What About 2012?

 

 

What About 2012?

 

Prophecy delivered by Kenneth Copeland
on November 10, 2011
Washington, DC Victory Campaign

What about 2012? What does it hold? What’s in store? What’s in store for the nations? What’s in store for Israel and what’s in store for the Church? I have a great storehouse. Much more has been stored up in the storehouse of riches beyond your wildest dream that I laid up for you before the foundation of the world. Much more is stored up there than what the Church has ever called for. I never have held back on the Church,” saith The LORD and the God of plenty. “I’ve made it available to you. I put it in My WORD. I gave you a promise and stood behind it with the blood, precious blood of your Savior. But there has been a backwardness in My people about laying hold of the things that I have provided for you. But I will say this: There is a people in the land. There is a people around the world. There is a people strong and mighty, growing much stronger and much mightier and more bold to lay hold and put their claim of faith on the things that I have laid up for you and it thrills Me,” saith The LORD, “because it’s been yours all the time.

“Ah, but what about 2012? 2012 is a year full of surprises. Some surprises are going to shake people up. Some surprises are going to shake people down. But for those who are listening to My voice, those who have made themselves available to My Spirit and to My WORD, you’ll have surprises. Oh, not like the world and not like a lot of carnal-minded Christians. Your surprises will come as suddenlies. Like in My WORD when it said, ‘And suddenly there came upon them.’ And you’ll stand up with a big smile on your face and say ‘I just got a suddenly, didn’t I? Oh! Yes.’ But it’ll not take you by surprise because I said in My WORD I’d show you things to come. I said in My WORD what I speak the Holy Ghost will hear and He will speak it to you. And there are those of you who are seeking My voice and seeking My WORD and seeking My Name and looking at Me in My face while I’m looking at you in your face. And together we’ll walk in this and together we’ll walk through this and there’ll come a time when you’ll just smile at Me and I’ll just smile at you and you’ll say, ‘Ha. Ha. Ha. I knew that all the time. Praise God. My Father showed me that was coming and I was all prepared and it didn’t come on me as a suddenly. But this other surprise that came on me. Oh, what joy. Oh, what thrill. Oh, what goodness. I wonder what else my Father has in store for me. Hallelujah. Praise God.’

“2012? I’ll tell you about 2012. It’s going to be a year of great joy for those who know joy. It’ll be a time of marvelous breakthroughs. This is a time of victory. It’s a time when people begin to realize that My WORD is a living WORD, that My Spirit is the living Spirit, and that you are My voice in the earth. And your voice is the voice of victory. So rejoice and shout and understand that the breakthroughs that you’ve sought and watched over, prayed over, stood in faith for, ah, don’t turn loose now. Don’t turn loose now because they’re at hand. They’re right at hand. They’re right on top of you right now. Praise God. Hey!

“Have no worry. Do not be in fear about the United States of America. Don’t be in fear over the failure of this republic. This is not the time for this nation to fail. I’m not done with it yet. And it may come as a surprise to many; this nation is not done with Me yet,” saith The LORD. Hallelujah.

“We have a job to do. And this year will be like none other where this nation is concerned. And many will say, ‘Oh, woe is us! Oh, woe is us!’ And you know what? Oh, woe will be them.

“And there are others who’ll say, ‘Oh, we can’t win! We can’t win!’ And to them they can’t win.

“Ah, but to those of them who say, ‘Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. This is a time of greatness! America again! Oh, and it’s my nation and it’s God’s nation and we’re right where we’re supposed to be. He has us right where He wants us, and our future is bright because God is still LORD over the United States of America.’

“So rejoice and give forth a glad sound because The LORD of glory is still on the throne and prayer changes things and together we’re going on to greater victory.

“Oh yes! 2012 is a time of greatness Miracles that seemed as if they would not come but they’re here. There is an atmosphere conducive to miracles that’s been growing and growing and will manifest greatly in the first quarter of 2012 and continue throughout the year and on into 2013. I’ve been looking forward to 2012,” saith The LORD. “I know how it’s going to turn out. I’ve already dealt with it in My WORD. Your future is looking better all the time. But of course you’ll need to look at it through My eyes,” saith the Spirit of grace. “So as I said before, rejoice, for your time has come.”

From My Heart to Your Heart

From My Heart to Your Heart

by Olga Hermans

 

Do you remember I told you that you as my subscriber mean a lot to me? I am constantly thinking how to connect with you better and trying to find more than one way. People need each other in good times and in bad times. Today I just want to talk to you from my heart; I don’t want to teach something or promote something. Just to share my heart and I hope you will share yours.

These last years have been a little bit of a rollercoaster for me. 7 Years ago we came to Vancouver with 6 suitcases; we had left everything behind us. That is a whole story in itself, and I don’t want to get into that right now.

But it was a drastic change for us, because we had started a bibleschool in The Netherlands which had been very successful; we had great testimonies and God had done amazing things during those years. It was a wonderful thing to get to know God that way. So, we had given the bibleschool to a Dutch couple who are still running the bibleschool and are doing a great job. Actually, it had been our vision to start the school and then give it to one of the nationals and then move on to our next assignment.

Everything was prepared and then all of a sudden, doors closed with a smack right in our face. The situation went sour and there was not much left to do then just to move forward. God showed Himself strong on our behalf and opened the door to Canada for us, which was a supernatural miracle in itself.

So, my question is; have you been in situations that made you just numb for a while. The only thing you knew to do was let one of your feet make one more step forward. Some of you might have been in situations that your house was burned down, or one of your family members just died unexpectedy. I know that some of our readers have experienced the hurricane in Joplin. How do we cope with these situations? What do we do next? People like you and I go through hard times; Jesus warned us that there would be storms in our life.

The bible says that our life is just a vapour, but to us it is the most important thing that we have. What are we supposed to do? What does your life look like? If I look at my own life right now, I see that many things still have to come to pass and I believe they will, because our God is faithful.

But there is one thing that we have to do and that is to take action. How long do we keep tolerating our way of living as we do? If we are frustrated about things why don’t we stop right there and look at what we are doing and stop doing all those mindless insignificant things and start new things to build our life up again.

When I look at my own life, I have been sabotaging myself for way too long. What about you?  Wanting my life to look a certain way, but doing another. Just doing things that didn’t line up with the desires in my heart. Crazy eh? That is a destructive behaviour, wouldn’t you say? The moment I realized that I was doing that, I made some quality changes and at this moment I’ve started to see the fruit of it.

I want to encourage you my friends. If you are frustrated and weary of all your “well” doing, have a look at your life and see if your life would look the same within a year from now. If that is the case, you gotta make some changes, because you probably know the saying that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is insane.

I want you to know that I am here to help you; we need accountability in our life. You and I need to love our life and be confident. We need to envision ourselves bigger than our fear that is holding us back to step out. Tell yourself that you are strong and that you are talented, and able. See yourself moving forward in whatever you want to accomplish.

Victory starts in our mind. When you know that God is for you and that He has a good plan for you, you will see yourself as He sees you, capable of overcoming that fear that blocks your way. I have heard it said that the road to success is paved with failures. Remove anything that creates a picture of failure in your thoughts and choose to see yourself succeeding.

There is no way to get through life without experiencing pain. But it does not have to be wasted. We wonder sometimes why God waits so long to come to our rescue or why He allows certain things to take place. We cannot always figure out what God is doing, or why He is doing it, but if we trust Him, He will make something wonderful from it.

Do you believe that? I do believe that.

I’d like to finish with some great quotes from Joyce Meyer, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers and decided to go forward anyway.”

“Put your expectations on God, not on people.”

“Our joy does not have to be based on our circumstances.”

“Strive for excellence, not perfection, because we don’t live in a perfect world.”

“God doesn’t tell you to do hard things so He can stand back and laugh and watch you struggle. He tells you to do the things that He knows are gonna work out to your good in the end.”

Let’s hold each other accountable. Share your comments of the 1 or 2 new things you plan to put into action to bring change in your life. Thank you for doing that!

Pressing Into New Depths of Prayer

Pressing Into New Depths of Prayer

 

The following excerpt is taken from Tongues: Beyond the Upper Room by Kenneth E. Hagin

There is a moving out beyond time and beyond space into the realm of the Spirit that is beyond my ability to describe. Some have walked out into that realm of prayer only far enough to get their feet wet. Like children wading in the water, they talk about what they experienced, saying, “That was so wonderful! It was the ultimate in praying in the Spirit!” but in reality, their experience is prayer was barely the beginning!

These people have only touched the realm of the Spirit. They need to wade on out into the deep waters of the Spirit until it isn’t only knee deep or loin deep, but so deep they can’t possibly touch the ocean bottom! They can swim on out and enjoy the fullness of what God has for them in prayer (see Ezekiel 47).

However, it is important to understand that these things will not always come easy. For one thing, the flesh will do everything possible to hold us back. That’s the reason the Word of God teaches us to crucify the flesh. The mind will also hold us back, trying to make us focus on the realm of the physical senses and what can be seen. That’s one reason God tells us to get our minds renewed with His Word (Rom. 12:1-2). Once our minds are renewed, we’ll be able to move further into the realm of His Spirit through prayer.

But as more and more of us respond to God’s call to pray, there will begin to be greater and greater manifestations of His power and glory on this earth. The manifestation and demonstration of God’s Spirit will become as common and as real as everyday natural things are to us. This is what our hearts have longed for and what intercessors have prayed for so many years.

…God wants us to move out further in the Spirit and learn how to maneuver in that greater realm of prayer. AS we are faithful to obey His call to pray, the day will come when we move beyond the edge of space – further on into the Spirit – and reach the fullness of God’s glory!

I’ll tell you this much: Jesus is coming. There is no use splitting hairs about that truth, because it will happen, whether you believe it or not! SO let us commit ourselves to praying in the Spirit so a great harvest of souls can be reaped in these last days. People are dying, and the end is coming. The end of all things is at hand, and what we do, we must do quickly.

If you would like to purchase this book, you can do so by clicking here!

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

 

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

by Billy Joe Daugherty

 

The term “baptism of the Holy Spirit” comes from the prophecies made by John the Baptist and Jesus concerning this experience. John said to those he baptized in the Jordan River, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Jesus spoke to the apostles just before He ascended back into heaven and ”He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4-5).

Holy Spirit Regenerates and Renews Life

At the point of conversion, the Holy Spirit gives birth to a new creation in the believer (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

The basic work of the Holy Spirit in salvation is to impart a new life to a person thus making him a child of God (1 John 5:12, John 1:12). Through the operation of the Holy Spirit, you become a part of God’s family – the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). It is a fact, “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

All of us as believers know the Holy Spirit in the sense that, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

However, God has more for you. In addition to blessing you, He wants to use you to bless others.

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit 

The Holy Spirit has been active in the earth since creation (Genesis 1:2). He moved upon shepherds, kings, and prophets enabling them to accomplish various tasks. The prophet Joel spoke of a time when God’s Spirit would be poured out upon all flesh.

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29

Men and women, young and old, would be a part of this great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost After the Resurrection

After the resurrection Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was called the promise of the Father in this passage. Jesus said it would be an enduement with power from on high. These followers would be endowed with God’s power to be witnesses of Jesus. According to His instruction, some 120 followers of Jesus, including the disciples, met together to wait for the promise of the Father.

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

Power to Witness

An important reason for the baptism of the Holy Spirit is power for witnessing of the living Christ. It could be termed “enablement” or “ability” from God.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

And those 120 went into the streets witnessing of Jesus. The Jews who were gathered in Jerusalem from all over the world, because of the feast of Pentecost, heard the wonderful works of God in their own languages (Acts 2:11). Finally Peter stood up and preached about Joel’s prophecy and the resurrection of Christ.

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about THREE THOUSAND SOULS were added to them” (Acts 2:41). The results were amazing as they witnessed in the power of the Holy Ghost. Soon another 5,000 believed the Word and were added to the church (Acts 4:4).

Rivers of Living Water

Jesus described the Holy Spirit as rivers of living water that would flow out of the believer’s innermost being.

Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39

The Holy Spirit produces rivers of life, love, joy, peace, and power to flow out of your spirit to meet the needs of others.
Jesus said those who believe upon Him SHOULD RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Comforter and Teacher

Jesus taught His disciples concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives. One of the names He used in speaking of the Holy Spirit was Comforter. The Greek word is Paraclete, meaning “one called alongside to help.”  He also said the Holy Spirit would teach and guide the believers.

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

The three-fold nature of the Trinity is revealed by this scripture. Although Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit are one, Jesus prayed to the Father and the Father gave the Holy Spirit through Jesus.

An unbeliever cannot receive the Holy Spirit, for Jesus said the world cannot receive Him. The Holy Spirit had been with the disciples, but Jesus said He would be in them (John 14:17).

The Holy Spirit, at the time of need, brings to your remembrance the words of Jesus. He also teaches you how to apply God’s Word in your life. “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me” (John 15:26).

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Jesus to the believer. He reveals the wealth and riches in Christ. He glorifies our exalted Lord and Savior. He opens your eyes to what is promised to you in Christ. ”However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-14

The truth is in God’s Word. The Holy Spirit guides you into an understanding of the truth as revealed in the Scriptures. What He hears from God, He speaks to you. He will always glorify Jesus and be consistent with the Word of God.

Be Filled With the Spirit

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but BE FILLED WITH THE
SPIRIT. Ephesians 5:17-18
God’s will is for every believer to be filled with His Spirit. His desire is that you be continually overflowing with His Spirit. Remember, Jesus COMMANDED the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had been endued with power (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4). He also said those who believe on Him SHOULD receive the Holy Spirit (John 7:39).

Ask and You Shall Receive

Knowing that it is God’s will for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit gives you confidence in asking Him to baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we
ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.I John 5:14-15

Jesus said your heavenly Father would give the Holy Spirit to those who would ask Him. You ask the Father to give you the Holy Spirit and have confidence you shall receive (Luke 11:9-13).

A New Tongue

One of the signs Jesus said would follow those who believe was “they will speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
Isaiah prophesied about this. “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest,’ and, ‘This is the refreshing’; yet they would not hear” (Isaiah 28:11-12). It would be a rest and a refreshing to the believer.

The 120 believers (Jews) all spoke with other tongues on the day of Pentecost when they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). The Gentiles in the house of Cornelius spoke with tongues when the Holy Spirit came on them (Acts 10: 44-48).

Likewise, the people at Ephesus spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came on them (Acts 19:6).

Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him. He later told the Christians at Corinth. “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all” ( I Corinthians 14:18). He said praying in the Spirit edifies or builds up the believer (1 Corinthians 14:4). In his message to the Corinthians, he concluded his instructions on tongues with these words: “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and DO NOT FORBID TO SPEAK WITH TONGUES. Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:39-40).

Gifts of the Spirit

There are supernatural gifts of the Spirit given to believers to minister to one another. These are separate from man’s natural abilities, talents, and education. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

There is a variety of gifts that the Spirit gives to believers to build up the Body of Christ. Each person may at different times minister with any number of the gifts as the Spirit wills.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them; if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:5-8

Of course, every believer does not operate in all the gifts all the time. The gifts of the Spirit are manifested to meet needs as they arise. Several gifts might come forth at one time to minister to an individual or to a body of believers. It is the Spirit who ministers as He wills. At the same time, the believer must allow himself to be used of the Spirit and yield as the Spirit directs. (1 Corinthians 14:32).

This word may be of great help. The Scripture plainly teaches the difference between the public ministry gift of tongues and personal prayer in the Spirit. While all may not have the ministry of tongues in the church for the whole body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:28-30), all may speak with tongues in personal prayer for edification (1 Corinthians 14:4-5). Remember, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Healing for the Christian

 

 Healing for the Christian

by Billy Joe Daugherty

 

God Is the Healer

God revealed Himself to the people of Israel as a healer God, Jehovah Rapha. He promised to keep disease from them if they would obey His Word.
“If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes. I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

Healing – One of God’s Benefits

God is a Father to His children. Because of His compassion for those He loves, He has made provision for their healing. This is one of the benefits of having a loving heavenly Father who cares for your every need. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who FORGIVES all your INIQUITIES, who HEALS all your DISEASES. Psalm 103:2-3

Notice that forgiveness is one of God’s benefits. Both forgiveness and healing are placed together in this passage of Scripture. God is concerned about both your spiritual healing and your physical healing.

Messiah Suffers for Our Healing

The prophet Isaiah wrote about God’s suffering servant, the Messiah or Redeemer of Israel. He was writing about Jesus taking your punishment for your sins. Jesus suffered for you in every way you deserved to suffer: physically, mentally, and spiritually. He did it so you would not have to suffer these things. He was your substitute, your Savior.

The four Gospel writers tell you what they SAW and HEARD about he suffering of Christ. On the other hand, Isaiah tells you what was REVEALED to him by the Spirit of God concerning Christ’s sufferings: Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us
all. Isaiah 53:4-6

The two words “griefs” and “sorrows” in the first phrase of the passage could equally be translated “sicknesses” and “pains”. This will be clearer after reading Matthew 8:16-17. From these three verses you see the variety of things Jesus suffered as He took your place and God’s judgment for sin fell on Him.

He Took Our Infirmities and Bore Our Sicknesses

While Jesus walked the face of the earth, He ministered healing to every part of man. He cast out devils, healed the sick, forgave sins, and restored wholeness to those tormented by Satan. In recording these events, Matthew quoted from Isaiah 53:4 concerning the substitutionary work of Christ.
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demonpossessed.

And he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INIRMITIES AND BORE OUR SICKNESSES.” Matthew 8:16-17

Not only did He take your infirmities and bare all your sicknesses on the cross, but also during His ministry, He relieved people of infirmities and sicknesses. He did this in relation to sins also. Not only did he take your sins on the cross, but He also forgave men of their sins before the crucifixion.

Healed by His Stripes

Peter was a man who witnessed the mock trial of Jesus. He was well acquainted with the happenings on Calvary. He wrote about the effects that Jesus’ suffering would have on your life. he mentions both the spiritual and the physical results of Christ’s atonement: Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – BY WHOSE STRIPES YOU WERE HEALED. 1 Peter 2:24

The phrase, “By whose stripes you were healed,” is a direct reference to Isaiah 53:5. You remember that Jesus was scourged or whipped before His crucifixion (Mark 15:15). The physical punishment that He took was for your healing, for “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). All the punishment Jesus received before and during the crucifixion was for your healing – spirit, soul, and body.

Satan Is the Author of Sickness and Disease

Before Adam’s sin in the garden, there was no sin or death in the earth. After his disobedience, sin and death with all of their evil companions (hatred, bitterness, jealousy, sickness, disease, torment) entered into the world (Romans 5:12).

Jesus was sent to establish the wholeness that man had before the fall. He was the Redeemer, the One sent to buy you back from the dominion of Satan. Jesus loosed the people who were captive to Satan’s devices. He healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, opened prison doors, and preached the good news.

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

This scripture, as well as all four Gospels, clearly reveals that the devil oppresses people with sickness, and Jesus heals people who are sick. Never confuse these two. God desires an abundant life for you, and the devil wants to steal, to kill, and to destroy(John 10:10).

God Wants Us in Health

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2). God is interested in your health spiritually and
physically. he wants your body to be just as free from Satan’s influence as He does your heart. “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:10). Not only are you to live a holy and pure life in your body, but also it is possible for you to live in health. You have been bought with the blood of Christ. The price has been paid for spiritual and physical health.

Redeemed from the Curse

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14

There was a curse pronounced upon those who would not keep God’s laws (Deuteronomy 18:15-68). This curse generally included poverty, sickness, and death. Since all men were sinners, there was no man who could fully keep all God’s laws (Romans 3:34). Jesus entered the earth as a man and lived His life without sin. As He hung on the cross, He was actually made to be a curse for you as your substitute. He took the curse you deserved. He took your poverty, your sickness, and your death (sin), so that you might receive the blessings God had promised to Abraham and those keeping His law. These include an abundant supply for every need in your life (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).

Jesus Is Still the Same

“ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The reason Jesus healed people was because of His compassion. He saw their needs and met them. He is still the same. His compassion has not stopped. He loves you just as much as He did those in the time of His earthly ministry. His power is not stopped just because He is no longer visibly in our midst. His power and effectiveness are even greater today because He can be present in all places at all times by His Spirit. “For his mercy endures forever” (Psalm 136).

Prayer of Faith – Anointing with Oil
We know from the book of Acts that the healing ministry of Christ did not stop with His death and resurrection. It continued through the twelve disciples and the other believers (Mark 16:15-19).

There were numerous ways in which people received healing under Jesus’ ministry. Today men can receive healing from the basis of numerous passages of scripture. These include: Mark 11:22-24, John 16:23-24, Matthew 18:18-20, Mark 16:18, James 5:14-15, Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:3, 1 Peter 2:24, and Matthew 8:16-17.

One particularly important method is anointing with oil and praying the prayer of faith. It demonstrates to us that God’s power can be ministered by believers and thus shows that healing did not end when Christ died or when the apostles died. Healing is still provided for you today.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14-15

Your Faith Has Made You Whole

Your Faith Has Made You Whole

by Billy Joe Daugherty

One of the best chapters in the entire Bible on the subject of faith is the 11th chapter of Hebrews. Any in-depth study of faith would include a study of the men listed in this chapter. I suggest the chapter be read while you read the words in this book on the subject of faith.

According to Paul, there abides now “faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).I definitely believe that all three of these are important. Without hope of eternal life,you would have no reason to live. Without love you could not experience the nature of God. These two are vital to the Christian. But right now, we will deal primarily with faith.

What is Faith?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is in the present tense. It believes NOW. It receives NOW. It acts NOW. One of the great differences between faith and hope is in the tense. Hope is usually concerned with the future, whereas faith is most often concerned with the present.

Sometimes we hear someone say that they are stepping out in faith in a new venture. Generally, they mean they don’t know what is going to happen or what the future holds. They feel an urge to try something new and take a stab at it.

The type of faith defines in Hebrews 11:1 does NOT operate this way. Instead, true faith in God has substance. When a person steps out in this type of faith, he will be standing on solid rock. THE SUBSTANCE IS FAITH IN GOD’S ETERNAL, UNCHANGING WORD.

You may hope for something for years. As long as you continue hoping, it will always be just beyond you. There are, on the other hand, many things you can bring into your life by faith. For instance, salvation is a good thing to hope for. But if you want to be saved, you need to put substance to your hope and receive Christ by faith right NOW. Although you do not see Him burst through the clouds or feel ninety-nine goose bumps, you are still saved if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ.

Although there may be no physical evidence for your faith, you do have sufficient evidence in God’s Word. Your evidence for what you believe is your faith in God’s Word. God is a witness. He will never lie. If you take God at His Word, that Word will stand good in the trial.

How Do We Get Faith?

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The best way to get faith is to hear the Word of God. It is important for you not only to hear it with your ears but also with you heart. To hear God’s Word in your heart requires openness and hunger for God’s message.
I suggest reading the Bible aloud, particularly the New Testament.

Say the Scriptures to yourself. Insert your own name where the message is personal. Make a list of the promises God’s Word has for you. By faith, believe, receive, and confess them daily. Faith will grow as you are continually hearing God’s Word.

Who Can Have Faith?

”God has dealt to EACH ONE a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome. God has dealt to every Christian the measure of faith. But you also have faith to be saved before you are a Christian. The Bible says, “Whoever desires” (Revelation 22:17) can be saved. Evidently, any person who hears god’s Word and will act on it can exercise faith. That includes all who will HEAR and OBEY God’s Word – saved or in the process of being saved.

People who do not hear God’s Word or will not obey it do not have the God-kind of faith. Faith requires hearing and obeying.
“And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for NOT ALL HAVE FAITH” (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

Faith Acts on God’s Word

God has spread a table before you filled with bountiful blessings. Naturally speaking, if someone sets a beautiful table of food before you, you know what to do with it. You don’t sit wishing and hoping that you could have some of that food. You don’t complain to your host that you do not have enough. Neither do you get mad and upset if someone at the table gets a big helping of creamed potatoes. You begin to help yourself to the food. It has been set before you to eat and be filled. There is probably more in the kitchen if you empty the serving bowls. You know that everyone at the table has equal rights and privileges to get their portion of each dish.

Now, God’s Word is the same. God has made ample provision for every need in your life. He promises a full, abundant supply. It is all yours for the asking. God just wants you to believe His Word and take what has been set before you. It does not offend God for you to take all you need. Any host is disappointed if she discovers one of her guests did not get enough. She wants each one to be satisfied. God is certainly the Almighty Creator, but He has chosen to set a table for you. What you receive from Him will come as a result of your actively reaching out and claiming His promises.

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you? The blind man said to Him, ‘Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.’ Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:51-52

Faith Is Not a Feeling

Sometimes people base their spiritual experiences on feelings and emotions.
Problems arise when the feelings and emotions change. If they have not been grounded in the Word of God, doubt will arise as to whether or not the experience was genuine.
For faith to be consistent, it must be based on something with more stability than your feelings.

You are not saved because you feel saved. You are saved because you have put your faith in God’s Word and acted on it. You may feel great today, tired tomorrow, and lonely next week, but hallelujah! God’s Word is going to say the same thing yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

Feelings are influenced by what you see, what you read, and what you hear. Everyone is exposed to things that are not consistent with God’s Word. If these things control your feelings and your feelings control your faith, you can be a Christian yet controlled by Satan’s devices.

Your faith must be controlled by God’s Word, not by what you feel, not by what circumstances look like, and not by what others tell you. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Your eyes, ears, heart, and mouth should be turned to God’s Word.
While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.1 Corinthians 4:18

God’s Word is eternal. Your spiritual eyes must be focused on God (who is unseen) by looking at His Word.

 

The Blood and the Glory

 

 

The following excerpt is taken from The Blood and the Glory by Billye Brim:

The Blood and the Outpouring
First the Blood

…”His Spirit answers to the blood.”

Every outpouring of the Holy Spirit was and will be in answer to the Blood of Jesus the Messiah.

The Blood and the Latter Rain Outpouring

Wigglesworth received his baptism in the Holy Spirit at Sunderland. Again, you can see the place of the blood in those days in his own account in his biography, The Apostle of Faith:

For four days I wanted nothing but God. But after that, I felt I should leave for my home, and I went to the Episcopal vicarage to say good-bye. I said to Mrs. Boddy, the vicar’s wife: “I am going away, but I have not received the tongues yet.” She answered, “It is not the tongues you need, but the Baptism.” “I have received the Baptism, Sister,” I protested, “but I would like to have you lay hands on me before I leave.” She laid her hands on me and then had to go out of the room.

The fire fell. It was a wonderful time as I was there with God alone. He bathed me in power. I was conscious of the cleansing of the precious Blood, and I cried out: “Clean! Clean! Clean!” I was filled with the joy of the consciousness of the cleansing. I was given a vision in which I saw the Lord Jesus Christ. I beheld the empty cross, and I saw Him exactly at the right hand of God the father. I could speak no longer in English but I began to praise Him in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave me utterance. I knew then, although I might have received anointings previously, that now, at last, I had received the real baptism in the Holy Spirit as they received on the day of Pentecost.

The Anointing for Power
Maria Woodworth-Etter

Sister Etter placed great faith in the blood to prepare the way for the power to work. Her own account of a great meeting in Los Angeles illustrates this:

The world-wide camp meeting was no doubt the largest gathering of baptized saints in these last days. I had…the 10 o’clock meetings, which would have lasted all day and night, for the power of God was poured out so wonderfully, but I had to close at 2 o’clock for other services…

As they led me to the steps that went off the large platform, I stopped and looked at the many hungry, anxious souls; then the power of God came on me, I raised my hands to heaven and stood there, as the Holy Ghost swept over the multitudes. I said, the Lord is going to save a lot of you dear people just now. All who want to be saved just now, while I stand here and sprinkle the blood of Jesus on you, by “Living Faith,” come forward. There was a rush from all directions to the platform. They began to weep and shout and scores were converting, without getting on their knees, except those who fell down under the Almighty power of God…

Another day as I came off the platform many that could not get near while I was praying for the sick, stood, looking so sad, crowding around me as near as they could, trying to touch my hands or speak. I stopped to look at them. The power fell on me and swept over them. I raised my hands and told them all to look to Jesus, to look up, to lif their hands and faces to God, that I would sprinkle the blood of the Lamb over them, that they would all be healed. Oh, glory to god. The healing power swept over. Many miracles of healings were wrought, people were saved and baptized.

The Blood and The Last Outpouring

Here is Wigglesworth’s account of what happened from the time he boarded the train to return home to Bradford after having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit at Boddy’s place in Sunderland:

The first thing I did was to telegraph to my home saying, “I have received the baptism in the Holy Ghost and have spoken in tongues.” On the train to my home town, the devil began questioning, “Are you going to take this to Bradford?” As regards my feelings at the moment, I had nothing to take, but the just do not live by feelings but by faith. So I shouted out on the railroad coach to everybody’s amazement, “Yes, I’m taking it!” A great joy filled me as I made this declaration, but somehow I knew from that moment it would be a great fight all the time.

When I arrived home one of my sons said to me, “Father, have you been speaking in tongues?” I replied, “Yes, George.” “Then let’s hear you,” he said…

My wife said to me, “So you’ve been speaking with tongues, have you?”

I replied, “Yes.”

“Well,” she said, “I want you to understand that I am as much baptized as you are and I don’t speak in tongues.”

I saw that the contest was beginning right at home.

“I have been preaching for twenty years,” she continued, “and you have sat beside me on the platform, but on Sunday you will preach yourself, and I’ll see what there us in it.”

She kept her word. On Sunday she took a seat at the back of the building. We had always sat together on the platform until that day. So the contest had begun right in the church.

There were three steps up to the platform, and as I went up those three steps the Lord gave me the passage in Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”

I was no preacher, but hearing the voice of my Lord speaking those words to me, I began. I cannot now remember what I said, but my wife was terribly disturbed. The bench on which she sat would seat nine people and she moved about on it until she had sat on every part of it. Then she said in a voice that all around her could hear, “That’s not my Smith, Lord, that’s not my Smith!”

I was giving out the last hymn when the secretary of the mission stood up and said, “I was what our leader has received.”

The strange thing was that when he was about to sit down he missed his seat and went right down on the floor. Then my oldest son arose and said he wanted what his father had, and he, too, took his seat right down on the floor. In a short while there were eleven people right on the floor of that mission. The strangest thing was that they were all laughing in the Spirit and laughing at one another. The Lord had really turned again the captivity of Zion and the mouth of His children was being filled with laughter according to the word of the Lord in Psalm 126:1,2.

The former and latter rain outpouring in upon us.

There are the last of the last days.

We must make much of the Blood for two purposes. To overcome Satan in his endtime wrath. But much more importantly, to prepare us for God’s Glory in his end time revelation through His Glorious Church.

I have included so much from witnesses of the outpouring at the beginning of the century. This is because these old-timers understood truth about the blood and the power which somehow slipped away. It must return for the greater outpouring we are about to know at the end of the century.

I believe we need to return singing about the Blood. Real singing to give the Blood its place in our approach to God. Not merely to singing just a token song in a service, but to singing a while in honor of the Blood. The old-timers said that when they sang about the Blood for a while “a cleansing wave” seemed to sweep over them preceding a wave of the Spirit in power.

The Spirit answers to the blood.

The Spirit of Glory must complete our preparation now for the Lord of Glory!

If you would like to purchase this book, please click here

You Must be Born Again

You Must be Born Again

These were the words Jesus spoke to one of the most religious men of his day (John 3:1-8). Nicodemus had come to Jesus one night to inquire about His new doctrine. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. He believed in God, he prayed, fasted, tithed, attended worship services, read the Scriptures, and tried to keep high moral standards. Yet, with all these credentials, Jesus told him he had to be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

The Word and the Spirit.

Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Later in the book of John He said, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3)

Paul wrote that Christ gave Himself to sanctify and cleanse the Church with the washing of water by the WORD (Ephesians 5:26).
Peter wrote that we are born again “not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and
abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23). The WORD is the seed that comes into your heart and causes faith to grow.

Not only must you have God’s Word in order to be born again, but you must have God’s Spirit. It is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and
renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5)

There are several ingredients needed in making concrete. You need sand, cement, and water primarily. There is plenty of sand in the desert, but concrete doesn’t appear just because it is there. There is an abundance of water in the ocean and plenty
of sand, but the ocean is not full of concrete. Likewise, in order for you to be saved, the Word and the Spirit must be mixed with repentance and faith in your heart.

Believe and Confess

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you CONFESS with your mouth the Lord Jesus and BELIEVE in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one BELIEVES unto righteousness, and with the mouth CONFESSION is made unto salvation. Romans 10:8-10

Your faith in God’s Word is expressed with your heart (believe) and with your mouth (confess). If you truly believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, there is 7 no reason you should not be willing to confess Him as Lord. The moment you believe in your heart upon Jesus and confess Him as your Lord and Savior, you are born again.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
John 1:12

Saved by Grace Through Faith

There is a mixture of God’s grace and power with your will and faith. It is not just all of God, and certainly it is not just all up to you. It takes both GOD’S ABILITY and YOUR WILLINGNESS to bring about the new birth.

For by grace you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.Ephesians 2:8-9

We could never be saved except by the pure grace of God. Man is certainly undeserving according to his own merits. It is God’s power working through His Word and Spirit that brings about the new birth. Yet without an attitude of repentance and
faith, God’s power will not work in a man’s heart. Man’s will must be obedient to God’s will before he can receive God’s blessings.

A New Creation

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

The new birth makes you a brand-new creation. You are created after the image of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:10). In your heart you are made to be like Christ.

In order to live like Christ you must “put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:10). This is done by RENEWING THE MIND WITH GOD’S WORD and submitting your body to
the authority of that Word (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24).

Into God’s Kingdom

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. HE HAS DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS AND CONVEYED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE SON OF HIS LOVE, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-14

When you are born again, you are taken out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness, and you are placed into the Kingdom of Jesus, the Kingdom of light. It is not something you 8 just hope or wish for. It is a fact. The child of God does not have to be lorded over by
Satan ever again. ”Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

This new kingdom is a spiritual kingdom; but just because salvation is basically a spiritual rebirth does not mean that it has no effect on your body, mind, or everyday living. It can and should have a great impact on every part of your life. In every society, there are certain laws that govern the actions of the inhabitants of that area. It is the same in spiritual life. There are laws for those in Satan’s kingdom, and there are laws for those in God’s Kingdom. The new birth gives you a new law.

“FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2)
The law of life includes love, joy, peace, happiness, prosperity, abundance, health, contentment and blessings.

These provisions are made for the Christian in the New Covenant. It is law – spiritual law. You must enforce it in your life. God will back you. His Word is true and unchanging.

Forgiveness – Remission of Sins

The day you make Jesus your Lord and Savior, you are forgiven of all your sins; in fact, you were legally forgiven when Jesus gave His life as a ransom for you. But you do not experience that forgiveness until you receive it by faith.

Although a person may have committed many sins, the chief sin of the unsaved is NOT BELIEVING ON CHRIST (John 16:9). When a person gets that straightened out, the root of the problem is solved. The blood of Christ cleanses the heart the moment a
person believes and confesses Him as Savior. Thus all past sins are remitted or taken away by the powerful cleansing work of His blood (1 John 1:7). “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
(Ephesians 1:7).

Water Baptism

It is clear from the Scriptures that water baptism is important to the believer. In the Great Commission Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16: 15-16).

Matthew records these words of Jesus in the 28 th chapter and the 19 th verse: “Gotherefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the 9Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus Himself was baptized by John in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17).

At the close of his message on the day of Pentecost, Peter told the Jews, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Luke records, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized . . . “ (Acts 2:41).

Paul was baptized after his conversion (Acts 9:18). He later baptized the believers at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-6). Those at Cornelius’ house were baptized after they had received the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:44-48). The Philippian jailer and all his household were baptized after they had believed on Jesus (Acts 16:31-33).

Assurance of Salvation

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. HE WHO HAS THE SON HAS LIFE; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, THAT YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to BELIEVE IN THE NAME of the Son of God. 1 John 5:11-13

If you meet the conditions given in God’s Word for salvation, you can know you are saved. God’s Word says that you can know. That is what you must stand on – His Word – not your feelings, emotions, church membership, high morals, or sincerity.

Prayer for Salvation

God in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus. I confess that I haven’t lived my life for You. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that He died on the cross and rose again from the dead so I might have a better life now and eternal life in heaven. Jesus, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. From this day forward, I’ll live my life for You to the best of my ability. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

 

 

 

You Are the Righteousness of God in Christ


Righteousness simply defined is RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD. It gives you the ability to be free of guilt, condemnation, fear, and inferiority. These four problems rob many Christians of God’s blessings, It is easy to see why an understanding of
righteousness could transform your life. Imagine: no guilt, no fear, no condemnation, no inferiority. What a blessed life that would be!

Righteousness Is a Gift

There is a world of difference in a man’s self-righteousness and the gift of righteousness from God. Self-righteousness boasts in itself, but the gift of righteousness can boast only in the finished work of Christ.

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS will reign in this life/through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

Jesus Bore Our Sin

The human race owed a tremendous debt of sin. Because mankind was unable to pay its debt, God sent His own Son to pay for it (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus was your substitute. He took your place. He paid the awful price for your sin. He did it because
He loved you (John 3:16-17).

Now that the debt is paid, you are given a right standing with God. It is actually the right standing that Jesus earned as a result of His obedience unto death. You receive His righteousness the moment you take Him as your Lord and Savior. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

If Christ dwells in your heart, you have the righteousness of God. You are made to be the righteousness of God in Him.

Righteousness for All Who Believe

I had a struggle with the idea of being righteous because I was well acquainted with the scriptures declaring man’s sinfulness. What I did not realize was these scriptures refer to men who do not receive Christ. Since all men are sinners, the gift of
righteousness is available to all who believe on Jesus Christ.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD,

THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-24

Receiving Righteousness by Faith

Righteousness is actually received at salvation. Because many have not understood the righteousness of God which is by faith, they have failed to experience the full joy of God’s gift.
The message of righteousness is good news. The moment you hear this word, it should cause faith to rise up in your heart. You want to receive. It is yours – a gift from God. You must BELIEVE and CONFESS. “For with the heart one believes unto
RIGHTEOUSNESS, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10)

No Condemnation or Guilt

A sense of righteousness gives you confidence that God has truly forgiven you of your sins. You begin to see that the judgment and condemnation that you deserved fell on Jesus. You have been justified (declared not guilty) because of the blood of Christ that was shed for you (Romans 5:9).

“There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). You are freed from sin, with all its guilt and condemnation, so that you may become the SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Romans 6:18).

By an act of faith, youbegin to think not of your sins and shortcomings, but of your righteousness in Christ. Why should you continue to think and talk about your unworthiness? You have been made worthy by Jesus Christ. He has qualified you to “be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:12). It is not your works but your faith in His works.

No Fear

Righteousness is right standing with God. If you are in right standing with God, then He is not fighting against you. He is on your side. He is for you. He desires your best.

What joy will fill your heart the day you realize, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Yu have nothing to fear. David said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of
whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

God has given you the gift of righteousness because of His love for you. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made prefect in love” (1 John 4:18).

A loving father does not want his children to be so fearful of him that they are afraid to talk to him. He desires their respect, reverence, and obedience, but he wants them to feel comfortable in coming to him. God invites you to “come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:1y6). “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

No Inferiority

Occasionally when someone is asked how they are doing, we hear them respond with these words : “Under the circumstances, I think I’ll make it.” As a Christian, thank God, you do not have to be under the circumstances. In fact, after you receive the
abundance of God’s grace and His gift of righteousness, you are to reign in this life by Jesus Christ.

Because you have a right standing with God, you do not have to feel inferior to the powers of Satan. You are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). As you receive the righteousness of God, you become partakers of the divine nature of
God (2 Peter 1:4). His strength has become your strength. His ability is your ability.
His life is your life.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME; and the life which I now live in the flesh I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Continual Cleansing from Unrighteousness

As a Christian, you may miss the mark and sin. Sin is unrighteousness. It is not pleasing to God. It must be dealt with. The best time to do this is immediately if not sooner. Do not wait to repent. The promise of God is, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE US OUR SINS and to CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” (1 John 1:9). “The BLOOD of Jesus Christ His Son CLEANSES us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Our Prayers are Effective

With a right standing with God, you can come boldly into His presence with your praises and petitions (Hebrews 4:16). One of the most important things you must do as you enter into God’s Presence is to be sure your heart is cleansed from all sin. This comes by faith in the cleansing power of the blood of Christ.

After you know you are cleansed, you can have confidence in your prayers. “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God” (1 John 3:21).

God delights in hearing the prayers of His righteous children. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). Evidently, if you are not righteous or if you are not seeking God’s righteousness, your prayers will not be very effective.

Thank God, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much “ (James 5:16). God will hear and answer your prayers if you maintain your right standing (righteousness in Christ) by faith.