Stepping Out in Faith - Crossing The Big Divides In Life

Taking steps of faith are not comfortable to us because, in our sinful nature, we don't live by faith. Yet, to please God we are required to walk in faith- biblical faith, not human faith. Biblical faith and human faith may sound like they are the same thing, or at least very similar, however, they are not. Human faith is believing with our physical senses, which is very limited in ability. Biblical faith is believing God, based on His Word, with our hearts which empowers us to believe things that are beyond the ability of our sense - even to believing things that, to us, are impossible.

The reason for biblical faith is that it allows us to enter into the spiritual realm and access God. When we repent of our sins and turn to Christ, as both our Lord and Savior, He gives each of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).We are called to walk in that faith. Without it we cannot please Him (Hebrews 11:6) and cannot even comprehend His promises or receive His blessings.

Hebrews 11:1 in The Amplified Bible says "that faith is the assurance of things (the confirmation, the title deed) [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".

So, we can have an assurance, which is a guarantee, of the things that we hope for (based upon the Word of God). Faith is the "proof" of things we don't or can't see (things beyond the ability of our senses) and the conviction or certainty of the fact that this things really exist.

Faith takes hold of the hopes that are in God's reality and brings them into our reality and lives. How do we get this faith? By hearing God's Word (Romans 10:17). When we have faith based on the bible we are to believe before we receive. We can do this because God's Word is totally true and can be totally relied upon - after all, it is God's Word. Therefore, because God says it, we are to believe it - even before we see His promises come to pass in our lives.

It is essential that we live with this type of faith. As a matter of fact, we are to know God's Word and claim His promises until they come to pass in our lives, giving Him thanks and praise in anticipation of the promises being fulfilled. This is true concerning any of our needs - healing (physical, emotional, or spiritual), finances, conquering sinful habits, etc.

Remember Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade? The short video clip below shows a part of that movie where he is attempting to cross a deep chasm to obtain the holy grail and use it to save his father's life. It serves as an interesting illustration about the necessity of exercising faith. Indiana had to believe something was real and that it existed, even though he could not see it. He would never have been able to reach his objective (getting to the other side of the chasm) without first believing in the reality of what was unseen - the bridge. His "faith" was proof that the bridge existed, despite all his senses telling him that it didn't exist. This clip illustrates the nature of faith and, if you will, can even speak to us on a higher level and provide great insight about biblical faith in action.

Bible faith is victorious faith and overcomes all things in Christ. We are victorious and are overcomers when we live and exercise our faith. We also please God and experience His abundant blessings when we do so.

Uh Oh! Be Careful Not To Judge!

"It is a sobering thought to think that you will become like who you judge -- God help us!"

Rom 2:1 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

Matthew 7:1-2 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.


"When we criticize and judge another person, we are not only full of pride, but we are exalting our self over God; who has given us, by His grace, everything good we have and are."

Romans 15:1 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."

1Peter 4:10 "As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor]."

James 1:5 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (aptness to alter), neither shadow of turning."


Geri McGhee
Abiding Life Ministries
http://www.abidinglifeministries.org/
Irvine, TX

Sowing and Reaping - The Plan for Growth and Success!

A few days ago I wrote a short article titled "Biblical Faith and It's Results" on this blog. In that article I discussed and defined biblical faith as both believing and acting on the Word of God. I also discussed the importance of confession, speaking in line with God's Word, and standing on His Word until His promise is fulfilled in our lives. This involves the principle of sowing and reaping.

I wrote and posted an article recently on one of my other blogs (www.christosourhealer.blogspot.com) titled "The Word is the Necessary Seed for Harvest". My purpose here is not to repeat what was written in that article (please read that article to understand more fully the principle of the "seed"), but simply to highlight that God's Word is seed (Luke 8:11). As seed, it contains the "genetic code" for our success concerning both eternal life and living life here on earth more abundantly by being connected with the author and overcomer - God Himself. However, without planting the seed, we will never see a harvest. So, planting it is necessary for it to grow and bear abundant fruit. When we plant the Word of God firmly in our hearts, it must be with full of faith and obedience. In doing so, we will see God grow our faith and bring forth abundant fruit, as well as answered prayer.

We have all seen God answer prayer instantaneously and we have also seen Him answer prayer only after a season - sometimes short and sometimes long. When He answers prayer instantaneously, that can be in the realm of being called a miracle. When an answer is instantaneous, we rejoice and are astounded by God's goodness and faithfulness. Yet, when a prayer isn't answered immediately, we can faint, become weary and even lose our hope, thinking that God has not either heard or answered us. However, this is far from being true!

It is important to point out that there are some prerequisites for answered prayer that I discussed in my other article. These include: walking in obedience to God (John 14:21), praying according to the will of God [the promises in His Word] (Proverbs 4:20-22, 1 John 5:14-15), and cultivating faith in our lives by continually hearing and reading the Word (Romans 10:17).

If we are in the situation where God is not answering our prayers immediately, do not despair - God is at work! A farmer understands that when he plants seed that he must place it in nutrient-rich soil, water it, exposure it to the sun and then wait with patience. The farmer has confidence that the seed is not dormant and is, in fact, busy growing; though he may not see any evidence of growth for a time. It is exactly the same with regard to receiving answers to our prayers. Not every prayer has a manifested answer immediately when we pray. This is also true concerning healing - not every healing is manifested immediately when we pray. But, we can still stand confident that God has answered our prayer, even when we do not see the evidence of it - yet!

God is a God of His Word. He will never go against His Word. He is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9). Hebrews 11:1 says: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". We need to make sure that we stand in faith and being certain, based upon the Word, that God has granted our request. Like the farmer who planted the seed in fertile soil, we too must wait for it to germinate and then after come to a full harvest, all in due season. During this time, like the farmer we must cultivate it. How do we do this? As I mentioned before, we cultivate our faith by trusting God, walking obediently, and building our faith by continually being in His Word.

There is another component to seeing God's promises coming to pass in our lives. It involves thanksgiving, praise and worship. It may seem very counter-intuitive, but we are to thank Him for the answer to our prayers before they are manifested/revealed. You see, by faith we know we have our request even prior to actually receiving it. When we thank, praise and worship we take an active step into the faith realm and create two things. The first thing we create is a heart full of faith and expectation, one that is eager to receive - this is keeping the soil of our hearts cultivated. The second thing we create is opportunity and initiative to enter into God's dimension with humility and gratitude. In doing so, He loves to grant the requests of His children who call upon His name.

During these seasons when we wait for God to answer our prayers, no matter how short or long they are, we are growing abundantly in our faith. While receiving the answer to our specific prayer is important, it is infinitely more important that we are creating a heart and life inclining itself toward God, hungry for and full of love for Him. Such a life is therefore ready to receive every great blessing from Him. This is the fruit of the abundant harvest of our lives.

Be confident and full of faith! Whatever we sow, we shall reap (Galatians 6:7-8). When we sow God's Word into our hearts, as we stand in His Word by faith, we will see His promises fulfilled and our prayers answered!

In the name of Jehovah Jireh (God our Provider),

Ross

New Blogs

I have recently created two new blogs that are designed to help bless you and bring you deeper into your relationship with God and into His Word.

The Victorious Overcomer (http://thevictoriousovercomer.blogspot.com) - A blog devoted to discussing how we serve a Victorious God who causes us to Overcome and live in Victory in Him. Despite our circumstances we can have a wonderful life as we obey and love God. It will also discuss intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare.

Christos Our Healer (http://christosourhealer.blogspot.com) - A blog about the promise of healing we have in Christ (In the Greek it is Christos, meaning Christ-The Anointed). This blog is intended to draw readers to God through His Word and to cultivate faith to be healed by His power and in His name.

The website addresses are given above but each site can also be accessed by link located on the tab to the right under "My Blog List".

Enjoy and Be Blessed!

Ross

Biblical Faith And It's Results

It is good to know God's Word because through it is the entrance of life and wisdom. Unfortunately, many people think that by simply reading the bible they know it. However, this is not enough nor is it biblical faith.

Biblical faith is to both believe and act on the Word of God. Believing is a prerequisite to receiving. Tragically, this is exactly the opposite of what the world and our senses tell us to do. We are told "I'll believe it when I see it". Yet, this is a materialistic approach to life that is antithetical to our faith and leads to hopelessness and despair.

Hebrews 11:1 says: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. " So, there is a realm, the spiritual realm, where faith is something of substance and it is an evidence of something that exists as a real entity in that dimension.

When we read God's Word and acknowledge that it is true, that is a good start. But, faith requires much more than that. Faith is not simply mental assent and mere agreement with God. Faith is acting upon the Word (see James 2:14-24).

So, how do we act upon the Word of God? Well, we must understand that God's Word is true - not just in terms of its veracity but also for its application in our lives. Knowing must turn into believing. Many people want to know it before believing it. However, that is not faith. When we entered into Christ, we turned from our sins and accepted Him as Lord and Savior (when we were born again). At that time, we all had to exercise a degree of faith to do so. It was by the exercised of our faith that we came into a saving relationship with Him and therefore now know God. So, from the start, we have had to exercise faith first and then we know second. That is the way faith always works.

The word "believing" is not mere mental assent, as stated before. In the ancient Greek, the word for 'belief, believe, or believers' is Pisteuo. It is defined as: "to be persuaded of, to place confidence in, to trust, to put reliance upon, not mere credence". Basically, it is a whole-hearted agreement and a "stake-your-life-on it" position that a person takes. Because God's Word says so, we believe it is so and it applies to every so-and-so, LOL.

Unfortunately, a lot of people say that while they have believed some of promises in God's Word, that sometimes they do not work. I hear this especially in the area of answered/unanswered prayers and healing. When we focus on the problem, we will never see the answer. However, when we focus beyond the problem, on God and His promises, we have the answer.

We must accept that if God's Word is true, it is always true in our lives and in every situation. Romans 3:4 says: "Let God be true, and every man a liar". So, if we know that God is not a liar, let's be very careful what we say about Him and His Word. Hebrews 13:8 states: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". Therefore, He and His promises have not changed and never will.

When we know this we can stand on the Word with boldness and confidence. We must then confess God's Word. In doing so, our faith is now acted upon. Confession is very important. In the ancient Greek, the word for 'confess and confession' is Homologeo. It means "to speak the same thing". So, when we confess, we are to speak the same thing as God does. We are not to speak our doubts, fears, failures, or unbelief. Why? Because speaking these things is not speaking the same thing as God and, it is therefore, not confession that agrees with God and His Word. When we speak God's promises, we are in one accord with Him and are speaking His will into our lives and situations, unimpeded by unbelief. We are also allowing His power to be released in our lives.

You can see that it is very important to be in God's Word, to know it, and to stand on it. Joshua 1:8 says: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful".

When we make ourselves line up with God's Word, in our minds/hearts and with our words (this is what faith is all about), we will then see Him move on our behalf. This is not presumption- not if it is based upon God's Word! Two notes of caution though. First, in order for God's Word to work in us, we have to live a life fully repentant and obedient to Him. Second, we must have faith that God will honor His Word and fulfill it in our lives, in due season. This has to do with the principle of sowing and reaping, which will be the next article I write.

Be encouraged that as we stand on His promises, continually trusting in Him, (even when our situations looks completely contrary and hopeless) He is faithful to move and fulfill the promises contained in His Word in our lives. He will bless, heal, change, rescue, and strengthen. Why? Because He is a God of His Word.

Victorious or Vanquished - What Is Your Cave Teaching You?

As you may recall, David spent some time on the run in the cave of Adullam. It was the lowest point in His life, yet a necessary one ordained by God. The word 'Adullam' comes from the Hebrew root word dalah, which means to dangle at the end of one's rope. Adullam was the place where David was dangling at the end of his rope - hiding from Saul. It served as a place of testing, growing and learning for David, so he could be prepared to go onto to the next phase of life and ministry.

1 Samuel 22:4 says: "And [David] brought [his parents] before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold." David's life was not only in the hold, but also on hold (the back burner). Without Adullam, David's time of testing and preparation, he would not have been adequately prepared to reign as king. The same is true of us. We have our own Adullams that God places us in and these seasons can either make us or break us.

Some might say that God would never allow us to be broken during our time in Adullam, however, the choice of what Adullam becomes to us, what it teaches us and how we receive it, is up to us, as it was with David.

The Hebrew word for "hold" (as in 1 Samuel 22:4) is m-s-d and it appears as masad, matsad, or masodah (remember that originally Hebrew was a consonantal language and therefore there were no vowels until they were added only about a thousand years ago). The word masada means "fortress" or "stronghold"; however the word masuda (closely related to the word masada, and both words are derived from m-s-d) has an entirely different meaning. Masuda means "snare" or "trap".

David had the choice in the hold of Adullam to make it either a masada (fortress/stronghold) or a masuda (snare/trap). Our time of testing (Adullam) becomes a masada if we chose to rejoice and find God and His purposes in that place, despite our circumstances. It can, however, easily become a masuda if we fail to comprehend God's greater purposes and allow our hearts to become bitter and filled with doubt and unbelief.

For David, Adullam became the place where he ministered into many peoples' lives, the place where God created Israel's most powerful and loyal army, and where God taught David the foundational principles He would need to become Israel's greatest king.Yet, Adullam could, just as easily, have become a place of obscurity and purposelessness for David. It was David's choice. What caused David to make his Adullam a masada instead of a masuda? It all came down to David's response to the situation and his perspective.

Psalm 142:1-2 says about David during this dark hour: "I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble."

When David cried out to the Lord, he used the Hebrew word , za'aq, which means "to shriek from anguish or fear". The Hebrew word for "showed" ['shewed' in Psalm 142:2 King James version] is nasad, which means to make abundantly clear". This was the turning point for David.When David wrote Psalm 142, it was during his early days at the cave of Adullam. As he spent more time there and allowed God to teach him, he gradually understood God's purposes for this appointed season and yielded to Him, allowing God to do His perfecting work.

By do so, David turned Adullam into the the greatest strength of his life and ministry. He learned to hear from God, to trust, to rest secure in His God during a very difficult hour. He also learned to be faithful. David emerged a different man from Adullam than when he first went in.

The lessons of Adullam were not lost on King David - they impacted him for the rest of his life. He took the faith and yieldedness he gained in the cave and brought that same heart and experience when he ascended the throne and thereafter ruled over the people of Israel as king and as a man after God's own heart.

God has an Adullam for each of us. It is our appointed place and time to be on the back burner (not in the forefront or in the spotlight) so God can teach us and prepare us for the time in which we are to reign in whatever ministry He has destined for us. The question is if we have the yieldedness and perseverance to allow God to do His work in us until it is completed for that season. The answer lies in what we make of our Adullam, if we let it become a masuda or chose to make it a masada.

When we understand how God used the cave of Adullam in King David's life, we see His intended purpose for our 'Caves of Adullam' experiences - to build and prepare our lives for victorious living and service.

Psalm 138:8 says: "The Lord will fulfill His purposes for me; your love O Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands".

Jeremiah 29:11 says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".


The inspiration and information for the above article comes from a course I just completed titled "Training for Reigning" as taught by Dr. Ron Cottle of Beacon University, Columbus GA. The information contained in this article is, in great part, taken from Dr. Cottle's book titled Anointed to Reign, pages 49-60

The Down-Loadable God

We all know how important computers and digital devices are in our lives. We feel like we really can't live without them. Information, communication, and the ability to create, all at our fingertips, in real time.

Yet these systems require, like most things; care, maintenance, updates, and occasional repair. With my computers over the years, I've had more than one virus infect my system. I've also lost valuable data due to backup failure and have had a motherboard crash on me.

In some respects, we can compare our lives to computers and digital devices. While we aren't machines, we are extremely complex beings who perform many high-level functions. Like the computers and digital devices that we rely upon so much, we too require care, maintenance, updating, and occasional repair. If our lives aren't maintained on a continual basis, our performance can be compromised and we can even break down.

Fortunately, our lives don't have to break down - they can be protected. We can, if you will, install and update our "software". We can also have adequate firewall protection against the equivalent of the worst Trojan viruses; as well as protection against emotional, spiritual, relational malware. So, where can we get this protection for our lives?

Fortunately, we have a down-loadable God. He enables us to reformat the hard drives of our hearts and minds by coming into relationship with Him through the salvation He provides in His Son, Jesus Christ. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we receive the initial download of the Holy Spirit who continually helps, teaches, and encourages us. Jesus called Him the "comforter". Every day, we need to download God's Word so we can know all about Him. He uses His Word to teach us, remove malware and clean up our systems so as to enhance our performance on every level and to reflect Him in our lives.

He really is the down-loadable God who we can access 24/7! His 'Customer Support Center' is open all the time, available in every language, and we don't even have to worry about a techy on the other end who can barely speak English. As we hot sync into God all things are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Peter 1:3 says: "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness".

Ephesians 1:3 says: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ".

By turning from our ways, which are flawed by the effects of sin, and by turning to God, we give Him our lives and every care. In doing so, we can download the very presence and power of God which transforms us. This is living life and living it abundantly (John 10:10).

Life was designed to be full of God's purpose and joy. So, don't forget to down-load, on a continual basis, everything He has for you.

Why Knowing God's Word Is So Important

"Fill your head and your heart with the Scriptures. Memorize passages from the Word, with the name of the book, the chapter, and the verse, so that you can quote the Scripture correctly in addresses or in open-air meetings.

As you do this, you are sowing in your heart seeds, which the Spirit of God can germinate. He can bring to your remembrance from time to time that which you have once memorized. You must be so soaked with the Word of God, you must be filled with it, that you yourself are a living epistle, known and read of all men.

Believers are strong only as the Word of God abides in them. The Word of God is spirit and life to those who receive it in simple faith, and it is a verifier of all who own its sway. Know your Book, live it, believe it, and obey it. Hide God's word in your heart. It will save your soul, quicken your body, illumine your mind. The Word of God is full and final, infallible, reliable, and up-to-date, and our attitude towards it must be one of unquestioned obedience.

If a thing is in the Bible, it is so; it is not even to be prayed about; it is to be received and acted upon. Inactivity of faith is a robber, which steals blessing. Increase comes by action, by using what we have and what we know. Your life must be one of going from faith to faith."

Smith Wigglesworth

Excerpt from "Smith Wigglesworth - Apostle of Faith." Author: Stanley Howard Frodsham.

Jesus Conquers Every Fear

(you may want to exercise discretion before showing this video to young children)

The Transformation From Fear

Fear vs. Faith

You become a slave of whatever you fear. But for those who chose faith, they are liberated from their fears to serve the Most High God in love.

John 10:10 - The thief come only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Fear vs. Faith

"Fear is a fruit of holding onto your life -- faith will be there when you let go."

Geri McGhee
Abiding Life Ministries
www.abidinglifeministries.org
Lindale, TX

John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat (representative of our life) falls into the earth and dies (to the flesh), it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (Galatians 5:22,23)."

Gal 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Gen 22:2-13 "And he (God) said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son."
(ABRAHAM LET GO OF HIS LIFE. HE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A MAN WHO HAD THE PERFECT LOVE THAT CAST OUT FEAR)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love (trust) casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
I John 4:18

Faith

Faith is believing that what lays beyond the seemingly impossible is a Holy God who turns the impossible into the possible for those who dare to stand on His Word.

-Ross

How to Stand on God's Word

When we stand on God's Word, we are simply going to God with His promises. We are simply reminding God of His Word and asking Him to give us what belongs to us. We are doing what God told us to do. In fact, in His Word, God invited us to remind Him of His promises.

Isaiah 43:26 - "Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence".

It is scriptural for a believer to take his stand on the Word of God and remind God what He has promised in His Word. In fact, God said to put Him in remembrance of His Word and what He has promised us.

You see, faith believes what God has already said; faith responds to what God has already done; and faith receives what God has already provided.

It is not arrogant for a child to remind his parents of a promise made made to him. That's not arrogance, disobedience, manipulation, or disrespect. It is simply asking for what was already promised.

Therefore, it is not arrogant for us to ask our Heavenly Father for the gifts and benefits He already provided for us. We are just claiming in faith what He has promised in His Word. It does not detract from God's sovereignty to put Him in remembrance of His Word!

Taking a stand on God's Word is not arrogant! And when you stand on God's Word against the devil, you can't be mealy-mouthed and wishy-washy about it! You must know who you are in Christ and take your authority over the devil.

You've got to be strong in the Lord! You've got to boldly declare who you are in Christ. That's not arrogance- that's faith! When we are bold in Christ, we are not taking an arrogant stance against God. We are taking a strong stance against the problem and against our enemy, Satan, based upon the authority of God's Word (Luke 10:19; Phil. 2:9,10).

Let the devil know you are not going to be intimidated by him or his devices. That's not arrogance against God; that's acting boldly in your authority over the devil. It's boldly standing in your place of authority because the Word said that Jesus defeated the devil. And because Satan has been defeated, you can be bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28: 1 - "The wicked man flees though no one pursues him, but the righteous are as bold as lions".

You are dealing with a defeated foe that is already under your feet because he's under Jesus' feet, so you can be bold in your authority! The devil has already been defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus said "...All power is given to me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. 28:18). Then He said, "Go you," giving that power to His Church on the earth (Matt 28:19). So why should we we weak and afraid to deal with a defeated foe - when we have the authority in Jesus' Name to put him in his place?

It is not arrogant to scripturally come against the enemy that is trying to steal from us what God has already given us. When you know God's Word, you get bold and strong in the Lord!

But when people don't really know what God's Word says, they don't have the boldness to stand against the devil. And some believers only know what someone thought God's Word said. But if they would study the Word for themselves, they would see for themselves that they have authority over the devil in Jesus' Name!

Some believers aren't sure about their authority in Christ because they are still trying to figure out everything in their natural minds. They say, "This is how I interpret this scripture". Or, "This is what I think this scripture means".

Then they try to explain away the truth of God's Word theologically because it doesn't coincide with what they believe, and they can't figure it out with their natural minds. (1 Cor. 2:14).

But when you are dealing with faith, you can't always figure out the way God works with your natural mind. Faith doesn't always make sense. It is not always logical, and you can't always understand spiritual things mentally. But as long as you walk in obedience to God, you can claim and receive what His Word says belongs to you...

...And I'm going to be bold and declare what the Bible says I have in Christ! It's time to take a strong stand on God's Word! Are there areas in your life where the devil is trying to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)? Then take a bold stand against the devil with the Word! He's under your feet! It doesn't matter what people say - it matters what God's Word says!

And when I find out what God's Word says about any subject, then I know that is God's will. I'm going to claim God's will for my life and walk in it! And I'm going to enjoy the triumph in every circumstance because God promises me the victory!

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

...Whatever you need, receive it from the Word of God. Boldly declare the Word over your circumstances! Boldly declare your faith, whether you can see your answer, feel it, or taste it! Take it by faith!

You see, when you base your faith on God's Word, you can say, "It's mine! I have my answer now! How can you be that bold in your faith declaration? Because Jesus already made provision for your every need to be met. That's why you can receive your answer in faith when you pray (Mark 11:24).

Grab hold of God's Word with the tenacity of a bulldog with a bone. Don't let go of His Word! Tenaciously hold on to God's promises. That's when you receive results!

Written by Kenneth W. Hagin, "Another Look At Faith", pp. 79-83

Standing on the Promises of God

I've listened to this song many times over many years. This is a great gospel song sung by Pastor Daryl Coley based upon his walk, faith, experiences and hope in God. I hope it ministers and blesses you as you hope in God.

Faith in God Overcomes Every Problem!

Faith in God does not mean you will never face another problem. Faith in God simply means you know how to deal with problems and triumph over them. Everyone is confronted with problems from time to time in life. But your faith in God allows you to overcome problems-not be overcome by them.

Actually, the first step to victory is recognizing that you have a problem! Only then can you begin to use your faith to reverse the situation! You see, faith is not denial. That's why you must first identify the problem. Then put your faith to work for you. Nothing is too hard for God! But if you never admit you have a problem, you'll never put your faith to work against the problem. Faith does not deny the existence of problems; it just overcomes them by the power of God's Word!

When you are in faith, you realize that problems exist, but you know the greater truth of God's Word that says, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57). You know you don't have to be defeated by problems!

Faith-Bible faith - is a matter of making a choice to believe God's Word rather than the problems that confront you. Yes, you will have to stand on God's Word until the problems come in line with the Word. But you don't have to be defeated by problems and negative circumstances!

And sometimes standing on the Word in the midst of trials requires some perseverance and patience. But having done all to stand on God's Word, then begin declaring your faith: "God said it. I believe it! Therefore, I receive my petition according to the Word of God, and I count it as done!

When you can't see your answer, feel it, touch it, or taste it - you must still stand on God's Word, praising Him that He has already answered your prayers! That's real faith in God! Thank God, He will meet your every need.

I don't mean to minimize the problems that confront all of us from time to time. And little problems are just as real to someone as a tremendously big problem is to someone else. We all face problems in life no matter who we are. But what I am saying is that God is bigger than any problems!

But, you see, it is easy to believe God when everything is going smoothly. But strong faith believes God even when things go wrong and the pressures of life seem to press in on every side. Any your faith in God will always be rewarded by victory if you'll just persevere in God!

Taken from "Another Look at Faith" pp.37-38. Written by Kenneth W. Hagin.

The Awesome Power of the Presence of God - Part 2

The Awesome Power of the Presence of God - Part 1

Kathryn Kuhlman shares so well about the confidence we have about the presence of God in our lives. You will be very blessed.

What Does God Want ?

Kathryn Kuhlman, a very well known woman in years past, greatly used of God in miracles and healings, shares so well her love for God. Enjoy and be blessed!

The Language of Faith

The worst enemy is the flesh. The flesh and natural human reasoning will try to limit you to your own ability.

You look at the circumstances, the influences, the problems, the cares; the tests, the storms, and the winds of adversity, and you say that you can't be an overcomer. The language of doubt, the flesh, the senses, and the devil is, "I can't. I haven't the ability or the opportunity or the strength. I have been limited and deprived in life."

But the language of faith says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Paul wrote that to one of the churches.

Some might say, "But Paul was an apostle." Just because Paul was an apostle doesn't mean he had more strength than you do. Being an apostle didn't give him any extra strength. Preachers don't necessarily have any more to draw from than others do. They just have a ministry and an anointing to fulfill that ministry. But ministers have to face the same storms of life that each lay member does.

Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). Paul didn't say he could do all things because he was an apostle. He said he could do all things "through Christ." You are "in Christ" just as much as Paul was.

Second Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." If you have been born again, you are a new creature in Christ too. Christ didn't belong to Paul any more than He belongs to you.

The language of faith says, "I can do all things through Christ. My Heavenly Father strengthens me. I cannot be conquered and I cannot be defeated."

You can do all things through Christ, just as much as Paul could. I'm speaking from a spiritual standpoint. If a test or trail comes against you, it can't whip you, because there aren't enough natural forces in all the world to conquer the Greater One who dwells in you.

1 John 4:4 - "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."

This verse declares that you are fortified from within. I've learned how to put the Greater One to work for me. I've learned how to put Him to work in me. Not only am I born of God and made a partaker of His love, but I have dwelling in me the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead.

Therefore, I have God's wisdom, strength, and ability in me. I am learning how to let that wisdom govern my intellect. I am letting the Greater One who dwells within govern my mind and speak through my lips. I am daring to think God's thoughts after Him. I am daring to say in the presence of all my enemies of faith, "God is my Ability".

Psalm 23:4,5 - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?

1 John 4:4 - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you in greater than the one who is in the world.

Psalm 23 is for us. You need to make these confessions daily:
1. God prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Thank God, the Lord is my ability.
2. He is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.
3. In Christ, God has made me greater than my enemies.
4. God had made me to put my heel on the neck of weakness, fear, and inability. I stand and declare that whosoever believes on Christ shall not be put to shame (Rom. 10:11)
5. I cannot be put to shame. The strength of God is mine and in Christ I am greater than my enemies.

I am not trusting in my own strength because the Bible never said a word about my being strong in myself. Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus and said, "Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His MIGHT" (Eph. 6:10). God is your strength and your ability! So many people have the wrong idea about this. They are struggling, trying to put themselves over in life (in their own strength).



This is taken from the Faith Bible Study Course, Chapter 20 "Actions That Correspond With Faith" pp. 148-149, written by Kenneth E. Hagin

Do you want to change the world? Then pray!

We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. It surmounts or removes all obstacles, overcomes every resisting force and gains its ends in the face of invincible hindrances.

- E. M. Bounds

Are You Facing An Impossible Situation? So What! God Loves To Do The Impossible!

"Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, and looks to God alone; laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done!"

-Charles Wesley



Mark 11:23-24 - I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

God of All Glory by Jeremy Riddle

This is another awesome song by Jeremy Riddle set to the BBC video series "Planet Earth". This song really magnifies the majesty of our God! Enjoy

Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle

Jeremy is one of my favorite Christian Artists and Worship Leaders. His songs are full of love for Jesus and will really draw you into worship. Enjoy!

Our God Is An Awesome God!