dickbraswell

Word for Today:  November 13

A famous golf professional recently played two holes of golf in a televised tournament and won more prize money in less than 30 minutes than we have be able to spend on missions in the last five years.

The world really does not need fancy, exotic automobiles, vacation homes, obscene wealth or athletic superstars, or golf trophies, but it desperately needs Jesus.

If people were as glad to hear the Word and as determined to hear the Word as the Christians of the First Century, preachers would be working overtime, three shifts a day seven days a week.

As it is, we have difficulty filling the church building once or twice a year, and then only when we have something really entertaining.  What does that say about the church today?

• Where else can you get what you get at church?
• Who else can give you what God gives you at church?
• How can you say that church is not important when the greatest manifestations of God’s Power and Presence are revealed in the Assembly of the Saints?

How can we expect to stay spiritually strong when we ignore the importance of the preached and taught Word that “happens” in the church?  When we are more excited about going to the movies, or to a ball game or entertaining ourselves, how can we expect to maintain our power over devils and demons and hell?

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.   Heb 10:25

Let’s get real

          There is really only one way that Kingdom power can get out of us.  There is only one channel through which it can and will flow.  If this one requirement is not met, the power will remain inside the believer and it will be useless.  It will not change the world and it will not bring the will of God into the earth. 

          Where there is power there must be a channel through which it can flow.  The electri­cal energy is in the receptacle in the wall, but it cannot get to the appliance (where it is needed) unless there is a cord through which it can flow.  The gas is in the tank, but it must have a pipe to get to the engine.  The power is in us, but it must have a channel to flow out into the earth.  Here is what the Bible says: 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth (ischuo: to be strong; to have power, to “be serviceable”)  anything, nor uncircumcision: but faith which worketh by love…  Gal 5:6

 For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumci­sion nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and ex­pressed and working through love… Gal 5:6 AMP

          The Kingdom of God (the miracle-work­ing power in every believer) is a Kingdom of Love.  The Christian Life… the believer’s life is a life of love.  The Church (Body of Christ) is a many-membered organism with each member joined and knit together by agape (the God-kind) of love. 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:   Eph. 4:15  

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph. 4:16  

          Each member (“joint”) supplies the cohe­siveness that joins one to another and that which joins one to another is agape (the God-kind of)  love.

           Agape is the primary force in Heaven and in earth.   Love is the motivation for all that God has ever done.  Love transcends time and space.  Love breaks into the realm of the supernatu­ral.  Love brings the very essence of Heaven and the presence of God into the earth.

          Success in the Christian Life is rooted and grounded in love.  When we feel love we feel God.  When we live to love we act like God.  God is Love.  When we love like God loves anything and everything we do will succeed. Love never fails. (1 Cor 13: 8)  When we live to love we live like Jesus.  Love working and love in operation brings Jesus to the scene.  Where and when our faith has failed…  our confessions failed…  our knowledge failed…  our praying failed… it is always be­cause our love failed… The Bible says love never fails.   

• When we walk in love we walk in divine health. Many people get sick and die because they live in hate, bitterness and strife.  It is not what we eat… it is what eats us. 

• When we walk in love we will be free from all fear.  The Word declares that per­fect love (agape) casteth out fear… (I Jn 4:18).  All fear is of the devil and will destroy and deprive and de­feat.  Fear taps into Satan’s resources just as Faith taps into Heaven’s resources.

• When we walk in love our faith will work.  If  our faith is not working it is because our love is not working.  The Bible says that faith worketh by Love… (Gal 5:6).  It is not more faith that we need it is more love that we need!  Love causes our faith to work.  If we are “do­ing all the right things” and still are lacking… we need to check out our love life.

• When we walk in love we walk in agreement with God. When two agree to­gether, the Word promises that they can have anything they ask for.  (Mat 18:19)  When we love we agree with God… when we hate or have bitter­ness in our heart, we agree with the devil.  When we agree with God our desires are met and our prayers are answered.

• When we walk in love our marriage will work.  All marriage failures are love failures.  When we love our mates (with the God-kind of Love) our marriage will work, when we don’t, it won’t!  Every home and marriage problem is caused by a love failure.  The opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness.  When we live by selfishness we drive out love.  When we love we drive out selfishness.

• When we walk in love our children will respect us and honor us.  Our problem is not our kids… it is our failure to love.  Do they know we love them?  In a recent survey, it was disclosed that the three most common replies children get from their dads are:  (1) “It costs too much”  (2) “Not now… later”  (3) “Shut up.” 

• When we walk in love our business will suc­ceed.  Healthy business relation­ships are built on love and mutual respect.  If you will love your customers for who they are and not what they can do for you, you will always have customers!

• When we walk in love our neighbors will want what we’ve got.  Our society cannot compre­hend agape love.  When we love, we keep the enemy confused.  The devil knows all about hate and resentment and jealousy and envy and strife.  “Love your neighbor”  (Mat 19:19) is a di­rect com­mand from Jesus to you and me.   This love lived out will stop all wars, crime, injus­tice, prejudice, ha­tred, and poverty.  It would re­place all the government agencies that are re­sponsible for caring for the poor and needy.  It would cancel all federal entitlement programs.  It would make welfare and social security and Medicaid and Medicare unnecessary.  Love gives.  Love shares.  Love sacrifices.

• When we walk in love our loved ones will be reached. One reason our family has no re­spect for us is because we have acted out of bit­ter­ness, strife, jealousy, and selfishness instead of love.  We have been mean and ugly and hateful!  Some of them who are not Chris­tians are more loving that we are and we are supposed to be saved and full of the Holy Ghost.  Speaking in tongues (and all Spiritual Gifts) is no substitute for love.  Paul tells us:

 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love,  I am become as sounding brass or a tin­kling cymbal… I Cor 13:1

• LOVE will overcome temper.  
• LOVE  will overcome hate.  
• LOVE will conquer wrong attitudes.  
• LOVE reaches out and em­braces our en­emies. 
• LOVE forgives and forgets. 
• LOVE encourages and edi­fies. 
• LOVE covers a multitude of sins   (I Pet 4:8).
• LOVE overlooks faults and weaknesses.
• LOVE is patient and kind.
• LOVE sees the best and believes the best in every person.

• LOVE will never wound or hurt or hinder.
• LOVE will never gossip or speak evil of others.
• LOVE will never destroy or tear down.
• LOVE is never sarcastic.
• LOVE suffers and reacts in silence.
• LOVE gives expecting nothing in return.
• LOVE always speaks the truth.
• LOVE is God and God is Love.
• LOVE never fails… because God never fails.

Releasing the God-Kind of Love

          Follow after love…  (I Cor 14:1)   Determine in your heart to love… anyhow!  No matter what!   Make a deci­sion right now that all that you do will come out of love.  Your relationship in the home… on the job… in the classroom… among friends and rela­tives…. decide to live by love.  Speak love.  Be kind.  Determine to actively follow after love.

          Refuse to do anything in strife or bitterness.  Where envy and strife are you will find every evil work …  Jas 3:16.  Keep your heart pure and your attitudes right.  If you are going to live by love you will have to master your emotions and put them under the control of your re-created Spirit.

          Love yourself!  Thank God for You!  Value yourself.  Forgive yourself.  You cannot love others if you do not love yourself.  Quit getting down on yourself and making it hard on your­self… give yourself a break!  Stop beating yourself up!  Jesus told us to “Love our neighbors as ourselves…”  It is OK to love yourself!  See yourself as one created in the Image and Likeness of God your Father… Appre­ciate yourself and forgive yourself!

          Understand that your tongue is the faucet! You release love initially through your mouth by your tongue!  What you say is what is in your heart.  Out of the heart the mouth speaketh… Mt 12:34. Make your tongue a fountain of life that flows continu­ally with refreshing streams of love.

          Make love visible.  Do love.  Be love.  Don’t only talk love.  Be love.  Be doers of love.  Love is an intangible force… make it visible by actions that speak love.  Determine to do something today that will prove your love.

          Living by love is living like Jesus.  Living by love is living like God.  Love living is what the world is waiting to see and ex­perience.  Love living is what will hasten the return of Jesus.  Living by love is living in perfection.

Word for Today:  November 12

The Church is the Will of God on earth.

Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done in earth just as it is done in heaven.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Mt 6:10

How is the Will of God to be done in earth?

It is to be done by and through the Church.

The Church is the way God’s Will is done on earth.

What is the Will of God?  The Will of God is the Word of God.  The Church is the means of bringing the Word of God into the earth.   The Kingdom of God will come in the earth by the Word of God… the Word of God which is declared and proclaimed by the Church.

• The Church has a mission.
• The Church has a mandate.
• The Church has a commission.
• The Church has an obligation.

We are to preach the Gospel (the Word, and ALL of it) to all nations and teach them about God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, Heaven, hell and the Church.

We are to Baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

The Will of God is the Church functioning and operating in the fullest power of the Holy Ghost.  And as it does, the Will of God will be done in the earth….

Just as it is in Heaven.

The sower soweth the word. Mark 4:14  

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. Mark 4:15  

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; Mark 4:16  

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. Mark 4:17 

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,   Mark 4:18   

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  Mark 4:19  

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.  Mark 4:20   

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1Pet. 1:23   

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matt. 4:4           

Jesus tells us that the Word is the Seed

Now the parable is this:  The seed is the word of God.   Luke 8:11   

If the Word is the Seed then the Seed is alive.   The Seed is ripe and ready to produce.  The Seed has heaven-potential in it.  Whatever is in Heaven is in the Word. The Seed of Heaven is the Word of God.  There is life in the Seed.  There is healing in the Seed.  There is deliverance in the Seed.  There is prosperity in the Seed.  There is peace in the Seed.  There is joy in the Seed.  There is victory in the Seed. 

   When the Word Seed is planted in good ground, watered and protected, it will produce exactly what God produces.  There are no restrictions in the Seed… nothing is held back that is good.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield:  the Lord will give grace and glory:  no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly…  

Psa 84:11    

          The SEED is OK.  Nothing is wrong with the Seed.  The Seed is perfect and the Seed is complete.  The Seed will grow and mature and produce fruit IF the proper conditions are met.  God’s Purpose is in the Seed.  God’s Will is in the Seed.  God’s Power is in the Seed. 

Just as all the intricate characteristics of any plant are in the seed of that plant, so are all the intricate plans and purposes for YOU in the Seed of God. 

There are two things we need to know:

          1.  What does God want the Seed to grow?

2.  What will it take to for the Seed to grow what God wants it to grow?

FIRST:  God wants to grow the Kingdom 

He wants the Kingdom of Heaven to grow on earth. 

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hollowed be Thy Name;  Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, in EARTH as it is in HEAVEN…   Mat 6:9-10

Jesus prayed this prayer.  It is a “model” prayer he gave us and should be a pattern for the way we pray. God wants to Grow Heaven on Earth. He wants to grow Heaven’s provisions on earth, He wants to grow Heaven’s qualities on earth and He wants to grown Heaven’s purpose on earth. 

This crop will not grow unless it grows in and though people. The people this crop is to grow through is the Church.  We (the Church) are God’s hope and dream for His crop production and His ultimate harvest. 

SECOND:  It will take the Seed (the Word of God) to grow what God wants to grow 

The entire purpose and plan of God is contained in His Seed.  In order for it to grow and mature and produce, several things have to happen:

1.  The Seed has to be SOWN  

In the parable of the sower in Mark chapter four there is an interesting word that is translated sow.  It is spiro  and it is derived from a primitive Greek verb which means “to draw out.”  

The Bible concept of sowing is DRAWING OUT or PULLING OUT what God has PUT IN.   

Therefore, it does not mean just to scatter or throw out or to cast out, rather the primary meaning is to DRAW OUT or PULL OUT. 

In order for the Seed of God to produce, the ground must PULL OUT of it what GOD has PUT IN IT. Paul tells the Philippians to “work out your own salvation…” (2:12b)  And this is the idea of “working out” or “pulling out” what God has put in.  In order to SOW the SEED the GROUND has an important responsibility.   It must PULL OUT what God has put in. 

          You are the Ground.   I am the Ground.  We are the Ground. The ground determines the harvest potential of the Seed of God.  The ground determines what the Seed will produce.  In order to pull the Kingdom of Heaven out of  the Seed of God, the ground has an awesome responsibility. 

According the parable, there are four kinds of ground.  (1) Way side ground.  (2) Stony ground.  (3) Ground with thorns, and (4) good Ground. 

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.    Mark 4:15   

Way side ground ignores the Seed  

It is sown, but it is ignored. Because it is sown and ignored,  Satan comes at once and steals it. 

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;   Hebr. 2:3   

          Unfortunately, many people in the Body of Christ are guilty of ignoring the Word… the Seed of God.  They often cast it aside.  At times they make light of it.  Many fail to see the importance of it.  Sometimes they allow this Life-Providing, Need-Meeting, Sin-Forgiving, Sickness-Healing, devil-Defeating, SEED to remain unplanted and unproductive.  And sadly, some do not really care.

 Because many are careless, Satan comes and steals their healing, their prosperity, their joy, their strength, their hope and their protection.  Absolutely nothing is wrong with the Seed.  The problem is always with the ground.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;   Mark 4:16   

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.   Mark 4:17   

Stony ground can’t stand any pressure 

The Seed is gladly received, but before it can pull out what God has put in, when pressure and opposition arise, it just gives up and quits.  When pressures, temptations, trials and contradictions happen, they forget what is in the Seed and begin to look instead at what is outside the Seed. 

They often look at the impossibilities, the obstacles, the sicknesses and the failures of others.   Thousands today have quit or compromised because of the pressure and stress Satan has caused in their Christian walk.

God does not create trials and temptations and circumstances and “situations,”  rather, they are orchestrated by the devil and their purpose is to make you give up and quit.  Stony ground is shallow.  Stony ground is “touchy-feely.”  Stony ground is immature.  Stony ground is self-centered.  Stony ground is easily offended.  Stony ground is emotion-driven and often lives by feelings, by assumptions and by suppositions.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, Mark 4:18   

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.    Mark 4:19   

Ground with thorns is choked on materialism 

Before it can pull out what God has put in, it gets hooked on and addicted to the world system.  The glitter and glamour of riches and security,  the lust of the flesh and the desire for recognition take precedent over pulling out what God has put in. 

The Kingdom harvest is choked and stunted and it becomes unfruitful because of the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the desire for money and material things. 

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.   Mark 4:20  

Good ground hears and receives the Seed of God  

Hears: (akouo) to hear with understanding;  

Receives:(parad-ekhomahee) to receive near; to delight in.  

Interestingly, in the case of the stony ground, the word “receive” is lambano  which means to take casually. 

When you hear with the understanding and delight greatly in the truth of the Seed you are on the way to producing a Kingdom Harvest!

          Now, how do you reap your harvest?  Reaping your harvest involves five principles: 

          1.  Sowing the Seed.

          2.  Protecting the Seed that is sown.

          3.  Watering the Seed that is sown.

          4.  Waiting for the Seed that is sown to grow.

          5.  Harvesting what the Seed that is sown produces.

First, you MUST SOW    

You will never reap anything if you do not sow something.  Something must be sown, if you are ever going to reap.  No sowing means no reaping.  No reaping means no harvest.  No harvest means no life.  The first thing we must learn to do is sow.

You have to know to sow.  If you do not know you will not sow.  If you know you will sow!   And what you sow is what you will grow.  And what you grow you will reap. 

Be not deceived; God is not mocked (ridiculed): for whatsoever a man soweth (draws out) that shall he also reap…  Gal 6:7  

When you sow the Word, you reap what the Word produces. 

Remember what the seed is

The Seed of God is the Word of God.  God was the First Sower and He operates by the sowing principle.  God sowed the Seed (His Word) and as a result, He reaped a Creation. 

God drew out of His Seed the sun, the moon, the stars… all of Creation.  God sowed His Word and Created.  God sowed His Word and Man came into being. 

And God SAID, Let us make man in our image…  Gen 1:26

God sowed His Word (Jesus) and reaped a Family.  Jesus is the Word.  Therefore Jesus is the SEED.  And God DREW OUT OF JESUS a New Creation.  A Holy Family.  A Royal Priesthood.  An invincible, undefeatable and unstoppable Church.    

          How do you sow?   What do you sow?

You sow the same way God sows and you sow the same thing God sows.

  God sows by saying.  And God says His Word.  SOWING  begins by SAYING.  Saying is WORDS.  Saying  is the fruit of the tongue.   You plant your dreams and plan your harvest by what you say (sow) with your mouth!   

 A man shall be satisfied (filled to satisfaction, have plenty of, have enough, filled to the fullest) with good by the fruit of his mouth…  Pro 12:14 

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth…  Pro 13:2 

A fools mouth is his destruction and his lips are the snare of his soul..   Pro 18:7 

A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth: and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled… Pro 18:20   

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it (death or life) shall eat the fruit thereof…  Pro 18:21   

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles… Pro 21:23

          How do we protect what we plant?  How can we safeguard the ground that the Seed of God is in?  What can we do to guarantee an abundant harvest?  Here are some suggestions:

          1.  You protect what you plant by Surrounding yourself with solid, Word teaching and ministry.

You don’t need to be around false teachers and false teaching.   Get as much of the true Word as you can get.  Stay in church.  Stay in a good church.  Go to Bible class and small group Bible teachings.  Be in the every service.  Listen to good teaching on CDs and watch Bible Centered television channels.  Play worship music in your home or on your automobile audio system.     

          2.  You protect what you plant by Personal Intimacy with the Father. 

Seeking God protects the Word Seed that you plant.   If  you want to “find God” and fellowship with Him, you are going to have to seek Him.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.   Jer. 29:13 

          When you spend quality time with God you will safeguard the Word in your heart.  Practice the presence of God.  In addition to your scheduled “prayer” or “devotion” or “quiet” time, stay in communion with the Father all the time.  Paul admonishes all believes to “pray without ceasing.” 

Talk with Him.  Practice His continual presence. Pray in the Spirit. Instead of talking with yourself, talk with the Holy Spirit.  Let your natural man consider His presence by your side as you go through your normal daily routines.  Let Him “sit” with you.  Walk with you.  Ride with you.  See Him with you all the time in whatever you do.  Carry on personal conversations with Him.  Communicate with Him.  This is personal intimacy… be as personal with Him as you are with any close friend… or as close with you as a family member.  Practice His Presence with you all the time in every situation and in all circumstances.   

          3.  You protect what you plant by Continually Speaking the Word. 

Saying what God says keeps the Word Seed safe.  When you say the Word you are literally agreeing with God.  When you agree with God you are able to walk with Him.  As you walk with God the Word Seed is protected.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?  Amos 3:3   

          4.  You protect what you plant by Keeping your Mind Renewed by the Word and by casting down “ imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.”  

Right thinking protects the Seed.  Right thinking is Word thinking.  Don’t get caught up in a day-dream-imaginary world. Get out of fantasy land.  Your mind is always active.  It never shuts down.  Keep it focused on God stuff.  Get some Word CDs and listen to them as you sleep at night.  Keep your mind submerged in the Word.  This will protect the Seed.

          5.  You protect what you plant by being Aggressive and militant… by standing your ground. 

Don’t be a wimp.  Don’t be a push-over.  Don’t be easy on the devil.  Don’t wait for demons to show up… go after them. You do not need to be defensive be on the offensive.   Refuse to be ashamed.  Don’t be in the “silent majority” be in the “out-spoken minority.”  The more you stand up the braver you will become. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.   Rom. 1:16 

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  Matt. 10:32 

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  Acts 4:29  

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  Phil. 1:20  

          6.  You protect what you plant by “observing to do all that is written therein (the Word)…” 

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  Josh. 1:7   

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Josh. 1:8 

          Obeying God’s Word protects the Seed.   Doing the Word is living the Word.  Keeping the Word is obeying the Word.  The most important thing you can do to insure that the Seed is protected and that it grows and produces is that you DO WHAT IT SAYS. 

7.  You protect what you plantby Believing the Crop is coming in!   

Believing is expecting something good to happen.  It is knowing that God will honor His Word.  Knowing is the substance of things hoped for.  It is knowing you have the crop (and acting like it!) before you have it!

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Mark 11:23   

          8.  You protect what you plant by Being Diligent and Persistent. 

Remember the woman with the issue of blood? Diligence is determination.  Persisting is keeping on keeping on.  Refusing to quit or back down or ease up no matter what the difficulty may be protects the Word Seed.  Constantly confess: “I will not quit.  I will not stop. I will not give up.  I will not ease up.  I will not grow weary and faint.  I will fight until I win.”  Be stubborn and hard-headed about going on with God.  Don’t allow the flak from the devil deter you.  Press on toward the mark for prize of the high calling of God.

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Mark 5:25-29

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,   

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse   

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

          9.  You protect what you plant by Praying in the Spirit. 

Praying in Tongues safeguards the Seed.  This is your special gift from God to help you build up your faith and to keep you strong.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,   Jude 20   

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

          Praying in the Spirit is correct praying, accurate praying and effective praying.  You can pray in tongues anytime, anywhere and no matter what is going on around you.   Your mind is not involved.  It is your recreated human spirit that will be talking to God with utterances that cannot be understood by the natural man. 

          10.  You protect what you plant by Rejoicing in God,  through heart-felt worship and praise and by keeping a thankful heart. 

Singing, rejoicing, worshipping, praising, dancing, shouting, making a joyful noise unto the Lord… all these are ways to keep the seed safe and secure.     There is freedom where the Spirit of the Lord is.  God’s Presence induces joy unspeakable and filled with glory.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.   Neh. 8:10 

Word for Today:  November 11

Jesus started the Church.

It originated with Him and it was born by Him.  He is the Author and the Completer of the Church.   He said He would Build His Church and the gates of hell could not and would not prevail against it (Mat 16).

Jesus never told a lie and He never began anything that failed.  He began the Church, He builds the Church and it is His Church.   It is not my church.  It is not your church.  It is HIS CHURCH.    He is the Head.  He is the Foundation.  He is the Reason and Rationale behind the Church.

• The Church is as Powerful as Jesus is Powerful.
• The Church is as eternal as Jesus is eternal.
• The Church has the same Authority that Jesus has.
• The Church has the same Power that God has.
• The Church can do anything that Jesus can do. And even “greater.”
• The Church can bind and loose just like Jesus can bind and loose.
• The Church is Supernatural just like Jesus is Supernatural.
• The Church was birthed to Rule and Reign just like Jesus was manifested to Rule and Reign.

And you and I are the Church.

The Church is Now.  The Church is Today.  The Church is Here.

It is Alive, Well and Filled with Power

For with the heart man be­lieveth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation…  Romans 10:10

For verily I say unto you That whosoever shall SAY unto this moun­tain, Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he SAITH…   Mark 11:23

Death and life are in the power of the tongue…   Prov 18:21

          It is vitally important to say the Word as well as pray the Word.  It is the Word that drives back the powers of darkness.  It is the Word that whips the devil and negates demon forces.  Speaking the Word is the way for your de­liverance.  However, the Word you speak must be the Word you believe.  If you do not believe the Word will actually work, guess what? It won’t. 

The Miracle-Working power of the Word is ener­gized and released by your believing and by your speaking.    

What Words Do 

              Words create, words destroy, words generate life, words kill and wound.  Words change things.  Words are carriers.  Words bring things in.  Words take things out. Words are vehicles.   Words heal.  Words can hurt.  Words are tools.     Words produce.  Words are seeds that will grow stuff.

              How you live today was determined by the words you spoke in the past. Words activate spiritual forces.  They move angels to minister to you or they move demons to torment you… to steal from you… to destroy you… to kill you.

              Words come out of your mouth.  The words that come out of your mouth are declarations of your faith. Words you speak with your mouth frame things. 

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God…   Heb 11: 1-3    “Framed” means to “com­plete thoroughly.”

              When you speak the Word of God in faith, you connect with the creative power of God and are enabled to release it.  You actually release the Faith of God.   The Word of God is the written expression of God’s faith.  The Word is a Divine record of words God has spoken that released His faith and His Creative Power. 

Words also release authority.  The centurion issued orders (words) and his men obeyed… they did something.

For I am a man under au­thority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.   Matt. 8:9  

          God spoke words and myriads of worlds were created.  All of Creation literally came out of God’s mouth.  

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Gen. 1:3  

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Gen. 1:6  

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Gen. 1:9    

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit af­ter his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. Gen. 1:11  

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: Gen. 1:14  

And God said, Let the wa­ters bring forth abundantly the mov­ing creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. Gen. 1:20  

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. Gen. 1:24  

“With the mouth confession is made unto salvation…”   (Rom 10:10) Your tongue makes things.  Your tongue causes things to happen.  Your tongue moves spirit beings.  Your tongue produces life or generates death. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue…  Proverbs 18:21. 

          Words call things in.  Words drive things out.  Words bind and words loose.  Words attract and words repel.  Words are confessions of the mouth. 

Words Release God’s Power

          When you speak God’s Word, your mouth and your tongue ac­tually release the supernatural anointing that the Word carries.  The anointing or the miracle-working power in the Word of God is manifested when there is a demand placed upon it.  It is THERE, but it will not be HERE unless a de­mand is placed upon it. 

The anointing is always present, but it is not manifested until you make a demand on it.  Your demand is an expression of your faith.  Faith must be expressed.  (Remember, the Word is the written expression of God’s faith).  Making a demand on the anointing is the way to activate the Word of God.  

Here is how you make a demand on the Word:

          1.  Believe in your heart.  Know that you know that you know…down in your “knower”… this is revelation.

          2.  Say WORDS that will Confess exactly what you are believing for.

The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is the WORD OF FAITH which we preach (say)…Rom 10:8

          3.  ACT on your CONFESSION… what you SAY.  This is faith with works.  Faith with works is faith that works.  Faith that works will cause you to live and keep you from dying.

Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves…  James 1:22  

Even so faith, if it hath not woks, is dead being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works…  James 2:17-18 

          FAITH (pistis) connects with the anointing that is always present in the Word of God.  Faith, when it is mixed with the Word, always produces results. 

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.   Heb 4:2 

Words activate devils and demons

          Just as words you say release the power of God, words you say can also activate devils and demons.  Words you speak can literally give the devil and demons “permission” to torment you.  Words you say invite them in or drive them out.  Words you say bind them up or set them loose.  Jesus used words to drive out demon powers.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.  Matt. 17:18  

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.  Luke 4:35   

          Words are actually commands.  You are literally commanding spirit beings and spirit powers by the words you speak.      Words open things up and words shut things down.  Words bind and words loose.  Words are impor­tant.  This is why idle talk is extremely danger­ous.

But I say unto you, That every idle  (argos: inactive, unem­ployed, lazy, useless, barren) word that men shall speak, they shall give ac­count thereof in the day of judgment.    Matt. 12:36  

          This is because words are life-changing forces.   Words are eternal.  Words live forever.  Words you say with your mouth never die.  They are eternal.  They are forces that stay in motion forever.  This is why we will all give an account of every inactive, unemployed, lazy, useless, and barren  word that we speak on the Day of Judgment. 

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psa. 141:3 

              It is better to be silent than to speak words that assist Satan.  It is better to be quiet than to speak words that will forever give place to the devil.   Someone remarked:  “My most prized possessions are words I never spoke.”

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  Psa. 39:10   

What a Word   Is

              The word “word” presup­poses that something is said.   A word becomes a word when it is spoken.  A word is a vehicle of communication.  Words convey information.  Words are commands and demands.  A word is  “sound” that is spoken out loud.  Words are sounds that are intelli­gently articulated. 

              Words begin somewhere.  They are conceived be­fore they are spoken.  The conception is not birth.  Words are conceived in the heart and birthed through the mouth.  Words come out of the mouth but they are born in the heart.

              According to the Bible, words frame things.   By Him (Jesus the Living Word) all things consist.  Without Him (the Living Word)  was not anything made that was made.  The Word creates.  Words that are confessed out of a heart of faith (belief) produce salvation (deliverance).  A word can become the Word.  A word becomes the Word when it agrees with God’s Word. 

Kinds of Words

          There are wimp words and there are warrior words.  There are weak words and there are strong words.  There are words that say things are that are not.  There are words that say things are not that are.  (You might want to read the preceding sentences over again). 

          There are flippant words and there are faith words.  There are shallow words and there are profound words.  There are life words and there are death words. 

          All words come out of the mouth and they are confessions of what is really in one’s heart.  What you confess you will ultimately possess.  Words you speak are what will come to pass.  What you say is what you get.  What you say is what you order.  What you say is what is coming to you.   

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatso­ever he saith.   Mark 11:23  

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Prov. 6:2  

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Prov. 12:13  

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. Prov. 12:14 

 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. Prov. 13:2        

              You will ALWAYS live on the LEVEL of your MOUTH!

Say What You Believe

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession (Homologia:   confession; acknowl­edgment)is made unto salvation.  Rom 10:10 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where­unto thou art also called, and hast pro­fessed a good profession before many witnesses.  1Tim. 6:1  

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, con­sider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Heb. 3:1  

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Heb. 4:14  

Let us hold fast the profes­sion of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Heb. 10:23  

          Say with your mouth what you believe.  Say with your mouth what you are believing for.  This is confess­ing your faith.  You have the power and authority to call those things that be not as though they were (as though they already exist).  

 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Rom. 4:17   

Confessions that are connected with the Word of God are important.  Over the years I have developed some Word confessions that have proved effective in times when I really needed God to come through for me.  Here is one that I keep in the cover of my Bible.

Word Confession

          I believe with all my heart and I confess with my mouth that the WORD of GOD is TRUE.  The WORD of GOD is ETERNAL.  The WORD of GOD is ALIVE.  The WORD of GOD is CHANGELESS.  I choose this day to set my life in agreement with the Word of God.  I choose right now to set my life in opposition to the devil.  I choose to disagree with Satan, the world system and all the powers of dark­ness.  I say with my mouth and believe with my heart that I am a Child of GOD.  Because I am a Child of God I am a Child of the LIGHT and I hate darkness.  I COMMAND my PHYSICAL BODY to resist sickness, weakness, infirmity, disease, and stress.  I COMMAND my mind to think in line with the Word of God.  I COMMAND my tongue to speak the Word of God.  I CAST OUT every spirit of fear by RELEASING the PERFECT LOVE that is within me through the HOLY GHOST.  I refuse to worry, be anx­ious, get upset, be impatient, or to doubt.  I am at this very moment a POSSESSOR of DIVINE LIFE.  My MIND is SOUND and STABLE and my PHYSICAL STRENGTH is being RENEWED day by day.  I am not getting OLDER… I am getting BETTER.  I am not growing weaker, I am growing STRONGER.  All of my needs have already been met and I am lacking in absolutely nothing.  I am DWELLING in the SECRET PLACE of the MOST HIGH and I am ABIDING under the SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY.  The LORD is my strength.  The LORD is my refuge.  The LORD is my fortress.  The LORD is my GOD and in HIM ALONE will I trust.

Say What You Want to See

          In every conflict with the en­emy speak powerful words of faith and confidence.  Say what you want to see.  Say what you want the outcome to be.  Make your words agree with God’s Word and then continually say them. You need to hear them.  When you hear what you say, faith will rise up in you.  When you speak the Word, you hear the Word and “faith cometh”  because faith comes by hearing the Word.    

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10:1

          David confessed that God would deliver him and he made this confes­sion before he confronted the giant.

He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…   1Sam 17:37

          He said the same God Who had delivered him out of the mouth of the lion and the paw of the bear would deliver him out of the hand of the uncircumcised Philistine.  After David made this powerful con­fession of his faith, he based his ac­tions on what he had confessed.  He SAID and then he DID. 

          Make your confes­sion and base your actions on what you confess.  Say what you are going to do and then do what you say.

          How are you talking?  What are you saying?  Is your mouth speaking what is in your heart? Are you saying what you want to see?  If you will con­tinue saying what you want to see you will soon see what you are constantly saying.  The words of your mouth will determine the outcome of your battle.

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth..   Prov. 6:2  

          The size of your giant has noth­ing to do with it. Nothing is TOO HARD for GOD.  God and ONE are always a majority.  Stop complaining and feel­ing sorry for yourself. Make your most powerful confession in the face of your biggest enemy.

          Listen to what David said… this was his confession:

“The Lord will deliver thee into my hand…”

“I will smite thee and take thine head from thee…”

“I will feed you and the Philistines to the buzzards…”

“The battle is the Lord’s…”

“He will give you into our hands…”

           David got exactly what he said.   His mouth framed his victory.  His words spelled defeat for Goliath.  What he said, he got.  What he confessed, he possessed.  But remember… he was in the flow. He was in the will of God.  He had a heart toward God.  You can get what you say just like David did.  But you must have a heart like David had.

Word for Today:  November 10

Regeneration.

Regeneration is the God-ward side of Salvation.  In Regeneration, the dead human spirit is Quickened and brought to life by the Spirit of God and man is restored and made righteous.

The genetic signature of your spirit is “re-gened” with the identical genetic structure of God Himself.

Notice:

• The New Creation is redeemed from the curse and penalty of sin.
• The New Creation is made Righteous. The New Creation is restored to favor with God (Reconciled).
• The New Creation becomes an Heir of God and Joint Heir with Christ.
• The New Creation is provided Power to live in victory.
• The New Creation has access to all God’s Provisions:
• The New Creation Overcomes the World. I John 5:4

And as a result, the New Creation man will love:

• The Brethren: And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:21
• God: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1 John 5:2
• God’s Word: O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.119:97
• The Church: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  5:25
• His enemies: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;   5:44
• The Lost: For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:   5:14

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

Jesus also talked about laying up (storing up) treasures in heaven.  He said:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves trea­sures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also..  Mat 6:19-21 

          There is only one place in the entire world into which Satan has no access.   There is only one place from which Satan cannot steal.  There is only one place demons and demonic spirits cannot enter.  That one place Satan cannot access is the interior of our Recreated Human Spirit.   This is precisely where the Kingdom is lo­cated and this is where we are to lay up our trea­sure. 

          Religion taught us that we send stuff up to heaven and it will be waiting for us when we get there.  (I never could understand how to get earthly “stuff” into heaven… could you?) This sounds good and reasonable, and very spiritual but it just is not true.   There is no way we can send earthly, natural stuff to heaven.  There are no instructions in the Bible that tell us how to do it because it cannot be done.   

          What is this “treasure” Jesus is talking about in this verse?  I believe Jesus is talking about Truth Treasure.  Treasure is Truth and Truth is Treasure.  Truth (treasure) is deposited in the re-created human Spirit through revelation;  not through the brain or the senses or the emotions, or natural knowledge or intellect,  but by revelation knowledge. 

When we really hear what the Spirit is speaking and we hear it with our heart, it becomes revelation.  When we receive such revelation we can store it in the Kingdom (which is in us) and it becomes accessi­ble and available when the need arises. 

This Truth is our Treasure.  Treasures are placed in the Kingdom (in us) through deposits just as money is deposited in our bank account.  What we deposit is ready for us to withdraw when we need it.  We will need truth to make us free.  We can withdraw truth if it has been deposited by revelation in our Treasure House.  

           Remember:  Jesus said we would know the Truth and the Truth would make us free. However, before He made this statement, he prefaced it with this: 

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;   John 8:31

Continuing in the Word (abiding in it, living in it, existing in it) will result in us becoming determined disciples (disciples indeed) and then we will be able to know the Truth.  And knowing the Truth (receiving revelation regarding the Truth) and applying that revealed Truth will result in our freedom; and that is total and complete freedom from anything and everything Satan designs and decrees to destroy us. 

This is the Treasure presently deposited in our Kingdom Storehouse.  And it is from this deposited Treasure we are capable of making Word withdrawals that will determine our victory over every adversary and adversity.

The Rationale behind Our Salvation

• What is the rationale behind our Salva­tion? 
• Why did God make the effort and pay the price for saving you and me?
• Why did Jesus leave heaven and come to earth?
• Why did He shed His Blood to pur­chase our redemption?
• Why does He declare that He is not willing for any man to perish? 

Here is the reason:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever be­lieveth on Him might be saved…  John 3:16 

          Is there more to the reason behind our salvation than we have been told and taught?  What God did through Christ and in Christ is much more than a free ticket to heaven.  If the only purpose of salvation was to get us to Heaven, God would have every reason to kill us the moment we get saved.  

God has a plan.  God has a plan for each individual in His Kingdom.  He has a Master Plan.  God has a sovereign purpose.  God has a divine purpose for man, for the Church and for the earth.

• God’s plan and purpose for man is that all men might be saved.

• God’s plan and purpose for the church is that it might preach the Gospel to all the na­tions of the earth.

• God’s plan and purpose for the earth is that His Kingdom might come and His will might be done on it and in it.  That means in us and through us. That means in the present and not in the past or in the future.

          Jesus announced the reason behind our Salvation at the very outset of His earthly min­istry.  He taught truth.  He spoke with great au­thority.  He declared the works of His Father.  He spoke and did only what His Father told Him to speak and do.  His preaching was radical and revolutionary… especially to organized religion. 

He came to seek and to save that  (not them) but THAT which was lost.   That which was lost was Man’s complete dominion, authority and control of all things on earth…. what was lost was the very Image of God in which man was originally created… what was lost was God’s Kingdom being permanently and eternally established on the earth. 

Jesus came to restore what Adam lost.  What God did in Christ undid what Satan did in Adam.  Jesus came to re-establish the Kingdom of God in the earth.   That Kingdom has been established in the heart of every believer.   And this is the Rationale behind our Salvation.

The channel through which God’s Power flows

          There is really only one way that Kingdom power can get out of us.  There is only one channel through which it can and will flow.  If this one requirement is not met, the power will remain inside the believer and it will be useless.  It will not change the world and it will not bring the will of God into the earth. 

          Where there is power there must be a channel through which it can flow.  The electri­cal energy is in the receptacle in the wall, but it cannot get to the appliance (where it is needed) unless there is a cord through which it can flow.  The gas is in the tank, but it must have a pipe to get to the engine.  The power is in us, but it must have a channel to flow out into the earth.  Here is what the Bible says: 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth (ischuo: to be strong; to have power, to “be serviceable”)  anything, nor uncircumcision: but faith which worketh by love…  Gal 5:6

 For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumci­sion nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and ex­pressed and working through love… Gal 5:6 AMP

          The Kingdom of God (the miracle-work­ing power in every believer) is a Kingdom of Love.  The Christian Life… the believer’s life is a life of love.  The Church (Body of Christ) is a many-membered organism with each member joined and knit together by agape (the God-kind) of love. 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:   Eph. 4:15  

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph. 4:16  

          Each member (“joint”) supplies the cohe­siveness that joins one to another and that which joins one to another is agape (the God-kind of)  love.

           Agape is the primary force in Heaven and in earth.   Love is the motivation for all that God has ever done.  Love transcends time and space.  Love breaks into the realm of the supernatu­ral.  Love brings the very essence of Heaven and the presence of God into the earth.

          Success in the Christian Life is rooted and grounded in love.  When we feel love we feel God.  When we live to love we act like God.  God is Love.  When we love like God loves anything and everything we do will succeed. Love never fails. (1 Cor 13: 8)  When we live to love we live like Jesus.  Love working and love in operation brings Jesus to the scene.  Where and when our faith has failed…  our confessions failed…  our knowledge failed…  our praying failed… it is always be­cause our love failed… The Bible says love never fails.   

• When we walk in love we walk in divine health. Many people get sick and die because they live in hate, bitterness and strife.  It is not what you eat… it is what eats you. 

• When we walk in love we will be free from all fear.  The Word declares that per­fect love (agape) casteth out fear… (I Jn 4:18).  All fear is of the devil and will destroy and deprive and de­feat.  Fear taps into Satan’s resources just as Faith taps into Heaven’s resources.

• When we walk in love our faith will work.  If  our faith is not working it is because our love is not working.  The Bible says that faith worketh by Love… (Gal 5:6).  It is not more faith that we need it is more love that we need!  Love causes our faith to work.  If we are “do­ing all the right things” and still are lacking… we need to check out our love life.

• When we walk in love we walk in agreement with God. When two agree to­gether, the Word promises that they can have anything they ask for.  (Mat 18:19)  When we love we agree with God… when we hate or have bitter­ness in our heart, we agree with the devil.  When we agree with God our desires are met and our prayers are answered.

• When we walk in love our marriage will work.  All marriage failures are love failures.  When we love our mates (with the God-kind of Love) our marriage will work, when we don’t, it won’t!  Every home and marriage problem is caused by a love failure.  The opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness.  When we live by selfishness we drive out love.  When we love we drive out selfishness.

• When we walk in love our children will respect us and honor us.  Our problem is not our kids… it is our failure to love.  Do they know we love them?  In a recent survey, it was disclosed that the three most common replies children get from their dads are:  (1) “It costs too much”  (2) “Not now… later”  (3) “Shut up.” 

• When we walk in love our business will suc­ceed.  Healthy business relation­ships are built on love and mutual respect.  If you will love your customers for who they are and not what they can do for you, you will always have customers!

• When we walk in love our neighbors will want what we’ve got.  Our society cannot compre­hend agape love.  When we love, we keep the enemy confused.  The devil knows all about hate and resentment and jealousy and envy and strife.  “Love your neighbor”  (Mat 19:19) is a di­rect com­mand from Jesus to you and me.   This love lived out will stop all wars, crime, injus­tice, prejudice, ha­tred, and poverty.  It would re­place all the government agencies that are re­sponsible for caring for the poor and needy.  It would cancel all federal entitlement programs.  It would make welfare and social security and Medicaid and Medicare unnecessary.  Love gives.  Love shares.  Love sacrifices.

• When we walk in love our loved ones will be reached. One reason our family has no re­spect for us is because we have acted out of bit­ter­ness, strife, jealousy, and selfishness instead of love.  We have been mean and ugly and hateful!  Some of them who are not Chris­tians are more loving that we are and we are supposed to be saved and full of the Holy Ghost.  Speaking in tongues (and all Spiritual Gifts) is no substitute for love.  Paul tells us:

 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love,  I am become as sounding brass or a tin­kling cymbal… I Cor 13:1

• LOVE will overcome temper.  
• LOVE  will overcome hate.  
• LOVE will conquer wrong attitudes.  
• LOVE reaches out and em­braces our en­emies. 
• LOVE forgives and forgets. 
• LOVE encourages and edi­fies. 
• LOVE covers a multitude of sins   (I Pet 4:8).
• LOVE overlooks faults and weaknesses.
• LOVE is patient and kind.
• LOVE sees the best and believes the best in every person.

• LOVE will never wound or hurt or hinder.
• LOVE will never gossip or speak evil of others.
• LOVE will never destroy or tear down.
• LOVE is never sarcastic.
• LOVE suffers and reacts in silence.
• LOVE gives expecting nothing in return.
• LOVE always speaks the truth.
• LOVE is God and God is Love.
• LOVE never fails… because God never fails.

Releasing the God-Kind of Love

          Follow after love…  (I Cor 14:1)   Determine in your heart to love… anyhow!  No matter what!   Make a deci­sion right now that all that you do will come out of love.  Your relationship in the home… on the job… in the classroom… among friends and rela­tives…. decide to live by love.  Speak love.  Be kind.  Determine to actively follow after love.

          Refuse to do anything in strife or bitterness.  Where envy and strife are you will find every evil work …  Jas 3:16.  Keep your heart pure and your attitudes right.  If you are going to live by love you will have to master your emotions and put them under the control of your re-created Spirit.

          Love yourself!  Thank God for You!  Value yourself.  Forgive yourself.  You cannot love others if you do not love yourself.  Quit getting down on yourself and making it hard on your­self… give yourself a break!  Stop beating yourself up!  Jesus told us to “Love our neighbors as ourselves…”  It is OK to love yourself!  See yourself as one created in the Image and Likeness of God your Father… Appre­ciate yourself and forgive yourself!

          Understand that your tongue is the faucet! You release love initially through your mouth by your tongue!  What you say is what is in your heart.  Out of the heart the mouth speaketh… Mt 12:34. Make your tongue a fountain of life that flows continu­ally with refreshing streams of love.

          Make love visible.  Do love.  Be love.  Don’t only talk love.  Be love.  Be doers of love.  Love is an intangible force… make it visible by actions that speak love.  Determine to do something today that will prove your love.

          Living by love is living like Jesus.  Living by love is living like God.  Love living is what the world is waiting to see and ex­perience.  Love living is what will hasten the return of Jesus.  Living by love is living in perfection.

Word for Today: November 9

The Church is important.

The Church is vital.

The Church is the world’s only hope.

God will use the Church to change the world.  I know this is possible because ONE CHURCH did change the world.  Forever and forever the course of human history was changed and impacted because of the influence and ministry of this One Church.

What God has done in the past He is certainly able and capable of doing today.

• God is the same.
• The Holy Ghost is the same.
• Jesus is the same.
• The Word is the same.

What the Church did in the past is proof that the church can do it today.  The Church of the Living God is the most POWERFUL FORCE on this planet.  Nothing and nobody can equal its power and its authority.

The Church is people.  It is not buildings of brick and mortar… it is not denominations and doctrines…. it is not man-made nor man-managed… It is not great architecture and beautiful services… It is more than structures on street corners.  It is People.  People are individuals… Individuals like you and like me.  Us.  We who have been Born Again and Birthed into the Kingdom of the Most High God.  We are the Church.  You are the Church.   The Church is present here today.   And anything that has ever happened “in the church” or “to the church” at any time in the past can and could happen today.   Why should we expect the Church to be anything less than what it is in Acts?

How can we be satisfied with what it is today if it is not what it was during its birth and early history?

It should do what it did.

It can do what it did.

It must do what it did.

It WILL do what it did

INTRODUCTION:

            There are three attitudes toward DIVINE HEALING and DIVINE HEALTH in the church today:

            (1) The Age of Miracles is over… Healing passed away with the Apostles… therefore there is no such thing a DIVINE HEALING  today… in this Age.  God works DISPENSATIONALLY and the Dispensation of Miracles is past.

            (2) God does heal today but He only heals those that are His Will to heal.  Divine Healing comes by Special Faith and at Special Times only as God chooses.

            (3) HEALING and DIVINE HEALTH for the Believer has been provided by God through the Redemptive, Atoning Work of Jesus Christ and it is for ALL WHO BELIEVE.  Healing is a PRESENT DAY PROVISION and it is received on the basis of our FAITH in the FINISHED WORK of JESUS CHRIST.

            “Divine healing and Divine Health is a definite act of God through faith in Jesus by the Power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the precious blood of Christ, whereby the human body is cured, healed, repaired, delivered from sickness and its power, and made as whole, sound, and healthy as it was before the attack.”    Finis Dake

            “Back of each disease there is a cause that no drug can reach…”  Dr. S. Weir Mitchell.

            Drugs may deaden pain, kill germs, and counteract certain poisons in the body, but THEY CANNOT HEAL.  All healing is done by nature and by God.  Jesus atoned on the Cross for sin and for sickness.  God is as willing to heal as He is to forgive of sins.  If Jesus came to take away sin, He certainly came to take away sickness which is the fruit of sin.  THE ONLY HINDERANCE IN GETTING THE FULL BENEFITS OF CALVARY IS UNBELIEF AND LACK OF APPROPRIATION OF THE BLESSING WHICH JESUS DIED TO GIVE ALL MEN.

God’s method is to get rid of the cause of sickness while man’s method is to cover it up and get relief from it.  If man would obey God and correct the source, there would be no outgrowth of sickness.

            There are basically four general causes of sickness and disease:

            1.  The Fall of Man

            2.  Sin

            3.  The work of satan and demons

            4.  The execution of the Law of Sowing and Reaping

            Perhaps the greatest hindrance to the faith of those seeking healing is the UNCERTAINTY IN THEIR MINDS as to it being the Will of God to HEAL ALL.  Most will admit that God heals some… but modern theology and prevailing skepticism has prevented the Church form KNOWING WHAT THE BIBLE CLEARLY TEACHES and that is HEALING AND DIVINE HEALTH FOR THE BELIEVER IS THE WILL OF THE FATHER AND IT HAS AREADY BEEN PROVIDED BY AND THROUGH THE REDEMPTIVE ATONING WORK OF JESUS!

This study will teach you: 

            (1) What the Bible says about Healing. 

            (2) How you can get Healed if you are sick. 

            (3) How you can stay healed if you are well. 

            (4) Why some fail to receive healing.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HEALING:

LUKE 4:40:  “Now when the sun was setting, ALL they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid hands on EVERY ONE of them and HEALED THEM….”

MATTHEW 8:16:  “When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits WITH HIS WORD, and HEALED ALL that were sick…” 

MATTHEW 4:24:  “And His fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto Him ALL SICK PEOPLE that were taken with divers diseases and torment, and those which were possessed with devils and those which were lunatick and those that had the palsy and He HEALED THEM (all)…”

MATTHEW 9:35:  “And Jesus went about ALL the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and HEALING EVERY sickness and EVERY disease among the people…”

MATTHEW 12:15:  “But when Jesus knew it He withdrew Himself from thence; and great multitudes followed Him, and He HEALED THEM ALL…”

MATTHEW 14:35-6:  “And when the men of that place had knowledge of Him they sent out into all that country round about and brought unto Him ALL THAT WERE DISEASED; and besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment: and as many as touched were made PERFECTLY WHOLE…”

LUKE 6:17-19:  “…and a great multitude of people…came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were vexed with unclean spirit; and they were HEALED… and the whole multitude sought to touch Him; for there went virtue (power) out of Him and HEALED THEM ALL…”

ACTS 10:38:  “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; Who went about doing good, and HEALING ALL that were oppressed of the devil;  for God was with Him…”

ACTS 5:15-16  “Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about Jerusalem bringing sick folks and them which were vexed with unclean spirits and they were HEALED EVERY ONE…”

MARK 16:17-18  “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover…”

JAMES 5:14-15  “Is there any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him…”

HOW TO GET HEALED

1.  Get Born Again

1Pet. 2:24   Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Matt. 8:16   When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

Matt. 8:17   That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Matt. 13:15   For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

2.  Have Faith for Healing

If you have repented of your sins and your unbelief, you have a right, a perfect right according to the Gospel, to get what the Gospel promises and what Jesus died to give you.

Matt. 21:21   Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Matt. 21:22   And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 9:23   Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mark 11:22   And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Mark 11:23   For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:24   Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Hebr. 11:6   But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

James 1:5   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:6   But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavered is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:7   For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

James 1:8   A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

3.  Trust God totally even when you are sick

Jer. 17:5   Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Jer. 17:7   Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Jer. 17:8   For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters… and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; (shall have health) and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

4.  Obey God and His Word

Prov. 3:1   My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Prov. 3:2   For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Prov. 4:20   My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Prov. 4:21   Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Prov. 4:22   For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

5.  Make Peace with your fellow man

Mark 11:25   And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:26   But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

James 5:14   Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

James 5:15   And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:16   Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

6.  Call the Elders of the Church

James 5:14   Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

James 5:15   And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

7.  Control your tongue

Prov. 13:3   He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Prov. 12:18   There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Prov. 16:24   Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Prov. 18:21   Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

8.  Live in God and Under His Protection

Ps. 91:1   He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Ps. 91:2   I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Ps. 91:3   Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Ps. 91:4   He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Ps. 91:5   Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Ps. 91:6   Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Ps. 91:7   A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Ps. 91:8   Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Ps. 91:9   Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Ps. 91:10   There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Ps. 91:11   For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Ps. 91:12   They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Ps. 91:13   Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Ps. 91:14   Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

Ps. 91:15   He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Ps. 91:16   With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

9.  Praise God for your Healing before it comes

Ps. 103:1   Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Ps. 103:2   Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Ps. 103:3   Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

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

10.  Serve God in Holiness of life

 John 5:14   Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

11.  Appropriate the Benefits of Calvary

Mark 11:24   Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

12.  Resist the devil… Refuse to be denied what is legally yours

James 4:7   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:8   Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1Pet. 5:8   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1Pet. 5:9   Whom resist stedfast in the faith…

13.  Observe the laws of God and Nature

1Cor. 6:19   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Cor. 6:20   For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1Cor. 3:16   Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1Cor. 3:17   If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

 I. REMOVE ALL UNCERTAINTY REGARDING GOD’S WILL ABOUT SICKNESS and DISEASE. 

            IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU TO BE WELL.  Most will have to adjust and correct their theology.  God has appointed you a number of days and He desires that you live all of them well and not sick. 

“And ye shall serve the Lord your God and He shall bless thy bread and thy water; and I WILL TAKE SICKNESS AWAY FROM THE MIDST OF THEE.   There shall nothing cast their young not be barren in thy land: the number of they days I will fulfil…”  EXODUS 23: 25-26

            It is GOD’S WILL to heal ALL WHO HAVE NEED OF HEALING.  There is not a doctrine or truth more clearly taught in the Word of God. 

If it were the will of God for people to be sick, then God never would have healed anyone because that would oppose His own will.  Notice that the Glory God got out of all the cases of healing in Scripture was not in the sickness, but in the healing. 

            1. If sickness is the will of God then it is a SIN for the sick to even desire to be well.

            2. If sickness is the will of God then every Physician is an enemy to God, every nurse is defying the Almighty and every hospital is a house of spiritual rebellion.

            3. If sickness glorifies God, then Jesus robbed God of all the glory He could by healing the sick.

            4. If sickness is an affliction sent by God to teach or correct those whom He loves, then why do the sick try to get rid of God’s love token?  Why do they not rather pray for a “second blessing” of sickness?  Why do they not ask   God to “bless” every member of their family with a “love token”?

            5. If Jesus came to “Destroy the Works of the devil” (I John 3:8) does He want the works that He came to destroy to remain in our bodies?

            6. Since the Human Body (Your Body, if you are Born Again) is the Temple of God, would He not rather have a Well Body to live in than one that is a physical wreck? ….that is weak? ….that is diseased? …that is infirm?….that is imperfect?

            Faith cannot go beyond one’s KNOWLEDGE of the REVEALED WORD and WILL OF GOD.  Until we KNOW that it is God’s Will for us to be well, we have nothing on which to base our faith.  IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU TO BE  HEALED OF  EVERY SICKNESS AND INFIRMITY. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE BIBLE DECLARES. 

II. PLANT THIS HEALING TRUTH AS SEED IN YOUR HEART

“Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free…” Freedom from sickness comes from knowing the TRUTH and ACTING on the TRUTH.

            1. TRUTH (what the Word says about healing) is the SEED that must be planted in your HEART and SOUL (Mind). 

            2. Tradition is not necessarily TRUTH.  Creed is not necessarily TRUTH.  Doctrine is not necessarily TRUTH.  Religion is not necessarily TRUTH. 

            Are YOU convinced that the BLOOD OF JESUS SAVED YOU FROM SIN? Are you ASSURED that HIS WORK of REDEMPTION was and is SUFFICIENT TO GET YOU TO HEAVEN?  DO you believe that EV_ERYONE who PRAYS the sinner’s  PRAYER of FAITH GETS SAVED?  IS SALVATION A “HIT OR MISS” SITUATION?  Are only “some” saved when they pray the sinner’s prayer?  Now, when were your sins forgiven?  Not when you confessed them, but when Jesus paid the price for them on the Cross.  You RECEIVED that forgiveness when you  APPROPRIATED what happen on the Cross by confessing your sins and trusting  in Jesus as Lord. 

The same is true regarding your healing.  When were you healed?  Not when you prayed for it but rather when Jesus paid the price for your healing on the Cross.  You RECEIVE that healing as you appropriate what Jesus did for you on the Cross by confessing and believing.

            Your attitude toward HEALING FOR YOUR BODY SHOULD BE JUST A CONFIDENT and your ATTITUDE TOWARD YOUR SALVATION.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED…”  ISAIAH  53:5

III.  PRAY THE PRAYER OF FAITH… NOT UNBELIEF

            Praying with faith-destroying words such as “If it be Thy will…” is not planting the Seed of Truth.  It is destroying the seed…. aborting the Seed of God by and through unbelief.

            The Gospel is the “Power of God unto Salvation (Soteria)…” It is God’s Power for all facets and phases of life… Social… Physical… Financial… Mental… Spiritual.  Being HEALED is BEING SAVED in the PHYSICAL DEMINSION!!

It is IMPORTANT that you believe that God is not only ABLE to heal you but that HE is WILLING to heal you and He is WILLING to do it RIGHT NOW!!  The PRAYER of FAITH believes that it is HEARD before the answer is PHYSICALLY MANIFESTED.  “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire (do you desire health?), when ye pray believe that ye receive(ed) them, and ye shall have them…”  Mark 11:24

IV.  LET YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SICKNESS BE THE SAME AS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SIN

            You should be just as determined to be healed as you are to be saved.   You should be just as determined to be WELL as you are to be FOR_GIVEN!!  You will not tolerate UNFORGIVEN SIN to remain in your heart… you should not tolerate UNHEALED SICKNESS to remain in your body.  Be just a CONCERNED about you healing as you  are your forgiveness!!

V.  DECIDE TO RECEIVE WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED RIGHT NOW

            Just because you do not SEE IMMEDIATE RESULTS does not mean that NOTHING HAPPENED.  IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED.  It happened nearly 2000 years ago!!  It is DONE and it is FINISHED.  It is COMPLETE and it HAS BEEN PROVIDED.  The works of the devil have been destroyed because the Son of God has been manifested!!  Believe you have received regardless of what appears to your senses…

            Basically, three things are happening as you wait for the manifestation:

            (1) Your PATIENCE is being developed…

            (2) GOD is WORKING in every area to bring your healing to completion…

            (3) satan is FIGHTING tempting you to give up and quit in discouragement…

‘MY SON, ATTEND TO MY WORDSLL; INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO MY SAYINGS.  LET THEM NOT DEPART FROM THINE EYES; KEEP THEM IN THE MIDST OF THINE HEART.  FOR THEY ARE LLIFE UNTO THOSE THAT FIND THEM, AND HEALTH TO ALL THEIR FLESH…”  PROVERBS 4:20-22

SUGGESTIONS FOR STAYING SICK:

            (1) Take TIME to TALK about your sickness and your weakness and your infirmities

            (2) Look up some expert to tell you and convince you that God does not always heal unless it is His Will

            (3) DISCUSS in detail all your operations and see if you can find someone to top your gruesome experiencesl

            (4) Check up on your FAMILY HISTORY and find out what your relatives died from

            (5) Eat anything you want and as much of it as you want anytime you want it.  Settle in front of the TV and watch others get sick and die and go through horrible experiences.

            (6) Never exercise.  Lay down.  Sit down.  Nap as often as you can.  Never do any hard physical work

            (7) Do not watch TBN, the 700 Club or any Full-Gospel Telecasts.  Do not listen to Christian Music or Tapes or Teachings.

            (8) Be sure and read all the footnotes in Some Bibles… especially those that explain away miracles

            (9) Get mad.  Be critical.  Stay in strife.  Live in unforgiveness