOUR CARES

BY HIS SPIRIT ...

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty - Zechariah 4:6, NIV

In this day and age, we are equipped with so many wonderful resources in the natural: technology, education, abilities. It’s easy to rely on our own natural strength for so many things. We have to remember that this natural world is only temporary, but the spiritual realm is eternal. We aren’t limited to the earth’s resources; we have unlimited spiritual resources by the Spirit of God.

There are some things in life that can’t happen by human thinking and reasoning. There are things that won’t be solved by natural power and might. But God is not limited by the resources of this world. When you open the door of faith in your heart, God will move through you in powerful ways by His Spirit.

By His Spirit, you can overcome temptation. By His Spirit, you can receive healing. By His Spirit, you can fulfill every dream and desire in your heart. No matter what challenges or obstacles you may be facing today, know that you can live in complete victory by His Spirit!

WHOSE MESS?

Out of the heart come evil thoughts . . . . These are what defile a person. —Matthew 15:19-20

“Could they not carry their own garbage this far?” I grumbled to Jay as I picked up empty bottles from the beach and tossed them into the trash bin less than 20 feet away. “Did leaving the beach a mess for others make them feel better about themselves? I sure hope these people are tourists. I don’t want to think that any locals would treat our beach with such disrespect.”

The very next day I came across a prayer I had written years earlier about judging others. My own words reminded me of how wrong I was to take pride in cleaning up other people’s messes. The truth is, I have plenty of my own that I simply ignore—especially in the spiritual sense.

I am quick to claim that the reason I can’t get my life in order is because others keep messing it up. And I am quick to conclude that the “garbage” stinking up my surroundings belongs to someone other than me. But neither is true. Nothing outside of me can condemn or contaminate me—only what’s inside (Matt. 15:19-20). The real garbage is the attitude that causes me to turn up my nose at a tiny whiff of someone else’s sin while ignoring the stench of my own.

Forgive me, Lord, for refusing to throw away my own “trash.” Open my eyes to the damage that pride does to Your natural and spiritual creation. May I have no part of it.

Most of us are farsighted about sin—we see the sins of others but not our own.

ALL THE WRONG REASONS ....

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him - Luke 15:25-28

If this elder son had considered his brother, he would have rejoiced at his return even as his father did. Rather, he was totally self-centered (that's pride) and became angry. This illustrates Proverbs 13:10; "only by pride cometh contention."

How can we esteem others better than ourselves when in truth we really think we are better than others? Some people are better athletes than others. Some are better businessmen than others. Some are better speakers than others, and so forth. First, we need to recognize that our accomplishments don't make us better than others. There is a difference between what we do and who we are.

Better performance does not make a better person. A person's character can be severely wanting even though his performance is good. A classic example of this is found in the Pharisees of Jesus' day. They did the right things for all the wrong reasons. Inside they were corrupt. So our evaluation of others needs to change. God judges by looking on the inside, not the outside (1 Sam. 16:7). We need to esteem others on a different basis than what most of us do.

Secondly, to esteem someone better than ourselves simply means to value them more than we value ourselves. To some that may seem impossible, but it isn't.

It is exactly what Jesus did. If Jesus, who was God in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16), could humble Himself and value our good above His own welfare, then we should certainly be able to do the same. It can happen when we die to self and live to God.

HOW TO TEST YOUR THOUGHTS

...We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

You will never be any better, wiser or happier than the thoughts that influence you. You say, ‘I can’t help it; these thoughts just come into my mind.’ Yes, you can! ‘The weapons we fight with…have divine power to demolish strongholds…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NIV) A ‘stronghold’ is a thought–pattern that controls you. It could be fear, greed, inferiority, lust, etc. It’s a ‘stronghold’ because it holds you strongly in its grip. How do you break that grip? With God’s Word. For example, when fear and inadequacy tell you you’re not good enough to succeed, become proactive and say, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV) If your immediate goal is to ‘feel good’, you’ll never develop self–control. ‘For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it…’ (Hebrews 12:11 AMP) Discipline doesn’t bring immediate joy, but it brings lasting joy later on. Note the words ‘trained by it’. You must train your mind to go the right way; otherwise it’ll take you the wrong way. God says, ‘…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…’ (Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV) God gives you choices. But He won’t make your choices for you; you must do that. In order to walk in God’s blessing each day, you must choose the right thoughts each day, and the longer you keep doing it the easier it will become. You’ve just got to get through the ‘training’ period.

CAST YOUR CARES AND LIVE WORRY-FREE

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.1 PETER 5:7

When Jesus died on the cross, He unleashed all the blessings of God into our lives. And God’s blessings have been flowing from His throne to us ever since. These blessings cannot be stopped. The only way they can be stopped is when we worry. That’s why God specifically tells us to cast our cares on Him.

You see, when you worry about a particular area of your life, you constrict God’s supply into that area. Now, God is still supplying the blessing, but it is not coming through because your worrying is constricting the “supply pipe”! You may pray, “Oh God, why aren’t You supplying me in this area of my life?” God says, “I am supplying. If you will let go, you’ll let My supply flow into that area.”

What are you worried about today? Not having enough for your daily provision? A painful symptom in your body? A mistake you made? Beloved, see the Father’s heart and love for you as He invites you to simply cast all your cares on Him. His Word tells you that He cares for you “affectionately” and “watchfully”. This means that nothing escapes His notice when it comes to your needs. So rest knowing that He will give you His best, and let His abundant supply provide for every breakthrough you need!

GET GOD’S WORD FOR IT
Matthew 4:4 - …He [Jesus] answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

When the devil tempted Jesus, Jesus turned the Word of God on him, saying, “It is written…It is written…It is written…” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)

Likewise, should the devil remind you of the pain in your body, say what God’s Word says: “It is written, ‘By His stripes I am healed!’” (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24) And tell Daddy God, “I have Your Word for it and I am standing on Your Word. I am not trying to be healed. My healing has already happened. I don’t care what this body says. It has to line up with Your Word because by Jesus’ stripes I am healed!”

And if the devil says to you, “Look at the meager balance in your bank account. How are you going to pay your bills?” just say, “I'm not going to worry because I know that my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) It doesn’t matter how much I have in the bank. God’s Word tells me that as the need arises, the supply will be there!”

When fear grips you, don’t say to yourself, “This fear is stupid. Come on, what are the chances of it happening to me?” Don’t try to rationalize or reason your fear away. Instead, speak God’s Word into the situation. Say, “It is written, ‘For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’” (2 Timothy 1:7) What if the fear returns? Speak God’s Word again. Say, “It is written, ‘For God has not given me a spirit of fear…’”

When the devil tries to deceive you, give him the Word of God. There is something about the Word of God that causes him not to want to hang around those who use it. It reminds him of Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:14),

THE FATHER'S LOVE
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. - Luke 15:20

For this boy's father to have seen him "a great way off" would imply that the Father had been eagerly awaiting his son's return. Certainly, in the spiritual application of this parable, our Heavenly Father is longing to cleanse and receive the sinner, if he will just repent and come to Him for forgiveness.

Jesus was using this parable to rebuke the Pharisees for their harsh, self-righteous, unforgiving attitude towards sinners. The older brother in this parable was symbolic of the Pharisees. Like this brother, the Pharisees had not lived an outward life of rebellion and they thought that others who didn't measure up to their standards were surely hated by God. But, "God so loved the world" and "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

Just as this older brother was self-centered and jealous, the Pharisees were not operating in the love of God towards sinners because they were so in love with themselves. They resented Jesus giving the sinners what the Pharisees thought they deserved.

If relationship with his father had been the real desire of the older brother, he would have rejoiced to see his father's joy at the return of his son. The repentant prodigal son had learned the vanity of things and he had come home to a relationship with his father that neither he nor his older brother had known before.

The scribes and Pharisees, like the older brother, had gotten caught up in serving self through their religious actions. The publicans and sinners who repented were supplying their Father with what He really wanted - relationship.

Relationship with the Father was always available to the scribes and Pharisees, but they chose the temporal praise of men rather than relationship with God.

Using Words to Overcome (LARRY OLLISON)

The Word of God has countless scriptures to show us that we will have what we speak. Our words are vitally important. Remember, life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). The reason Jesus warned us about using idle or useless words in Matthew 12:36 was because our words have the power to accept or reject the promises found in our covenant with God. What we confess is a very important thing. Sometimes we forget how important our words actually are. In Ecclesiastes 5:2,3 it says, "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool's voice is known by his many words."
 
Have you ever met somebody that had a lot of words? If your words are few, you will probably have more time to think. We must understand that words are important.
 
Revelation 12:11 says, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."

Your blood cannot save you. Your blood cannot heal you. Your blood cannot protect you. But the blood of Jesus can do it all. Jesus shed His blood so you could have overcoming power. Do you need to overcome something in your life? Well, you have overcoming power by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony.

Proverbs 10:11 says, "The mouth of the righteous is a well of life."

The Bible tells us that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, but it's your mind that determines what you put into your heart. In other words, you can dip down into that well and draw out life. God gave you a brain to think with. Your brain, which determines what you put into your heart, controls your mouth.
 
If we are serious about our Christian walk, sometimes we need to be wise enough to say, "I don't choose to hear that." I respect my wife, Loretta, because she's not afraid to take a stand in this area. We have decided we will not allow unwholesome TV shows or movies in our home. Why? If we watch them, we're allowing our eyes and ears to bring unhealthy thoughts into our minds. Whatever comes into our minds will be what we meditate on and those things will eventually enter our hearts. And, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speak.
 
A little girl about three years old was in my office with her grandmother. Somebody walked in the office and asked her what she was doing. The little girl said "Coloring. I love to color." The two talked for a minute and the adult asked, "Can I have your book?" The person was teasing the little girl. The little girl replied, "Get your [blank] hands off my book."
 
This little girl was young enough that she didn't understand how to govern what had come into her mind and lodged in her heart. This is why we need to protect our children. They don't know what they should have or shouldn't have in their hearts.

This incident proved to be a true illustration of Matthew 12:34, because out of the abundance of her heart, her mouth spoke. Your kids pick up what you're speaking, and what you say will come out of their mouths. The fact is it doesn't change when we get to be adults. The same principle works regardless of who we are or how much we don't think it applies to us. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. It is a spiritual principle.

 
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IT'S SUPER

God Was With Him

The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. Psalm 118:14-16

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

If you drink dirty polluted water you have a good chance of getting sick and maybe even dying as a result? Well how about if you  get wrong teachings from apostate churches or preachers who are false prophets? You will end up being defeated if not destroyed! That is why Todd Bentley and friends are very dangerous!

It’s Super Todd!

Look up in the pulpit, it’s a wolf, it’s a demon…NO, it’s super Todd!
Able to leap over God’s truth with a single bound!
Able to heal the sick by kicking the afflicted to death!
Able to supernaturally travel to far off places, third heaven, open portals!
Able to magically change his wife into a younger woman!
Able to deceive some of the very elect!

We, the leaders of the charismatic church, have built on hype, sensation, innovation, programs, personality and charisma. This has produced: shallowness; false movements; novice leaders— gifted but immature and untested; a deficient understanding of God’s word; the building of man-centered rather than kingdom- centered churches and ministries; competition rather than cooperation; humanistic, self-centered Christians who don’t understand sacrifice and commitment; Christians without discernment; superstar leaders; a perverted and powerless gospel; prayerless and anemic Christians; a replacement of the fear of the Lord with the fear of man; and a young generation that is cynical of it all – Dutch Sheets

Todd Bentley now carries the label of a liar and a deceiver. I'm sorry to mention it, but I felt personally deceived in the same way when Ted Haggard's sin was exposed and he was immediately removed from ministry...

Suffice it to say that there is more than I am going to mention. First of all, Todd has been removed from public ministry until further notice. He has resigned from the ministry he founded, Fresh Fire, so he is no longer a part of that board. It has become clear that he indulged in periodic drunkenness. He has no intention at the moment of reconciling with Shonna, nor does she with him. Their marriage has been torn for years by his emotional attachment with at least one other female whose physical contact went beyond hugging and kissing and holding hands. Enough said-maybe more details will be revealed later-but it was clearly immoral. All of this was skillfully concealed by lying and by swearing close associates who had observed his behavior to secrecy - Peter Wagner

# 107 Sharon  on Oct 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

Well after reading through some of what people have written on here I would like to add my 10 cents worth

I worked for Todd for over 5 years and travelled with him.

Do I agree with what he has done? No. His wife and children are suffering beyond belief. Having to sell their house because a single mom can’t afford a mortgage and Shonnah was a stay at home mom. She has endured much heartache and yet has been gracious through it all. We all can learn from her

As for his remarriage, I have sat back and watched this all unfold. Him having vacations ( prior to marriage) with his girlfriend, in Hawaii and getting drunk and who knows what else went on, does not constitute repentance.

Repentance is when you “turn from your wicked ways” but he continued to do what he wanted till he was married and then came back for “healing”. I cannot see what is in his heart but his actions speak volumes. There is much more that I can say on this subject.

Does God forgive? Yes and we should too but I do not think he should ever be placed in a position of leadership. How can you when the example you are giving doesn’t line up with the word of God?

My husband left me for another woman after 16 yrs of being together and he is now married. The after math of what I am going through has been far reaching. Whether financially, emotionally, whatever, it doesn’t go away over night.

# 108 Therese  on Oct 20th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

Sharon, 1 John 3:6-8 says “No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil.”

This passage is warning us that those who continue to sin are leading us astray – their teachings are not to be trusted, if they believed rightly they would have had power over their own sin…. I hope you will take another look at Bentley’s teachings as compared to the word of God for your own sake. There is a power that comes from uncrucified flesh that works counterfeit miracles, yes, even in the name of Jesus – I believe this is actually occult power. The true power that comes from the Spirit comes through the cross, ie, the disciple’s cross, (which is also Jesus’ cross really, they are one and the same in a sense), that we are to carry to crucify our flesh as we follow Jesus.

2 walter kambulow  on Sep 30th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Nothing has changed at all. Todd Bentley is still a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a deceiver and not a true man of God at all!

It’s unfortunate that some fools still believe that he has something to offer!

3 Therese  on Oct 1st, 2009 at 5:16 am

He hasn’t changed a bit - still the same old manipulative, evasive, deceitful ways. Not a sign of remorse, brokenness, or insight into his own problems. To me he’s exposed here as only looking out for #1. He still badly needs therapy - is Rick Joyner any kind of a qualified Christian therapist? Apparently whatever he’s been doing with T.B. has been a failure because absolutely nothing has changed. Restoration means to restore back to the image God had in mind before the created thing went haywire. Todd Bentley is not restored. I think this time all he will have left is a cult following, if he has anything - unfortunately there always seems to be those willing to follow cult leaders and can’t see the truth even when it slaps them in the face - BAM! - but the Way of Jesus Christ of Nazareth it is not. They’re going to get back the same rapid-fire auctioneer peddling his wares to a manipulated crowd that they had before. And I’m very sorry if the world looks at that insane spectacle and blames Jesus. Maybe God will have mercy and not let things get off the ground this time, or at least shut it down sooner if it does get started.

How is it with these Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians is okay to be committed adultery, separate, divorce, lie, steal and even commit perjury? In my opinion they are not even Christians because Jesus said:

 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.   "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:16-21

Todd Bentley Is Not A Christian

Jesus heals, I must disagree with you when you wrote, “Miracles and gifts of the spirit don’t validate a Christian. The fruit of the spirit validates a Christian. peace, love, patience, hope, joy, faith.” First, you did not mention all of the fruit of the Spirit but I know what you mean (Gal. 5: 22 -23). The reason why I disagree with you is because you continuously mis-identify people, like Todd Bentley as a Christian. He is not a Christian nor are those who go chasing after the counterfeit signs and so-called miracles that he and others misrepresent as being from the Holy Spirit. Real Christian Believers do not get deceived and offer counterfeits because they draw attention to themselves and they cannot tell the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of the devil and demons. They do not do the things that the New Testament tells us clearly are the work and character of authentic Christian believers. They glory in their sin and make excuses for their adulterous work, drunkenness and love of money to say nothing of all the works of the flesh which they seem to think are the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As a man once told me: “If it doesn’t look like a sheep, and eat like a sheep and talk like a sheep and do sheep things, it isn’t a sheep”. Well, just stop and look at all the un-Scriptural things these people are doing. They do not look like Christians, they don’t eat as Christians, they do not talk like Christians and they do not do Christian things. So, they are not Christians.

Jesus tells us that the “signs” following confirm the preaching of the Word and prove who are authentic believers. This is very clear when you examine the Greek definition of “signs”. They were the reason why Nicodemus said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a man sent from God; for no man could do these signs that you do, unless God is with him” (Jn. 3: 2). The legitimate 15 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12: 6 – 8; 1 Cor. 12: 8 – 10)prove that we are authentic believers. The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22 – 23) describes the Character of Jesus which the Holy Spirit develops us so that we can use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because the real or authentic Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not being used and encouraged with these counterfeit Christians who demonstrate counterfeit gifts, we have to be very careful in choosing our words as I think you have done in your letter. I learned a long time ago that there are “Christians” and there are “christians” (religious people) who are not believers. People, like the person you mentioned who received healing and made the mistake of attributing it to Todd Bentley has not learned that whoever calls on Jesus will catch Jesus’ attention, even while watching a deceptive person pretending to be a believer, and answer their prayer and heal them. When I examine these counterfeit Christians, according to Scripture, they are not believers according to Jesus Christ. Because most pastors and churches do not encourage the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and use the 15 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are easy victims when the counterfeits are demonstrated. This is an important ministry that we have in the churches that I am invited to preach and do ministry. As you know it is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4: 12). So, I suggest that you do not look upon such people as Christians because they are not.

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ALL THINGS

NEGATIVES BECOME POSITIVES

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. - Luke 15:18-19

This is a good example of true repentance. This son did not claim any goodness of his own or try to justify his actions, but he humbled himself and appealed to the mercy of his father. Likewise, we cannot approach God in self-righteousness, but we have to humble ourselves, put all of our faith in a Savior, and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chr. 7:14). That is true repentance.

Repentance is a necessary part of salvation. Repentance may include godly sorrow, but sorrow does not always include repentance. Repentance is simply a change of mind accompanied by corresponding actions.

There is a godly type of sorrow and an ungodly type of sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Ungodly sorrow, or the sorrow of this world, just kills.

Our culture has rejected all "negative" emotions. But God gave us the capacity for these negative emotions and there is a proper use of them.

People should feel bad about sin. There should be sorrow over our failures. However, this sorrow should lead to repentance, then when forgiveness is received, our sorrow should be cast upon the Lord (Isa. 53:4).

The sorrow experienced by those who do not turn to God produces only death.

They grieve over their situation because they don't turn to God (that's repentance). Christians should only have sorrow until they repent. Once repentance has come, we need to appropriate the forgiveness and cleansing that are already ours through Christ (1 Jn. 1:9). The positive change that our sorrows led us to, changes our attitude towards the things that caused us sorrow. Negatives become positives through Jesus.

FORGET NOT HIS BENEFITS

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” - Psalm 103:2, NIV

God has given us many benefits today! He’s given us so much to be thankful for. When you meditate on His goodness, faithfulness and blessings in your life, it will change how you see the world. When you focus on the fact that He saved you and set you free, the challenges and obstacles in your life will begin to fade away. Psalm 103 goes on to say that He “crowns you with love and compassion and satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed.”

No matter what you may be facing today, forget not His benefits! God wants to satisfy you with good things. If you need healing today, healing is a benefit. If you’ve made mistakes in your life, forgiveness is a benefit. If you feel tired and overwhelmed, strength is a benefit. As you turn your thoughts toward the Father today, He will fill you with His peace and strengthen you to live as an overcomer in every area of your life.

 FROM GUESSWORK TO GUIDANCE

'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go...' Psalm 32:8 NIV

You can know God’s will for your life. He promises, ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.’ (Psalm 32:8 NIV) His Word says, ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.’ (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV) God wants you to move from guesswork to guidance, but getting there requires four things:

(1) Knowing that God’s will begins with surrendering your will. Jesus said, ‘I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.’ (John 5:30NAS) You only recognise God’s will as you learn to lay aside your own will, and that gets easier with practice.

(2) Keeping a spiritual mindset. It’s not possible to sense God’s will while you’re controlled by self–interest. ‘The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.’ (Romans 8:7 NIV)

(3) Praying for God’s guidance. David prayed, ‘Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me…’ (Psalm 143:10 NIV) James also en-courages us: ‘If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.’ (James 1:5 NLT)

(4) Reading God’s Word with a heart that’s open to hear from Him. ‘Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.’ (Psalm 119:105 CEV) Daily exposure to the Word of God will help you recognise His voice when He speaks to you. ‘…the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice.’ (John 10:4 NKJV

THE POWER OF THE BODY AND BLOOD

1 Corinthians 11:26 - For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Some time ago, one of our church members developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on a flight to Israel. As she was disembarking from the plane, she collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital. But on the way there, her heart stopped beating. Apparently, the blood clot in her leg had gone to her heart, causing it to stop beating. The doctors managed to revive her heart after a few attempts, but she remained unconscious.

When I arrived at the hospital with some of my church leaders a few days later, I was told that her condition had worsened. She was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). My leaders and I decided to partake of the Holy Communion in the ICU, proclaiming that Jesus had borne all her diseases, including DVT, and that His blood had already redeemed her from all curses, including diseases and death.

The next day, she regained consciousness! Her recovery was so supernatural that after a week of observation, she was discharged and was soon touring Israel with the next tour group that arrived there.

In another case, a church member’s elderly mother underwent a series of operations and her condition deteriorated to the point where the doctor told the family to prepare for the worst. The family took Holy Communion in the ICU. They even put a small crumb in their mother’s mouth and poured a little grape juice in. On the third day, something miraculous happened—their mother regained consciousness, got well and was discharged not too long after!

You see, each time you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death for you. You discern that the Lord’s body was broken so that your body can be whole. You discern that His healthy body has borne your diseases and pains, so that your body can be well. So when you eat the bread, you say that by His stripes you are healed. And when you drink the cup, you are drinking the life of Jesus which is in His blood.

Beloved, the life of Jesus is pain-free, disease-free and poverty-free. It attracts the favor and blessings of God. And because you have that life in you, it causes good things to happen to you!

THE CHECKUP

Search me, O God, . . . and see if there is any wicked way in me. —Psalm 139:23-24

It’s that time of year when I go to the doctor for my annual physical. Even though I feel well and I’m not experiencing any health problems, I know that routine checkups are important because they can uncover hidden problems that if left undiscovered can grow to be serious health issues. I know that giving permission to my doctor to find and remedy the hidden problems can lead to long-term health.

Clearly the psalmist felt that way spiritually. Pleading for God to search for hidden sin, he prayed, “Search me, O God, . . . and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23-24). Pausing to give God the opportunity for a full and unconditional inspection, he then surrendered to the righteous ways of God that would keep him spiritually healthy.

So, even if you are feeling good about yourself, it is time for a checkup! Only God knows the true condition of our heart, and only He can forgive, heal, and lead us to a cleansed life and productive future.

Lord, You know me better than I know myself. Search the deepest parts of my heart for anything that is displeasing to You. Cleanse me of my wandering ways and lead me in Your good and righteous way.

God’s work in us isn’t over when we receive salvation—it has just begun.

HE LIFTS YOU UP ...

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair...He set my feet on solid ground...He has given me a new song to sing...” - Psalm 40:1–3, NLT

Have you ever felt like you were in a pit of despair? Just like God lifted David out, God is going to lift you out. Where you are right now is not where you’re going to stay. There are brighter days up ahead for you filled with favor, promotion and increase. As you walk uprightly before Him, no good thing will He withhold from you.

Notice that God gives us a new song, but we have to do our part to sing that song. That means you don’t go around talking about your problems, how bad things are, or how you’re never going to make it. No, you have a song of victory! If somebody asks you how you’re doing, your attitude should be, “I’m too blessed to be stressed! I’m moving forward in strength and power.” Remember, praise precedes the victory, and the Bible tells us that God is enthroned on our praises. As you magnify and lift Him up, He will lift you up out of your despair. He’ll set your feet on solid ground, and you’ll move forward in joy and victory in every area of your life.

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SHOWERS OF BLESSING

Demas Has Forsaken Me

  Be diligent to come to me quickly;  for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica-Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.  Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.  And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.  Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come-and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.   But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:9-18

In His ministry, Apostle Paul had more than his share of troubles! Demas had forsaken him, having loved this present world, and had departed for Thessalonica. Alexander the coppersmith did him much harm. But the Lord stood with him and strengthened him, so that the message might be preached fully through him, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Paul was delivered out of the mouth of the lion and was confident that the Lord would deliver him from every evil work and preserve him for His heavenly kingdom.

The good news is that our God is omnipotent and Almighty. Nothing is impossible for Him. His mighty power can rescue us from any danger. The Bible describes as to how a certain woman who suffered from a dreadful disease for many years was healed miraculously when she trusted Him whole-heartedly (Luke 8:48).  Our problems may look like a mountain but we can believe and trust in Him like this woman and He shall deliver us from all our problems. God’s word is true:

With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,"  Says the LORD, your Redeemer.   "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn  That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth,  So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.  For the mountains shall depart  And the hills be removed,  But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," Says the LORD, who has mercy on you  Isaiah 54:8-10

Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD,  And my just claim is passed over by my God"?  Have you not known?  Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD,  The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:27-29.

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

Why should God grant power to those who are weak and make them live? Because  He remains faithful according to His word:

If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him,  He also will deny us.  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:12-13

If we observe the life of king Solomon, he tells God, “Lord! I am a small child.” However, God lifts him, made him a great king, gave him visions, grants him wisdom, wealth, name and fame. Alas! King Solomon forgot God and chased after the things of this world. He chose the counsel of the men and handled the practices of the kings of this world. However, the Almighty and all powerful God appeared twice asking him not to forget Him and His ways. He warns him not to go behind the ways of this world (1 Kings 11:9). Isn’t that an amazing love of God? God never faints in His love for us.

God can never become tired of us  because even though we are unfaithful He always remains faithful. Whenever we come back to Him and say, “Lord! I am sorry. Please have mercy upon me”, He immediately embraces us with joy and blesses us. He can never get tired.  We may be tired but God is not. He is not tired of answering our prayers or lifting us up.

And sometimes God may test our faith! But we must remain firm in our faith depending on God alone. Then victory is ours! We know that we glory in tribulation because tribulation produces perseverance (Romans 5:3). When our faith is tested, we must be firm in our faith on God. He will give us the patience to overcome it and bless us. His word is true:

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there,  But water the earth,  And make it bring forth and bud,  That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,  So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void,  But it shall accomplish what I please,  And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.  "For you shall go out with joy,  And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills  Shall break forth into singing before you,  And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.  Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,  And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;  And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." Isaiah 55:10-13

"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

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

Yes, God will bless and increase us.  He will comfort all  our  waste places. He will release health and healing over them.  He will make our wilderness like Eden, and  our  desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.  Yes, for those  who fear His  name  the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings;  and they  shall go out  and grow fat like stall-fed calves. They shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of their feet. God’s 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

 "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." Johsua 1:3-9

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

EXTRACT FROM Be Not Ignorant
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