If You Really Love Me . . .

By Frances Hunter

TABLE OF CONTENTS If You Really Love Me . . .

Foreword Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter Chapter 4 Chapter # Chapter . Chapter $ Chapter 8 Chapter 9 ... Invest Your Life in God ... Find Gods Will for Your Life ! "evelop Your Faith ... %ave &o'( &o'( &)Y* ... +hout ,he Word* ... %ave Freedo/ Fro/ Fear ... +a'( 0"evil( You Cant +teal Whats 1ine*2 ... "is3over Gods 4i5 0IF2 ...You Wont 6ani3( 4ut 6ra'* 4 8 29 #$ 81 1-# 12# 1## 1$4 198

FOREWORD If You Really Love Me

by Frances Hunter
7 new di/ension is added to a life when &esus

Christ 8e3o/es a realit'( a wa' of life( a personal relationship( a +pirit livin5 in and throu5h a hu/an 8ein5 in toda's whirlwind of life. It isnt 9ust a 0sinners pra'er2 that /a:es the differen3e( it is a de3ision whi3h involves the entire /ind( 8od'( soul and spirit* 7 de3ision whi3h sa's( 0I 3hoose to follow &esus. I 3hoose to wal: in %is steps. I 3hoose to live in the 8eaut' of %is holiness. I 3hoose to let %i/ live in and throu5h /e. I 3hoose to 8e o8edient to %i/ in all thin5s. I 3hoose to die to self so I 3an 8e 3ru3ified with %i/( and therefore 8e5in to live in a supernatural world instead of the natural world where I now live.2 1illions have pra'ed a 0sinners pra'er2 at one ti/e or another( and /an' have pra'ed it a /illion ti/es and it never see/s to wor: for the/ and 'et it does for others. What /a:es the differen3e; Wh' do so/e find all the answers and so/e fail( even thou5h the' are apparentl' earnestl' see:in5 to wal: in vi3tor'; What is the in5redient that /a:es a su33essful( a8undant( free<flowin5 life as a Christian; 75e<old =uestions( all of these. ,here should 8e an answer. ,here is an answer. ,here should 8e a 3o/pleteness to a life when it is turned over to 4

&esus Christ( and 'et for /an' there is a total in3o/pleteness. Wh'; We have tried to find the :e' that unlo3:s the door into the supernatural fullness and total 9o' that we all want. Is there su3h a :e' that is availa8le to ever'one whi3h unlo3:s the door to pro8le/s and 5ets the/ solved; Yes( there is* &ohn 14>1# in the 7/plified 4i8le sa's( 0If 'ou ?reall'@ love 1e( 'ou will :eep Ao8e'B 1' 3o//ands.2 ,his is followed shortl' down the line 8' verse 21<24( 0,he person who has 1' 3o//ands and :eeps the/ is the one who ?reall'@ loves 1e( and whoever ?reall'@ loves 1e will 8e loved 8' 1' Father. 7nd I I too will love hi/ and will show Areveal( /anifestB 1'self to hi/ C I will let 1'self 8e 3learl' seen 8' hi/ and /a:e 1'self real to hi/. &udas( not Is3ariot( as:ed %i/( Lord( how is it that You will reveal Yourself C /a:e 'ourself real C to us and not to the world; 0&esus answered( If a person ?reall'@ loves 1e( he will :eep 1' word C o8e' 1' tea3hin5D and 1' Father will love hi/( and We will 3o/e to hi/ and /a:e )ur ho/e Aa8ode( spe3ial dwellin5 pla3eB with hi/. 07n' one who does not ?reall'@ love 1e does not o8serve and o8e' 1' tea3hin5. 7nd the tea3hin5 whi3h 'ou hear and heed is not 1ine( 8ut ?3o/es@ fro/ the Father Who sent 1e.2 ,hese are 3lear( si/ple( 8asi3 truths whi3h /a:e it eas' to live the a8undant life that &esus pro/ised. Gods Word never /a:es the Christian life diffi3ult C it is what we do with %is Word that /a:es the Christian life an uphill 3li/8 all the ti/e. We #

should ta:e that one word 0o8e'2 and han5 on to it until we see the 5lor' of God and never 8e satisfied until we rest in %is presen3e and %is 5lor' ever' /inute of ever' da'. 7ll /iser' in life 3o/es fro/ the a8sen3e of o8e'in5 God. 7ll the prophets in the )ld ,esta/ent wal:ed in the 8lessin5s of God until the' diso8e'ed %i/ and let sin 3o/e in( and an'thin5 that is not o8edien3e to God is sin. ,he da' I 5ot saved( God put a hate in /' heart for evil. I loo:ed at God( and I loo:ed at sin( and ran as far awa' fro/ sin as fast as I possi8l' 3ould. 6ro8a8l' the first thin5 lever realiEed as a new 8a8' Christian was the fa3t that &esus Christ was livin5 inside of /e. %e hates sin( and now I also hated sin 8e3ause of %is +pirit in /e* In the fifteenth 3hapter of &ohn %e tells us to dwell in %i/ and to let %i/ dwell in us. 6ro8a8l' the 5reatest re/over of sin in /' own personal life was the :nowled5e that &esus was livin5 on the inside of /e. ,hose un5ra3ious words( those un5odl' thou5hts( those unpleasin5 a3tions 3annot 3ontinue to eFist in a life that is possessed 8' the Lord &esus Christ* %ow 3ould I 5o a5ainst %is wishes( how 3ould I 8e diso8edient to %is Word if %e was dire3tin5 /' life C if %e was a3tuall' livin5 on the inside of /' 8od'; ,o diso8e' %i/ would 8e the sa/e thin5 as 3uttin5 off /' ri5ht hand or ar/ 8e3ause I didnt li:e it. &esus said that %e was the vine and that we are the 8ran3hes and 8e3ause no 8ran3h 3an 8ear fruit 8' itself without the vine( %e also said that without .

8ein5 vitall' united to and a8idin5 in %i/( we 3ould do a8solutel' nothin5. What that /eans is that we 3an do a8solutel' nothin5 ri5ht* 7n'one 3ould do lots of thin5s( 8ut to do it without %is inner 8ein5 and presen3e within 'ou dire3tin5 'our /otives and 'our thou5hts( 'ou 3ould 3ertainl' do thin5s wron5* 4e3ause %e alwa's follows a 3ondition with a pro/ise( %e tells us that if we live in %i/( whi3h /eans to a8ide vitall' united to %i/( and we let %is Words re/ain in us and 3ontinue to live in our hearts( then %e pro/ises that we 3an as: whatever we want and %e said it would 8e done for us. When I loo:ed up the word 0o8e'2 in the di3tionar'( it si/pl' said( 0to 3arr' out an instru3tion or an order.2 %ow /u3h /ore si/ple 3ould we /a:e it to wal: into the presen3e of God and &esus and live there da' 8' da'* &ust do what %e tells 'ou to do and =uit doin5 what %e tells 'ou not to do. ,o wal: in defeat is to wal: in diso8edien3e. ,o wal: in o8edien3e is to wal: in 5lorious vi3tor'. ,his never /eans that we wont en3ounter pro8le/s in our dail' life and livin5( 8ut it does /ean that as lon5 as we are 8ein5 o8edient to the Lord &esus Christ( we will find a wa' out of the pro8le/s( and literall' wal: on top of the/. ,here are so /an' pla3es in Gods Word where &esus 5ives us 3lear 3ut instru3tions. ,his 8oo: doesnt 3ontain all( 8ut enou5h real 5e/s to /a:e 'ou fall /ore in love with &esus.

CHAPTER ONE If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL INVEST YOUR LIFE IN GOD Gver'thin5 'ou have or own is invested in so/ethin5. Your life( 'our /ind( 'our ti/e( 'our a8ilit'( 'our /one' C ever' sin5le solitar' thin5 that 'ou possess is invested in one wa' or another in so/ethin5 or so/eone. ,he 5reatest and /ost i/portant invest/ent 'ou 3an ever /a:e is to /a:e a total invest/ent of ever'thin5 'ou have or are( in God and the Lord &esus Christ* Let /e show 'ou a 5ood pra3ti3al eFa/ple of what I /ean 8' investin5 'our total life in God. If 'ou were a ri3h person( or if 'ou were a person who had a little eFtra 3ash( 'ou /i5ht thin:( 0I would li:e to ta:e what I have and I would li:e to /a:e /ore out of it.2 We dont want to 8e li:e the /an with one talent in 1atthew 2#. %e too: his talent and hid it in the 5round. When his 8oss 3a/e( he still had it( 8ut he 3ould have had a lot /ore if he had invested it in so/ethin5 that was reall' worthwhile. If I wanted to invest /' /one' in the sto3: /ar:et( I would 5o to a 8ro:er. I dont :now an'thin5 a8out the sto3: /ar:et at all C I have no understandin5 of how it wor:s. I 5o to a sto3:8ro:er 8e3ause he is a person who has dedi3ated his life to stud'in5 and learnin5 all he 3an a8out the sto3: /ar:et. %e has spent 'ears anal'Ein5 the prin3iples 8

of the sto3: /ar:et( what /a:es sto3: 5o up and what /a:es sto3: 5o down( what a 8ear /ar:et is( what a 8ull /ar:et is( what the "ow &ones avera5e is( and how that relates to the overall pi3ture of the sto3: /ar:et. %e loo:s at national 3rises to see how the' will affe3t the sto3: /ar:et. ,he sto3:8ro:er has /ade a 3areer of investi5atin5 and stud'in5 the sto3: /ar:et. %e has learned all of the little ins and outs( and he has assured /e that he 3an ta:e /' /one'( and at the end of the 'ear he will 5ive /e a lot /ore than I have now. ,hat sounds prett' 5ood( doesnt it; +o I a/ 5oin5 to invest /' lifes savin5s with this sto3:8ro:er. I a/ 5oin5 to 5ive /' /one' to hi/ and I a/ 5oin5 to 8elieve that he is 5oin5 to ta:e it and at a 3ertarn /o/ent in ti/e he is 5oin5 to return that to /e sa'in5( 0Loo:( Fran3es( loo: at all of the /one' that I 5ave 'ou 8a3:(2 8e3ause I a/ trustin5 hi/. When I 5ive /' /one' to a 8ro:er( I a/ puttin5 /' trust in hi/. I a/ trustin5 in his a8ilit'. L a/ also puttin5 /' trust in his honest'( 8e3ause I dont thin: he is 5oin5 to ta:e that /one' and put it in his po3:et and leave it there. I trust hi/ and 8elieve that he is 5oin5 to do what he sa's he is 5oin5 to do. If I were a3tuall' investin5 in the sto3: /ar:et( I would 8e investin5 a ph'si3al thin5. I would 8e investin5 a portion of /' savin5s. 1a'8e( if I were a3tuall' doin5 this in the sto3: /ar:et( I would 5ive the 8ro:er all of the /one' I have( and sa'( 0%ere( 'ou ta:e 3are of this. I a/ 5oin5 to invest it in sto3:s and 8onds( 8ut 8e3ause I dont :now how( I

a/ 5oin5 to trust 'our 9ud5/ent to do a /u3h 8etter 9o8 than I 3an do.2 I 5o ho/e. ,he 8ro:er is in his offi3e( and I a/ far awa' fro/ hi/. 1a'8e a /onth 5oes 8'. I havent tal:ed to /' 8ro:er the entire ti/e. I/ not sittin5 in his offi3e 3ountin5 /' /one'( 8ut I a/ trustin5 the 8ro:er to do with it what he is supposed to do. 1' /one' is still on deposit with hi/. +hortl'( he will send /e a little pie3e of paper that sa's I own 0F2 nu/8er of shares in 0'2 3o/pan'( whatever it is( 8ut I do not have an' /one' in /' possession. I have invested it in a little pie3e of paper whi3h I a/ told represents the /one' I 5ave to the sto3:8ro:er. I trusted hi/ to do a 8etter 9o8 with /' /one' than I 3ould do. In the sto3: /ar:et( we /a:e a 5ood invest/ent( and so/eti/es we /a:e a 8ad invest/ent. While the sto3:8ro:er has the /one' in his possession( it still 8elon5s to /e even thou5h I do not have it in /' possession at that ti/e. )n3e he sends /e that little pie3e of paper 3alled 0sto3:2( neither he nor I have the a3tual 3ash( 8ut I have the ri5ht to 3all hi/ at an' ti/e and sa'( 0Listen( I dont thin: I want to leave /' /one' in the sto3: /ar:et an' lon5er. Will 'ou 3ash it in for /e;2 7fter approFi/atel' five da's( he will return /' /one' to /e( plus or /inus whatever I have 5ained or lost in the sto3: /ar:et. I 3ould 5ain( 8ut I 3ould also lose( dependin5 on the /ar:et. I tried it on3e( and Ill 8e 5lad to sell 'ou that little 3ertifi3ate for what I paid for it* )r even at a dis3ount* You have a si/ilar situation if 'ou invest in land( or possi8l' a ho/e. You 3ant put it in 'our 1-

po3:et( 'ou 3ant alwa's trade it for 3ash on short noti3e( 8ut what 'ou are sa'in5 is this> 0I 8elieve this is a 5ood invest/ent. I 8elieve /' /one' will /a:e /one' for /e here. I 8elieve when the ti/e 3o/es that I want /' /one' 8a3:( I a/ 5oin5 to 5et /ore out of this than I had when I started.2 ,here is a parallel whi3h eFists in our relationship with God. When we invest our life in God( we are sa'in5( 0God( I want to ta:e ever'thin5 that I a/( ever'thin5 that I have 8een( ever'thin5 that I ever will 8e( and I want to invest it in the :in5do/ of God.2 I a/ sa'in5 to God eFa3tl' the sa/e thin5 I said to the 8ro:er when I 5ave hi/ /' /one'. I said( 0I trust 'ou to do a 8etter 9o8 than I do.2 +o( when we invest our life with God( we are sa'in5( 0God( I 8elieve 'ou 3an ta:e /' life and y u 3an ! a /u3h 8etter 9o8 with it than I have ever done /'self.2 +o we invest our life with God( whi3h /eans that we no lon5er have the a3tual 3ontrol of our life( 9ust li:e we dont have the a3tual 3ontrol of our /one'( 8e3ause we 5ave it to %i/ for a ti/e and for a reason. We have the sa/e withdrawal privile5es with God that we do with a sto3:8ro:er. We 3an suddenl' loo: up and sa'( 0God( You are not doin5 su3h a hot 9o8. I thin: I a/ 5oin5 to ta:e /' life 8a3:.2 ,hen we ta:e our life 8a3:( and we 8e5in to wal: in the flesh a5ain. ,he invest/ent 'ou /a:e when 'ou invest 'our life in God is not an invest/ent that 3an ever 8e

11

done on a part<ti/e 8asis and on a 8asis of 0I a/ 5oin5 to see if it wor:s.2 It does wor:* When 'ou /a:e 'our invest/ent with 'our /ind( 'our heart( 'our 8od'( and 'our soul( and 'ou sa'( 0God( I a/ willin5 to 5ive 'ou a8solutel' ever'thin5 I have( and I a/ 5oin5 to trust 'ou to dire3t /e where I need to 5o( where /' feet should 5o( where /' feet should wal:( what I should do( and how I should /a:e /' /one'.2 )nl' then are 'ou 5oin5 to dis3over the a8undant returns upon 'our invest/ent. God is a lon5<ter/ invest/ent. ,here are so/e thin5s 'ou 3an do in the sto3: /ar:et whi3h will prove ver' profita8le in a short period of ti/e. 4ut when 'ou invest in God( it should never 8e on a short<ter/( part< ti/e 8asis. 0Well( I a/ 5oin5 to tr' it( and if it doesnt wor:( la/ 5oin5 to 5o 8a3: and do /' own thin5 a5ain.2 When 'ou invest in God( it should 8e on a per/anent( full<ti/e( 1--H 8asis. In other words( dont sa'( 0God( I a/ 5oin5 to invest #-H of /e in You. ,hats all.2 Ie/e/8er( what 'ou dont invest in God( 'ou invest in the devil* You do not sa'( 0God( I a/ 5oin5 to 5ive 'ou #-H and devil( I/ 5oin5 to 5ive 'ou #-H.2 It has to8e all or nothin5 with God. God is not li:e a sto3:8ro:er who will ta:e 9ust a portion of 'our /one' to see if it will s:'ro3:et 12

reall' fast. God wants all of 'ou or nothin5( 8e3ause when +atan 5ets a tin' foothold( he has all he wants. God wants us to invest our total life in %i/ 8e3ause &esus invested %I+ total life in us. God 8ou5ht us with a pri3e. ,his is eFa3tl' wh' God wants all of us. %e paid a ver' hi5h pri3e when %e invested in 'ou and in /e. God was willin5 to invest the /ost pri3eless thin5 %e had( whi3h was %is +on( &esus. %e was willin5 to 5ive &esus( %e was willin5 to put %i/ on a 3ross( %e was willin5 to let ever' sin in the world( ever' si3:ness in the world( and ever' disease in the world 8e upon %i/. God invested &G+J+ in 'ou and /e* Gver' invest/ent is a 3hallen5e. Gver' invest/ent is a 5a/8le. Gven thou5h a 8ro:er has trained hi/self in ever'thin5 that has to do with the sto3: /ar:et( he 3ould still 8e wron5. ,he /ar:et 3ould flu3tuate( the worlds e3ono/' 3ould 3o/pletel' 3han5e( and I 3ould lose ever'thin5 I 5ave to hi/. God 5a/8les. "id 'ou ever thin: a8out that; God 5a/8led the life of %is onl' 8e5otten +on. %e said( 0I 3annot 3o//uni3ate with /an. 1an has sinned. 1an has wal:ed awa' fro/ /e all 8e3ause of 7da/s ori5inal sin.2 4e3ause of Gves eatin5 the fruit of the tree of :nowled5e of 5ood and evil( God lost fellowship with /an. I 3an i/a5ine God up in heaven after 7da/ and Gve sinned( tr'in5 to 3o//uni3ate with /an. %e is 'ellin5 down and sa'in5( 01an( /an( 3ant 'ou hear /e down there; I a/ tal:in5 to 'ou.2 7nd as loud as Gods voi3e was( %e 3ould not 5et throu5h to /an( and so %e thou5ht( 0Well( if I were a 1

5rasshopper or if I wanted to tal: to a 5rasshopper( how would I do it; I would 8e3o/e a 5rasshopper so I 3ould spea: 5rasshopper lan5ua5e.2 7nd so( 8e3ause we are not 5rasshoppers( 8e3ause we are people( &esus 8e3a/e a /an li:e us. ,he Word 8e3a/e flesh when God sent &esus down to this earth Asee &ohn 1>4B. God 5a/8led( 8e3ause %e said( 0I a/ willin5 to ta:e the /ost pri3eless thin5 I have ever had or ever will have. %e was alwa's with /e and %e will 8e with /e forever. 4ut I a/ 5oin5 to 5ive %i/ to the hu/an ra3e. I a/ 5oin5 to /a:e /' /ost pri3eless possession hu/an so that /' possession 3an tal: to people as a hu/an 8ein5. 1' /ost pri3eless possession 3an tal: to people in 7/eri3a. %e 3an 5o over to +outh 7fri3a and spea: in the 7fri3an lan5ua5e. 0I/ 5oin5 to invest /' onl' 8e5otten +on( so that this invest/ent will /ultipl' into other sons( other 3hildren and there8' I will 5ain a wealth of redee/ed souls.2 God 5a/8led 8e3ause %e 8elieved it would wor:. %e 8elieved that when %e sent %is +on( /ans e'es would 8e opened and he would see that God had 5iven hi/ another opportunit' to have fellowship with %i/. God /ade a 5ood invest/ent( 8e3ause there are a lot of Christians toda'. God /ade a 5ood invest/ent in 'ou 8e3ause 'ou have responded to the invest/ent %e /ade. 4' the sa/e to:en( there are /an' people out there in the world who have never responded to the 3all of God( who have never responded to the invest/ent God /ade in the 14

hu/an ra3e. +o if we want to reall' wal: in vi3tor' ever' da' of our lives( we need to ta:e advanta5e of the invest/ent the 7l/i5ht' God /ade in us. We need to understand what it reall' is to 8e 8ou5ht with a pri3e. God redee/ed us fro/ sin and si3:ness( 3orruption and de/oni3 a3tivit'. God IG"GG1G" us. I 3an understand 8etter than an'thin5 else what rede/ption reall' /eans when I thin: a8out a 0sta/p 8oo:2 whi3h so/e 5ro3er' stores 5ive out. In /an' 3ities when 'ou 5o into a store and 8u' so/ethin5( 'ou pa' for 'our pur3hase and so/e sta/ps are 5iven to 'ou. ,oda'( I usuall' turn around and 5ive /' sta/ps to the person 8ehind /e si/pl' 8e3ause there are so /an' different :inds that I 3ouldnt possi8l' save the/ all in suffi3ient =uantities to turn the/ in A8e3ause we travel so /u3hB. 4ut /an' 'ears a5o( I did save Green +ta/ps in Florida. Gver' ti/e I went to a 5ro3er' store or /an' of the other stores( I would re3eive so/e little Green +ta/ps. I re/e/8er that I would start out with a ni3e prett' 8oo: that the' would 5ive 'ou in the store whi3h would sa'( 06aste ea3h pa5e full of sta/ps( and when 'ou 5et KF nu/8er of sta/ps in here( we will redee/ it( and we will 5ive 'ou so/ethin5 8a3: for it.2 I would la8oriousl' paste sta/ps in the little 8oo:( /ost of the ti/e not ver' strai5ht. "id 'ou ever do the sa/e thin5; 4' the ti/e 'ou finall' 3o/pleted the 8oo: and filled it up with a suffi3ient nu/8er of sta/ps( the 8oo: was the 8i55est /ess 'ou ever saw. It 8ul5ed( the sta/ps stu3: out over 1#

the ed5es and often the pa5es 3a/e out and 'ou had to hold it to5ether with a ru88er 8and. ,he interestin5 thin5 a8out this whole sti3:' /ess was that it didnt /a:e an' differen3e to the rede/ption store how /ess' /' 8oo: was( as lon5 as I had fulfilled the 3onditions. 7s lon5 as I had put in as /an' sta/ps in that 8oo: as the rules said I had to put inD I had a privile5e and I had a ri5ht. I 3ould 5o to the rede/ption store and sa'( 0%ere are /' 8oo:s. You said if I had this /an' 8oo:s I 3ould 5et so/ethin5 real prett' for the/. I will ta:e a la/p and so/e of those other little 5oodies.2 When I had 8ou5ht so/ethin5 with /' Green +ta/ps( then I had redee/ed so/ethin5 that was a3tuall' useless( a3tuall' worthless( and so/ethin5 that reall' 8elon5ed in the trash 3an. I too: it and redee/ed it for so/ethin5 that was far 8etter. It is eFa3tl' the sa/e when we have 8een redee/ed 8' the 8lood of the La/8. God ta:es us with all of the ed5es sti3:in5 out. "id 'ou ever have so/e sharp ed5es on 'ou that needed to 8e ta:en off when 'ou 5ot saved; We all did* God ta:es a perfe3tl' useless( worthless thin5 and sa's( 07ll ri5ht( I a/ 5oin5 to 5ive 'ou so/ethin5 8a3: for this arti3le whi3h is no 5ood.2 4ut the trade %e /a:es with us is un8elieva8le( 8e3ause %e ta:es us in whatever 3ondition were in( 9ust as lon5 as we are willin5 to 8e redee/ed( and /a:es us into a 8rand new 3reation( sinless and spotless* 4ut 'ou have to 8e WILLILG to 8e redee/ed. God is not 5oin5 to for3e 'ou to 8e saved. God is never 5oin5 to for3e an'8od' to do an'thin5( 8ut %e will redee/ us* 1.

God /ade usD the devil 3a/e and 5ot usD and then God 8rou5ht us 8a3: into the li5ht a5ain throu5h the pre3ious 8lood of &esus Christ. %e was willin5 to 5a/8le. %e 5a/8led that if %e let %is +on die( that so/ewhere alon5 the line Fran3es %unter would sa'( 0I re3eive that. I will trade the /ess' life I have whi3h is full of sin( full of 3orruption( full of ever'thin5 8ad( and I will trade it all for Your +on &esus*2 When we invest our life in %i/( wat3h what 8e5ins to happen( 0For we are his wor:/anship( 3reated in Christ &esus unto 5ood wor:s( whi3h God hath 8efore ordained that we should wal: in the/2 AGphesians 2>1-B. WG 7IG ,%G W)IM17L+%I6 )F G)"* 7 tre/endous verse of s3ripture is Genesis 1>2.( God said A7nd I 8elieve %e was tal:in5 to &esusB 0Let us /a:e /an in our i/a5e( after our li:eness.2 You and I have 8een 3reated in the i/a5e of God( 8ut then we fell fro/ that i/a5e* 4ut( 5lor' to God( Gphesians 2>1- tells us that when we are 8orn a5ain we are on3e a5ain Gods wor:/anship* 1an' people tr' to /a:e it on their own. Loo: at the people the world 3alls su33essful* If 'ou were to read the su33ess stor' of the /an who is not a Christian( he would sa'( 0I wor:ed hard( I did this( I( I( I( I( I...2 It would all 8e a8solutel' nothin5 8ut( 0I did this.2 ,he opposite is the Christian stor' of su33ess C it doesnt depend on us C it depends on the )ne who 3an /a:e us a su33ess* We 3an never do it on

1$

our own. ,here is a8solutel' no wa' we 3an for3e ourselves into the i/a5e of God without %is help. I heard a funn' stor' over in Nanuatu in the +outh 6a3ifi3( one that stru3: ho/e as a /arvelous eFa/ple of the fa3t that we 3annot do it on our own. ,r' as 'ou /a'( 'ou will never reall' 8e happ' until 'ou are willin5 to invest 7LL of 'our life in God and let %i/ ta:e 3o/plete 3ontrol. ,here was a 8un3h of little /on:e's who were pla'in5 8as:et8all. ,heir field was at the ed5e of a 3liff( and wa' 8elow the 3liff there was a 8i5 sea of /ud. )ne of the little /on:e's did not 3at3h the 8all( so the' went to the ed5e of the 3liff and saw the 8all l'in5 on the top of the pile of /ud. 7ll the little /on:e's were sa'in5( 0%ow are we 5oin5 to 5et it; %ow are we 5oin5 to 5et it;2 It was a8out a thousand feet down to the 8all( 8ut the' :new when the' 5ot there the' 3ould not stand on the /ud 8e3ause it was so soft and s=uish'. Finall'( an old /on:e' 3a/e 8'( an old /on:e' who was a real su33ess. ,he' said to hi/( 0%ow are we 5oin5 to 5et the 8all; %ow are we 5oin5 to 5et the 8all;2 %e said( 0Well( 9ust stand 8a3: and 9u/p over the 3liff and 5o down there and 5et the 8all. "ont all of 'ou 5o( 9ust one of 'ou should 5o.2 ,he' too: the advi3e of the wise old /on:e' and de3ided whi3h /on:e' was 5oin5 to 5o. ,he little /on:e' who was 3hosen 8a3:ed up as far as he 3ould( ran as fast as he 3ould( and when he 5ot to the ed5e( he 5ave an eFtra 8urst of ener5' and leaped wa' out in the air. "own( down( down he went into the /ud. %e 8e5an to sin: in the /ud 18

8e3ause it was ver' /u3h li:e =ui3:sand( and 8efore he :new it( he was up to his waist. %e :ept 5oin5 down further( further and further into the /ud. Finall'( in desperation( he loo:ed up and 3ried( 0What do I do now;2 ,he wise old /on:e' said( 0Get hold of 'our ears*2 ,he little /on:e' 5ot hold of his ears( 8ut he :ept sin:in5 /ore and /ore. %e was 8e5innin5 to pani3( so he 'elled up a5ain( 0What do I do now;2 ,he old /on:e' said( 06ull up*2 ,he little /on:e' pulled up and pulled up and pulled up. ,he /ore he pulled on his ears( the further he went down until all of a sudden the /ud 3overed the entire top of his head* ,he /oral of that stor' is> You 3ant save 'ourself* I dont 3are how /u3h 'ou pull on 'our ears( there is no wa' that 'ou 3an save 'ourself* 0God paid a ranso/ to save 'ou fro/ the i/possi8le road to heaven whi3h 'our fathers tried to ta:e( and the ranso/ he paid was not /ere 5old or silver( as 'ou ver' well :now. 4ut he paid for 'ou with the pre3ious life8lood of Christ( the sinless( spotless La/8 of God2 AI 6eter 1>18(19 ,L4B. ,here is no wa' 'ou 3an save 'ourself. It has all 8een doneD all we need to do is 8elieve and to invest our life in God* 0%is divine power has 5iven us ever'thin5 we need for life and 5odliness throu5h our :nowled5e of hi/ who 3alled us 8' his own 5lor' and 5oodness. ,hrou5h these he has 5iven us his ver' 19

5reat and pre3ious pro/ises( so that throu5h the/( 'ou /a' parti3ipate in the divine nature and es3ape the 3orruption in the world 3aused 8' evil desires2 AII 6eter 1> (4 1NB. Gods Word sa's that %e has 5iven us GNGIY,%ILG. 7rent we foolish to invest our life in the devil who 5ives us nothin5; &esus 5ives us health. %e 5ives us wealth. %e 5ives us life. ,he devil 5ives us povert'( si3:ness and death* We have a 3hoi3e and a de3ision to /a:e. Whi3h wa' and where are we 5oin5 to invest our life; We need to invest our life totall' and wholl' and 3o/pletel' in God. I reall' 8elieve if we 3ould ever 5et to the point where we invested ever'thin5 we had( GNGIY,%ILG( totall'( wholl' and 3o/pletel'( that we 3ould wal: in divine health 1--H of the ti/e. I havent 5otten there 'et( 8ut I a/ reall' 3lose to wal:in5 in divine health 1--H of the ti/e. 7nd I a/ 5oin5 to find out so/e da' wh' I dont wal: in divine health 7LL the ti/e( 8e3ause ever' on3e in a while( the devil ta:es a real po:e at /e and 3onne3ts* ,here are /an' parts of 'ou that 'ou need to invest. You need to invest all 'ou are in God. 6eople so/eti/es dont reall' understand what the word 0all2 /eans. We need to invest our /inds. We need to invest ever' 8it of our /inds 8e3ause when we do( God 3an do a /ira3le with what we thin: is an ordinar' /ind* 7da/ had a tre/endous /ind. 7da/ was reall' s/art. %e was 3reated in the i/a5e of God( and so I a/ sure that at that point he possessed the /ind of God. ,he fa3t that i/pressed /e re3entl' was that 2-

7da/ personall' na/ed all of the ani/als that are on this earth. ,o /' :nowled5e we have never 3han5ed the na/e of one ani/al that 7da/ na/ed. %ow 3ould he have possi8l' thou5ht up na/es li:e elephant( 5iraffe( 3hi3:en and /an' others; Lot onl' did he na/e the/( he had to re/e/8er what he na/ed the/. +uppose 'ou had na/ed an elephant( 'ou na/ed a rhino3eros( 'ou na/ed a pi5( 'ou na/ed a horse( 'ou na/ed a 3ow( 'ou na/ed a do5( 'ou na/ed a 3at( 'ou na/ed a 5rasshopper( 'ou na/ed a sna:e( 'ou na/ed a roa3h( 'ou na/ed a 8ee( and 'ou na/ed a hippopota/us. What would happen to 'ou when 'ou went to feed the ani/als the neFt da'; Would 'ou 3onfuse the hippopota/us with the 8ee and wonder whi3h was whi3h; Wouldnt 'ou thin:( 0What did I na/e that one; What is the na/e of that one; Is that a horse; Lo( /a'8e that is a 3at.2 Can 'ou i/a5ine not onl' na/in5 all the ani/als( 8ut havin5 to re/e/8er what 'ou na/ed the/; Gver' ti/e I thin: a8out all the different na/es of ani/als( I thin: 7da/ /ust have 8een a 5enius* %ow 3ould he ever re/e/8er all those thin5s; %e had to have a 8rilliant /ind C and he did( 8e3ause up until the ti/e of the fall( he had invested his /ind with God. ,hat is wh' his /ind was so sharp. Can 'ou i/a5ine what would happen to all of us if we reall' 3o//itted 1--H of our /ind to God( and we invested it in Gods wisdo/; We would all 8e a lot s/arter than we are toda'* %eres a 5ood test for 'ou. %ow /an' of 'ou will read this 8oo:( 3lose it and tell a friend ever'thin5 in it; I 3ouldnt 21

even do it /'self( and I a/ the one who is writin5 it* "o 'ou see what we have let happen to our /inds; We have let our /inds deteriorate 8e3ause we have 3hosen to invest a portion of our /ind in thin5s that are other than 5odl'. 4e3ause of the world we live in( it is eas' to 5et our /inds pulled awa' 8' thin5s other than spiritual. If 'ou have to drive a 3ar toda'( do 'ou feel ver' spiritual when people are hon:in5 at 'ou fro/ 8ehind and so/eone 3uts in front of 'ou and al/ost /a:es 'ou have an a33ident; We have a lot of luFuries in this life( 8ut the' 3an also a3t as penalties if the' ta:e our /ind awa' fro/ the thin5s of God. Low( dont /isunderstand /e. I sin3erel' trust that 'ou will have 'our /ind awa:e when 'ou drive 'our 3ar 8e3ause if 'ou dont( 'ou are 5oin5 to run into trou8le* 4ut to the eFtent that we possi8l' 3an( we need to invest our /ind in the thin5s of God. You 3an invest the/ in the newspapers( 'ou 3an invest 'our /ind in /a5aEines( 'ou 3an invest 'our /ind in television and a8sor8 the worlds wa' of thin:in5 C or 'ou 3an invest 'our ti/e in the 4i8le and a8sor8 Gods wa' of loo:in5 at thin5s. "id 'ou ever stop to realiEe that when 'ou are sittin5 wat3hin5 television( 'ou are ta:in5 'our 8rain and puttin5 it in 3o/plete 3ontrol and su8/ission to whatever is 3o/in5 a3ross those television waves for as lon5 as 'ou wat3h that television pro5ra/; I wat3h Christian television o33asionall'( 8ut even that does not 3o/pare with

22

lettin5 'our /ind 8e honed up and sharpened up 8' dire3t 3onta3t with the Word of God* I love what the 4i8le sa's( 0For the word of God is =ui3:( and powerful( and sharper than an' two<ed5ed sword2 A%e8rews 4>12B. +o if 'ou want to sharpen up 'our /ind( invest 'our ti/e 8' puttin5 'our /ind into Gods Word. "id 'ou ever tr' to shave with a dull raEor; Its hard to do a 5ood 9o8* I re/e/8er 'ears a5o when /' dadd' had one of those strai5ht raEors and he would stand there ever' /ornin5 with a strap and sharpen his raEor. It 9ust wouldnt do a 5ood 9o8 of shavin5 if he didnt sharpen it ever' da'. We need to sharpen our /inds ever' da'. We need to 5et our /inds into the Word of God ever' sin5le da'. We need to invest our /inds( we need to invest our ti/e into thin5s that will sharpen us up( thin5s that will 5ive us a return on our ti/e( ener5' and /one'. When 'ou renew or transfor/ 'our /ind in God( it is the sa/e as turnin5 on a transfor/er. You are uppin5 the power so 'our /ind will 5low. When 'ou invest 'our entire 8ein5( 'our entire thin:in5 pro3ess( 'our entire ever'thin5 into God( and when 'ou let God 5et a 5ood hold on 'ou( and 'ou let God ta:e 'ou and do what %e wants to do with 'ou( 'ou 3an 3o/e out with so /u3h profit at the end of ever' 'ear that it is al/ost un8elieva8le. If we trusted God li:e we do a sto3:8ro:er( we would let %I1 /ana5e our lives for us* We need to sa'( 0Low( God( I 5ive 'ou all of /' life.2 7nd we dont need to loo: up and sa'( 0God( 5ive it 8a3: to /e 8e3ause I want to /a:e sure that 'ou still have 2

it. I want to /a:e sure that I a/ not dead. I want to /a:e sure that I a/ still alive. Would 'ou 5ive /e 8a3: /' life for 9ust a /o/ent and let /e see it;2 Lo( when 'ou 5ive 'our life to God( 'ou need to /a:e it total( 3o/plete and per/anent. You need to invest ever'thin5 'ou have in the :in5do/ of God.. .all of 'our ener5'( all of 'our ti/e and all of 'our a8ilit'. We all have lots of ti/e that we have not reall' used well. We often fall into the ha8it of wastin5 lots of ti/e. What 'ou had 'esterda' is alread' 5one( 8ut we have a lot of ti/e toda' that we 3an 3hoose to use or lose. +tart puttin5 a ti/er on the thin5s 'ou do durin5 a da'. If 'ou do this( 'ou will dis3over that 'ou will find so/e of it C nap ti/e( television ti/e( tal:in5< on<the< phone ti/e( drivin5<in<the<3ar ti/e C that 'ou 3an redee/ for God. 0Wal: in wisdo/ toward the/ that are without( redee/in5 the ti/e2 AColossians 4>#B. %ow do 'ou reall' invest 'our life with God; I love what it sa's in Galatians 2>2-( 0I a/ 3ru3ified with Christ> nevertheless I liveD 'et not I( 8ut Christ liveth in /e> and the life whi3h I now live in the flesh I live 8' the faith of the +on of God( who loved /e( and 5ave hi/self for /e.2 We need to learn to invest our ti/e in the people who need to hear the 5ospel. Charles and I are 3onstantl' pra'in5 that all the people who attend our /eetin5s will 5o out and invest ever' spare /inute the' have in 9ust lovin5 so/e8od' into the :in5do/ of God and winnin5 people to the Lord &esus Christ. I dont :now of an'thin5 that will win 24

the/ an' faster than 9ust lovin5 the/ into the :in5do/ of God. We need to invest our ti/e( we need to invest our ener5'( and we need to invest our /one'. Gver' on3e in a while when I sa' that 'ou need to invest 'our /one'( people thin:( 0Well( she is tal:in5 a8out 5ivin5 to this /inistr'(2 8ut the're wron5. You have to use 'our /one' the wa' God tells 'ou to do it. I want to share with 'ou a ver' interestin5 testi/on' a8out a 'oun5 /an who spent his /one' 3o/pletel' different than I would ever 8e interested in spendin5 /ine* Charles and I have spo:en at Christian Ietreat down in 4radenton( Florida where Gerald "erstine has a /inistr' that rea3hes around the world. "o 'ou :now how he did it; %e started in a fa3tor'. %e /ade sto3:in5s in a hosier' fa3tor' and he stuttered. Gver' ti/e he even tried to spea: to so/eone a8out &esus( he would open his /outh and sa'( 0"< d<d<d<...2 %e was tr'in5 to sa'( 0"o 'ou :now a8out &esus;2 ,he' would all 8e 5one 8' the ti/e he said( 0"<d<d<d<do...2 4e3ause his stutterin5 was so 8ad( he 3ouldnt prea3h( so he 8ou5ht tra3ts with ever' eFtra di/e he had. %e de3ided it would 8e si/pler and far /ore effe3tive if he 9ust handed the/ a tra3t and didnt tr' to sa' an'thin5. %e had pro8a8l' 5iven out thousands of tra3ts when God finall' healed hi/ of his stutterin5( and he is a 8eautiful prea3her toda'. I 8elieve God healed hi/ of stutterin5 8e3ause he was willin5 to

2#

invest his /one' in so/ethin5 to pro/ote the 5ospel* We had a tre/endous thrill when we were over in Nanuatu to have an opportunit' for an audien3e with the 5overnor of the island. We found a /an who had invested his life in God headin5 up this island. %e told us when we 3a/e in that he 0had so /an' pro8le/s.2 We tal:ed 8riefl' and then as:ed hi/ if he had ever a33epted &esus as his +avior and invested his life in God. %e said( 0Yes( a /issionar' 3a/e throu5h here in 19.4 and I a33epted &esus.2 We then as:ed hi/ if he had re3eived the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit and when he said he had not( we as:ed hi/ if he would li:e to. ,he /inute he said( 0Yes(2 we laid hands on hi/( and he 8e5an to spea: fluentl' in ton5ues* When we left( he said( 0Low( Ive 5ot pea3e*2 %e was investin5 his ton5ue in the power of the Christian life* %e 5ot so eF3ited that he 3a/e to our /eetin5 that ni5ht and said( 0What this 3ountr' needs is the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit and for GNGIY)LG to spea: in ton5ues.2 I 3an hardl' wait for the 6resident of the Jnited +tates to sa' the sa/e thin5* We need to invest our lives in God totall' and 3o/pletel'* If I were 5oin5 to tea3h 'ou how to wal: in vi3tor' ever' da' of 'our life( I /i5ht thin: a8out tellin5 'ou to read the 4i8le. I 3ould tell 'ou to witness. I 3ould tell 'ou to do a lot of thin5s( 8ut if I onl' had one thin5 to share with 'ou a8out the /ost valua8le thin5 'ou 3ould ever do( I would sa'( 0Invest 'our life totall' in God. 4e willin5 to put 2.

'our life in Gods hands and sa'( KGod( this is a lifeti/e annuit' with /e. I a/ never 5oin5 to ta:e it 8a3:. I a/ 5oin5 to leave it with 'ou( and I a/ 5oin5 to wat3h the dividends roll in.2 "o 'ou 8elieve God pa's dividends; You are a8solutel' ri5ht* )n3e 'ou totall' invest 'our life( God will 8e5in to 5ive 'ou dividends. I 8elieve the first dividend 'ou 5et 8a3: is the pea3e and 9o' that God 5ives 'ou. +uddenl'( 'ou 3ant understand wh' 'ou wa:e up ever' /ornin5 sin5in5. You 3ant understand how 'ou 3an loo: outside and see all of those sa/e rotten 3ir3u/stan3es whi3h were there 'esterda'( and 'et( toda' the' loo: a8solutel' 8eautiful. ,hat is investin5 'our life with God. %e 5ives 'ou new e'es* %e 8e5ins to 5ive 'ou happiness* %e 8e5ins to 5ive 'ou 9o'* %e 8e5ins to 5ive 'ou lots of other thin5s( and it is all 8e3ause when 'ou invest 7LL of 'our life with God( 'ou have /ade the s/artest invest/ent 'ou will ever /a:e in 'our entire life* "oes God have a retire/ent 8enefit plan; YG+* 07nd ever'one who has left houses or 8rothers or sisters or father or /other or wife or 3hildren or lands( for 1' na/es sa:e( shall re3eive a hundredfold( and inherit everlastin5 life.2 A1atthew 19>29 LM&NB. I re/e/8er vividl' the da' I 5ot saved and I re/e/8er eFa3tl' what I said to God. I said( 0God( Ill /a:e a deal with 'ou C Ill 5ive 'ou 7LL of /e for 7LL of 'ou.2 ,hen to /a:e sure %e understood( I 3ontinued( 0If You want whats left of this /ess(

2$

ta:e it( 8ut ta:e 7LL of /e( 8e3ause I dont want an'thin5 left for /'self*2 ,hat was the s/artest deal I ever /ade in /' life( and I 3ertainl' 5ot the 8est end of it( 8ut did 'ou noti3e what I did; 1ine was never a halfwa' 3o//it/ent( it was a total 3o//it/ent the ver' first ti/e. 7t the writin5 of this 8oo:( I have 8een saved for twent' 'ears( and I have never 8a3:slidden one ti/e in word( thou5ht or deed. +o/e have had diffi3ult' understandin5 wh' this happened in /' life( and I want to share with 'ou the tin' little se3ret that /a:es that state/ent possi8le> ,%G )LLY 67I, )F Y)J ,%7, C7L 47CM+LI"G I+ ,%G 67I, Y)J %7NG L), GINGL ,) G)"* If 'ou reall' love &esus( invest 'our whole life in God and see what happens.

28

CHAPTER TWO If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL FIND GOD"S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE Is there reall' a wa' to find Gods will for 'our life( so that 'ou dont have to 5rope around( fu/8le around and learn 8' trial and error; "oes God /a:e %is will and plan for 'our life eas'; YG+* %ow do 'ou find Gods will if its si/ple; Gods will is %is Word* I hard that said a lon5 ti/e a5o and didnt understand it( so let /e eFplain how I found out what it reall' /eals. I /et &esus in a ver' s/all( run<down 3hur3h( and thou5ht it was the /ost 8eautiful 3hur3h in the world after I saw it filled with the person and presen3e of God* When &esus 3a/e into /' heart( two thin5s 3a/e into /' heart with %i/* 7 hun5erin5 for the Word of God whi3h has never 8een satisfied( and a desire to 8e with Christians. I didnt want to read an'thin5 eF3ept Gods Word( and I didnt want to tal: to an'one who didnt want to hear a8out &esus. 1' heart was hun5erin5 to 5lean ever'thin5 I 3ould 8' 8ein5 with other Christians( so I went to ever'thin5 that sounded li:e the na/e God or &esus /i5ht 8e /entioned* I went to a weddin5 even thou5h I didnt reall' :now the people involved. ,he 3hur3h was so s/all 29

that the pastor was also the 9anitor( the /aid( the 5ardener and the se3retar'( and he dispensed these 9o8s to an'one who would do the/* +in3e the weddin5 was on a +aturda' ni5ht( the 3hur3h needed to 8e swept out for +unda' /ornin5. 4e3ause I was ri5ht there( he handed /e a 8roo/ and as:ed /e to sweep out the 3hur3h* ,hat was the first thin5 God ever told /e to do* +weep out a 3hur3h* 7nd a 9un:' 3hur3h at that* Certainl' a far 3r' fro/ what an'one would anti3ipate who :new God had pla3ed a 3all on their life* When I was saved( I had a full<ti/e( live<in /aid who too: 3are of all the household needs. +he even /et /e at the front door and handed /e a li5hted 3i5arette and a /artini. A,hat 3han5ed ver' =ui3:l'*B 7nd here a pastor was as:in5 /e to sweep the floor li:e a hired hand* I didnt hesitate one /inute even thou5h I honestl' didnt :now how to sweep. I loo:ed at the 8roo/ li:e it was a /onster 8ut ta3:led it with all the ener5' I had. +o/eone told /e later the' lau5hed 8e3ause I was tr'in5 to sweep left<handed and didnt 5et ver' far. Finall'( in desperation( I started pi3:in5 up the ri3e with /' fin5ers 8e3ause I didnt /a:e /u3h pro5ress with the 8roo/. 1an' ti/es we /iss the will of God 8e3ause we thin: the 9o8 %e 5ives us is too /enial. We visualiEe ourselves in flowin5 3hiffon dresses on a pedestal hi5h a8ove hundreds of thousands of people 3la/orin5 to hear 9ust one word drip fro/ our hone' lips. We see people fi5htin5 to 9ust tou3h us 8e3ause so /u3h of God e/anates fro/ our 8od' -

that the' :now 9ust one fin5er on us will answer all their pro8le/s. Were so 8us' livin5 in a drea/ world that we 3ant feel the 8roo/sti3: that God is hittin5 us with ri5ht a3ross the 8a3: of our le5s* God is sa'in5( 0%e'( loo: at this little tas: Ive 5ot for 'ou* I 3ant trust 'ou with the 8i5 ones until 'ou ta:e 3are of this little thin5(2 8ut we 5o on drea/in5 and drea/in5 and wonderin5 wh' we 3ant find Gods will for our life* We need to loo: ri5ht in front of our nose if we want to see the wonder and 5lor' of God instead of loo:in5 throu5h a teles3ope down the road a /illion /iles awa'* "o 'ou :now what 'ou need to put in front of 'our nose so 'oull :now what God wants 'ou to do; ,he Word C the 4i8le C the s3riptures* Gods will for 'ou is all wrapped up ri5ht there* 0Go 'e into all the world( and prea3h the 5ospel to ever' 3reature2 A1ar: 1.>1#B( was one of the first s3riptures I /e/oriEed. I didnt /e/oriEe the rest of it 8e3ause I didnt li:e that 8usiness a8out spea:in5 in ton5ues. %owever( I did li:e the part a8out sharin5 the 5ospel with ever' 3reature and I dis3overed =ui3:l' that leadin5 people to &esus was Gods will for /' life. I started out first with /' fa/il'( and after I shared with the/( I shared with all /' friends. I was happ' 8e3ause I was doin5 Gods will for /' life* When I finished with /' friends Ain 3ase 'oure interested( /' su33ess wasnt too 5reatB( I was happ' 8e3ause I was in %is will doin5 eFa3tl' as %is Word said to do. 1

,he hardest thin5 in the world is to witness to 'our fa/il' and friends( espe3iall' when 'ou 8e3o/e a fanati3 fro/ the word 05o.2 ,he' all :new 'ou 0when2 and the' all thin: its a te/porar' thin5 that will wear off. 7t least thats what /' fa/il' and friends thou5ht( 8ut I MG6, )L** I loo:ed around for the neFt thin5 God told /e to do. 7nd %e said( 0+hare with the people in the shoppin5 3enter where 'our offi3e is lo3ated*2 ,he last thin5 in the world I wanted to do was to share with /' 8usiness asso3iates who alread' had 8e5un to loo: at /e as thou5h I had 5otten senile( 8ut Gods Word said to share it with the whole world( so I started there. I lost a lot of 3usto/ers( 8ut God alwa's 8rou5ht /e lots /ore who were interested to hear what I had to sa' a8out &esus and what %e 3ould do in a life* We 5et 8o55ed down in doin5 Gods will for our lives si/pl' 8e3ause if we 5et re8uffed we often 5et dis3oura5ed and thin: we /ust 8e out of the will of God( when in realit' God is 9ust 5ivin5 us a little tou5henin5<up period* God enlar5ed the 3ir3le of /' a3tivities after I shared with /' 8usiness asso3iates. I 8e5an witnessin5 in the 3o//unit' of Mendall( Florida where I lived. Ga3h ni5ht I pi3:ed out three 3alls to /a:e( left /' offi3e at seven and returned around nine to 3o/plete the da' and ni5hts wor: in /' printin5 3o/pan'. I thou5ht that was Gods will for /' life and would 8e for the rest of /' da's( 8ut 8e3ause I was o8edient to God( %e on3e a5ain enlar5ed the 3ir3le 2

of /' responsi8ilit'. I 8e5an tea3hin5 others how to lead people to &esus* I didnt realiEe it then( 8ut I do now( that God was in3reasin5 /' sphere of a3tivities fro/ that first one<to< one 8asis to a lar5er /inistr'. 0...thou hast 8een faithful over a few thin5s( I will /a:e thee ruler over /an' thin5s...2 A1atthew 2#>2 B. Faithfulness in the little thin5s opened /' /inistr' to lar5er thin5s. 7s soon as I had tau5ht others how to lead people to &esus on a one<to<one 8asis( I 8e5an re3eivin5 invitations fro/ the 3hur3hes in 1ia/i( and I thou5ht the entire 3it' of 1ia/i was /' /inistr' for the rest of /' life. I :new I would never 8e a8le to 3o/plete that hu5e 9o8( 8ut I was happ' 8e3ause I was doin5 what God 3alled /e to do. ,he neFt thin5 God 5ave /e was invitations to 3hur3hes in the entire state of Florida and then to other states in the nation. )n one of these trips( I /et Charles who was a part of Gods plan( Gods will for /' life. 7fter our /arria5e( God 5ave us the entire Jnited +tates( and on the tenth anniversar' of /' salvation( I found /'self standin5 in 1anila 4a' 8aptiEin5 Filipinos. %e had 5iven us the whole world* 7s the tears started strea/in5 down /' fa3e with the 9o' of the Lord and realiEation of what God had done in /' life( I loo:ed at Charles and said( 0I wonder what would have happened if I hadnt done that first little thin5 God told /e to do C sweep out that 3hur3h*2

Charles si/pl' said( 0Lothin5*2 %e was ri5ht* God 3an never /ove 'ou on in %is will until 'ou do the little /enial tas: %e has sittin5 ri5ht in front of 'ou* %e 3ant trust 'ou to share with thousands until %e 3an trust 'ou to share with one* "iso8edien3e of Gods will 3an 8rin5 real disaster* 7da/ found that out* God had 3reated 7da/ in %is own i/a5e so that %e 3ould have fellowship with hi/* God 8rou5ht ever' 8east of the field and ever' fowl of the air to 7da/ 0..to see what he would 3all the/> and whatsoever 7da/ 3alled ever' livin5 3reature( that was the na/e thereof2 AGenesis 2>19B. 7da/ was happ' 8e3ause he was doin5 Gods will. %e didnt have to plow the field( he didnt have to plant( he didnt have to 5ather( he didnt have to harvest( he didnt have to wor:( he didnt have to stru55le or strain. %e 9ust sta'ed in the 8eautiful 5arden of Gden and en9o'ed all of Gods a8undan3e( prosperit' and divine health* Gver'thin5 that God had was 5iven to 7da/ in perfe3tion. ,hen God said to hi/( 0...of ever' tree of the 5arden thou /a'est freel' eatD 4ut of the tree of the :nowled5e of 5ood and evil( thou shalt not eat of it> for in the da' that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surel' die2 AGenesis 2>1.(1$B. ,hen God de3ided it wasnt 5ood for /an to live alone so %e 3reated a wo/an fro/ 7da/s ri8. ,hen %e had two people in %is perfe3t will. ,he' were o8edient to %i/( to %is purpose( to %is laws( and to %is thin:in5.

,he' wal:ed and tal:ed with God* ,he' were a8undantl' happ' and so was God. ,here was nothin5 ever to 8e afraid of 8e3ause the' were wal:in5 in the will of God and there is no fear in the will of God. ,here was no reason for the/ to ever have an'thin5 eF3ept the 9o' of the Lord. 4ut...the one who 3o/es to steal( to :ill and to destro' snea:ed into the 8eautiful Garden of Gden and hes still snea:in5 around toda'* ,he /inute he sees ever'thin5 5oin5 a33ordin5 to the will of God( he 3o/es slin:in5 in( not in the shape of a serpent( 8ut in one for/ or another to tr' to te/pt us fro/ doin5 the will of God. ,he' had ever'thin5 5oin5 for the/( and so do we until we listen to the te/ptations of the devil* God told 7da/ and Gve in ver' si/ple ter/s the 3onditions of %is will. ,here was onl' one 0no< no2 and 'et Gve 3hose deli8eratel' to 5o a5ainst what God had so definitel' told her* What started trou8le in her life and what starts it in our lives; ,he devil started pro/isin5 her so/ethin5. %e 8e5an tellin5 her lies. %e dropped the thou5ht into her /ind that if she ate of the tree of the :nowled5e of 5ood and evil( God would 8e happ' 8e3ause she would 8e as s/art as God and would have %is sa/e :nowled5e. %e 3onvin3ed her to 5o a5ainst what God had spe3ifi3all' said* If the devil had 8een honest and strai5htforward Awhi3h he never 3an 8eB( he would have said so/ethin5 li:e this( 0Gve( I/ the one God threw out of heaven. &oin /e so 'ou will die. ,hen we 3an reall' have a 8all to5ether*2 ,he devil is alwa's s/arter than that althou5h he doesnt have a sin5le #

new tri3: up his sleeve C he :eeps on usin5 the old ones. First( the devil put that little tin' thou5ht in her /ind and that little thou5ht 5rew and 5rew as she dwelt on it. ,hen it 8e3a/e a tin' little desire to diso8e' God. 1a'8e it wasnt a desire to diso8e' God C it pro8a8l' was 9ust a desire to see if the devil was ri5ht* %er thou5hts possi8l' went so/ethin5 li:e this> 0I wonder if that reall' was God; I wonder wh' God told /e not to eat this when it loo:s li:e its 5ood; ,hat pro8a8l' wasnt God after all. It was 9ust /' i/a5ination.2 ,he devil didnt /ention evil. %e /erel' told her that she and 7da/ would 8e li:e God. Its natural to want the 8est thin5s in life( so she possi8l' thou5ht this was the 08est2 in life. God said one thin5. ,he devil said another. Its the sa/e thin5 toda'* Gve finall' 5ave in to the te/ptation and de3ided to eat the fruit. It was not 9ust the eatin5 of the fruit that separated her fro/ GodD it was the thou5ht( the de3ision( 0I WILL G) 7%G7" 7L" G7, I,*2 +he first de3ided in her heart( 3onfessed it with her /ind( and then ate it. ,his outward eFpression of an in< ward thou5ht in her /ind re/oved her fro/ the will of God( and Gods prosperit' was ta:en fro/ her. "id she :now what Gods will was; Certainl'* God had told her spe3ifi3all'( 8ut she didnt listen to God or o8e' %i/. "oin5 what God wants us to do is the WILL of God* .

"oin5 what WG want to do is L), the will of God* When 'oure doin5 the will of God( all of Gods pro/ises 8e3o/e 'ours. When 'oure o8e'in5 God( 7LL of %is pro/ises 8e3o/e 'ours* 7LL )F %I+ 4LG++ILG+* God will 8less 'ou with prosperit'* God will 8less 'ou with health* God will 8less 'ou with an a8undan3e of all thin5s as lon5 as 'ou are in %I+ will* 7nd here is the se3ret for sta'in5 in the will of God* Get into the Word of God* Find the verses that =ui3:en 'our spirit and the' will tell 'ou eFa3tl' what to do. ,hen do it* %I &ohn 11 said so/ethin5 spe3ifi3 to /e when I was saved> 0Follow not that whi3h is evil( 8ut that whi3h is 5ood. %e that doeth 5ood is of God> 8ut he that doeth evil hath not seen God.2 I turned around and loo:ed at sin( and it /ade /e si3:. I turned awa' and ran as fast as I 3ould in the other dire3tion. 1an' people sit down as 3lose to sin as the' 3an on3e the' 5et saved( 8ut when I read that s3ripture( I ran as fast as I 3ould in the opposite dire3tion of sin. What is Gods will; ,o do 5ood and not evil C thats Gods will for 'our life. +i/ple( isnt it; In other words( God is tellin5 'ou to 5et the sin out of 'our life and =uit 8ein5 evil. ,hat is the will of God for 'ou. 1an' ti/es people have 3o/e as:in5 us to pra' that Gods will for their life will 8e revealed when $

their life is so full of sin that there is no wa' God 3ould tell the/ what %e wants the/ to do. ,hat verse is one of the easiest wa's I :now of to 5et 'our life lined up with God and find out what %e wants for 'ou. 0Follow not that whi3h is evil( 8ut that whi3h is 5ood2* ,hat /eans Y)J* ,hat /eans /e* I &ohn 1>.($ 5ives 'ou another tre/endous 8it of advi3e 3on3ernin5 the will of God> 0If we sa' that we have fellowship with hi/( and wal: in dar:ness( we lie( and do not the truth> 4ut if we wal: in the li5ht( as he is in the li5ht( we have fellowship one with another( and the 8lood of &esus Christ his +on 3leanseth us fro/ all sin.2 In other words( if we want to :now the will of God( weve 5ot to have fellowship with God( 8ut we 3annot have fellowship with %i/ and wal: in dar:ness. You have to wal: in the li5ht of God. 4ut 'ou /i5ht sa'( 0I 9ust dont have all the li5ht that I needD I 9ust dont :now as /u3h a8out the 4i8le as I should. God hasnt spo:en to /e ver' /u3h.2 Whats the answer; Get into the Word of God. Get out of the dar:ness and wal: in all the li5ht 'ou have at that parti3ular /o/ent when 'ou are reall' see:in5 the will of God. 1an' people sa'( 0Well( does God want /e to sta' on the sa/e 9o8 or does God want /e to 3han5e( or what does God want /e to do; I feel %es 3allin5 /e into the /inistr'*2 Get into the Word of God and see what God has to sa' to 'ou. 0Jsuall' a person should :eep on

with the wor: he was doin5 when God 3alled hi/2 AI Corinthians $>2- ,L4B I was in the printin5 8usiness when I was saved and I :ept on doin5 the sa/e 9o8 I had alwa's done( onl' 8etter now that I was saved. Little 8' little( God 8e5an ta:in5 /e awa' 8' providin5 spea:in5 en5a5e/ents( 8ut I sta'ed on until God( and not Fran3es( too: /e out of the printin5 8usiness* "oes it /a:e an' differen3e if I sin 9ust a little 8it; When 'ou :now what the Word of God sa's to 'ou a8out hol' livin5 and o8edien3e to %i/( then 'ou will :now the answer to that =uestion i//ediatel'* God does not want 'ou to live a33ordin5 to the lusts of this world and the lusts of the flesh. God wants 'ou to live a33ordin5 to what %is Word sa's(... a pure( hol'( and also a ver' eF3itin5 life* 0For this is the WILL )F G)"( that 'ou should 8e 3onse3rated C separated and set apart for pure and hol' livin5> that 'ou should a8stain and shrin: fro/ all seFual vi3eD ,hat ea3h one of 'ou should :now how to possess ?3ontrol( /ana5e@ his own 8od' Ain purit'( separated fro/ thin5s profane( andB in 3onse3ration and honor( Lot ?to 8e used@ in the passion of lust( li:e the heathen who are i5norant of the true God and have no :nowled5e )F %I+ WILL*2 AI ,hessalonians 4> <# 7/p.B. 04ut the fir/ foundation ?laid 8'@ God stands( sure and unsha:en( 8earin5 this seal Ains3riptionB> ,he Lord :nows those who are %is( and( Let ever' one who na/es ?hi/self 8'@ the na/e of the Lord

5ive up all ini=uit' and stand aloof fro/ it2 A% ,i/oth' 2>19 7/p.B. Isnt Gods will si/ple; %e 3ould have 9ust said 0Ouit sinnin5(2 and that would have 8een enou5h for us to :now %is will in re5ard to sin* If 'ou reall' want to :now the will of God( ta:e a loo: at what it sa's in the 8oo: of Ievelation. 0Co/e out of her( /' people( that 'e 8e not parta:ers of her sins2 AIevelations 18>4B. You will never 8e a8le to find the will of God as lon5 as 'ou are tr'in5 to live in the world and parta:e of the sin of the world. Gve wanted to wal: with God and she wanted to wal: with the devil. +he wanted to have the thin5s God told her she 3ould not have. +he wanted Gods 8lessin5 and the lure of the devil at the sa/e ti/e( 8ut 'ou 3ant have 8oth* %ere is so/e /ore 5ood advi3e dire3tl' fro/ the /outh of God> 0"o not 5ather and heap up and store for 'ourselves treasures on earth( where /oth and rust and wor/ 3onsu/e and destro'( and where thieves 8rea: throu5h and stealD 4ut 5ather and heap up and store for 'ourselves treasures in heaven( where neither /oth nor rust nor wor/ 3onsu/e and destro'( and where thieves do not 8rea: throu5h and stealD For where 'our treasure is( there will 'our heart 8e also2 A1atthew .>19<21 7/p.B. Where does God sa' to put 'our /one'; In the 5old and silver of this world; In the perisha8le thin5s of this world; %is Word sa's to store up for 'ourselves treasures in heaven( 8e3ause thats where 'our heart is 5oin5 to 8e. If 'ou put 'our trust in the thin5s of this world( thats ri5ht where 'our 4-

heart is 5oin5 to 8e. God tells us spe3ifi3all' where to put our treasures* Glor'( how si/ple 3an the Christian life 5et* Gods will is so 8eautifull' eFpressed in 1atthew .>2#< in ,he Livin5 4i8le> 0+o /' 3ounsel is> "ont worr' a8out thin5s C food( drin:( and 3lothes. For 'ou alread' have life and a 8od' C and the' are far /ore i/portant than what to eat and wear. Loo: at the 8irds* ,he' dont worr' a8out what to eat C the' dont need to sow or reap or store up food C for 'our heavenl' Father feeds the/. 7nd 'ou are far /ore valua8le to hi/ than the' are. Will all 'our worries add a sin5le /o/ent to 'our life; 07nd wh' worr' a8out 'our 3lothes; Loo: at the field lilies* ,he' dont worr' a8out theirs. Yet Min5 +olo/on in all his 5lor' was not 3lothed as 8eautifull' as the'. 7nd if God 3ares so wonderfull' for flowers that are here toda' and 5one to/orrow( wont he /ore surel' 3are for 'ou( - /en of little faith; +o dont worr' at all a8out havin5 enou5h food and 3lothin5. Wh' 8e li:e the heathen; For the' ta:e pride in all these thin5s and are deepl' 3on3erned a8out the/. 4ut 'our heavenl' Father alread' :nows perfe3tl' well that 'ou need the/( and he will 5ive the/ to 'ou IF Y)J GING %I1 FII+, 6L7CG IL Y)JI LIFG 7L" LING 7+ %G W7L,+ Y)J ,).2 Is Gods will for 'ou to worr'; Lo* When God tells 'ou not to worr'( %e adds a real 5e/ to it 8' sa'in5( 0Will all 'our worries add a sin5le /o/ent to 'our life;2 41

Who does the worr'in5; ,he heathen* Is Gods will for 'ou to worr' li:e the heathen; Lo( Lo( Lo* If 'ou want to 8e in the perfe3t will of God( +,)6 W)IIYILG* ,he Word sa's( 04ut without faith it is i/possi8le to please hi/> for he that 3o/eth to God /ust 8elieve that he is( and that he is a rewarder of the/ that dili5entl' see: hi/2 A%e8rews 11>.B. ,o 8e in the will of God( start 8elievin5 that %e is a rewarder of the/ that dili5entl' see: %i/* Gods will is for 'ou to 0prosper in all thin5s ALew Min5 &a/esB and 8e in health( 9ust as 'our soul prospers2 AIII &ohn 2B. Is Gods will for 'ou to 8e in povert' and full of si3:ness* L)( L)( L)** If 'ou had a ri3h relative die and leave 'ou as an heir( their wish or their 0will2 would 8e that 'ou have whatever the' have. ,he' /i5ht leave 'ou anti=ues( the' /i5ht leave 'ou /usi3al instru/ents( the' /i5ht leave 'ou 3ash( 8ut if that ri3h relative /ade 'ou the heir to the entire estate( ever'thin5 in it would 8elon5 to 'ou* Gods will is 3ontained in the 4i8le. %e /ade %is Last Will and ,esta/ent in the for/ of the )ld and Lew ,esta/ents. With this will that God put in writin5 for us( the Word of God( we have ever' sin5le dire3tion %e has for us written down so that we 3an refer to it at all ti/es. We have 0G)"+ WILL( pro8ated 8' &esus*2 We also have Gods +pirit to reveal %is Word and %is will to us. 42

When we o8e' the Word of God and do what God sa's( then we are doin5 the will of God* 07 new 3o//and/ent I 5ive unto 'ou( ,hat 'e love one anotherD as I have loved 'ou( that 'e also love one another*2 A&ohn 1 > 4B. What is Gods will; ,hat we fi5ht and s3rat3h( 3o/plain and 5ossip( 3riti3iEe ea3h other( hate ea3h other and tr' to destro' ea3h other; L)( L)( L)* Gods perfe3t will is that we love one another* 0%eal the si3:( 3leanse the lepers( raise the dead( 3ast out devils> freel' 'e have re3eived( freel' 5ive2 A1atthew 1->8B. %ow lon5 has it 8een sin3e 'ou laid hands on the si3: and healed the/; If 'oure not out doin5 that( 'oure not full' in the will of God. %ow lon5 has it 8een sin3e 'ou 3ast out devils; ,hats Gods will for 'our life. If 'oure runnin5 when the su89e3t of 3astin5 out devils is /entioned( then 'oure not in the perfe3t will of God* Get 8us'* 0,here is therefore now no 3onde/nation to the/ whi3h are in Christ &esus( who wal: not after the flesh( 8ut after the +pirit. For the law of the +pirit of life in Christ &esus hath /ade /e free fro/ the law of sin and death2 AIo/ans 8>1(2B. What is Gods will in this instan3e; For us to wal: with our heads held hi5h( 8e3ause there is no one to 9ud5e us 5uilt' of wron5 8e3ause we are in Christ &esus* ,here is no 3onde/nation in our lives whatsoever.

We have 8een set free fro/ the law of sin and death* Gods will is for us to re9oi3e 8e3ause we have 8een totall' and 3o/pletel'( on3e and for all set free fro/ the law of sin and death* Conde/nation; 78solutel' not* ,here is L) 3onde/nation of an' :ind. 04ut 'ou dont :now what Ive done in the past*2 Who 3ares; God has for5iven 'ou and if God 3an for5ive 'ou( 'ou ou5ht to 8e a8le to for5ive 'ourself. What is Gods will; ,o wal: and live with no 3onde/nation in our lives whatsoever* ,o wal: after the +pirit* Go down in that sa/e 3hapter a little further. Its one of the 5reatest 3hapters in the 4i8le to let 'ou :now Gods will* 0+o then( 8rethren( we are de8tors( 8ut not to the flesh C we are not o8li5ated to our 3arnal nature C to live ?a life ruled 8' the standards set up 8' the di3tates@ of the flesh. For if 'ou live a33ordin5 to ?the di3tates of@ the flesh 'ou will surel' die. 4ut if throu5h the power of the A%ol'B +pirit 'ou are ha8ituall' puttin5 to death C /a:in5 eFtin3t( deadenin5 C the ?evil@ deeds pro/pted 8' the 8od'( 'ou shall Areall' and 5enuinel'B live forever2 AIo/ans 8>12(1 7/p.B. What is Gods will; It is for us to re/e/8er we are not o8li5ated to that old 3arnal nature. We dont have to do the thin5s the devil tells us to do. Gods will is that we 8elieve that 0Greater is he that is in KY)J than he that is in the world2 AI &ohn 4>4B. Gods will is for us to a3t li:e the 3on=uerors we reall' are*

44

Gods will is for us to 8elieve %is Word and to a3t li:e we 8elieve it* Gods will is that we 8e led 8' %is +pirit to do %is will( not to follow our selfish desires of the flesh. Gods will is that we do not wal: a33ordin5 to the flesh( 8ut a33ordin5 to the +pirit. God doesnt want us runnin5 around( snifflin5 all over the pla3e( 3r'in5 and sa'in5( 0I 9ust dont thin: God loves /e. Lothin5 5ood ever happens to /e. Loo: at poor little /e*2 God wants us to stand on %is pro/ise( 0For I a/ persuaded that neither death( nor life( nor an5els( nor prin3ipalities( nor powers( nor thin5s present( nor thin5s to 3o/e( Lor hei5ht( nor depth( nor an' other 3reature( shall 8e a8le to separate us fro/ the love of God( whi3h is in Christ &esus our Lord2 AIo/ans 8> 8( 9B. Lothin5( nothin5( nothin5( L),%ILG 3an ever separate us fro/ the love of God* What is Gods will for our lives; ,o 8elieve that there is a8solutel' nothin5 in the entire world that 3an separate us fro/ %i/ C eF3ept our own un8elief* 0Christ hath redee/ed us fro/ the 3urse of the law( 8ein5 /ade a 3urse for us> for it is written( Cursed is ever' one that han5eth on a tree> ,hat the 8lessin5 of 78raha/ /i5ht 3o/e on the Gentiles throu5h &esus ChristD...2 AGalatians >1 (14B. What is Gods will for our lives; ,o a33ept the fa3t we have 8een redee/ed fro/ the 3urse of the law. 7nd what is the 3urse of the law; +i3:ness( povert' and separation fro/ God* 4#

What are the 8lessin5s of 78raha/ whi3h 8elon5 to us 8e3ause we have 8een redee/ed fro/ the 3urse of the law; %ealth( prosperit' and eternal life* ,hats Gods will for our lives* Weve 8een redee/ed* Weve 8een set free* 7ll the pro/ises God /ade to 78raha/ 8elon5 to 'ou and to /e. ,hats Gods will for 'our life and /ine* "id 'ou ever 5et to the pla3e where 'ou felt a8solutel' nothin5 was wor:in5 ri5ht in 'our life; "id 'ou ever have a si3:ness where 'ou didnt see/ to 8e a8le to re3eive the healin5 that 'ou :new was 'ours; "id 'ou ever have a finan3ial pro8le/ in 'our life that 'ou felt was insur/ounta8le; God 5ave /e a fresh insi5ht a8out a parti3ular s3ripture in &ere/iah. If 'ou have an' pro8le/ in 'our life whi3h see/s to 8e a /ountain thats too 8i5 to 3ast to one side( this is 9ust for 'ou> 0Wh' is /' pain perpetual( and /' wound in3ura8le( refusin5 to 8e healed;2 ,hat 3ould /ean 'our finan3ial pain( 'our ph'si3al pain( 'our /arital pain( 'our offsprin5 pains( 'our 9o8 pain( or an' situation in 'our life whi3h is not ri5ht. 0Will 'ou indeed 8e to /e as a de3eitful 8roo:( li:e waters that fail and are un3ertain; ,herefore thus sa's the Lord ?to &ere/iah@2 . . .8ut to /e( %e said Ato Fran3esB... 0If 'ou return ?5ive up this /ista:en tone of distrust and despair@( then I will 5ive 'ou a5ain a settled pla3e of =uiet and safet'( and 'ou shall 8e 1' /inisterD and if 'ou separate the 4.

pre3ious fro/ the vile2 ..now God( what in /' life 3ould 8e vile; I 3ant thin: of an'thin5 that 'ou would 3onsider vile* What is it( God; 4e 3areful when 'ou sa' that. Loo: what %is answer is> 0...?3leansin5 'our own heart fro/ unworth' suspi3ions 3on3ernin5 Gods faithfulness@( 'ou shall 8e as 1' /outhpie3e2 A&ere/iah 1#>18(19 7/p.B. %ave 'ou ever 8een suspi3ious 3on3ernin5 Gods faithfulness; God reall' unders3ored that to /e* Gods will is for 'ou to 5et all of those unworth' suspi3ions 3on3ernin5 %is faithfulness to 'ou ri5ht out of 'our /ind( 'our heart( 'our 8od' and 'our soul. We let dou8t and despair 3reep into our lives. 4efore we :now it( we have in our hearts what God 3alls vileness. Gods will is for 'ou to trust %i/ in all thin5s and at all ti/es( and to stop the devil fro/ /a:in5 those inroads into 'our life with un8elief* %eres another 5e/ if 'ouve ever 8een perse3uted for what 'ou 8elieve* 04lessed C happ'( to 8e envied( and spirituall' prosperous ?that is( with life<9o' and satisfa3tion in Gods favor and salvation( re5ardless of 'our outward 3onditions@ C are 'ou when people revile 'ou and perse3ute 'ou and sa' all :inds of evil thin5s a5ainst 'ou falsel' on 1' a33ount. 4e 5lad and supre/el' 9o'ful( for 'our reward in heaven is 5reat Astron5 and intenseB( for in this sa/e wa' people perse3uted the prophets who were 8efore 'ou2 A1atthew #>11(12 7/p.B. What is Gods will for 'our life; You are to have life< 9o' and satisfa3tion in Gods favor and 4$

salvation when people perse3ute 'ou. When the' tal: a5ainst 'ou for 8elievin5 in the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit and spea:in5 in ton5ues( Gods will is for 'ou to re9oi3e( and 8e not onl' a little 9o'ful( 8ut supre/el' 9o'ful( whi3h /eans to the hi5hest eFtent. I thou5ht when the 8eatitudes ended( the' ended. %owever( I alwa's wondered what salt in the neFt verse had to do with the/. It see/ed that verse was a little out of 3onteFt( 8ut while we were fl'in5 far out over the 6a3ifi3 on the wa' to 7ustralia( God revealed how it all 8elon5ed to5ether. Wat3h how it ties to5ether for Gods will for 'our life> 0You are the salt of the earth( 8ut if salt has lost its taste C its stren5th( its =ualit' C how 3an its saltiness 8e restored; It is not 5ood for an'thin5 an' lon5er 8ut to 8e thrown out and trodden under foot 8' /en2 A1atthew #>1 7/p.B. God said if 'ou 8elieve what 'ou sa' when /en perse3ute 'ou( dont 8e3o/e a people pleaser( dont let the/ tal: 'ou into shuttin5 up. ..'ou will 8e salt'. If 'ou do listen to the world( 'ou are no lon5er the salt of the earth. You will 8e a8solutel' no 5ood for %is :in5do/( 'oull 8e thrown out to 8e trodden under the feet of the /en who have perse3uted 'ou* I was so eF3ited I al/ost 9u/ped out of the plane $(--- feet in the air( 8ut I didnt. Instead I 8e5an to pound on Charles and share what God had revealed to /e. I 3ontinued readin5( 0You are the li5ht of the world. 7 3it' set on a hill 3annot 8e hid2 A1atthew #>14 7/p.B. God wants us to let our li5hts shine in a 48

world of dar:ness. %e doesnt want us to 8e inti/idated 8' the devils dis3iples. If were 5oin5 to 8e salt in the :in5do/ of God( weve 5ot to 8e salt. Weve 5ot to let our li5hts shine 8e3ause we are the li5ht of the world* Get out that polishin5 3loth and shine up that li5ht of 'ours 8e3ause Gods will is for 'ou to let 'ourself 8e a 8ea3on li5ht. ,urn that volta5e up and let 'our li5ht shine 8ri5hter* When we arrived in 7ustralia( we shared this 8it of revelation :nowled5e with our friends. ,he first thin5 that was said was( 0When does salt do the /ost seasonin5;2 %e answered( 0+alt penetrates in 3oo:in5 or heat. Faith 5rows when 'oure under fire or when Kthe heats on* 0 %allelu9ah* 04ut I tell 'ou( Love 'our ene/ies and pra' for those who perse3ute 'ou2 A1atthew #>44 7/p.B. Glor' to God( what is %is will for 'our life; ,o love those ene/ies and pra' for those who perse3ute 'ou* Get 8us' ri5ht now and see what happens to 'ou when 'ou do* Youll reall' dis3over Gods will in a hurr' when 'ou start lovin5 'our ene/ies and pra'in5 for those who perse3ute 'ou* We were severel' perse3uted when we wrote Gods 8eautiful /essa5es in the 8oo:( 7LGGL+ )L 7++IGL1GL,. 4e3ause God had 3onfir/ed to us 8' /an' si5ns( wonders( an5el visitations( %is +pirit and %is Word( we had 3ontinual life<9o' in :nowin5 this was Gods will( and we pra' for those who perse3uted us. 0,hose who let the/selves 8e 3ontrolled 8' their lower natures live onl' to please the/selves( 8ut those who follow after the %ol' +pirit find 49

the/selves doin5 those thin5s that please God. Followin5 after the %ol' +pirit leads to life and pea3e( 8ut followin5 after the old nature leads to death( 8e3ause the old sinful nature within us is a5ainst God. It never did o8e' Gods laws and it never will. ,hats wh' those who are still under the 3ontrol of their old sinful selves( 8ent on followin5 their old evil desires( 3an never please God2 AIo/ans 8>#<8 ,L4B. What is Gods will in this instan3e; ,hat 'ou follow after the %ol' +pirit. Wh'; 4e3ause if 'ou de3ide to please self( whats 5oin5 to happen; GFa3tl' what Gods Word sa's C 'oure 5oin5 to 8e /isera8le. Is that Gods will for 'ou; Lo( Lo( Lo* ,he %ol' +pirit is readin5 Gods will and testa/ent to 'ou* %e will tell 'ou where to 5o and what to do. Your old nature( 'our desires( 'our 0self(2 wants to pull awa' fro/ the will of God 8e3ause we 0...naturall' love to do evil thin5s that are 9ust the opposite of thin5s that the %ol' +pirit tells us to do*2 )ur old nature 3onstantl' sa's( 07 3i5arette wont hurt 'ou C a so3ial drin: is all ri5ht*2 ,he %ol' +pirit sa's( 0I 8esee3h 'ou therefore( 8rethren( 8' the /er3ies of God( that 'e present 'our 8odies a livin5 sa3rifi3e( hol'( a33epta8le unto God( whi3h is 'our reasona8le servi3e2 AIo/ans 12>1B. %ow hol' and a33epta8le are 'ou to God when 'ou ree: and stin: li:e 3i5arettes( or when 'ouve 5ot al3ohol ooEin5 out of all 'our pores; 7re 'ou hol' and a33epta8le to God when 'our displa' of #-

0Christ in You2 is distorted 8' an unfor5ivin5 or nast' attitude; What is Gods will for us; ,hat we present our 8odies a33epta8le to God. %ow plain and si/ple 3an the will of God 8e; ,he %ol' +pirit sa's( 07nd 8e not 3onfor/ed to this world> 8ut 8e 'e transfor/ed 8' the renewin5 of 'our /ind( that 'e /a' prove what is that 5ood( and a33epta8le( and perfe3t( WILL )F G)"2 AIo/ans 12>2B. What is Gods will for us; ,hat we dont follow after the thin5s of this world C that we dont have to 5o alon5 with all the eFternal( superfi3ial 3usto/s whi3h this world sa's are the 0in2 thin5s. We are to 8e5in to put our /inds on the hi5her thin5s of God and 3han5e our ideals and attitudes a8out the real values in life. ,he will of God( 5enerall' spea:in5( is the eFa3t opposite of the old nature( and 'et the 4i8le sa's to ta:e deli5ht in the Lord and %e will 5ive 'ou the desires of 'our heart A6sal/s $>4B. If 'oure followin5 after the %ol' +pirit and want to please God( then God( throu5h %is Word and 8' %is +pirit( is 5oin5 to put the desires into 'our heart. You will understand fro/ the 4i8le what pleases God( what /a:es %i/ happ'( and that desire whi3h %e puts in 'our heart to /a:e %i/ happ' will suddenl' 3o/e forth( and 'ou will spea: it out C 'ou will sa' it C 'ou will do it C 'ou will follow after the %ol' +pirit and 'oull have the ver' desires of 'our own heart 8e3ause God put the/ there*

#1

4efore I was saved( the desires of /' heart were to 5o 8oatin5( fishin5 and pla'in5 5olf on +unda's. I alwa's had the 8est eF3uses in the world for not 5oin5 to 3hur3h on +unda's. )ne of /' favorites was> 0I 3an 8e 9ust as 5ood a Christian out on the 5olf 3ourse as I 3an 8e in 3hur3h.2 )r /a'8e Id sa'( 0I 3an worship God 9ust as /u3h out on the o3ean as I 3an in 3hur3h* 0 &ust an'thin5 to 5et out of 5oin5 to 3hur3h* 7nd 'ou C7L worship God 9ust as /u3h on a 5olf 3ourse C 8ut Ive never :nown an'one who did* 7nd 'ou C7L worship God 9ust as /u3h out on a 8oat C 8ut Ive never :nown an'one who did* ,he will of God is that 'ou asse/8le 'ourselves with other Christians. ,oda'( Charles and I would li:e to spend ever' da' in 3hur3h. In fa3t( we spend the /a9orit' of all of our da's in 3hur3h servi3es* 7s I write this 8oo:( I/ anti3ipatin5 the neFt two wee:s where well 8e havin5 one( two or three servi3es ea3h da'. We 3an hardl' wait to pa3: our suit3ases and 5et 5oin5 8e3ause the desires of our hearts are to follow after the %ol' +pirit. Who pla3ed those desires in our hearts; God did. %e said if we ta:e deli5ht in %i/( %e %i/self would 5ive us( or plant within our ver' own hearts( the desires %e wanted us to have. ,hen %e would 5ive the/ to us 8' fulfillin5 the/* %allelu9ah* ,here are five 8asi3 in5redients in 8ein5 in the will of God at all ti/es. In the third 3hapter of &ohn( &esus said( 0Ye /ust 8e 8orn a5ain.2 ,he will of God is that 'ou 8e 8orn a5ainD that 'our spirit 8e /ade alive in Christ &esus 8' a33eptin5 and #2

8elievin5 on the na/e of the Lord &esus. ,hat is step nu/8er one in the will of God. It is not the will of God that 'ou 9ust sit down after 'ou are 8orn a5ain. ,he se3ond thin5 that 3auses 'ou to 8e in the will of God and sta' in the will of God is to /editate in the Word of God. When I was saved( God put a hun5erin5 in /' heart f or the Word of God whi3h has never 8een satisfied. I dont 3are how /an' ti/es I read and reread the 4i8le( I find new and eF3itin5 thin5s in it all the ti/e. I owned a printin5 3o/pan' when I was saved. I sat 8eside a printin5 press /an' ni5hts until five o3lo3: in the /ornin5( 9ust readin5 the Word of God* If 'oure in the will of God( 'oure 5oin5 to 8e in the Word of God. If 'oure in the Word of God( 'oure 5oin5 to 8e in the will of God* ,hats a 3o/pli3ated thou5ht( 8ut read it over two or three ti/es until 'ou 5et the total /eanin5 of it* 0For with the heart /an 8elieveth unto ri5hteousnessD and with the /outh 3onfession is /ade unto salvation2 AIo/ans 1->1-B. What is Gods will for 'our life; ,hat 'ou 3onfess 'our salvation with 'our /outh* ,hat 'ou share the Good Lews with 'our owns /outh whi3h 3onfir/s 'our salvation* Gods will is for 'ou to 8e a real 8la88er/outh Christian( and not a se3ret servi3e one* +tart tal:in5 a8out what &esus has done in 'our life( and wat3h the 8lessin5s reall' 8e5in to flow** +tart leadin5 people to &esus*

07nd these si5ns shall follow the/ that 8elieveD...the' shall spea: with new ton5uesD2 A1ar: 1.>1$B. ,hats the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit. ,hats Gods will for 'our life. ..for 'ou to have power. %e didnt let &esus die for us to eFist powerless in a world where we need all the power we 3an /uster to war a5ainst the devil* ,hats Gods will for 'ou C to spea: with new ton5ues* Lift 'our hands and 8e5in to praise %i/( 8ut not in a lan5ua5e 'ou understand( and see what happens* ,hats Gods will C that 8rand new ton5ue( that new lan5ua5e thats praisin5 %i/. %allelu9ah* Glor' to God* ,he fifth thin5 we need to do is to /a:e a total and 3o/plete 3o//it/ent of our lives. I re/e/8er the da' I 5ot saved( I /ade a profound state/ent( 0God( if 'ou want whats left of this /ess( 'ou ta:e /e( 8ut ta:e 7LL of /e 8e3ause I dont want a sin5le 8it of /'self left*2 +o/eti/es we do these thin5s in a different order than I have listed the/( 8ut that reall' doesnt /a:e an' differen3e C we 9ust need to do 7LL of the/ to 8e in the perfe3t will of God* Wherever I open the Word( I find so/e /ore of Gods instru3tions and %is will> 0Ie9oi3e ever/ore2 AI ,hessalonians #>1.B. ,hats Gods perfe3t will for 'our life. 7nd if the Word sa's to re9oi3e ever/ore( thats eFa3tl' what I/ 5oin5 to do* I/ 5oin5 to 8e happ' that I/ saved( I/ 5oin5 to 8e 5lad<hearted 3ontinuall'( and I/ 5oin5 to re9oi3e at all ti/es( throu5h all 3ir3u/stan3es and under all 3onditions 8e3ause this is the will of God*

#4

%e sa's to 06ra' without 3easin52 AI ,hessalonians #>1$B( so I/ 5oin5 to tal: to God and listen to %i/ at all ti/es 8e3ause then I :now I/ in %is perfe3t will* I/ 5oin5 to tal: to %i/ when I/ drivin5 down the hi5hwa'( I/ 5oin5 to 0thin:2 to %i/ when I/ wor:in5( I/ 5oin5 to /editate in %is Word whi3h is listenin5 to %i/( so I/ 5oin5 to 3ontinuall' have %i/ on /' /ind instead of the thin5s of the world* I/ 5oin5 to than: God in ever'thin5 8e3ause I/ not 5oin5 to loo: at thin5s throu5h natural e'es. I/ 5oin5 to loo: at thin5s throu5h /' spirit e'es and see the/ as God sees the/. I/ not 5oin5 to loo: at the /ountains in /' life( I/ 5oin5 to loo: at the 1over 8e3ause that is Gods will for /' life and 'ours* )ne of the /ost eF3itin5 thin5s in the will of God is to fulfill what %is Word sa's. 07nd now I a/ 3o/in5 to 'ou( I have told the/ A/' 4i8le sa's Charles and Fran3esB /an' thin5s while I was with the/ so that the' would 8e filled with /' &)Y2 A&ohn 1$>1 ,L4B. If &esus said that I a/ filled with %is 9o'( then I/ 5oin5 to 8e filled with %is 9o'. When I was a little 5irl( 5oin5 to the deadest 3hur3h in the world( I used to stand there and pee: up at the /isera8le loo:in5 0Christians2 and thin: to /'self> 0I dont want to 5o to heaven 8e3ause if thats whats in heaven( I 3ouldnt stand to 8e with those 3ra8s all the ti/e*2 ,he people in the 3hur3h were so /isera8le loo:in5( I 3ouldnt i/a5ine an' punish/ent /u3h worse than havin5 to spend all of eternit' with ##

the/( so I /ade a 5reat state/ent( 0I want to 5o to hell so Ill 8e with all /' friends*2 What an a/8ition C and all 8e3ause not one sin5le person ever told /e a8out the 9o' of the Lord* What is Gods will for 'our life; ,o show the &)Y of the Lord to those around 'ou who /a' have never seen what the real 9o' of the Christian life is. Its fun to 8e saved* Its Gods will for 'ou to 8e saved and en9o' 'our salvation* Its Gods will for 'ou to prosper* Its Gods will for 'ou to 8e in health* Its Gods will for 'ou to have the a8undant life* Its Gods will for 'ou to 8e an over 3o/er* Its Gods will for 'ou to have power over the devil* Its Gods will for 'ou to spea: in ton5ues* Its Gods will for 'ou to 8e hol'* Its Gods will for 'ou to do Gods will*

#.

CHAPTER THREE If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL DEVELOP YOUR FAITH
1r. We8ster is prolifi3 in /an' of his des3riptions of words( 8ut where F7I,% is 3on3erned( he is

eFtre/el' si/ple( 8ut 8eautiful. %e /erel' sa's it is 0un=uestionin5 8elief in God.. .3o/plete trust( 3onfiden3e( or relian3eD as 3hildren usuall' have faith in their parents.2 Faith is 0un=uestionin5 8elief2 in who God is( in what %e does( and what %e sa's. %ow 3an 'ou :now what God has to sa'; 1an' wa's( 8ut pro8a8l' the 8est wa' to hear what God has to sa' is to read what his Word sa's. In the 8e5innin5 of /' Christian life( so/eone told /e there were /ore than $-(--- pro/ises in the Word of God( and I re/e/8er sa'in5 to God( 0)h( God( let /e live lon5 enou5h to 3lai/ ea3h and ever' one of those pro/ises for /'self*2 I wanted ever'thin5 God had. %ow was I 5oin5 to :now what God had for /e unless I read the 4i8le; ,hat was the onl' wa'( so I reall' sat down in earnest to read the entire 4i8le. )ne /ornin5 God indi3ated to /e that I should read the 8oo: of Galatians. I opened it and Eipped ri5ht down throu5h the first siF verses( thin:in5 this was the 0/il:2 of the Word( and started 5ettin5 serious alon5 a8out verse seven.

#$

In the stillness of /' printin5 offi3e 8efore the dail' wor: 8e5an( I heard the s/all( still voi3e of God( the voi3e that we so often /iss 8e3ause were rushin5 around too /u3h( or 8e3ause we thin: God has to shout at us( and %e said( 0Go 8a3:*2 I thou5ht( 0Whoops( I /ust have /issed so/ethin5 there(2 so I went 8a3:( and this is the wa' I read the first part of Galatians> 06aul an apostle not fro/ /en nor throu5h /an( 8ut throu5h &esus Christ and God the Father who raised hi/ fro/ the dead*2 ,hats eFa3tl' the wa' I read it( as fast as I 3ould( and all run to5ether. ,hen I 5ot down into the /eat and on3e a5ain I heard that s/all( still voi3e sa'( 0Go 8a3:*2 I went 8a3: and thou5ht( 01a'8e I read it a little too fast.2 +o I read it a little slower( sa'in5( 06aul( an apostle C not fro/ /en nor throu5h /an( 8ut throu5h &esus Christ and God the Father( who raised hi/ fro/ the dead.2 AI+NB 7nd I said( 04ut God( I didnt :now 6aul. %e died a few 'ears 8efore I was 8orn.2 ,hen God spo:e the words that 3han5ed /' life( 8e3ause %e said 0I/ tal:in5 to Y)J.2 In the twin:lin5 of an e'e I realiEed that God had not onl' written the 4i8le for the s3holars of old( 8ut also for /e ri5ht in the /iddle of the 2-th 3entur'. I s3rat3hed out 4rother 6auls na/e and wrote 0Fran3es2 in there( and the 4i8le 3a/e alive to /e( 8e3ause I realiEed that God was spea:in5 to 1G* ,he /inute 'ou 5et the idea throu5h 'our intelle3t that it is al/i5ht' God who is spea:in5 to 'ou personall' throu5h the pa5es of %is Word( the =ui3:er 'our faith will 8e5in to rise. #8

G)" I+ +6G7MILG ,) Y)J* 6ut 'our na/e throu5hout the 4i8le( and see what God has to sa' to 'ou personall' and then wat3h 'our faith ther/o/eter 8e5in to soar. 0In the 8e5innin5 God 3reated the heaven and the earth2 AGenesis 1>1B. 1r. We8ster sa's that the word 03reate2 /eans( 0,o ori5inateD to 8rin5 into 8ein5 fro/ nothin5D to 3ause to eFist.2 God too: nothin5 and fro/ nothin5 %e 3reated the universe. %ow did %e 3reate it; Fro/ %e8rews 11> we 5et the i/portant 3lue whi3h 3an unlo3: the entire 4i8le to 'ou in a totall' new and different wa'( 8e3ause it sa's( 0,hrou5h faith we understand that the worlds were fra/ed 8' the W)I" of God( so that thin5s whi3h are seen were not /ade of thin5s whi3h do appear.2 07nd God said( Let there 8e li5ht> and there was li5ht2 AGenesis 1> B. God said it. It 8e3a/e. It was so. 07nd God said( Let there 8e a fir/a/ent in the /idst of the waters( and let it divide the waters fro/ the waters and it was so2 AGenesis 1>.($B. God +7I" it. It 8e3a/e. It was so. 07nd God said( Let the waters under the heaven 8e 5athered to5ether unto one pla3e( and let the dr' land appear> and it was so2 Avs. 9B. God said it. #. IF Y)J IG7LLY L)NG 1G #9

It 8e3a/e. It was so. 07nd God said( Let the earth 8rin5 forth 5rass( the her8 'ieldin5 seed( and the fruit tree 'ieldin5 fruit after its :ind( whose seed is in itself( upon the earth> 7L" I, W7+ +)2 Avs. 11B. God said it. It 8e3a/e. It was so. 07nd God said( Let us /a:e /an in our i/a5e( after our li:eness> and let the/ have do/inion over the fish of the sea( and over the fowl of the air( and over the 3attle( and over all the earth( and over ever' 3reepin5 thin5 that 3reepeth upon the earth. +o God 3reated /an in his own i/a5e( in the i/a5e of God 3reated he hi/D /ale and fe/ale 3reated he the/2 Avs. 2.B. God said it. It 8e3a/e. It was so. Whenever God spea:s( whether it is in the )ld ,esta/ent or the Lew ,esta/ent( it is God +6G7MILG. God /erel' spo:e( 9ust as 'ou and I spea:D and when %e spo:e( the world was for/ed. God /ade /an in the li:eness of %i/self( a 3op'( an eFa3t dupli3ate of %i/self. %e was fashioned after God( and God 5ave this /an( 7da/( do/inion over all thin5s( do/inion over all the fish of the sea( and over the fowl of the air( and over the 3attle( and over 7LL the earth and over ever' 3reepin5 thin5 that 3reepeth upon the earth.

.-

,his /eans over ever'thin5 that God /ade... GNGIY,%ILG... ever'thin5 that God /ade( %e 5ave /an do/inion over. Loti3e that God did not 0spea:2 /an into eFisten3e. God 3reated /an fro/ the dust of the 5round( at whi3h ti/e he appeared to God as a doll appears to us. %e had shape and for/( 8ut nothin5 else( so God 8reathed into his nostrils the 8reath of lifeD and /an 8e3a/e 0a livin5 soul.2 I 5ot the sho3: of /' life when I started as:in5 people how the' visualiEed God 8reathin5 into /ans nostrils. ,he onl' wa' I have ever 8een a8le to visualiEe this is God holdin5 7da/ in %is ar/s( 3radlin5 hi/ li:e a 8a8'( 8endin5 over hi/ 5entl' and 8reathin5 life into hi/. Loti3e that God 3ould have /ade /an hundreds of different wa's( 8ut %e 3hose to /a:e hi/ inani/ate. 7fter he was for/ed( %e /ade hi/ 3o/e alive 8' 8reathin5 into hi/. When /' 3hildren were s/all( I 0told2 the/ /an' thin5s. ,he' heard /' voi3e( and /an' ti/es the' :new what I said 8' the tone of /' voi3e lon5 8efore the' understood the words that I said. 4ut the' heard /e( 8e3ause I 0spo:e2 to the/. I spo:e to the/ a8out their /anners( a8out the thin5s that would hurt the/( a8out the thin5s whi3h are a5ainst Gods laws. I spo:e to the/ and told the/ I loved the/( and for a period of ti/e( the' 4GLIGNG" ever'thin5 I said. ,hen the' 8e5an to 5row up( and their /inds 8e5an to eFpand and the' dis3overed that the' were a lot s/arter than their /other( so( li:e little 8irds tr'in5 to fl'( the' tried their win5s. ,he' dis3overed when the' went a5ainst the thin5s that their /other .1

had told the/ not to do( the' flopped to the 5round( 8ut when the' too: her instru3tions( and /oved ri5ht( the' 3ould fl' short distan3es. ,he Word of God to Christians is the sa/e as a /other or father spea:in5 to their 3hild. If we do what God tells us to do( well have no pro8le/s whi3h we 3ant over3o/e( 8e3ause 0...there hath not failed one Word of all %is 5ood pro/ise2 AI Min5s 8>#.B. God has never failed and will never fail( and not onl' that( %e sa's( 0I will hasten Aor wat3h overB /' Word to perfor/ it2 A&ere/iah 1>12B. God 3an never lie( 8e3ause %is Word sa's( 0God is not a /an that he should lie( neither the son of /an( that he should repentD hath he said( and shall he not do it; )r hath he spo:en( and shall he not /a:e it 5ood;2 ALu/8ers 2 >19B.,here is no wa' that God 3an 8a3: down fro/ the Word that %e has spo:en. Gver' sin5le senten3e( ever' sin5le word that is in the Word of God is eFa3tl' the sa/e as if God sat down 8eside 'ou and the words 3a/e ri5ht out of %is /outh into 'our ears. 07ll s3ripture is 5iven 8' inspiration of God( and is profita8le for do3trine( for reproof( for 3orre3tion( for instru3tion in ri5hteousness2 A% ,i/oth' >1.B. I espe3iall' love the wa' the 7/plified Nersion 5ives this verse( 0Gver' +3ripture is God<8reathed C 5iven 8' %is inspiration C and profita8le for instru3tion( for reproof and 3onvi3tion of sin( for 3orre3tion of error and dis3ipline in o8edien3e( and for trainin5 in ri5hteousness ?that is( in hol' livin5( in 3onfor/it' to Gods will in thou5ht( purpose and a3tion@( +o that the /an of God /a' 8e 3o/plete .2

and profi3ient( well<fitted and thorou5hl' e=uipped for ever' 5ood wor:.2 GFa3tl' the sa/e as we spea: to our 3hildren to instru3t the/( to 3orre3t the/( for dis3ipline( o8edien3e and trainin5( God spea:s to us throu5h %is Word for our own 5ood. ,he Christian life is si/ple 8e3ause all we have to do is two thin5s. "o what God tells us to do( and stop doin5 what %e tells us not to do. ,hats all there is to it( and weve 5ot it /ade* 7nd how do we do what God wants us to do; ,he 6sal/ist tells us in 119>11(89 0,h' word have I hid in /ine heart( that I /i5ht not sin a5ainst ,hee2 . .8e3ause... 0For ever( - Lord( th' word is settled in heaven.2 )n3e 'ou 3an esta8lish in 'our own /ind that ever' sin5le thin5 that is printed on the pa5es of the 4i8le is the a3tual spo:en Word of God and written down for 'ou( 'our faith 3an 8e5in that upward 3li/8 as 'ou 8e5in to /e/oriEe and hide the Word in 'our heart. %ow do 'ou in3rease 'our faith; 0+o then faith 3orneth 8' hearin5( and hearin5 8' the word of God2 AIo/ans 1->1$B. We need to hear the Word of God. %ow 3an we hear the Word of God; 4' readin5 the 4i8le. ,he 4i8le is Gods personal love letters to 'ou( and if 'ou will read it see:in5 God( 8elievin5 and 3onfessin5( ever' pro/ise in the Word is 'ours Faith and the pro/ises of God wor: to5ether. 7s 'ou read the Word of God so/ethin5 in 'our inner /an 8e5ins to stir around( =ui3:ened 8' the %ol' +pirit as the pro/ises 8e5in to spea: to 'ou. .

4efore lon5( 'ou will 8e5in to 0eFperi/ent2 with the Word of God 8e3ause all the pro/ises of God have a 3ondition to the/( and 'ou will 8e5in to do 'our part( 9ust to see 0if God does %is part.2 7ll 'ou have to do is to 8elieve enou5h for one pro/ise fro/ God( and then 'oull 8e a/aEed at what God will do. I re/e/8er the first ti/e I ever saw an ar/ 5row out( I didnt :now if I 8elieved it or not. ,he se3ond ti/e I sw this supernatural pheno/enon of God( I didnt dou8t it( 8e3ause a lad' had an ar/ that was a8out 2 short( and I was sittin5 on the sta5e a8out two feet fro/ where she was standin5. I 3ouldnt dou8t it 8e3ause I saw it with /' own e'es. 1' faith 8e5an to rise as I saw Gods pro/ise and %is Word 3o/e to5ether in healin5. +in3e God is no respe3ter of persons( Charles and I de3ided that this sa/e /ira3le power of God 3ould do the sa/e thin5 for the people in our servi3es. We had the/ /easure their ar/s( and sure enou5h( there were so/e who had ar/s of une=ual len5ths. We /inistered to ea3h one individuall'( 8e3ause our faith had risen when we a3tuall' saw a /ira3le with our own e'es* God honored %is Word whi3h sa's that those who 8elieve 0shall la' hands on the si3:( and the' shall re3over2 A1ar: 1.>18B. God said it. It 8e3a/e. It was so. Gver' ar/ 5rew out* )ur faith rose* Wh'; 4e3ause we had used it. &a/es 2>1$ sa's( 0Gven so faith( if it hath not

.4

wor:s( is dead( 8ein5 alone.2 Faith 3annot 5row unless it is eFer3ised* We have laid hands on /an' little 3hildren whose stunted 8odies are affli3ted 8' the devil hi/self( who have not 8een a8le to run and pla'( and their /us3les are atrophied and useless. 7n' /us3le in 'our 8od' whi3h is not used will 5et wea:( and the sa/e is true of 'our faith. ,he /ore 'ou use 'our faith( the /ore it will 5row. ,he less 'ou use it( the wea:er it will 8e3o/e. ,he neFt ti/e we 3alled for short ar/s( our faith was hi5h 8e3ause we had seen God do it* 6ro8a8l' ei5ht people 3a/e forward and a5ain their ar/s 5rew out. %allelu9ah* We too: al/ost an entire servi3e 3o//andin5 the/ to 5row( 8ut the' did* ,hen we 8e5an to wonder if God 3ould len5then /ore than one persons ar/ at a ti/e. We eFer3ised our faith and 3o//anded ever' 8a3: to 8e healed in an entire audien3e at one ti/e( 7L" ,%GY WGIG* )ur faith 3ontinued to rise until now we see the power of God 5row out the short ar/s of entire audien3es in ever' se/inar( and we have ,),7L faith that God is 5oin5 to do it( 8e3ause we have used this parti3ular :ind of faith over and over and God has never failed us* I/a5ine &esus sittin5 down in 'our livin5 roo/( or wherever 'ou are ri5ht now( and sa'in5 to 'ou personall'( Fran3es Aor whatever 'our na/e isB( 075ain I sa' unto 'ou( ,hat if two of 'ou shall a5ree on earth as tou3hin5 an' thin5 that the' shall as:( it shall 8e done for the/ of /' Father whi3h is in heaven. For where two or three are 5athered

.#

to5ether in /' na/e( there a/ ,in the /idst of the/2 A1atthew 18>19(2-B. Faith will 3o/e so easil' if 'ou reall' 8elieve that it is &esus a3tuall' doin5 the spea:in5 and not 9ust so/e words that so/eone put down on paper. ,he )ld and Lew ,esta/ents are God and &esus spea:in5 to 'ou( 9ust as if 'ou 3ould rea3h out and tou3h the/ ri5ht now* %allelu9ah* Your faith 3an never a33ept those s3riptures until 'ou rea3h out and eFer3ise it. 7s: God for so/ethin5 whi3h 'ou :now is in line with %is will( 5et so/eone to a5ree with 'ou( pra' for it 8elievin5 this pro/ise( and see what happens. I re/e/8er when I first 8e3a/e a Christian I 8e3a/e a fanati3 for the Word of God. I would sta' up until two or three o3lo3: in the /ornin5 readin5( and readin5( and readin5( and IG7"ILG the Word of God. I was li:e a hu5e spon5e that 9ust 3ouldnt 5et enou5h of the livin5 water. I read the Lew ,esta/ent fourteen or fifteen ti/es 8efore I had 8een a Christian ver' lon5( and as I read so/e of those favorite passa5es( /' spirit stirred inside of /e and said( 0I 8elieve Ill do it. Gods Word sa's it will happen( so I/ 5oin5 to tr' it*2 7 verse that reall' spo:e to /e was 1atthew 2 1>22( 07nd all thin5s( whatsoever 'e shall as: in pra'er( 8elievin5( 'e shall re3eive.2 .2 IF Y)J IG7LLY L)NG 1G 1' faith rose up. I thou5ht( 07ll I have to do is 8elieve.2 7nd so I 8elieved. It was as si/ple as that.

..

,he pastor who led /e to the Lord said one ti/e( 0God answers the du/8est pra'ers for 'ou 8e3ause 'ou pra' the du/8est pra'ers in faith 8elievin5.2 %e said this 9ust 8e3ause I had as:ed God to transport a whipped<3rea/ 3herr' pie fro/ 1ia/i to Colu/8us( )hio( to stren5then the 8onds of Christian love. I ver' si/pl' 8elieved that God would do it. ...7nd %e did it* ,his was the sa/e pastor who 5ave /e the wisest advi3e Ive ever 8een 5iven. Ii5ht after I was saved( he said to /e( 0Fran3es( at 'our a5e AI was saved at 49B( 'oull never /a:e it... Athere was a lon5 pauseB . . .unless 'ou 3o/e with the faith of a little 3hild( 9ust 8elievin5.2 7nd thats the wa' I 8e3a/e a Christian( with the si/ple faith of a little 3hild. Ive never 3han5ed and I hope I never will. I still 8elieve with God( all thin5s are possi8le* You sa' 'ou dont have enou5h faith to tr' an'thin5; )h( 'es( 'ou do. We all have faith in so/ethin5* Let /e show 'ou so/e eFa/ples where 'ou have tre/endous faith. When I need to 5o to the store( I 5o out and 5et into /' 3ar( put the :e' in the i5nition( start the /otor and drive out the drivewa'( I have a8solute faith in /' a8ilit' to drive a 3ar. Ive driven for around #- 'ears( so wh' do I have faith in drivin5 a 3ar; 4e3ause I do it all the ti/e* I sure didnt the first ti/e /' dadd' let /e steer* 7nd I 3ertainl' didnt the first ti/e he a3tuall' let /e sit 8ehind the wheel of a 3ar and drive. It was a 1924 4ui3: tourin5 3ar( and it see/ed as 8i5 as a train to/e. We were out on a .$

3ountr' road when /' dadd' stopped and said( 0Co/e on( lets see if 'ou 3an drive a 3ar.2 I 5ot 8ehind the wheel at the a5e of 12 Athere wasnt an' su3h thin5 as a drivers li3ense in those da'sB and for approFi/atel' one /ile I went a8out 1- /iles an hour. ,he ro3:s see/ed to fl' 8'( and ever'thin5 was whiEEin5 8' so fast it see/ed to /a:e /e diEE'. I hun5 onto the steerin5 wheel with all /' /i5ht and wo88led the 3ar fro/ side to side of the road( and finall' 5ave up at the end of the first /ile. 4ut /' faith rose up* I had driven a /ile and hadnt :illed an'8od' or run off the road( so I wanted to do it the neFt +unda' when we went for a ride. 4e3ause I had eFer3ised /' faith in drivin5 the first ti/e( I had /ore faith the se3ond ti/e. I didnt 5et to 8e an eF3ellent driver in two lessons or three( or even one hundred. 7s a /atter of fa3t( /' sister learned how to 8e an a33o/plished driver lon5 8efore I did even thou5h we started at the sa/e ti/e( 8ut that didnt lessen /' faith 8e3ause I :new that so/eda' Id 8e 9ust as 5ood a driver as she was* ,oda'( it doesnt even ta:e faith to 5o out to the 3ar and drive. It is auto/ati3 8e3ause Ive done it so /an' ti/es. Your faith in God 3an 8e3o/e the sa/e wa'. Low I 3an listen to tapes while drivin5 /' 3ar( I 3an tal: to God( /e/oriEe s3ripture or do a lot of other thin5s without even thin:in5 a8out the faith it ta:es to drive a 3ar. I also have tre/endous faith in /' household applian3es. When I put /' dirt' 3lothes into the washer( put the soap in( and turn the washer on( I dont need an' faith at all 8e3ause I ML)W the .8

washer is 5oin5 to wash and rinse the 3lothes. I :now when the' are 3lean( I 3an ta:e the/ out and put the/ in the dr'er and after the pres3ri8ed nu/8er of /inutes( the' will 8e dr'. I dont have to wonder or worr'. I 9ust 8elieve that /' washer and dr'er are 5oin5 to wor:. I have an auto/ati3 dishwasher whi3h I trust i/pli3itl'. I put the dirt' dishes in there( turn it on and 5o sit down so/epla3e and read the 4i8le without worr'in5 a sin5le 8it. I dont pra' ea3h ti/e that the dishwasher will wor:( and then :eep openin5 the door to see if it is wor:in5. I 9ust 8elieve it will. I have tre/endous faith in people( too* I 8elieve with /' heart and soul that when I wal: over to the wall and flip a little swit3h( li5ht is 5oin5 to illu/inate the roo/ I/ in. I have faith that the power is 3o/in5 into /' house fro/ the ele3tri3 3o/pan' and will turn on when I a3tivate it 8' flippin5 a swit3h( and 'et Ive never seen the /an who owns the ele3tri3 3o/pan'. I havent seen the /an who runs the 3o/pan' that supplies our water( either( 8ut I sure trust hi/ to :eep that water flowin5 in /' 8ath tu8( /' :it3hen sin:( and wherever else I need it. Loo: at the eFa/ples Ive 5iven 'ou. "id 'ou have to eFer3ise 5reat faith when 'ou turned on 'our first li5ht swit3h; Fro/ 8a8'hood( our 5randdau5hter( Charit'( wat3hed us wal: over to the wall and either push or flip a little so/ethin5 and li5hts would 3o/e on. When she 5ot 8i5 enou5h( that was one of the first thin5s she wanted to do. +he :new it would wor:( 8e3ause she had seen us .9

do it* It wor:ed* 7fter she flipped the swit3h the first ti/e( she :new it would wor: ever' ti/e. %er /other and dadd' 8ou5ht her an eFtension for the 8athroo/ swit3h( and she turns it off and on without even thin:in5 a8out it. 7fter the' showed her how to use it the first ti/e( it was no lon5er an 0un:nown2 thin5. 7ll of the thin5s Ive /entioned a8ove are thin5s in whi3h we are all involved. We have faith in the 5ro3er to 5ive us food that is not spoiled or tainted. We have faith in the dairies to suppl' us with 5er/less /il:. We have faith in hundreds and pro8a8l' even thousands of thin5s 8e3ause we have done the/ over and over and over a5ain. ,he sa/e thin5 is true of faith in God. Ive never seen %i/( 8ut then I havent seen the ele3tri3 plant /ana5er either. I dont see the postal e/plo'ees that handle our /ail and send it all over the Jnited +tates and the world( 8ut I have faith when I put a little pie3e of paper 3alled a sta/p on it( that those unseen people will deliver it to the person to who/ I a/ writin5. ,hin: a8out all the people in who/ 'ou have faith( and re/e/8er how 'ou 5ot that faith* God is far /ore dependa8le than an' individual or 3o/pan' 'oull ever find( so all we have to do is to find out what %e pro/ises us( then a3t on it* Faith 3an never 5row until 'ou step out and use it. You 3ould not have driven a 3ar if 'ou hadnt tried the first ti/e. You would still 8e washin5 3lothes 8' 8eatin5 the/ on a ro3: if 'ou hadnt tried a washin5 /a3hine. $-

,r' God* You /a' not have an' /ore faith than 'ou did the first ti/e 'ou tried to drive a 3ar( 8ut after a lot of pra3ti3e( 'ou learned( didnt 'ou; You /a' have put a dent or two in 'our 3ar 8efore 'ou learned( 8ut 'ou learned( didnt 'ou; You :ept on tr'in5 until it wor:ed* ,he sa/e thin5 is true of God. ,he /ore 'ou tr' God( the /ore faith 'ou will have and the stron5er 'our faith will 8e3o/e. &ust 8e3ause so/eone starts off usin5 their faith a lot /ore than 'ou( dont 5et dis3oura5ed* I 3ould have 5otten dis3oura5ed 8e3ause /' sister was a 8etter driver than I( 8ut it 9ust /ade /e /ore deter/ined that I 3ould 8e a 5ood driver( too. Let so/eone elses faith do that to 'ou. &ust 8elieve that 'oure 5oin5 to :eep tr'in5 God until 'our faith 8e3o/es as stron5 as theirs( and then pass the/ up 8esides* %allelu9ah* Gods faith is alread' perfe3t. Io/ans 12> sa's( 0...God hath dealt to ever' /an the /easure of faith.2 God doesnt 5ive one of us /ore faith than another person. ,o ea3h %e 5ives the /easure of faith( and its what we do with that sa/e<siEed /easure that /a:es the differen3e. GFer3ise 'our faith and wat3h it 5row and 5row. ,hats Gods prin3iple. "ont eFer3ise it and wat3h it di/inish* +ow a little( 5et a little. +ow a lot( 5et a lot* %e wants to /a:e faith su3h a si/ple little 5ift( and we tr' and /a:e it diffi3ult 8e3ause were afraid to use it. Id 8e afraid not to eFer3ise faith 8e3ause Io/ans 14>2 sa's> 0...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.2 God /a:es it so si/ple when %e spea:s to us* $1

,his /ornin5 as I was thin:in5 a8out this 8oo:( than:in5 God for the /easure of faith %e 5ave us( suddenl'( there 3a/e a revelation :nowled5e that God had alread' 5iven /e 7LL the faith I would ever need. It was 5iven to /e when I was 8orn a5ain( and all I have to do is to :eep usin5 and usin5 it and steppin5 out into deeper and deeper spiritual water and :now that the /easure( the all<in<all /easure of faith is alread' /ine. +everal 'ears a5o we 8uilt our first offi3e 8uildin5. ,he da' we /oved in we felt it was so 8i5 wed never 8e a8le to fill it up( 8ut our /inistr' 3ontinued to 5row and 5row until suddenl' we 8e5an to wonder where the roo/ was 5oin5 to 3o/e fro/ for us to do our wor:. 7 lad' 5ave us a 3he3: for P1#-.-- and said( 0God told /e to 5ive this to 'ou for 'our new 8uildin5.2 I said( 0Youve 5ot to 8e :iddin5* Were not 5oin5 to 8uild another 8uildin5.2 +he 3ontinued( 04ut God said 'ou were.2 We tr' to 8e sensitive to the +pirit of God. ,he neFt /ornin5 the telephone ran5 and it was the /an who owned the propert' 9ust north of ours. )ur 8uildin5 was on a 3orner( so we 3ould onl' eFpand one dire3tion C north* ,he propert' owner told us he had a 8u'er for two<thirds of the propert' to the north of ours( 8ut he did not want the re/ainin5 one<third neFt to us. "id we want it; 7fter havin5 re3eived a 3he3: for P1#-.-- the ni5ht 8efore( we felt God had reall' 5otten down to 8usiness in a hurr'.

$2

Charles as:ed how /u3h the' wanted for the propert' and the /an replied( 0P1. # per foot or a8out P4-(---.2 Charles said( 0&ust a /o/ent( please*2 %e loo:ed up and said( 0God( shall we 8u' it;2 ,he answer didnt ta:e a se3ond to 3o/e ri5ht 8a3:( 0Yes*2 Charles told the /an( 0Yes*2 0When do 'ou want to 3lose;2 as:ed our nei5h8or. 0&ust a /o/ent( please(2 Charles said. ,hen he said( 0God( when do we want to 3lose;2 ,he answer 3a/e( 07s soon as possi8le*2 Charles returned to the phone( 07s soon as possi8le.2 0%ow do 'ou want to pa' for it( 8' 3ash( a loan with 'our 8an: or a loan with us;2 0Charles a5ain said( 0&ust a /o/ent( please.2 75ain he pra'ed. God said( 0Cash*2 Charles said( 0Cash*2 0%ow a8out a wee: fro/ Wednesda'; Is that all ri5ht;2 as:ed the /an. Charles said( 0&ust a /o/ent( please.2 7nd a5ain he turned to God. God said( 0Fine*2 Charles said( 0Fine*2 Charles hun5 up the telephone and loo:ed at /e. We 8oth :new the sa/e fa3ts. Lever had we 8een so low on funds in %unter 1inistries as we were at that /o/ent and rarel' had our own personal a33ount ever 8een that low. %owever( WG MLGW G)" %7" +6)MGL. $

%ow did we :now it; 4' F7I,%* 4' faith that we heard God. We 3ould have done one of two thin5s. We 3ould eFer3ise our faith( or we 3ould 8e over3o/e with dou8ts and fears wonderin5 fro/ where the /one' was 5oin5 to 3o/e. We eFer3ised our faith. We went to 3hur3h on +unda' and 5ave P1--.-- as a re5ular tithe and then an additional P4--.-- as seed faith for the P4-(--we would need. Ill never for5et how sin3erel' we laid hands on our 4i8le with the 3he3:s folded 8etween 1atthew 19>29 whi3h sa's( 07nd an'one who 5ives up his ho/e( 8rothers( sisters( father( /other( wife( 3hildren( or propert'( to follow /e( shall re3eive a hundred ti/es as /u3h in return( and shall have eternal life2 A,L4B( and Lu:e .> 8 whi3h sa's( 0For if 'ou 5ive( 'ou will 5et* Your 5ift will return to 'ou in full and overflowin5 /easure( pressed down( sha:en to5ether to /a:e roo/ for /ore( and runnin5 over. Whatever /easure 'ou use to 5ive C lar5e or s/all C will 8e used to /easure what is 5iven 8a3: to 'ou2 A,L4B. We MLGW it was done 8e3ause we were doin5 our part in sowin5 the seed and we 8elieved Gods Word a8out 5ivin5. We 8elieved it in our hearts without a dou8t and went off on a spea:in5 trip. When we 3a/e 8a3: on ,uesda' ni5ht 8efore the 3losin5 on Wednesda' /ornin5( there was eFa3tl' P4-(--- in the %unter 1inistries 8an: a33ount* 1ore /one' had 3o/e in durin5 that short period of ti/e than had ever 3o/e in 8efore durin5 an e=ual period of ti/e.

$4

We eFer3ised our F7I,%. We didnt pra' and as: God to 5ive us /ore faith. We si/pl' eFer3ised the /easure of faith whi3h %e 5ave us at salvation. 04lessed is the /an that wal:eth not in the 3ounsel of the un5odl'( nor standeth in the wa' of sinners( nor sitteth in the seat of the s3ornful. 4ut his deli5ht is in the law of the Lord( and in his law doth he /editate da' and ni5ht. 7nd he shall 8e li:e a tree planted 8' the rivers of water( that 8rin5eth forth his fruit in his seasonD his leaf also shall not witherD and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper2 A6sal/ 1>1< B. 1e/oriEe it and sa' it over and over a5ain until it 8e3o/es a livin5 part of 'ou and until 'ou 8elieve it in 'our heart( then 'ou 3an start sa'in5> 0,han: 'ou( Father( that I/ 8lessed 8e3ause I dont wal: in the 3ounsel of the un5odl'.2 0,han: 'ou( Father( that I/ 8lessed 8e3ause I dont stand in the wa' of sinners.2 0,han: 'ou( Father( that I/ 8lesse d 8e3ause I dont sit in the seat of the s3ornful.2 0,han: 'ou( Father( that /' deli5ht is in the law of the Lord( whi3h is 'our Word( Father. ,han: 'ou that I deli5ht in it so /u3h that I /editate on it da' and ni5ht.2 0,han: 'ou( Father( that I/ 8lessed 8e3ause I/ 9ust li:e a tree planted 8' the rivers of water that 8rin5eth forth his fruit in his seasonD than: 'ou( than: 'ou( than: 'ou( Father( that I/ not a s3ru8 oa: planted out in a desert( 8ut I/ planted ri5ht 8' the rivers of livin5 water.2 0,han: 'ou( Father( that I/ 8lessed 8e3ause /' life isnt 5oin5 to wither. Father( a leaf on a tree $#

or plant withers when it is si3: and 8e5ins to die( so I than: 'ou that I shall not 8e si3: 8e3ause /' life isnt 5oin5 to wither( a33ordin5 to 'our Word.2 0,han: 'ou( Father( that 'our Word sa's Kwhatsoever and that /eans an'thin5 I do is 5oin5 to prosper.2 ,han: 'ou( Father( that I have prosperit'( 8e3ause 'our Word sa's that GNGIY,%ILG( GNGIY,%ILG( GNGIY,%ILG I do is 5oin5 to prosper.2 7s lon5 as our desire and purpose in prosperit' is to advan3e the wor: of the :in5do/ to /a:e God prosper( then God will do it. %owever( when the desire turns into the lust of the flesh( it is not in line with the prin3iples of Gods Word. When we prosper to 8less God( all our needs will 8e /et and %is a8undan3e 8e3o/es our prosperit' and health. 7 little 8o' na/ed &effie had a tre/endous influen3e on our lives insofar as developin5 faith was 3on3erned .a little 8o' # 'ears old who lived outside of Louisville( M'. .. .a little 8o' who was 8orn with 3ere8ral pals'. . . .a little 8o' whose parents 8elieved that &esus 3ould heal toda'* It started when we were in Louisville. %is parents were readin5 the 4oo:( +ILCG &G+J+ 67++G" 4Y( whi3h we had written a8out /ira3les of toda'. ,hen the' pi3:ed up the newspaper and saw that we were spea:in5 in Louisville( so the' 5ot up at o3lo3: in the /ornin5 to 3o/e to what the' thou5ht was 5oin5 to 8e a /ira3le servi3e. It wasnt a /ira3le servi3e C it was a tea3hin5 ser vi3e. God doesnt 3are if it is a tea3hin5 servi3e

$.

when there is healin5 to 8e done. God does it an'ti/e( an' pla3e. ,he' arrived so earl' the' were a8le to 8e on a radio pro5ra/ with us. We wat3hed this little 8od' whi3h was all 3rippled 8e3ause of 3ere8ral pals'. 7 darlin5 little 8o'( 8ut all 3rippled. It was o8vious fro/ the 8e5innin5 that the %ol' +pirit was 5oin5 to do the whole thin5 8e3ause we didnt tea3h what we thou5ht we were 5oin5 to tea3h C we didnt do an'thin5 that we had planned on doin5. It was eF3itin5 as we saw the +pirit of God 8e5in to /ove. 7ll of a sudden God spo:e to /e and said( 06ra' for &effie ri5ht now. IIG%, L)W*2 I stepped down fro/ the pulpit and wal:ed over to his father who was holdin5 hi/. I si/pl' told hi/( 0God told /e to pra' for &effie ri5ht now. 1a' I have hi/;2 %e said( 0Yes.2 I wal:ed 8a3: up to the rostru/ and sat down with &effie on /' lap in one of the pulpit 3hairs. 4e3ause 3hildren a33ept a healin5 easier if the' are relaFed( I alwa's li:e to relaF and tal: to a little 3hild first. I said to hi/( 0"o 'ou love &esus;2 %e replied( 0)h( 'eah*2 ,hen I said to hi/( 0"o 'ou 8elieve &esus 3an heal 'ou;2 Ill never for5et the darlin5 loo: on his fa3e when he said( 0)h( %es 5oin5 to.2 ,here was no dou8t in his /ind at all. ,his five<'ear<old 8o' :new that &esus was 5oin5 to heal hi/ that da'. %e was a real lova8le 3hild( so I held hi/ in /' ar/s as Charles laid his hands upon his head and we si/pl' said( 0,han: 'ou( Lord( than: 'ou for an $$

opportunit' to show 'our 5reat and /i5ht' power.2 ,hen we went on( 0Father( as we envelop hi/ in our ar/s( /a' Your /i5ht' power flow throu5h hi/. Let the healin5 power flow*2 "o 'ou re/e/8er the s3ripture whi3h sa's 0send 'our healin5 power( and /a' /ira3les and wonders 8e done 8' the na/e of 'our hol' servant( &esus2 A73ts 4> - ,L4B; We said( 0Father( let Your healin5 power flow throu5h this 3hilds 8od' in the na/e of &esus* 0 ,hen we said over and over( 0,han: 'ou( Lord &esus* ,han: 'ou( Lord &esus*2 Charles went over to &effies parents and as:ed the/ if the'd li:e to ta:e off &effies 8ra3es. ,he' said( 0Yes*2 +o the' sat &effie down on a 3hair and too: the 8ra3es off his le5s. Charles loo:ed at &effie and then at the lon5 aisle of the 3hur3h. %e said to the 'oun5 8o'( 0&effie( in the na/e of &esus( IJL*2 7nd &effie 5ot off of that 3hair. &effie had never run in his whole five 'ears. &effie had never even 3rawled 8e3ause of a la3: of /otor 3oordination. 4ut when Charles said( 0IJL in the na/e of &esus2( &effie too: off and 8e5an to run. "own the stairs he ran( all the wa' to the 8a3: of a tre/endousl' lon5 3hur3h. 4eloved( let /e tell 'ou this. ,here wasnt a /an in that 3on5re5ation who 3ould have 3au5ht that 3hild. I have never seen an'one run so fast in /' entire life. 4' the ti/e he 5ot to the end of the 3hur3h( his /other and dad had 3ollapsed under the power of God* I ran down and stood in front of the pulpit and put /' ar/s out to &effie. When he 5ot a8out siF $8

feet fro/ /e( he /ade a fl'in5 leap and wrapped his little le5s around /' /iddle. I thou5ht hed s=ueeEe /e to death. Ie/e/8er( &effie had never run in his entire life and 'et when &esus tou3hed hi/( off he went* We had lun3h with &effie and his parents that da' and do 'ou :now what the' 5ave us; %is /other left the 8ra3es with us and said( 0You 3an have the/( 8e3ause &effie will never need the/ a5ain. Were 5oin5 out and 8u' hi/ his first pair of re5ular shoes toda'.2 We still have those 8ra3es and shoes as a 3onstant re/inder of the power of God. We tal:ed to his /other and dadd' a 3ouple wee:s later. ,he' told us how the' had re3eived the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit 9ust a 3ouple of wee:s 8efore our visit. ,he' had learned for the first ti/e to praise God for &effies healin5. When the' went to the pediatri3ian( the' too: a tape re3order alon5 to re3ord the do3tors 3o//ents. When the pediatri3ian loo:ed at &effie( he said( 0Its /a5nifi3ent. Its a8solutel' fantasti3*2 %ow we praise God %e doesnt share %is 5lor' with an'one* ,he 5lor' all 5oes to God* %ow we praise God that when two or /ore are 5athered to5ether in %is na/e( there %e is ri5ht in the /idst. %e sa's 'ou 3an as: for an'thin5 and %ell 5ive it to 'ou. I thou5ht this was su3h a 8eautiful eFa/ple. ,here was Charles( there was Fran3es and there was &effie C all as:in5 for what /an' people thou5ht was i/possi8le. 7nd 'et( with God( all thin5s are possi8le. 7LL thin5s are possi8le*

$9

,o top it off( &effies sister too: hi/ to s3hool the neFt wee: as her spe3ial 0+how and tell*2 For 'our infor/ation( we saw &effie one 'ear after he had 8een healed. %e had 5ained 2# pounds( had 5one fro/ a siEe 12 shoe to a siEe 2( and was doin5 8eautifull' in s3hool* Wh' did our faith 5row so /u3h 8e3ause of this; 4e3ause ever' ti/e 'ou see a pra'er answered or a healin5 o33ur throu5h 'ou( 'our faith i5nites. If we had not stepped out in faith( nothin5 3ould have happened( &effie would not have 8een healed and our faith 3ould not have in3reased. If 'ou want to in3rease 'our faith( put what 'ou have into pra3ti3e. +o/ewhere alon5 the line( 'oure 5oin5 to step over into the real/ of faith and a3tion( and when 'ou do( 'our faith will rise li:e a ro3:et. Faith is si/pl' 8elievin5 what God sa's in the 4i8le is true( and then start a3tin5 li:e &esus instru3ted us. 4e a 0doer2 of the Word and not a hearer onl'. 7 0doer2 does the wor:s of &esus. 6ut 'our faith in a3tion to a33o/plish the wor:s &esus started( with the sole purpose 8ein5 to 8uild the :in5do/ of God with saved souls( and wat3h God do si5ns( wonders and /ira3les throu5h 'ou C 0thou 5ood and faithful servant2*

8-

CHAPTER FOUR If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL HAVE #OY$ #OY$ #OY 1' own 9o' started the da' I was saved. I was so 3o/pletel' and totall' overwhel/ed with than:s5ivin5 when I realiEed that all /' sins were for5iven( that /' 9o' 9ust 8u88led up and overflowed. What an eFplosive thou5ht C /' sins were for5iven( 7LL )F ,%G1* I literall' wallowed in the 5lor' of that /o/ent for wee:s and then realiEed that so/ethin5 /ore had to 8e done to :eep that 0up2 level 5oin5 stron5 all the ti/e* If we want that eternal sprin5 of 9o' wellin5 up and 8u88lin5 over in us at all ti/es( we need to 5et into the Word of God for a spiritual feast( ta:e 8i5 8ites and 3ontinue 3hewin5 until our souls are fat( 8e3ause the real lastin5 5enuine 9o' never 3o/es until we are spirituall' fat* I hard' :now where to start with 9o'( 8e3ause 9o' is su3h a vital and inte5ral part of our lives. ,he 9o' of the Lord is there earl' in the /ornin5. ,he 9o' of the Lord is there in the /idst of all pro8le/s. Whatever 5oes on and whatever the 3ir3u/stan3es( the 9o' of the Lord is there* Ie3entl'( Charles and I had 9ust returned fro/ an eF3itin5 8ut eFhaustin5 trip and wanted to 5o to 8ed earl'( 8ut it see/ed the telephone had other ideas. 4oth telephones :ept rin5in5 and rin5in5 and 81

it see/ed as if we would never 8e a8le to 5et into 8ed 8ut ea3h 3all was i/portant( so we :ept on answerin5. Finall'( we did 5et in 8ed( 8ut the telephone didnt stop. It ran5 a5ain C not on3e( not twi3e( 8ut three /ore ti/es* 7nd the last three 3alls were not i/portant* We were eFhausted( 3o/pletel' worn out( and needed to 5o to 8ed. Jnder the 3ir3u/stan3es we 3ould have 8een 3ra88'( irritated and 3o/plainin5 8ut when 'ou saturate 'ourself with the Word of God( 'ou :now who 'ou are in Christ. When 'ou :now who 'ou are( then 'ou si/pl' have to have 9o'* We 8e5an to lau5h at the wa' the devil was tr'in5 to irritate us and ro8 us of our 9o'( and 8efore lon5 8oth of us ended up 5i55lin5 with hol' lau5hter* Faith 3o/es 8' hearin5( and hearin5 8' the Word of God. We need to i/plant the Word of God in our 8rain so deepl' that we 3an spea: it out an' ti/e of the da' or ni5ht when it is needed. If 'ou want to :eep that 5ood old heavenl' 9o' 8u88lin5 up all the ti/e( tr' /e/oriEin5 so/e of the verses of +3ripture fro/ the 1#th 3hapter of &ohn. +tand on these pro/ises of God and sa'( 0I/ happ'* Glor' to God* %allelu9ah* Ive 5ot 9o' in /' heart*2 ,he 1#th 3hapter of &ohn 8e5ins> 0I a/ the true vine( and 1' Father is the vinedresser. Gver' 8ran3h in 1e that does not 8ear fruit %e ta:es awa'D and ever' 8ran3h that 8ears fruit %e prunes( that it /a' 8ear /ore fruit. You are alread' 3lean 8e3ause of the word whi3h I have spo:en to 'ou. 078ide in 1e( and I in 'ou. 7s the 8ran3h 3annot 8ear fruit of itself( unless it a8ides in the 82

vine( neither 3an 'ou( unless 'ou a8ide in 1e. I a/ the vine( 'ou are the 8ran3hes. %e who a8ides in 1e( and I in hi/( 8ears /u3h fruitD for without 1e 'ou 3an do nothin5. If an'one does not a8ide in 1e( he is 3ast out as a 8ran3h and is witheredD and the' 5ather the/ and throw the/ into the fire( and the' are 8urned. If 'ou a8ide in 1e( and 1' words a8ide in 'ou( 'ou will as: what 'ou desire( and it shall 8e done for 'ou2 ALM&NB. "id 'ou hear that /a5nifi3ent pro/ise of God; %e si/pl' said that if we would let 8oth %i/ and %is words a8ide in us( we 3ould as: 7LY,%ILG that we wanted( and %e would 5ive it to us. ,he word abide /eans to 05o into2 and all %es wantin5 to do is to 05o into2 us and let us 05o into2 %i/* %e wants to 5o so deepl' into us that there isnt roo/ for an'thin5 else. 7nd %e wants us to 5o so deepl' into %i/ that we 3ant see an'thin5 8ut %i/ 8e3ause we are so deepl' su8/er5ed into %i/* Continuin5 with &ohn 1#( 8e5innin5 in verse 8( we read( 04' this 1' Father is 5lorified( that 'ou 8ear /u3h fruitD so 'ou will 8e /' dis3iples. 7s the Father loved 1e( I also have loved 'ouD a8ide in 1' love. If 'ou :eep 1' 3o//and/ents( 'ou will a8ide in 1' love( 9ust as I have :ept 1' Fathers 3o//and/ents and a8ide in %is love2 ALM&NB. Low were 5oin5 to find out wh' &esus said these thin5s. %e said( 0,hese thin5s I have spo:en to 'ou( that 1' 9o' /a' re/ain in 'ou( and that 'our 9o' /a' 8e full.2 ,hats al/ost /ore than I 3an stand. &esus said %is 9o' would re/ain in us( and our 9o' would 8e full( full( FJLL*** Co/plete and overflowin5( not 8

9ust a little tri3:le of 9o'. %e wants us to have the a8solute /aFi/u/ of 9o' in our lives at all ti/es. 7nd %e said it was %I+ 9o' that would 8e in us( not ours* Charles and I have often 8een as:ed how we /aintain the he3ti3( 5ruelin5 s3hedule that we :eep all the ti/e. Lehe/iah 8>1- 5ives the answer( 0...for the 9o' of the Lord is 'our stren5th*2 1aril'n %i3:e' was tal:in5 to us re3entl' after we had returned fro/ a super lon5 trip( and she said( 0,he &)Y of the Lord is 'our total stren5th( isnt it; Youd never 8e a8le to a33o/plish what 'ou do if 'ou didnt a8sor8 'our stren5th fro/ the 9o' of the Lord*2 7nother friend said( 0,he' refuse to let an'one or an'thin5 steal their 9o'.2 ,hin: a8out that for a /o/ent. If 'ou allow 3ir3u/stan3es or people( or 'ourself A8' thin:in5 a8out 'ourselfB to ta:e 'our attention awa' fro/ God and servi3e to others( 'ou will find 'ourself 8e3o/in5 dis3oura5ed( dis3ontent( depressed( worried( upti5ht( or havin5 so/e other ne5ative( selfish attitude 3o/e into 'our heart. If 'ou want so/ethin5 to sap 'our stren5th fast( let that happen to 'ou* 4ut if 'ou want to :eep stron5 and health'( let the &)Y of the Lord 8e 'our +,IGLG,%* 0&esus realiEed the' wanted to as: hi/ so he said( K7re 'ou as:in5 'ourselves what I /ean; ,he world will 5reatl' re9oi3e over what is 5oin5 to happen to /e( and 'ou will weep. 4ut 'our weepin5 shall suddenl' 8e turned to wonderful 9o' ?when 'ou see /e a5ain@. It will 8e the sa/e 9o' as that of 84

a wo/an in la8or when her 3hild is 8orn C her an5uish 5ives pla3e to rapturous 9o' and the pain is for5otten2 A&ohn 1.>19<21 ,L4B. If 'oure a /other( 3an 'ou re/e/8er when 'ou had 'our 8a8'; Ie/e/8er how /u3h it hurt; Lo( none of us do. We :now how painful 3hild8irth 3an 8e( and 'et( when 'ou see that darlin5 little 8o' or 5irl that God 5ave 'ou( 'our an5uish 5ives wa' to rapturous 9o' and the pain is for5otten. I will never for5et the first thin5 I said to the do3tor after /' son ,o/ was 8orn. %is dadd' was overseas fi5htin5 for the Lav'( and I wanted a 8rown< e'ed 8o' that loo:ed 9ust li:e his dadd'. ,he nurse had said to /e( 0"ont s3rea/ until the last pain( 8e3ause re/e/8er ea3h one is 5oin5 to 8e worse than the one 8efore.2 +o when the last one 5ot there I was waitin5 for the neFt one whi3h never 3a/e* ,hen 3a/e the 5ood news after all the 8ad pains( 0Its a 8i5 8o'*2 I said( 01' 3up runneth over C let /e :iss hi/*2 1' 3up of 9o' was overflowin5 all over the pla3e. I wasnt even a Christian( 8ut in that /o/ent when 8irth a3tuall' too: pla3e( I instantl' for5ot all the pa/. 7ll I 3ould thin: a8out was how I wanted to :iss that little 8undle of hu/anit' that God had 5iven /e. &ust as the +3ripture had said( 0...her an5uish 5ives pla3e to rapturous 9o' and the pain is for5otten.2 You see( &esus sa's( 0You have sorrow now( 8ut I will see 'ou a5ain and then 'ou will re9oi3eD and no one 3an ro8 'ou of that 9o'2 A&ohn 1.>22 ,L4B. 8#

Lo one 3an ro8 'ou of that 9o'* 4eloved( dont 'ou ever let an'8od' ta:e that 9o' out of 'our life. &esus said it( 0Lo one 3an ro8 'ou of that 9o'*2 ,he devil will do his 8est to ro8 'ou of ever' 8it of 'our Christian 9o'( 8ut re/e/8er its &esus 9o' that 'ou have* Continuin5 with &ohn 1.>2 ( 07nd in that da' 'ou will as: 1e nothin5. 1ost assuredl'( I sa' to 'ou( whatever 'ou as: the Father in 1' na/e %e will 5ive 'ou2 ALM&NB. 6raise the Lord* 0Jntil now 'ou have as:ed nothin5 in 1' na/e. :(2A,he 7/plified 4i8le sa's to :eep on as:in5( not 9ust as: on3e 8ut to :eep on as:in5B( 0and 'ou will re3eive( that 'our 9o' /a' 8e full.2 &esus said %e wants 'our 9o' to 8e full. Gver' on3e in a while 'ou /i5ht run into a non< Christian or even an unhapp' Christian who sa's( 0)h( that 9o' 3ant 8e real.2 When so/eone sa's that to /e( I 9ust sa'( 0%allelu9ah* 6raise God*2 and I 5o on /' wa'. Ie3entl'( I 5ot a letter fro/ so/eone who said the &esus in /e was 3r'in5 8e3ause I was so happ'* ,hats not what /' 4i8le tells /e* When an'one =uestions 'our 9o'( 'ou 3an alwa's sa'( You 5ive 3redit to 'our father if 'ou want to( I/ 5oin5 to 5ive 3redit to /ine. 6raise God* %allelu9ah*2 7nd I 9ust 5o on re9oi3in5 with eF3eedin5 5reat 9o'* In ,he Livin5 4i8le( &ohn 1.>2 <24 sa's( 07t that ti/e 'ou wont need to as: /e for an'thin5( for 'ou 3an 5o dire3tl' to the Father and as: hi/( and he will 5ive 'ou what 'ou as: for 8e3ause 'ou use /' na/e. You havent tried this 8efore( A8ut 8e5in

8.

nowB. 7s:( usin5 /' na/e( and 'ou will re3eive( and 'our 3up of 9o' will overflow.2 Father, I just believe what the or! of "o! says, I believe that if we as# You, You$re %oin% to %ive it to us. &o, Father, ri%ht now in the na'e of (esus, because (esus sai! we shoul! as# usin% His na'e, las# for joy for every )erson who rea!s this boo#. Father, I )ray ri%ht now that you will %ive the' such a ba)tis' of joy that they will roll on the floor, bubblin% with joy. "ive us the joy in our hearts, Father, in (esus$ na'e, an! 'ay we be re'in!e! of what salvation 'eans to us.* You ou5ht to 8e 8u88lin5 over with 9o' ri5ht now. Were 'ou a wild sinner 8efore 'ou 5ot saved or 9ust a ta/e one; It doesnt reall' /a:e an' differen3e( 8ut I alwa's ad/it I was a wild( wild sinner. When God for5ave all /' sins and washed /e 3lean and 8uried all /' sins in the deepest sea never to 8e re/e/8ered a5ain( the 9o' of the Lord 3a/e into /' heart* I a33epted %is for5iveness( and when 'ou a33ept that for5iveness and 'ou :now that ever'thin5 'ouve ever done is for5iven( there is 9ust 8ound to 8e a well of water sprin5in5 up within 'ou and 'our 3up of 9o' will overflow. Worshipin5 God 3an 8rin5 9o' into 'our life if 'ou 8elieve the pro/ises of God( and I happen to 8elieve 7LL the pro/ises of God. In ,he Livin5 4i8le( Lu:e 24>49<# 1 A,L4B sa's> 07nd now I will send the %ol' +pirit upon 'ou( 9ust as /' Father pro/ised. "ont 8e5in tellin5 others 'et C sta' here in the 3it' until the %ol' +pirit 3o/es and fills 'ou with power fro/ heaven. ,hen &esus led the/ out alon5 the road to 4ethan'( and liftin5 his hands 8$

to heaven( he 8lessed the/( and then 8e5an risin5 into the s:'( and went on to heaven.2 7nd thats eFa3tl' what were 5oin5 to do one of these da's. When &esus 3o/es 8a3: a5ain( were 9ust 5oin5 to lift our hands and 8e5in risin5 into the s:' and 5o ri5ht on to heaven. %allelu9ah* 7nd then verses #2 and # sa'( 07nd the' worshiped hi/( and returned to &erusale/ filled with /i5ht' 9o'( and were 3ontinuall' in the ,e/ple( praisin5 God.2 Glor'( what a privile5e to 8e 3ontinuall' praisin5 hi/D 8ut then thats where the 9o' 3o/es fro/. ,he 9#th 6sal/ is a reall' 5ood eFa/ple of praise with 9o'. It sa's( 0- 3o/e( let us sin5 unto the Lord> let us /a:e a 9o'ful noise to the ro3: of our salvation.2 7nd what do 'ou thin: a 9o'ful noise is; Its when we praise God and we love %i/ and worship %i/ and we spend ti/e in %is Word shoutin5( 3lappin5( dan3in5 8efore the Lord. 7ll of these are 9o'ful noises unto the Lord. ,he first verse sa's( 0- 3o/e( let us sin5 unto the Lord> let us /a:e a 9o'ful noise to the ro3: of our salvation.2 7nd then the se3ond verse sa's( 0Let us 3o/e 8efore his presen3e with than:s5ivin5( and /a:e a 9o'ful noise unto hi/ with psal/s.2 7nd then the siFth verse sa's( 0- 3o/e( let us worship and 8ow down> let us :neel 8efore the Lord our /a:er.2 We sin5 that a lot in our servi3es( and when 'ou 8e5in to /a:e a 9o'ful noise unto the Lord( 'ou will auto/ati3all' have 9o' in 'our heart* Isaiah #>1- sa's( 07nd the ranso/ed of the Lord shall return( and 3o/e to Qion with son5s and everlastin5 9o' upon their heads> the' shall o8tain 88

9o' and 5ladness( and sorrow and si5hin5 shall flee awa'.2 Well( I/ redee/ed( and 'oure redee/ed( so everlastin5 9o' is 5oin5 to 8e upon our heads. God doesnt sa' that %is 9o' is 5oin5 to 8e te/porar'. Its an everlastin5 9o' thats 5oin5 to last fro/ now until the da' &esus 3o/es 8a3: a5ain or until the da' God ta:es 'ou ho/e( whi3hever is first. 7nd then /ore 8lessin5s are pro/ised. 7ll sorrow and all /ournin5 are 5oin5 to flee awa'* You dont have to 8e sad* You dont have to have /ournin5* In the /idst of all 'our pro8le/s there 3an 8e tre/endous( tre/endous 9o'. Ive often said to Charles( if I should die 8efore he does( I want /' funeral to 8e a ti/e of 5reat 9o'. I want it to 8e a ti/e of 5reat re9oi3in5. I want hi/ to 5ive the plan of salvation. I want hi/ to /inister the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit and I want hi/ to la' hands upon the si3:( and I want the si3: to 8elieve the're 5oin5 to 8e healed( even at /' funeral* I want people sin5in5 at /' funeral with 9o'. I want the/ dan3in5 8efore the Lord with 9o'. If &esus doesnt 3o/e 8a3: 8efore God de3ides to ta:e /e ho/e( then I/ 5oin5 to have one of the /ost eF3itin5( 9o'ful( +pirit<filled funerals 'ou have ever seen. "ont send /e flowers* &ust 3o/e re9oi3in5 in the Lord* I 6eter 1>8<9 sa's in ,he Livin5 4i8le( 0You love hi/ even thou5h 'ou have never seen hi/D thou5h not seein5 hi/( 'ou trust hi/D and even now 'ou are happ' with the ineFpressi8le 9o' that 3o/es fro/ heaven itself. 7nd 'our further reward for 89

trustin5 hi/ will 8e the salvation of 'our souls.2 You have ineFpressi8le 9o' that 3o/es fro/ heaven itself. Isnt it wonderful to :now that 'ou 3an have so /u3h 9o' that it 9ust 8u88les over until 'ou 5et to the point where 'ou a8solutel' 3annot eFpress it; Loo: at what the 7/plified 4i8le sa's. 0Without havin5 seen %i/ 'ou love %i/D thou5h 'ou do not ?even@ now see %i/ 'ou 8elieve in %i/( and eFult and thrill with ineFpressi8le and 5lorious Atriu/phant( heavenl'B 9o'.2 %allelu9ah* ,hats the wa' were supposed to a3t. Were supposed to thrill with ineFpressi8le and 5lorious( triu/phant( heavenl' 9o'. ,he Min5 &a/es 3alls it 0unspea:a8le 9o'.( If the Word sa's it( I/ 5oin5 to 8elieve it. %ow a8out 'ou; Gver' ti/e I thin: a8out the fa3t that God saved /e and 8e3ause God saved /e I/ 5oin5 to heaven( I 3annot help 8ut re9oi3e with 9o' uns)ea#able an! full of %lory. I 6eter 4>12(1 sa's in the 7/plified( 04eloved( do not 8e a/aEed and 8ewildered at the fier' ordeal whi3h is ta:in5 pla3e to test 'our =ualit'( as thou5h so/ethin5 stran5e C unusual and alien to 'ou and 'our position C were 8efallin5 'ou. 4ut in so far as 'ou are sharin5 Christs sufferin5s( re9oi3e( so that when %is 5lor' Afull of radian3e and splendorB is revealed 'ou /a' also re9oi3e with triu/ph C eFultantl'.2 "id 'ou ever noti3e the 4i8le uses a lot of ad9e3tives that are a8ove and 8e'ond an'thin5 that the hu/an /ind is 3apa8le of understandin5 C

9-

wonderful 9o'( spe3ial 9o'( eF3eedin5 5reat 9o'( unspea:a8le 9o'( ineFpressi8le 9o'* %eres a real spe3ial 9o'* Gphesians >8 sa's in ,he Livin5 4i8le( 0&ust thin:* ,hou5h I did nothin5 to deserve it( and thou5h I a/ the /ost useless Christian there is( 'et I was the one 3hosen for this spe3ial 9o' of tellin5 the Gentiles the Glad Lews of the endless treasures availa8le to the/ in Christ.2 "o 'ou :now one of the thin5s that will 8rin5 /ore 9o' into 'our life than an'thin5 else is when 'ou 5et out and share the 5ospel; We love to share to the /asses 8e3ause God has 3alled us to /inister to hu5e audien3es( 8ut we 8oth also love to /inister on that one<to<one 8asis. I dont 8elieve that there is an' :ind of /inistr' in the whole world that ever turns /e on /ore than when I 5et so/e person trapped in an airplane and the' 3ant 5et out and I present the plan of &esus to the/ and the' a33ept &esus as their +avior and Lord. In the 7/plified 4i8le( Gphesians >8 sa's( 0,o /e( thou5h I a/ the ver' least of all the saints AGods 3onse3rated peopleB( this 5ra3e Afavor( privile5eB was 5ranted and 5ra3iousl' entrusted> to pro3lai/ to the Gentiles the unendin5 A8oundless( fatho/less( in3al3ula8le and eFhaustlessB ri3hes of Christ C wealth whi3h no hu/an 8ein5 3ould have sear3hed out.2 ,hat is 'our privile5e* You have the privile5e of pro3lai/in5 the unendin5( 8oundless( fatho/less( in3al3ula8le and eFhaustless ri3hes of Christ( and do 'ou :now wh'; 4e3ause Y)J have the/* ,he' are all 'ours 8e3ause 'ou 3ant pro3lai/ so/ethin5 that 91

'ou dont have* ,he reason I 3an pro3lai/ 9o' is 8e3ause there is su3h an overwhel/in5 suppl' of 9o' in /' life that 9ust 8u88les up all the ti/e. Low( lets see what it sa's a8out 9o' in the 21st 6sal/. In the Livin5 4i8le it sa's( 0%ow the Min5 re9oi3es in 'our stren5th( - Lord* %ow he eFults in 'our salvation. For 'ou have 5iven hi/ his hearts desire( ever'thin5 he as:s 'ou for. You wel3o/ed hi/ to the throne with su33ess and prosperit'. You set a :in5l' 3rown of purest 5old upon his head. %e as:ed for alon5( 5ood life( and 'ou have 5ranted his re=uestD the da's of his life stret3h on and on forever. You have 5iven hi/ fa/e and honor. You have 3lothed hi/ with splendor and /a9est'. You have endowed hi/ with eternal happiness. AGlor' to God*B You have 5iven hi/ the un=uen3ha8le 9o' of 'our presen3e. 7nd 8e3ause the :in5 trusts in the Lord( he will never stu/8le( never fallD for he depends upon the steadfast love of the God who is a8ove all 5ods2 A6sal/s 2 1>1< $B. "id 'ou ever thin: a8out the un=uen3ha8le 9o' that 'ou have when 'oure in the presen3e of God; 7nd 8eloved( the 8eautiful thin5 is( 'ou 3an 8e in the presen3e of God at all ti/es. You dont have to wait until 'ou 5o to 3hur3h. You dont have to wait until a 5roup of 'ou 5et to5ether. You 3an 9ust sit where 'ou are ri5ht now and have the ver' roo/ where 'ou are sittin5 filled with the un=uen3ha8le 9o' of the presen3e of God. )r if 'oure in an auto/o8ile and listen to the tapes whi3h 5o with this 8oo: as 'oure drivin5 alon5( 'ou 3an 8e 3o/pletel' and overwhel/in5l' filled with the

92

presen3e of God and the un=uen3ha8le 9o' whi3h 3o/es when 'ou are in the presen3e of God. ,heres one little phrase in the 21st 6sal/ A7/p.B that reall' turns /e on* It sa's( 0For You /a:e hi/ to 8e 8lessed and a 8lessin5 for everD2 You see( God /a:es 'ou to 8e 8lessed( too. 7nd when 'oure 8lessed and 'ou have 9o' all over the pla3e( 'ou 9ust auto/ati3all' spread 9o' to other people. Low( if 'ou dont 8elieve this is true( I want 'ou to 3ondu3t a little eFperi/ent. ,he neFt ti/e 'ou wal: down a street where 'ou are not :nown( start s/ilin5 at all the people 'ou dont :now and sa'( 0%i(2 or 06raise the Lord(2 or 0%allelu9ah(2 or so/ethin5 li:e that( or even 9ust a plain 0%ello(2 and see what happens* If 'ou s/ile and sa' so/ethin5 9o'ful to the/( I 5uarantee that 'ou will 5et 8a3: what 'ou 5ive 8e3ause the're 5oin5 to s/ile ri5ht 8a3: at 'ou. 7nd so 'ou see the 9o' of the Lord thats on 'ou 3an also 8e 3onta5ious to other people with who/ 'ou 3o/e in 3onta3t. God /ade "avid to 8e 8lessed( and if %e did it for "avid( %ell do it for 'ou. God is 5oin5 to /a:e 'ou 8lessed and a 8lessin5 forever. %es 5oin5 to use 'ou to 8e a 8lessin5 to so/e8od' else* ,he 9.th 6sal/ is another se3tion of the 4i8le that reall' turns /e on* A"id 'ou noti3e that the' all see/ to;B It sa's that even all 3reation re9oi3es* ,his is what I thin: is so wonderful. God not onl' wants 'ou to re9oi3e( the whole 3reation is 5oin5 to re9oi3e( too. In the Livin5 4i8le( verse 11<1 sa's> 0Let the heavens 8e 5lad( the earth re9oi3eD let the vastness of 9

the roarin5 seas de/onstrate his 5lor'. 6raise hi/ for the 5rowin5 fields( for the' displa' his 5reatness. Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise. For the Lord is 3o/in5 to 9ud5e the earthD he will 9ud5e the nations fairl' and with truth*2 7nd then it 3ontinues on into 6sal/ 9$>1 and sa's( 0&ehovah is :in5* Let all the earth re9oi3e* ,ell the farthest islands to 8e 5lad.2 7LL of 3reation is 5oin5 to 8e 5lad. 7LL of 3reation is 5oin5 to re9oi3e and thats eFa3tl' the wa' it should 8e. In 6sal/ 98( verses to 9( it sa's( 0,he whole earth has seen Gods salvation of his people. ,hat is wh' the earth 8rea:s out in praise to God( and sin5s for utter 9o'*2 ,he whole earth has seen Gods salvation of his people. Isnt that enou5h to /a:e 'ou 8rea: out in praise to God and sin5 for utter 9o'; I :now as Ive had the thrill of seein5 the different /e/8ers of /' fa/il' 3o/e to the Lord( I 3ant help 8ut 9ust 8rea: out in praise and sin5 for utter 9o'. %allelu9ah* It sa's( 0+in5 'our praise a33o/panied 8' /usi3 fro/ the harp. Let the 3o/ets and tru/pets shout*2 Glor' to God* We need /ore loud /usi3 in our 3hur3hes. +o/eti/es I 5o into a 3hur3h and it feels li:e a funeral ho/e. 6raise the Lord( the 3haris/ati3 3hur3hes are reall' 3o/in5 alive and a lot of the/ have or3hestras where the 3o/ets and tru/pets reall' shout. ,he Word sa's( 01a:e a 9o'fuI s'/phon' 8efore the Lord( the Min5*2 7nd it 5oes on( 0Let the sea in all its vastness roar with praise* Let the earth and all those livin5 on it shout( KGlor' to the Lord. Let the waves 3lap their hands in 5lee( and the hills 94

sin5 out their son5s of 9o' 8efore the Lord( for he is 3o/in5 to 9ud5e the world with perfe3t 9usti3e.2 Can 'ou pi3ture in 'our /ind what God is sa'in5 here; Can 'ou i/a5ine the seas roarin5 with praise; Can 'ou see 8rea:ers hundreds of feet hi5h ra3in5 around the world roarin5 with praise; I/a5ine the sound of the entire livin5 population of the world sa'in5( 0Glor' to the Lord* 07ll this a33o/panied 8' the waves 3lappin5 their hands and the hills sin5in5 and sin5in5. Can 'ou i/a5ine the e3ho that /i5ht 3o/e fro/ 3ertain portions of hills; I 3an 9ust see a pi3ture of total worship and praise of God* 7nd pro8a8l' even the fish will 8e flappin5 their flippers* In the 7/plified 4i8le( the 1--th 6sal/ sa's( 01a:e a 9o'ful noise to the Lord( all 'ou lands* +erve the Lord with 5ladness* Co/e 8efore %is presen3e with sin5in5.2 If 'ou /a:e a 9o'ful noise unto the Lord and 'ou serve the Lord with 5ladness and 'ou 3o/e 8efore %is presen3e with sin5in5( I 3an 5uarantee 'ou that 'ou are 5oin5 to have so /u3h 9o' 'ou wont 8e a8le to 3ontain it. It sa's( 0Mnow C per3eive( re3o5niEe and understand with approval C that the Lord is God* It is %e Who has /ade us( not we ourselves ?and we are %is*@ We are %is people and the sheep of %is pasture. Gnter into %is 5ates with than:s5ivin5 and with a than: offerin5( and into %is 3ourts with praise* 4e than:ful and sa' so to %i/( 8less and affe3tionatel' praise %is na/e* For the Lord is 5ood> %is /er3' and lovin5<:indness are

9#

everlastin5D %is faithfulness and truth endure to all 5enerations.2 I 9ust love that parti3ular part of the +3ripture( 8e3ause I often thin: a8out the wa' we 5o to 3hur3h. I want to as: 'ou( 0%ow do 'ou 5o to 3hur3h;2 "o 'ou reall' 5o to 3hur3h with the 9o' of the Lord in 'our soul; "o 'ou reall' 5o to 3hur3h with all the 9o' of the Lord 9ust 8u88lin5 all over 'ou; ,hen( listen to what it sa's( 0Gnter into %is 5ates with than:s5ivin5 and with a than: offerin5.2 Gnter into %is 5ates with than:s5ivin5. What that reall' /eans is when 'our 3ar enters the par:in5 lot( 'oure enterin5 the 5ates. When 'ou rea3h the par:in5 lot( 'ou ou5ht to reall' 8e5in to than: God. 0Gnter into %is 5ates with than:s5ivin5.2 +a'( 0- Father( I than: 'ou for this 3hur3h. I than: 'ou for the opportunit' of worshipin5. I than: 'ou for the 3ar that 8rou5ht /e here. I than: 'ou for the par:in5 spa3e 'ou have reserved for /e on the par:in5 lot. - Lord( I than: 'ou for /' 3hur3h. I than: 'ou for /' pastor.2 ,hats the wa' 'ou ou5ht to 8e tal:in5 when 'ou 5et out of 'our 3ar. ,hen( did 'ou noti3e what it sa's neFt; 0...and enter %is 3ourts with praise*2 7nd thats the wa' 'ou ou5ht to 5o into the san3tuar'. +a'( 0- Lord( I praise You* I praise Your %ol' na/e* I praise You( Lord( for savin5 /e* I praise You( Lord( for the salvation of /' hus8and* I praise You( Lord( for what I/ 5oin5 to hear this /ornin5* I praise You( Father( for the Word of God*2

9.

,hats the wa' we ou5ht to 5o into 3hur3h instead of loo:in5 li:e were 5oin5 to a funeral. We ou5ht to than: God and we ou5ht to praise God. I want to 3hallen5e 'ou to tr' that neFt +unda' /ornin5 when 'ou 5o to 3hur3h. When 'ou 5et out of 'our 3ar( start than:in5 God. +tart than:in5 God for ever'thin5 'ou 3an thin: of. "id 'ou ever than: %i/ for 'our fin5ernails; "id 'ou ever than: %i/ for 'our thu/8s; "id 'ou ever than: %i/ for 'our fin5ers; ,he other da' I saw a /an who had no fin5ers. 7nd I loo:ed down at /' own hands and thou5ht( 0,han: 'ou( Lord. ,han: 'ou for five fin5ers on ea3h hand.2 ,here are so /an' thin5s for whi3h we for5et to than: God. When we 5et out of the 3ar on the par:in5 lot( thats a 8eautiful ti/e to reall' 8e5in to than: God. When we enter into the san3tuar'( thats when we reall' need to 8e5in to praise God. 6sal/ .. A7/p.B sa's( 01a:e a 9o'ful noise unto God( all the earthD +in5 forth the honor and 5lor' of %is na/eD /a:e %is praise 5lorious* +a' to God( how aweso/e and fearfull' 5lorious are Your wor:s* ,hrou5h the 5reatness of Your power shall Your ene/ies su8/it the/selves to You C with fei5ned and relu3tant o8edien3e. 7ll the earth shall 8ow down to You and sin5 praises to YouD the' shall praise Your na/e in son5. +elah. A6ause( and 3al/l' thin: of that* B0. Isaiah 49>1 A7/p.B sa's( 0+in5 for 9o'( heavens( and 8e 9o'ful( - earth( and 8rea: forth into sin5in5( - /ountainsD for the Lord has 3o/forted %is people and will have 3o/passion upon %is affli3ted.2 9$

6sal/ 81>1 A7/p.B sa's( 0+in5 aloud to God our stren5th* +hout for 9o' to the God of &a3o8*2 %ow lon5 has it 8een sin3e 'ou shouted to God; I love where it sa's in 6sal/ 4$ A7/p.B( 0- Clap 'our hands( all 'ou peoples* +hout to God with the voi3e of triu/ph and son5s of 9o'*2 Would 'ou li:e to 9ust shout 0GL)IY*2 ri5ht now; If 'ou shouted GL)IY 9ust then( it did so/ethin5 to 'ou* If 'ou didnt( I want 'ou to ta:e ti/e out ri5ht now and 9ust sa'( 0Glor'2 8e3ause shoutin5 0Glor'2 will 8rin5 9o' into 'our heart. Loo: what it sa's in the Livin5 4i8le( 6hilippians 4>4( 07lwa's 8e full of 9o' in the LordD I sa' it a5ain( re9oi3e* Let ever'one see that 'ou are unselfish and 3onsiderate in all 'ou do. Ie/e/8er that the Lord is 3o/in5 soon.2 ,he Min5 &a/es sa's( 0Ie9oi3e in the Lord alwa'> and a5ain I sa'( Ie9oi3e.2 ,he 7/plified sa's( 0Ie9oi3e in the Lord alwa's C deli5ht( 5ladden 'ourselves in %i/D a5ain I sa'( Ie9oi3e* Let all /en :now and per3eive and re3o5niEe 'our unselfishness C 'our 3onsiderateness( 'our for8earin5 spirit. ,he Lord is near C %e is 3o/in5 soon.2 When God tells us to re9oi3e alwa's( %e /eans alwa's* ,hat is not 9ust an ad/onition to re9oi3e when we feel li:e it( 8ut to re9oi3e all the ti/e* When 'our 9o' 8e5ins to run thin( it helps to ta:e a loo: at how /u3h 'ou are re9oi3in5 in the Lord* We dis3over that when we 8e5in to 5et 8o55ed down with the pro8le/s and situations of this world whi3h in3lude our offi3e and /inistr' pro8le/s( we are so 8us' tr'in5 to 3lear up situations that we 98

for5et to re9oi3e in the Lord alwa's and 9o' 8e5ins to run out fro/ underneath us* +tart loo:in5 up at the answer C the solution( and not down at the pro8le/s 'ou /i5ht 8e havin5 at this parti3ular /o/ent( and ta:e ti/e to start re9oi3in5 and see what happens* Its a/aEin5 that the 3loser we 5et to the solution or sour3e AGodB( the further awa' we 5et fro/ the pro8le/( and the s/aller the pro8le/ 8e3o/es* 0,he pro8le/s are 8uildin5( the situations are 8e3o/in5 sti3:ier and sti3:ier*2 IG&)ICG( IG&)ICG( IG&)ICG* 0,he situation is 8e3o/in5 /ore and /ore intolera8le. I feel li:e eFplodin5*2 IG&)ICG( IG&)ICG( IG&)ICG* 0I feel li:e 3li/8in5 a wall( 8e3ause the situation 5ets worse and worse*2 IG&)ICG( IG&)ICG( IG&)ICG* ,hen wat3h what happens. ,he 9o' of the Lord will return and the pro8le/s will disappear. We have done this a5ain and a5ain( and it wor:s ever' ti/e* ,r' it* %eres a 5ood one fro/ G33lesiastes 2>2. in the 7/plified 4i8le. It sa's( 0For to the person who pleases %i/ God 5ives wisdo/ and :nowled5e and 9o'D 8ut to the sinner %e 5ives the wor: of 5atherin5 and heapin5 up( that he /a' 5ive to one who pleases God.2 If that wont 5ive 'ou 9o'( nothin5 will* "id 'ou :now that the sinner is out there wor:in5 fro/ sunup tifi sundown for 'ou; %es la8orin5 and la8orin5 and eFhaustin5 hi/self( 9ust to /a:e a lot of /one'. If 'ou didnt read the rest of the +3ripture 99

'ou /i5ht possi8l' thin: that God 5ave the 8est end of the deal to the sinner( 8ut loo: wh' %es havin5 the sinner wor: so hard C so that he 3an 5ive it awa' to the one who pleases God* God 5ives 'ou wisdo/ and :nowled5e and 9o' if 'ou please %i/( and that in itself should /a:e 'ou happ'( 8ut to that %e adds the fa3t that the sinner is 'our slave. We 5et up ever' /ornin5 and sa'( 0+inners out there( wor: hard( 5ather and store up wealth( lots of it( to 5ive to Gods people( 9ust li:e %is Word sa's*2 "oesnt that 9ust let 'our 3up of 9o' overflow; "id 'ou ever wonder wh' Lehe/iah said the 9o' of the Lord was the stren5th of %is people; ,he 7/plified 4i8le eFpresses this so 8eautifull'. ,he 9o' of the Lord was their stren5th 8e3ause GEra the s3ri8e 8rou5ht the +3riptures and 0%e read fro/ it fa3in5 the 8road pla3e 8efore the Water Gate fro/ earl' /ornin5 until noon( to the /en and wo/en and those who 3ould understandD and all the people were attentive to the 8oo: of the law.2 A,hats the 4i8le( of 3ourse.B 0GEra the s3ri8e stood on a wooden pulpit( whi3h the' had /ade for the purposeD and 8eside hi/ stood Aa nu/8er of /en are listedB . . .GEra opened the 8oo: in si5ht of all the people( for he was standin5 a8ove the/D and when he opened it( all the people stood. 7nd GEra 8lessed the Lord( the 5reat God. 7nd all the people answered( 7/en( 7/en( liftin5 up their handsD and the' 8owed their heads and worshiped the Lord with fa3es to the 5round2 ALehe/iah 8> <1-B. Loo: what the' did* First of all( the people answered( 07/en( 7/en.2 LeFt( the' lifted up their 1--

hands. 7fter that the' 8owed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their fa3es to the 5round. 7nd then( it 5oes on( 0+o the' read fro/ the 8oo: of the law of God distin3tl'( faithfull' a/plif'in5 and 5ivin5 the sense( so that ?the people@ understood the readin5. 7nd Lehe/iah( who was the 5overnor( and GEra the priest and s3ri8e( and the Levites who tau5ht the people( said to all of the/. ,his da' is hol' to the Lord 'our GodD /ourn not( nor weep. For all the people wept( when the' heard the words of the law. ,hen ?GEra@ told the/( Go 'our wa'( eat the fat( drin: the sweet( and send portions to hi/ for who/ nothin5 is preparedD for this da' is hol' to our LordD and 8e not 5rieved and depressed( for the 9o' of the Lord is 'our stren5th and stron5hold.2 Lot onl' is the 9o' of the Lord 'our stren5th( its 'our stron5hold as well. 4ut wh' did the people have 9o' and wh' did the' sa' that the 9o' of the Lord was their stren5th; ,he' 5ot it 8e3ause the' listened to the Word of God. You have no idea of the hei5hts to whi3h I soar when I read the Word of God out loud. It does so/ethin5 to /' spirit and it does so/ethin5 to /' soul that nothin5 else 3an do( and the sa/e thin5 is 5oin5 to happen to 'ou. We need to read it not onl' with our e'es( 8ut we need to hear it with our own ears throu5h our own voi3e. You /i5ht have fun 5oin5 throu5h this 3hapter a5ain readin5 all the s3riptures aloud. When 'ou 5et enou5h of the Word of God down inside 'ou( 'oull dis3over that sprin5 of everlastin5 9o' will start 8u88lin5 and 8u88lin5 and 8u88lin5 over and it will

1-1

wash out the pro8le/s as it 3ontinues to 8u88le and 8u88le. In Io/ans 1#>$<11( it sa's( 0,herefore re3eive one another( as Christ also re3eived us( to the 5lor' of God. Low I sa' that &esus Christ has 8e3o/e a servant to the 3ir3u/3ision for the truth of God( to 3onfir/ the pro/ises /ade to the fathers( and that the Gentiles /i5ht 5lorif' God for %is /er3'D as it is written> For this reason I will 3onfess to You a/on5 the Gentiles( 7nd sin5 to Your na/e. 07nd a5ain he sa's( Ie9oi3e( - Gentiles( with %is people* 6raise the Lord( all 'ou Gentiles* Laud %i/( all 'ou peoples*2 ALM&NB. If 'ou want to have 9o'( start praisin5 God( start re9oi3in5( and start than:in5 %i/ and 'ou will 9ust 8e a/aEed at what happens. 94 IF Y)J IG7LLY L)NG 1G ,here are a lot of thin5s a8out God and %is Word that are a pa3:a5e deal. Youll noti3e that 9o'( praise( re9oi3in5 and than:in5 5o to5ether /an' ti/es in %is Word. When 'ou drop out one part of the pa3:a5e( its not 3o/plete( and then so/ethin5 is /issin5 in the 9o' of salvation that God has for 'ou. I ,hessalonians #>1. tells us to 0Ie9oi3e ever/ore.2 ,hat /eans 7LL ,%G ,I1G( and dont ever( ever stop* ,hen the 1$th verse sa's( 06ra' without 3easin5.2 7nd the neFt verse sa's( 0In ever' thin5 5ive than:s> for this is the will of God in Christ &esus 3on3ernin5 'ou.2 If 'ou will pra' without 3easin5 and 5ive than:s in 7LL thin5s( 'oure 5oin5 to 8e a8le to re9oi3e 1-2

/u3h 8etter than 'ou ever did 8efore. Charles and I tal: to God all the ti/e. We often sa' that all of our thou5hts are 0filtered2 throu5h God( 8e3ause we are thin:in5 to %i/ 0without 3easin52 at all ti/es( as:in5 %is advi3e( listenin5 to %i/( and than:in5 %i/ at all ti/es. Its reall' a divine 3o//uni3ation line that should 8e in use one hundred per3ent of the ti/e* You should never han5 up the re3eiver* +o/eti/es we stop when a verse sounds li:e it /i5ht have a ne5ative /eanin5( 8ut in this parti3ular 3ase( we need to 3ontinue readin5 8e3ause theres so/e 8eautiful advi3e whi3h will :eep our 9o' 8u88lin5 all the ti/e if we follow it. 0Ouen3h not the +pirit. "espise not prophes'in5s. 6rove all thin5sD hold fast that whi3h is 5ood. 78stain fro/ all appearan3e of evil. 7nd the ver' God of pea3e san3tif' 'ou wholl'D and I pra' God 'our whole spirit and soul and 8od' 8e preserved 8la/eless unto the 3o/in5 of our Lord &esus Christ2 Avs. 19<2 B. When I 5ot to the 22th verse whi3h said( 078stain fro/ all appearan3e of evil(2 I 3ouldnt help 8ut thin: of a /an we had the opportunit' of /eetin5 re3entl'. %e was not an edu3ated /an. %e wasnt a learned /an. 7s a /atter of fa3t( he wasnt a ver' super sharp /an at all* %e was a3tuall' a little on the dull side( if 'ou wanted to 3onsider his /entalit'. 4ut he had a love of God and a sin3erit' that was as 8eautiful as an'thin5 Ive ever seen in /' entire life. I loved what he said to /e> 0,he da' that I was saved( God delivered /e of whis:e'. 7nd do 'ou want /e to tell 'ou so/ethin5 else;2 he said( 0God 1-

doesnt even let /e 5o into a pla3e where the' serve it. %e 9ust said to /e one ni5ht( KI dont want 'ou to 5o in where the' sell li=uor( and I dont want 'ou to even 5o in there and sit 9ust to eat. I want 'ou to a8stain fro/ all appearan3e of evil.2 0+o(2 he 3ontinued( 0I 9ust =uit* I wont 5o an' pla3e where the' serve an'thin5 al3oholi3.2 7nd I thou5ht( oh( how 8eautiful to have su3h a si/ple faith* %e 9ust read in the 4i8le( 078stain fro/ all appearan3e of evil(2 and he said( 0I 9ust dont want an'8od' to thin: that I a/ drin:in5 an'/ore( so thats wh' I dont even 5o in there.2 6sal/ #>11 sa's> 04ut let all those that put their trust in thee re9oi3e> let the/ ever shout for 9o'( 8e3ause thou defendest the/> let the/ also that love th' na/e 8e 9o'ful in thee.2 ,he last part of that verse tou3hes /' heart over and over a5ain 8e3ause if we reall' love God( were 5oin5 to 8e 9o'ful in %i/. Lets love and love and love( so that we will have 9o'( 9o'( &)Y* 6ut all of 'our trust in %i/ and re9oi3eD 'ou 3an even shout and no one will /ind* I %7NG &)Y*

I %7NG &)Y**

I %7NG &)Y***

1-4

CHAPTER FIVE If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL SHOUT THE WORD I/ a nois' Christian* 7nd 5lad of it* I shout the Word all the ti/e* When we reall' learn to shout the Word of God fro/ our heart( it will help us wal: in 5lorious vi3tor' ever' da' of our life( rain or shine* Words paint pi3tures whether we whisper the/( sin5 the/( or shout the/* If I told 'ou a8out the 8eautiful hot pin: aEaleas that are 8loo/in5 in front of our house ri5ht now( thats what 'ou would pi3ture in 'our /ind. If I tal:ed a8out the 8lue8onnets alon5 the hi5hwa'( 'ou would instantl' see 8lue8onnets* If I tal:ed a8out the worlds 8est hus8and( 'ou would instantl' pi3ture Charles in 'our /ind( or at least I would* 4e3ause words paint pi3tures( we need to 8e eFtre/el' 3areful of the :ind of pi3tures we paint. I 3ant ta:e a 8rush and a33o/plish an'thin5( 8ut I 3an do a lot of paintin5 with words( and so 3an 'ou( providin5 'ou use the Word of God. Words 5ive awa' whats reall' inside 'our heart. ,he Word sa's( 0)ut of the a8undan3e of the heart( the /outh spea:s*2 You 3an sa' /an' 5reat< soundin5 thin5s( 8ut 'our words will eventuall' 5ive 'ou awa'. "id 'ou ever tr' to tell a lie when 'ou were a :id; I did* When 'ou tell a lie( 'ou paint a pi3ture 1-#

with words( and the neFt ti/e 'ou paint the pi3ture 'ou have to paint it a little 8i55er than it was the first ti/e 8e3ause 'ou have to tr' to 3over the last pi3ture 'ou painted. ,hen 'ou dis3over that 'ou eventuall' 5et to the point where 'ou dont paint the pi3ture the wa' 'ou did at all in the 8e5innin5* You dont even realiEe 'ou have distorted the truth 8e3ause 'ou have 8een so 8us' paintin5 over the truth that 'ou dont even re/e/8er what the truth was to 8e5in with* I will never for5et the 3onsu/in5 lie I told when I was a little 5irl. I was alwa's so /u3h 8i55er than an'one in /' 3lass that I wanted to 3ut off a8out siF in3hes of /' le5s 8e3ause I towered over all the 8o's. ,he other 5irls were petite( 5ra3eful and 3har/in5( and I pi3tured /'self as a 8i5 3ow who fell all over the pla3e. 6raise God( I dont worr' a8out thin5s li:e that an' /ore( 8e3ause sin3e I 5ot saved Ive dis3overed I/ a 8eautiful person 8e3ause Ive 8een 3reated in the i/a5e of God. I/ s/art( too( 8e3ause I have the /ind of Christ* ,hats the pi3ture God painted on /' //d when I was saved* It sa's so in %is Word* I re/e/8er I wanted to i/press /' s3hool/ates so /u3h( 8ut /' fa/il' was so poor I had onl' one dress all 'ear lon5 and if it wore out( I had to :eep on wearin5 it. We had one pair of shoes all 'ear lan5 and if the' wore out( we didnt have an' /ore shoes until the neFt 'ear* )ne ti/e in s3hool the' as:ed how /an' of us had parents who were 8orn overseas. +o/e :ids raised their hands. ,hen the tea3her said( 1-.

0Grandparents who were 8orn overseas(2 and /an' /ore raised their hands. ,hen 05reat<5randparents2 and al/ost ever'one raised their hands eF3ept /e. 1' people were all poor far/ers who 3a/e fro/ the river 8otto/s in Illinois( and as the tea3her :ept 3o/in5 around the roo/ as:in5 the other :ids the 3ountr' their relatives 3a/e fro/( I sat there li:e a little u5l' du3:lin5( and finall' raised /' hand. 0Yes( Fran3es(2 the tea3her said. With a po:er fa3e I said( 01' 5randfather is an In< than*2 0Ieall'( what tri8e did he 3o/e out of;2 ,he onl' one I had ever heard of was Chero:ee( so I said( 0Chero:ee C hes full<8looded Chero:ee*2 0,ell us a8out 'our 5randfather.2 0Well( he has hi5h<3hee: 8ones( and hes 5ot 8la3: e'es. A7nd there wasnt a 8la3:<e'ed person in our entire fa/il'. We all had 8lue e'es( 8ut I :new Indians didnt have 8lue e'es* B...7nd hes 5ot lon5 8la3: hair. 7nd he wears feathers and he does Indian dan3es( and he is 3hief of the tri8e( 8ut he lives so far awa' he 3ould never 3o/e to s3hool.2 I had painted a pi3ture that was a lie( and it 5ot /e into one of the 8i55est /esses I ever 5ot in with /' dadd'* I 3ouldnt sit down for a wee:* You see( words do tell whats in our hearts. I wanted to 8e so/e8od' and I thou5ht if I was an Indian 3hiefs 5randdau5hter( that would /a:e /e so/e8od'. It did. It /ade /e one 8i5 liar. Words also tell 'our failures and 'our hearta3hes. I was tal:in5 to a wo/an at a 3onferen3e 5round and all she 3ould tell /e was how 8adl' her hus8and had treated her. ,he words 1-$

she was spea:in5 were tellin5 /e what was on the inside of her heart...8itterness( resent/ent( an5er( hate( and 9ealous' of the other wo/an. +he thou5ht she was paintin5 a pi3ture that would /a:e /e s'/pathiEe with her( 8ut her words were paintin5 a pi3ture to /e of eFa3tl' what thin5s were in her heart C all of the/ uns3riptural C and what unfor5iveness* Its a/aEin5 how our fears and our hearta3hes and our failures are re5istered in the words we sa'. Words 3an also /a:e thin5s happen. ,here are three words that 3an /a:e /ore happen than an'thin5 else. IL &G+J+ L71G* If we would 9ust 5et so Word<oriented that we would spea: nothin5 eF3ept the words that 3o/e out of the 4i8le( we would have the stron5est vo3a8ular' in the world. I used to thin: I had one of the stron5est vo3a8ularies in the world 8efore I 5ot saved( 8ut it was reall' a wea: one. 7 stron5 vo3a8ular' is one that will a33o/plish thin5s. 7nd so when 'our vo3a8ular' 8e3o/es the Word of God( when 'ou 8e5in not onl' to spea: the Word( 8ut a3tuall' 8e5in to shout it( 5reat and eF3itin5 thin5s are 5oin5 to happen in 'our life. Words also 5loriousl' 8less or revoltin5l' 3urse. %avent 'ou ever 8een 8lessed when so/eone said( 01ar'( I reall' appre3iate 'ou.2 ,hats a lot /ore 8lessed than if 'ou said( 01ar'( 'ou stin:*2 Gver' da' I tell Charles that he is the worlds 8est hus8and and he 5ets 8lessed ever' ti/e I sa' it. It never 5ets old. 7nd thats s3riptural( too. ,he Word sa's( 0Wives should hi5hl' praise their hus8and.2 Lot onl' that( 8ut when I sa' that( Charles isnt a8out to 1-8

prove /e wron5( so he :eeps on 8ein5 the worlds 8est hus8and* ,he siFth verse of 6hile/on sa's( 0,hat the 3o//uni3ation of th' faith /a' 8e3o/e effe3tual 8' the a3:nowled5in5 of ever' 5ood thin5 whi3h is in 'ou in Christ &esus.2 It sa's to a3:nowled5e GNGIY 5ood thin5 whi3h is in 'ou in Christ &esus. When God saved /e( if I had :ept /' /outh shut( I would have never a3:nowled5ed that %e saved /e( 8ut if I sa'( 0,han: 'ou( Lord( for savin5 /' soul(2 I a/ a3:nowled5in5 so/ethin5 5ood that %e has done for /e. ,he 7/plified 4i8le sa's( 0?7nd I pra'@ that the parti3ipation in and sharin5 of 'our faith /a' produ3e and pro/ote full re3o5nition and appre3iation and understandin5 and pre3ise :nowled5e of ever' 5ood ?thin5@ that is ours in ?our identifi3ation with@ Christ &esus C and unto ?%is 5lor'@.2 ,hat verse 5ives 'ou four thin5s. It sa's as 'ou share 'our faith( as 'ou parti3ipate in the faith of other people( it produ3es full re3o5nition( appre3iation( understandin5 and pre3ise :nowled5e of ever' 5ood thin5 that is ours in our identifi3ation with Christ &esus. We need to tell people of the 5ood thin5s God has done for us. Lot onl' 8' our own words 8ut 8' the Word of God. 7nd if 'ou paraphrase the Word of God( thats all ri5ht. ,he /ain thin5s 'ou need to :now are the prin3iples in the Word of God. ,he Word of God has not lost its a8ilit' to produ3e( 8e3ause the a8ilit' of the Word of God is 5uaranteed 8' the author of the a8ilit' C thats 1-9

God* Gods Word 3an never 8e 3hallen5ed( 8e3ause %e is the author and finisher of our faith and ever'thin5 that %e sa's is true. ,he Word is full of 3reative a8ilit'. If we 3ould 9ust understand that( we 3ould 3all into 8ein5 those thin5s whi3h 8e not as thou5h the' were. We have 3reative power in our /ouths* You will have 3reative a8ilit' in 'our /outh if 'ou will learn to spea: and shout the Word. 1an' of us would honestl' have to sa'( if we :ept tra3: of our ti/e( that we spend /ore ti/e tal:in5 a8out the devil than a8out God* ,hin: a8out the 3onversations 'ou have with the people 'ou /eet all da' lon5. ,here was an old son5 entitled 0733entuate the 6ositive( Gli/inate the Le5ative.2 I dont :now whether or not the person who wrote that was a Christian( 8ut he reall' said a 5ood thin5. We need to operate in the positive* ,he Word of God is alwa's positive. ,he devil is alwa's ne5ative. %e /a' see/ li:e hes positive( 8ut hes ne5ative( and he is alwa's a5ainst Gods Word* I have heard students at 4i8le Colle5es sa'( 0I 9ust dont see/ to 8e 5ettin5 ver' /u3h out of s3hool. 1' faith isnt in3reasin5 at all. ,he' 9ust dont tea3h the ri5ht su89e3ts*2 Fro/ whose 8oo: is that re/ar: ta:en; ,he devils 8i8le. If the' would learn to sa'( 04o'( I a/ 5oin5 to learn ever'thin5 availa8le in this s3hool. 1' faith has reall' learned to es3alate and now I/ 8e5innin5 to shout* I/ never 5oin5 to 8e a se3ret<servi3e Christian a5ain. I a/ 5oin5 to 8e a 8i5 loud/outh* I/ 5oin5 to 8e the 8i55est 8la88er/outh that ever eFisted in the whole Jnited +tates*2 11-

,hen we 5o shoppin5 and how /an' do 'ou thin: 5et ne5ative on a shoppin5 8in5e; Glor' to God C two pairs of e'elashes and one 3an of shri/p C P...--* Wow* "o 'ou realiEe that we spend a tre/endous a/ount of ti/e 5ripin5 to ea3h other a8out the 3ost of food; We sa'( 0)h( I 3ant 8elieve those pri3es. ,he' are terri8le* I 3ant 8elieve it*2 We waste /u3h of our ti/e and ener5' in thin5s that are reall' devil tal:. I 3an 5uarantee 'ou that 'ou 3ould stand in that store and tal: with the /ana5er and sa'( 0I thin: this is an a8solute outra5e. Wh'( I/ not 5oin5 to pa' that /u3h for a pa3:a5e of 3heese. I/ not 5oin5 to pa' that /u3h for a 5allon of /il:.2 %e wouldnt 3han5e his pri3es 8e3ause he has no 3hoi3e. +tores 3ertainl' are not of the devil( 8ut ri5ht now the devil is 3ontrollin5 the finan3es of the world. "o 'ou :now what I would do instead; I would sa'( 0I than: 'ou( Lord. You provide all /' needs a33ordin5 to 'our ri3hes in 5lor' 8' Christ &esus. You provide all of /' needs. I need a 5allon of /il: toda'( Lord( and I than: 'ou that 'ou provide all /' needs.2 We had an interestin5 thin5 happen in a servi3e the other ni5ht. "urin5 the offerin5 I had ever'one pass their wallets to the person neFt to the/( 8e3ause we were 5oin5 to pra' for a return of the /one' the' 5ave to God. I said( 0You alwa's have /ore faith to pra' for the person neFt to 'ou than 'ou have for 'ourself.2 )ne /an handed his e/pt' wallet to the person neFt to hi/( and when he 5ot the wallet 8a3:( there 111

was a P#.-- 8ill in it* %e 5ot so eF3ited 8e3ause there was a8solutel' L),%ILG in it when he handed it over. ,he person who held it said he didnt put the P#.-- 8ill in there. 4ut there it was* Wh'; 4e3ause we were spea:in5 positivel' that 01' God shall suppl' all 'our need a33ordin5 to his ri3hes in 5lor' 8' Christ &esus2 A6hilippians 4>19B. We were spea:in5 the Word. We were not spea:in5 the devils word( we were spea:in5 Gods Word* ,he reason I sa' +%)J, is 8e3ause we have too /an' whisperin5 Christians. ,he' shout over ever'thin5 else( 8ut the' 3ant shout over what God has done for the/. Youd 8e surprised at the end of a /ira3le servi3e or durin5 a /ira3le servi3e( when people are soverei5nl' healed in the audien3e and the' 3o/e up and I as: the/ what God did for the/( the' sa' the answer in su3h whispered tones that I have to as: the/ over and over 8efore I 3an finall' understand the/. Ievelation 1>#(. sa's> 07nd fro/ &esus Christ( who is the faithful witness( and the first 8e5otten of the dead( and the prin3e of the :in5s of the earth. Jnto hi/ that loved us( and washed us fro/ our sins in his own 8lood( 7nd hath /ade us :in5s and priests unto God and his FatherD to hi/ 8e 5lor' and do/inion for ever and ever.2 You have 8e3o/e a ro'al ra3e. When 'ou were 8orn a5ain 8' the +pirit of God( 'ou 8e3a/e a :in5 and a priest. "o 'ou thin: thats worthwhile shoutin5 a8out; I do* If 'ou went to Gn5land and the Oueen passed 8'( 'oud hear /ore shoutin5 than 'ou ever hear in so/e 3hur3hes* 112

We hear people shoutin5 a8out al/ost ever'thin5 these da's* I turned television on one /ornin5 when I was tea3hin5 on this su89e3t 8e3ause I wanted to hear a few 3o//er3ials( and I heard so/eone +%)J,ILG a8out a wonderful 3ereal. ,he' indi3ated if I ate it I would have the fi5ure of a 'oun5 athlete. I/ not interested in havin5 the fi5ure of a 'oun5 athlete( 8e3ause I/ not the t'pe to have 8ul5in5 /us3les( 8ut as the' sat there sa'in5( 0%////nirn///nun( oh( this 3ereal is so 5ood*2 it /ade /e want to 5o out and 8u' so/e an'wa'* ,he' were shoutin5 a8out it and ravin5 a8out how fantasti3 it was* Weve 5ot a lot /ore to shout a8out than so/e 3ereal thats over< 3oated with su5ar* 7nother 3o//er3ial whi3h reall' 05ets2 /e 3on3erns sha/poo* Ive alwa's had real ta3:' hair. ,hats wh' I wear wi5s* Ive alwa's had super<thin( super<oil'( super<fine 8a8' hair. You have to wash it ever' thirteen /inutes if 'ou want to :eep the oil out of it. ,hats a sli5ht eFa55eration( 8ut 'ou 5ot the point( didnt 'ou; If 'ouve 8een 8orn with that :ind of hair( 'ou alwa's appre3iate those people who have lon5 flowin5 hair. Well( here 3o/es a 8eautiful 5irl with thi3: lustrous lon5 hair( 9ust havin5 8een sha/pooed with 0sli3:'<tri3:' sha/poo2. +he throws her head sidewa's li:e a ra3e horse( and her hair flies in one 5or5eous swin5 a3ross her fa3e. ,his 8eautiful( perfe3tl' washed shin' /op of hair flies in front of her fa3e in perfe3t order and then she turns her head the other wa'( and the hair 5ra3efull' flows around and loo:s 5or5eous

11

all the ti/e* ,he i/pli3ation and the words 8ehind this sa' that the sa/e thin5 will happen to 'our hair. When I was 'oun5( I fell for all that :ind of advertisin5. I would 5et in front of the /irror after usin5 it( and all Id end up with would 8e a wet( strin5' little /op of thin hair that would 9ust lie there and loo: li:e a wet( strin5' little /op of thin hair* 4ut those people went on da' after da' pro/isin5 what the sha/poo would do. Ive washed /' hair all /' life( and it alwa's ta:es one hour to 5o pffft( re5ardless of the :ind of sha/poo I use* 4ut the're still shoutin5 a8out it* ,hen theres alwa's the ,N 3o//er3ial with a 8eautiful s'lph<li:e 5irl who has on a ver' 5ossa/er ni5ht5own( and shes 8oun3in5 on a 08eddie<8'e2 /attress. +he flies all over the pla3e( and the announ3er insists that 'oull loo: li:e that if 'ou sleep on one of those /attresses* Youve 5ot to 8e :iddin5* Youve 5ot to 8e :iddin5* I dont 3are if 'ou pile five of those on /' 8ed( I still would never loo: li:e that when I wa:e up. 4ut those sa/e people have 8een shoutin5 that for as lon5 as television has 8een invented. ,he're shoutin5 and s3rea/in5( 0Gat this 3ereal( sleep on this K8eddie< 8'e /attress( swish 'our head all around....2 ,hen 3a/e the frostin5 on the 3a:e. ,here is a new 8rand of 3olo5ne that is supposed to 8e a8solutel' irresisti8le. ,he' insist that a treasure of surprises awaits 'ou if 'ou wear the 3olo5ne that 8rin5s out the 8east in /en. I had so/e( so I put it on and 8e5an to visualiEe what would happen to /e on the wa' to our offi3e if the thin5s the world +%)J,+ a8out were reall' true* I 5ave /'self an 114

eFtra dose to /a:e sure that I would 8e utterl' irresisti8le to an'one who 3a/e within twent' /iles of /e. ,here is one stop<and<5o si5n on the wa' to the offi3e( and sure enou5h( I 5ot stopped there. "o 'ou :now what happened; 1en 5ot out of their 3ars on the freewa' one<half /ile awa' and 8e5an to run to sniff this 3reature who s/elled so 5ood* What a traffi3 9a/ o33urred 8e3ause the 8reeEe 3arried the fra5ran3e up and down the hi5hwa'* ,he /en 3ould not sta' in their 3ars* Low( I want to tell 'ou the truth. ,hat was a 8i5 lie* "o 'ou :now what reall' happened; I stopped at the si5n( and no8od' 5ot out of their 3ar. ,he' 9ust sat there li:e the' didnt even :now I was in there( s/ellin5 all over the pla3e. I even rolled the window in /' 3ar down so that the fra5ran3e 3ould 5et out a little 8etter( 8ut it didnt do a thin5* ,he world 67Y+ to shout that stuff on television* 7dvertisin5 3o/panies pa' a lot of /one' to 5et up and shout a8out 9un:. %ow /an' of us would 8e willin5 to pa' to 5et up and shout a8out &esus; 7nd 'et( weve 5ot a produ3t that 3ant 8e 8eat* I/ 5oin5 to 5ive 'ou so/e statisti3s that are reall' interestin5. ,he word 0pro3lai/2 or 0pro3lai/ed2 is used fort' ti/es in the 4i8le. ,he word 0spea:2 is used over #11 ti/es. God thin:s the word 0spea:2 is prett' 5ood. God 3o//anded 1oses to spea: to Israel over fift' ti/es. God said( 01oses( tell Israel this.2 God said( 01oses( spea:.2 7nd ever' ti/e God had 1oses spea:( what did %e have hi/ spea:; ,he Word of God. You 3an 11#

8elieve that %e did not have 1oses out there tellin5 so/e of these fantasti3 fi8s. 1a'8e fi8s isnt the 3orre3t wordD /a'8e eFa55erations would 8e 8etter. ,he words 0spea:eth2( 0spea:in52 and 0spo:e2 are used 1#2 ti/es. 7dd these all up. 0+po:en2 is used 28$ ti/es. 0+hout2 is used # ti/es. 0+houted2 is used 2$ ti/es. ,here are 1 ti/es in the 4i8le where we are 3o//anded to shout( and tre/endous thin5s happen when 'ou 5et 'our voi3e lifted up and 'ou 8e5in to shout to God. 6sal/ 4$>1 sa's> 0- Clap 'our hands( all 'e peopleD +%)J, unto God with the voi3e of triu/ph2. It doesnt sa'( 0Whisper( 'ou little 8itt' 3hara3ters down there.2 It sa's( 0+%)J, unto God with a voi3e of triu/ph.2 +%)J,* Get 'our voi3e up so people 3an hear 'ou. +%)J, unto God with a voi3e of triu/ph. 6sal/ #>11 sa's> 04ut let all those re9oi3e who put their trust in YouD let the/ ever +%)J, for 9o'2 ALM&NB. +%)J, for 9o'* I/ a nois' Christian. "o 'ou :now wh' I have so /u3h 9o'; 4e3ause I shout all over the pla3e. ,hin: a8out that verse( 0Let the/ ever shout for 9o'( 8e3ause 'ou defend the/> let those also who love 'our na/e 8e 9o'ful in 'ou2 ALM&NB. Let the/ that love Your na/e 8e &)YFJL in 'ou. Glor' to God* Its a 3o//and of God that we are to 8e 9o'ful. We shouldnt 8e wal:in5 around with lon5 po:er fa3es loo:in5 /isera8le* ,here should 8e su3h a dan3e in our feet and su3h a son5 in our hearts that we want to dan3e all over the pla3e all the ti/e. ,he 9o' of the Lord is so/ethin5 to shout a8out*

11.

I personall' 3ant stand still durin5 a worship servi3e. I/ standin5 up 9i55in5 all over the pla3e all the ti/e. You ou5ht to let 'our whole 8od' :now 'oure worshippin5 God* We need to 8e vo3al Christians C alive Christians. God is raisin5 up an ar/' of shouters in these da's* %es raisin5 up an ar/' of people who are not asha/ed of the 5ospel of the Lord &esus Christ. 6sal/ 2>11 sa's( 04e 5lad in the Lord and re9oi3e( 'ou ri5hteousD and +%)J, for 9o'( all 'ou upri5ht in heart2 ALM&NB. You 3ant shout for God if 'oure not upri5ht in heart. 6sal/ #>2$ sa's> 0Let the/ +%)J, for 9o' and 8e 5lad( who favor /' ri5hteous 3auseD and let the/ sa' 3ontinuall'( KLet the Lord 8e /a5nified( who has pleasure in the prosperit' of his servant2 ALM&NB. "id 'ou :now that God has pleasure in 'our prosperit'; God does not have pleasure in 'our povert'. God has pleasure in 'our prosperit'* ,%7LM Y)J( L)I"* ,%7LM Y)J( L)I"* ,%7LM Y)J ,%7, Y)J W7L, 1G ,) 6I)+6GI. %7LLGLJ&7%* GL)IY* GL)IY* GL)IY* GL)IY ,) G)"* ,han: 'ou( Father* I 3an 9ust see those finan3es rollin5 into the /inistr'. ,han: 'ou( Lord* I 3an see 'ou /eetin5 /' ever' need* Glor' C %is Word sa's( 0+%)J, for 9o'*2 6sal/ 1 2>9 sa's( 0Let 'our priests 8e 3lothed with ri5hteousness*2 ALM&NB You and I have 8een /ade :in5s and priests 8e3ause of &esus. ,herefore we are 3lothed in the ro8es of ri5hteousness( so it sa's( 0Let the priests 8e 3lothed with ri5hteousness( and let 'our saints +%)J, for 9o'2 ALM&NB 11$

+%)J, for 9o'* +%)J, for 9o'* If God sa's so/ethin5 one ti/e in the 4i8le( thats 5ood enou5h reason to do what %e sa's( 8ut when %e 3o//ands 'ou thirteen ti/es( %e /eans 8usiness a8out shoutin5* 6sal/ 1 2>1. ALM&NB sa's> 0I will also 3lothe her priests with salvation( and her saints shall +%)J, aloud for 9o'.2 1' 3up runneth over( Father. Glor' to God* 1' 3up of 9o' is runnin5 over( runnin5 over( runnin5 over* ,here is a tre/endous stor' in &oshua .>1<#. It sa's( 0Low &eri3ho was se3urel' shut up 8e3ause of the 3hildren of IsraelD none went out( and none 3a/e in. 7nd the Lord said to &oshua> K+ee* I have 5iven &eri3ho into 'our hand( its :in5( and the /i5ht' /en of valor. KYou shall /ar3h around the 3it'( all 'ou /en of warD 'ou shall 5o all around the 3it' on3e. ,his 'ou shall do siF da's. 7nd seven priests shall 8ear seven tru/pets of ra/s horns 8efore the ar:. 4ut the seventh da' 'ou shall /ar3h around the 3it' seven ti/es( and the priests shall 8low the tru/pets. ,hen it shall 3o/e to pass( when the' /a:e a lon5 8last with the ra/s horn( and when 'ou hear the sound of the tru/pet( that all the people shall shout with a 5reat shoutD then the wall of the 3it' will fall down flat. 7nd the people shall 5o up ever' /an strai5ht 8efore hi/2 ALM&NB. Low God /ust have thou5ht there was power in shoutin5. "ont 'ou thin: it would 8e a ridi3ulous thin5 to 8uild a 8i5 wall wide enou5h for a 3ar to drive around it( and sa'( 0Go around it siF da's. "ont open 'our /outh. Meep 'our /outh shut. 4ut 118

on that seventh da'( let 5o( let it out( +%)J,( and the wall will 5o down so flat that there is no ru88le there. You will 8e a8le to wal: ri5ht strai5ht on top( on level 5round.2 Continuin5 at the tenth verse> 0Low &oshua had 3o//anded the people( sa'in5( KYou shall not shout or /a:e an' noise with 'our voi3e( nor shall an' word pro3eed out of 'our /outh( until the da' I sa' to 'ou( 0+hout*2 ,hen 'ou shall shout.2 It 3ontinues 0+o he had the ar: of the Lord 3ir3le the 3it'( 5oin5 around it on3e. ,hen the' 3a/e into the 3a/p and lod5ed in the 3a/p. 7nd &oshua rose earl' in the /ornin5( and the priests too: up the ar: of the Lord. ,hen seven priests 8earin5 seven tru/pets of ra/s horns 8efore the ar: of the Lord went on 3ontinuall' and 8lew with the tru/pets. 7nd the ar/ed /en went 8efore the/. 4ut the rear 5uard 3a/e after the ar: of the Lord( while the priests 3ontinued 8lowin5 the tru/pets. 7nd the se3ond da' the' /ar3hed around the 3it' on3e and returned to the 3a/p. +o the' did siF da's.2 ,he' did this for siF strai5ht da's* "o 'ou have an' idea how their faith was risin5 up; "o 'ou see wh' God 11- IF Y)J IG7LLY L)NG 1G told the/ to 5o around it siF da's; If %e had said( 0You 5o out there and shout( the wall is 5oin5 to fall down(2 it wouldnt have reall' done ver' /u3h for the/. I 3an 9ust see the/ 5oin5 around and around* )ne da'( siF to 5o. ,wo da's( five to 5o. ,hree da's( four to 5o. Four da's( three to 5o. Five da's( two to 5o( siF da's( one to 5o* Cant 'ou see the 119

anti3ipation risin5 up in those individuals until the' said( 0,o/orrow is the da'*2 "o 'ou thin: an'one slept that ni5ht; I dont thin: there was a sin5le person who slept. I 3an hear the/ sa'in5( 0W)W* What do 'ou thin: is reall' 5oin5 to happen;2 ,heir anti3ipation was eFplodin5. ,his is wh' God often allows us a waitin5 period so that our faith will in3rease* For several 'ears I have 3onfessed a /illion dollars 3ornin5 into our /inistr'. Gver' da' that it doesnt arrive( /' faith in3reases* Wh'; 4e3ause I :now its one da' 3loser to the ti/e when it will arrive. ,hat was 9ust li:e these /en* ,he' :ept sa'in5( 0)ne da' less( 9ust one da' less( one da' less.2 7nd then if 'ou reall' 8elieve it with all 'our heart and soul( 'oure 5oin5 to :now that that da' is so/eda' 5oin5 to 5et there. 7nd when %unter 1inistries 5ets a /illion dollars( do 'ou :now what I/ 5oin5 to do; I/ 5oin5 to +%)J,* 7/ I ever 5oin5 to shout* Ive 8een shoutin5 a8out it for 'ears( so when it finall' 5ets here( I/ 5oin5 to shout so loud the'll 8e a8le to hear /e all the wa' over in 7fri3a. ,hen the Word sa's( 04ut it 3a/e to pass on the seventh da'( that the' rose earl'( 0A,he' werent 5oin5 to sleep that da'*B 0...a8out the dawnin5 of the da'( and /ar3hed around the 3it' seven ti/es in the sa/e /anner. )n that da' onl' the' /ar3hed around the 3it' seven ti/es2 ALM&NB. Low what else were the' doin5; ,he' were 8ein5 o8edient to God. ,he' onl' wal:ed around one ti/e ever' da'. ,he' did not whisper( nor did the' /a:e a sound in those siF da's. "o 'ou have 12-

an' idea what a hi:e it is to 5o around &eri3ho seven ti/es; ,he' didnt shout on the first ti/e around. +hhh. ,he' didnt shout on the se3ond. ,hird( fourth( fifth( siFth.. .shhh. ,hen it sa's( 07nd the seventh ti/e it was so( when the priests 8lew the tru/pets( that &oshua said to the people> K+%)J,( for the Lord has 5iven 'ou the 3it'.2 "o 'ou :now what happened; ,he' +%)J,G"* %ow loud do 'ou thin: the' shouted; +uper loud* Nerse 2- sa's> 0+o the people +%)J,G" when the priests 8lew the tru/pets. 7nd it happened when the people heard the sound of the tru/pet( and the people shouted with a 5reat shout( that the wall fell down FL7,. ,hen the people went up into the 3it'( ever' /an strai5ht 8efore hi/( and the' too: the 3it'.2 Wh' did it happen; 4e3ause the' +%)J,G". ,he' didnt softl' sa'( 0Would 'ou please fall down;2 ,he' +%)J,G"* Its ti/e that all Christians 8e5an to shout* Isaiah( 3hapter 12( sa's( 07nd in that da' 'ou will sa'( K- Lord( I will praise YouD ,hou5h You were an5r' with /e( Your an5er is turned awa'( and You 3o/fort /e. 4ehold( God is /' salvation( I will trust and not 8e afraid( for Y7%( the Lord( is /' stren5th and /' son5D %e also has 8e3o/e /' salvation. ,herefore with 9o' 'ou will draw water fro/ the wells of salvation. 7nd in that da' 'ou will sa'( K6raise the Lord( 3all upon %is na/eD de3lare %is deeds a/on5 the peoples( /a:e /ention that %is na/e is eFalted. +in5 to the Lord( for %e has 121

done eF3ellent thin5sD ,his is :nown in all the earth. Cr' out and +%)J,( - inha8itant of Qion( for 5reat is the %ol' )ne of Israel in 'our /idst2 ALM&NB. If 'ou are ever down in the du/ps and depressed( 9ust read that passa5e over and over and see what it does to 'ou* 7nd then when 'ou 5et to the end( it sa's( 0Cr' out and shout( ) inha8itant of Qion( for 5reat is the %ol' )ne of Israel in 'our /idst.2 You +%)J, those sa/e words* God is in the /idst of 'ou 8e3ause &esus lives inside of 'ou. If ever'thin5 else in 'our world falls apartD if ever'thin5 else 5oes wron5( do 'ou :now that 'ouve still 5ot so/ethin5 to shout a8out; You 3an +%)J, 8e3ause &esus lives inside of 'ou. Isaiah 42>1-( 11 ALM&NB sa's> 0+in5 unto the Lord a new son5( and %is praise fro/ the ends of the earth( 'ou who 5o down to the sea( and all that is in it( You 3oast< lands and 'ou inha8itants of the/* Let the wilderness and the 3ities lift up their voi3e( the villa5es that Medar inha8its. Let the inha8itants of +ela sin5....2 In other words( if 'ou live inside of a ro3: A&esusB( sin5. 0...let the/ +%)J, fro/ the top of the /ountains.2 "id 'ou ever 5o on top of a /ountain and shout; You :now there are so/e pla3es where 'ou 3an 5o where there is a tre/endous e3ho and 'ou 3an 5et up there and shout( 0&G+J+*2 and it 3o/es 8a3:( &G+J+( &G+J+( &esus( &esus( &esus( &esus( &esus. You 3an hear 'ourself shoutin5 over and over a5ain. In the house where Charles and I lived when we were first /arried there was a 8i5 8rass plate on the wall in our dinin5 roo/( and there was one pla3e 122

where 'ou 3ould sit and loo: that plate s=uarel' in the fa3e and shout( 0&G+J+*2 and that 8rass plate would sa' it 8a3: to 'ou a8out fift' ti/es. It onl' happened fro/ one pla3e and that was the pla3e where I alwa's sat in the dinin5 roo/. What a pla3e to shout fro/* I 3ould 9ust sit there and sa' 0&esus2 one ti/e and then sit 8a3: and en9o' the rest of it. ,he Word tells us to +%)J,* Glor' to God* +%)J, it fro/ the housetops and the top of the /ountains* We alwa's ou5ht to 8e so eF3ited a8out &esus that we 3ant 8e =uiet. Isaiah 44>2 ALM&NB sa's> 0+in5( - heavens( for the Lord has done it* +%)J,( 'ou lower parts of the earthD 8rea: forth into sin5in5( 'ou /ountains( forest( and ever' tree in it* For the Lord has redee/ed &a3o8( 7nd 5lorified %i/self in Israel.2 It sa's +%)J,( +%)J,* Let the redee/ed of the Lord sa' so. +a' it so loud that the world 3an hear 'ou. Qephaniah >14 sa's( 0+in5( - dau5hter of Qion* +%)J,( - Israel* 4e 5lad and re9oi3e with all 'our heart( - dau5hter of &erusale/*2 ALM&NB It sa's( +%)J,( +%)J,( +%)J,* Qe3hariah 9>9 ALM&NB 3ontains the last of the thirteen 3o//ands that God 5ave us to shout in %is Word. It sa's> 0Ie9oi3e 5reatl'( - dau5hter of Qion* +%)J,( - dau5hter of &erusale/* 4ehold( 'our Min5 is 3o/in5 to 'ouD %e is 9ust and havin5 salvation( Lowl' and ridin5 on a don:e'( 7 3olt( the foal of a don:e'.2 Wh' should we shout; 4e3ause the Min5 of the &ews is 5oin5 to 3o/e ridin5 in. ,his is prophe3' in the )ld ,esta/ent( that the Min5 is 5oin5 to 3o/e in and %es 5oin5 to 8e 12

ridin5 on a don:e'. 7nd the' said thats so/ethin5 thats worthwhile +%)J,ILG a8out. Glor' to God* ,he word 0/outh2 is used 41$ ti/es in Gods Word. ,here is onl' one wa' I :now of to shout and thats with 'our /outh. You 3an 3lap 'our hands all 'e people( 8ut it stifi sa's +%)J, unto God with a voi3e of triu/ph. WG LGG" ,) +,7I, +%)J,ILG ,%G W)I"+ )F G)"* Io/ans 1->1- sa's> 0For with the heart one 8elieves to ri5hteousness( and with the 1)J,% 3onfession is /ade to salvation2 ALM&NB. I1 +7NG"* Glor' to God* I1 +7NG"* Ive 8een shoutin5 that fro/ the housetops ever sin3e it happened* Wh' dont 'ou 5o and 3all so/eone ri5ht now on the telephone and sa' to the/( 0I1 +7NG"*2 If 'ou reall' love &esus( if 'ou want to wal: in vi3tor' ever' da' of 'our life( 8e5in +%)J,ILG( 0Lord( I love 'ou* &esus is Lord* %allelu9ah*2

124

CHAPTER SI% If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL HAVE FREEDO& FRO& FEAR Fear is a lethal weapon whi3h the devil uses to steal( to :ill and destro' the Christian* ,he trou8le with fear is that its li:e s/allpoF or the /easles. Lor/all'( 'ou dont have 9ust one little spot( the' 3o/e in 8un3hes( and so does fear. You 5et one fear( then another( and another( and another( and another* 7l/ost all of us have 8een 5ripped 8' fear at so/e ti/e in our lives. Fear /a' 5rip us 8ut we dont have to let it sta'. Charles and I were in a 8i5 "C<8 on our wa' to Canada( and had 9ust ta:en off fro/ the %ouston airport when the plane apparentl' 5ot 3au5ht in the tail end of a tornado. ,he plane tilted at su3h an an5le I wondered if we were 5oin5 to 3rash ri5ht into the 5round on the left win5 of the plane. For a /o/ent( there was real FG7I in /' heart. You should have seen the rest of the plane* ,here was pani3* +uit3ases 3a/e fl'in5 throu5h the air. 1' purse went up( hit the 3eilin5 of the plane and 8oun3ed 8a3: on /' head. Gver'thin5 that wasnt tied down was sailin5 around the interior of the plane. Fear 5ripped 8oth Charles and /e.. .for a /o/ent... 12#

What did we do; We i//ediatel' 8e5an to pra' in the +pirit* What happened; ,he fear IL+,7L,LY left. Wh'; 4e3ause we trusted God( the /o/ent we 8oth 8e5an pra'in5( the fear disappeared. Fear and trust 3annot eFist at the sa/e ti/e. 6ra'in5 in ton5ues was instantaneous for 8oth of us( 8e3ause we didnt thin: a8out how to pra'( so our spirits pra'ed in an un:nown ton5ue( God heard and answered* We8sters di3tionar' sa's that fear is 0a feelin5 of anFiet' and a5itation 3aused 8' the presen3e or nearness of dan5er( evil( pain( et3.D ti/idit'D dreadD terrorD fri5htD apprehension. 7 feelin5 of uneasinessD dis=uietD anFiet'( 3on3ern.2 We 3ertainl' did have a feelin5 of anFiet' 8e3ause of the 0nearness of dan5er2( 8ut as soon as we realiEed where our trust was( the fear 3ould not sta'. 1a'8e in 'our life 'ou are eFperien3in5 so/e of the /ost 03o//on2 fears death 5ettin5 old si3:ness failure povert' losin5 a /ate re9e3tion. ,he list 3ould 8e endless* If 'ou have an' of these fears( 5et read' to 5et rid of the/ ri5ht now* 0Fear involves tor/ent2 AI &ohn 4>18B. ,his tool of the devil 3auses ph'si3al sufferin5( /ental an5uish and distressD it also 8rin5s terror( pani3( and horror. We dis3over we 3annot thin: 3learl' or rationall' when fear 5rips us. In fa3t( we /a' not 8e a8le to thin: at all* Is there an answer to su3h devastatin5 fear; What is it; Is there an antidote; ,here 3ertainl' is* When faith loo:s at a situation( fear disappears* 12.

0Faith 3o/es 8' hearin5( and hearin5 8' the word of God*2 AIo/ans 1->1$ LM&NB. Gods Word has the answer to this :ind of fear and also tal:s a8out a :ind of fear that is 5ood( the fear( or reveren3e( of God. ,he fear whi3h 8rin5s tor/ent does not 8elon5 in the Christians life 8e3ause God has 5iven us the answer* We need to :now and understand who we are in Christ in order to have pea3e in our lives. ,his :nowled5e fir/l' e/8edded in our hearts( 3an dispel all the fear whi3h the devil /a' tr' to throw our wa'* )ne of /' favorite portions of s3ripture whi3h re/inds us of who we are in Christ( is I &ohn 4>4<8. ,he 7/plified 4i8le 8rin5s 9o' to 'our heart when 'ou /editate on these verses and realiEe what the' sa' to Y)J> 0Little 3hildren( 'ou are of God C 'ou 8elon5 to %i/ C and have ?alread'@ defeated and over3o/e the/ ?the a5ents of anti3hrist@( 8e3ause %e Who lives in 'ou is 5reater A/i5htierB than he who is in the world.2 ,hat verse alone should dispel all the fear 'ou 3ould ever a3=uire( so lets eFa/ine so/e of the thin5s it sa's and appl' the/ to our own lives> WG 7IG )F G)" C WG 4GL)LG ,) %I1* If we 8elon5 to God( we are %is possession( and if we are %is possession( %e is 5oin5 to ta:e 5ood 3are of us. We ta:e 5ood 3are of our possessions( dont we; God is the sa/e wa'* %e 3ares a8out a sparrow that falls( and even 3ounts the nu/8er of hairs on our heads( so naturall' %es 5oin5 to ta:e 5ood 3are of us. If %es ta:in5 3are of us( wh' 12$

should we worr' a8out the devil and have fear; We 8elon5 to God* We dont 8elon5 to the devil* &G+J+ LING+ IL J+ 7L" I+ GIG7,GI ,%7L 7LY,%ILG )J,+I"G )F J+* )ne of the thin5s that will stren5then 'our life /ore than an'thin5 else I :now of where fear is 3on3erned( is to 8e 3onstantl' aware of the fa3t that &esus is livin5 inside of 'ou* 0Christ in 'ou( the hope of 5lor'2 AColossians 1>2$B( Let that spirit in 'ou rise up and sa' to the world( 0Greater is %e that is in /e( than %e that is in the world*2 +a' it over and over and over until it 8e5ins to sti3: to 'our ri8s and 8e3o/es e/8edded in 'our heart. +a' it to God* +a' it to 'ourself* +a' it to 'our fa/il'* +a' it to the walls* +a' it on the telephone ever' ti/e it rin5s* +a' it in 'our 8athtu8* +a' it to 'our 8ed* +a' it* +a' it* +a' it* +a' it until 'ou have heard it often enou5h that 'ou are thorou5hl' 3onvin3ed 'ourself that inside of 'ou lives that )ne who is 5reater and /i5htier than he that is in the world* %allelu9ah* WG %7NG 7LIG7"Y "GFG7,G" 7L" )NGIC)1G ,%G "GNIL. %)W C7L WG 4G 7FI7I"; If we reall' love &esus( our trust in %i/ will alwa's eF3eed our fear of the devil.

128

When we 3onfess that we have fear( we are sa'in5 the Word of God is ina33urate and not true. We need to :now what Gods Word sa's so we 3an plant our two feet on it. ,he 4i8le sa's we have alread' defeated and over3o/e the devil* %ow 3an we 8e 3on3erned and full of worr' if we 8elieve what Gods Word tells us( that we have alread' over3o/e* Lets a3t on vi3torious trust in Gods prote3tion( not on the devil<instilled fear that God 3annot perfor/ what %e sa's* ,his fa8ulous 8it of s3ripture 5oes on to sa'( 0We are ?3hildren@ of God. Whoever is learnin5 to :now God C pro5ressivel' to per3eive( re3o5niEe and understand God ?8' o8servation and eFperien3e@ and to 5et an ever 3learer :nowled5e of %i/ C listens to usD and he who is not of God does not listen or pa' attention to us. 4' this we :now Are3o5niEeB the +pirit of ,ruth and the spirit of error.2 WG 7IG C%IL"IGL )F G)" and 3an a3tuall' 8elieve that we are when we 5et to :now %i/ 8etter. ,here is another wonderful :e' to findin5 freedo/ fro/ fear. ML)W that 'ou are a 3hild of God. Mnow it( :now it( :now it* %ow do 'ou :now it; 4' 5ettin5 to :now %I1 8etter. 7nd how do we 5et to :now %i/ 8etter and 8etter; 4' readin5 %is Word over and over and over* Gver'thin5 'ou read in %is Word points to %is love for 'ou and %is 3are for 'ou( 8ut 'ou 3an never ML)W this until 'ou read it and 5et it fir/l' fiFed in 'our heart and /ind*

129

I thin: of all the 'ears I lived in this world( attended 3hur3h and had a 0pre3ious2 4i8le. I wanted to ta:e su3h 5ood 3are of it that I never used it for fear Id wear it out. Lo wonder I didnt :now what God had for /e. I never 8othered to find out. I was starvin5 to death spirituall' even thou5h %is whole 8as:et of 5oodies was ri5ht there waitin5 for /e to eat* 04eloved( let us love one anotherD for love ?sprin5s@ fro/ God( and he who loves ?his fellow /en@ is 8e5otten A8ornB of God and is 3o/in5 Apro5ressivel'B to :now and understand God C to per3eive and re3o5niEe and 5et a 8etter and 3learer :nowled5e of %i/2 AI &ohn 4>$ 7/p.B. Loti3e the words 0:now(2 05et a3=uainted with(2 0understand(2 and 0:nowled5e of %i/2 that are /entioned in these two verses. ,hats the se3ret to dispellin5 fear C 5ettin5 as 3lose to God as possi8le 8' spendin5 ti/e with %i/ in %is Word and in pra'er. I thin: 8a3: to the ti/es when I first 8e3a/e a Christian and read the 4i8le until two or three o3lo3: in the /ornin5. 1an' ni5hts I sat 8eside /' printin5 press( wat3hin5 it run( 8ut 3on3entratin5 on the Word of God and feelin5 the love that was pourin5 into /e while I was 5ettin5 a3=uainted with %i/* ,hese are still so/e of the /ost 8eautiful ti/es in /' life( and the' will 8e in 'ours( too( when 'ou are so i//ersed in the Word of God that 'ou are totall' possessed 8' %is wonderful love* ,here is no short 3ut to :nowin5 God and eFperien3in5 and feelin5 %is love. We /ust 8e with %i/ and let %i/ 8e in us( lettin5 %is love flow into 1 -

us and throu5h us. 4' doin5 this( we will over3o/e this fear that involves tor/ent* 7 wo/an 3alled /e on the telephone the other da' as:in5 /e to pra' for her ph'si3al 3ondition. I as:ed her what her pro8le/ was and she said( 01an'*2 +he 8e5an to na/e a whole strin5 of illnesses> 3olitis( ul3ers( rash all over her 8od'( sleeplessness( diarrhea( and 8itin5 fin5ernails. I said to her( 0What are 'ou afraid of; Wh' are 'ou so fearful;2 I :new it wouldnt do an' 5ood to /inister healin5 of her 8od' until we dis3overed the 3ause and re/oved it* Gver' sin5le affli3tion she as:ed /e to pra' for was 3aused 8' nervousness( anFiet'( worr'( 8ein5 upti5ht( all of whi3h were 3aused 8' fear. 7fter tal:in5 to her for a short while( she realiEed her pro8le/ had 3o/e fro/ listenin5 to the devil. %e always wants to 5ra8 'our /ind and thou5hts* +he had re3eived the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit three 'ears previousl' in a 5lorious eFperien3e and then the devil 3a/e around and told her it wasnt real* ,his /a' 8e diffi3ult for 'ou to 8elieve( 8ut as a result of the devil tellin5 her this( she had lived in fear of spea:in5 in ton5ues or asso3iatin5 with an'one who did. +he thou5ht it was of the devil. +he was afraid to open her /outh and praise God in her pra'er lan5ua5e( 8e3ause the devil had told her for three 'ears that she C)JL"L, pra' in ton5ues. +he 8e3a/e 3o/pletel' 3onvin3ed that it was an i/possi8ilit' for her. +he was un8elieva8l' depressed and had apparentl' 8een this wa' for

1 1

three lon5 'ears of defeat( all 8e3ause she failed to depend and stand on the Word of God* With a short( si/ple 3o//and( we 3ast the spirit of fear out of her( and i//ediatel' she started pra'in5 in ton5ues as the 9o' of the Lord 3a/e over her. You /i5ht feel that this was a ver' insi5nifi3ant thin5 to 8e afraid of( 8ut the fear that is the worst one in the whole world is the fear that atta3hes itself to 'ou. It /i5ht see/ to 8e nothin5 to so/eone else( 8ut when fear has hoo:ed its 3laws into 'ou( re5ardless of what it is( it will 8e3o/e a hu5e( overwhel/in5( overpowerin5 for3e in 'our life until 'ou learn what God has to sa' a8out fear* I had no sooner hun5 up the telephone when another 3all 3a/e in with al/ost the sa/e h'steria. 7 wo/an( approFi/atel' 4# 'ears of a5e( thou5ht her /ind was 5oin5 to snap. ,he devil had 8een houndin5 her with su3h thou5hts as> 0You li#e to tal: a8out %oover "a/ and 4oulder "a/ 8e3ause 'ou li:e to 3urse. You 9ust li:e the word 0da/2. ,hen the devil would 3ontinue( 0+a' it( sa' it( sa' it*2 7nother da' he would sa'( 0You li:e to tal: a8out 'our s:in 8ein5 da/p( 8e3ause if 'ou dont pronoun3e the last letter( 'ou 3an swear and no one will :now it*2 ,hen he would start a5ain sa'in5( 0+a' it( sa' it( sa' it*2 I told her to pra' a si/ple pra'er with /e( re8u:in5 the wor:s of the devil( and lettin5 the 5reater )ne that was in her rise up a8ove the devil. I re/inded her that "avid said in 6sal/ 2 ALM&NB( 1 2

0I will fear no evil.2 Wh' and how 3ould he sa' that with su3h 3onfiden3e; 0For You are with /e(2 he pro3lai/ed in that sa/e 6sal/* %e stood on the pro/ises of God and said he would a8solutel' fear L) evil. You /a' sa'( 04ut "avid was never surrounded with the 8ad situation I/ in.2 You /a' ar5ue that his pro8le/s never 3o/pared with 'ours. 7re 'ou sure of that; %e sa's in 6sal/ >.( 0I will not 8e afraid of ,GL ,%)J+7L"+ )F 6G)6LG who have set the/selves a5ainst /e all around.2 ,he Livin5 4i8le sa's( 07lthou5h ten thousand ene/ies surround /e on ever' side( I 71 L), 7FI7I"*2 Wh' wasnt he afraid; %e 5ives the answer in other verses in 6sal/ > 04ut You( - Lord( are a shield for /e( 1' 5lor' and the )ne who lifts up /' head. I 3ried to the Lord with /' voi3e( 7nd %e heard /e fro/ %is hol' hill. I la' down and sleptD I awo:e( for ,%G L)I" +J+,7ILG" 1G.2 "avid reall' loved God and showed it 8' trustin5 %i/. %ave 'ou ever had ten thousand ene/ies surround 'ou on ever' side; ,hen 'our pro8le/ 3ouldnt 8e as 8ad as "avids pro8le/ 8e3ause he was loaded with ene/ies all over the pla3e. ,he thin5 I love so /u3h a8out his answer is that he si/pl' 5ave the pro8le/ to God and went to sleep* Glor'* 1ost of us would have sta'ed awa:e all ni5ht worr'in5 a8out the pro8le/( 8ut "avid :new when he 3ried out to God that %e heard hi/( so he 9ust went to 8ed and relaFed* ,hats the 5reatest wa' to 5et rid of fear that I :now of C 9ust 5ive it to God and then let God handle the pro8le/. 1

7 s3ripture that re3entl' 3a/e alive to /e 3on3ernin5 fear is in the 14th 3hapter of GFodus( and I espe3iall' li:e it in the Livin5 4i8le. 1oses had led the Israelites out of G5'pt and the G5'ptian ar/' was 3hasin5 the/. 7s I visualiEed all of these 3hariots and 3harioteers( horses and people 3o/in5 pell /ell after the Israelites( I 3an understand wh' the' 3o/plained and /ur/ured to 1oses. ,he' were 9ust plain s3ared* I pro8a8l' would have 8een too( if I had 8een loo:in5 at the 3ir3u/stan3es with the/ instead of the answer* 1oses said an interestin5 thin5 to his people> 0"ont 8e afraid. &ust stand where 'ou are and wat3h( and 'ou will see the wonderful wa' the Lord will res3ue 'ou toda'. ,he G5'ptians 'ou are loo:in5 at C 'ou will never see the/ a5ain. ,he Lord will fi5ht for 'ou( and 'ou wont need to lift a fin5er*2 Avs. 1 B. What he was reall' sa'in5 to the/ was to put their trust in God and not loo: at the pro8le/* ,he' didnt realiEe that not onl' was God on the s3ene alread'( 8ut a host of an5els were there to defeat the foe. ,hen I love what God said( 0Ouit pra'in5 and 5et the people /ovin5* Forward( /ar3h*2 Averse 1#B. God answered( and it was a plan that involved a3tion* %e told the/ not to 9ust sit there and wait for disaster to overta:e the/( 8ut to 5et /ovin5. %allelu9ah* ,his is what we need to do in our own livesD let God answer us and then 5et /ovin5 out of the real/ of fear into the real/ of faith( 8e3ause God will never let 'ou down when 'ou are doin5 what %e tells 'ou to do* 0You will see the wonderful wa' the Lord will res3ue 'ou toda'.2 1 4

,oo /an' ti/es we sit and 8e/oan our pro8le/s instead of /ovin5 out for God in order to 5ive %i/ an opportunit' to solve our pro8le/s* God is not on the defensive. God is on the offensive* God li:es a3tion* ,he devil tries dela'in5 ta3ti3s all the ti/e* %e wants us to sit down and 3r' and have a real 0pit'2 part' for ourselves. %e wants us to tal: to all our friends a8out how afraid we are of the future and what it holds for us instead of standin5 on the pro/ises of God and :nowin5 who holds the future* ,he devil /a:es fearful Christians waste their ti/e tr'in5 to 5et so/eone to 3ounsel with the/( or at least listen to the/( instead of /ovin5 out( F)IW7I" 17IC%* ,he devil dela'sD God /oves* 6ro8a8l' the 5reatest fear in the world toda' is the fear of failure. 7t a re3ent /eetin5( we as:ed ever'one to stand who had fear of povert'( old a5e( 3an3er( or losin5 a hus8and or wife. 1an' people stood to their feet. 4ut when we as:ed the final =uestion( 0%ow /an' of 'ou have a fear of failure;2 approFi/atel' ninet'<five per3ent of the audien3e stood to their feet* What a sho3:in5 revelation at a /eetin5 of Christians to have that /an' of the/ ad/it the' have a fear of failure. ,he 5reatest over<3o/er of fear is the Word of God. We need to sharpen that two<ed5ed sword( 8e3ause 0...the Word of God is =ui3:( and powerful( and sharper than an' two<ed5ed sword( pier3in5 even to the dividin5 asunder of soul and spirit( and of the 9oints and /arrow( and is a dis3erner of the thou5hts and intents of the heart2 A%e8rews 4>12B. 1 #

When we :eep that sword sharp( we 3an 3hop fear up into tin' little pie3es and s3atter it to the four winds. Fear has no ri5ht to 8e in the heart of a 8eliever* ,hose who are fearful often 8la/e a la3: of ti/e for not readin5 the Word of God and learnin5 what the' 3an stand on( 8ut the' will ta:e all the ti/e in the world to dis3uss their fears with an'one who will listen to the/. Gods Word sa'( 0Let no 3orrupt 3o//uni3ation pro3eed out of 'our /outh( 8ut that whi3h is 5ood to the use of edif'in5( that it /a' /inister 5ra3e unto the hearers2 AGphesians 4>2 9B. We 3ertainl' dont do /u3h edif'in5( do we( when all we tal: a8out is fear; 7nd did 'ou ever thin: how 3orrupt our 3o//uni3ation is when we tal: a8out how fearful we are; %ow /u3h 8etter for the hearers when we let the/ :now that we :now who we are in Christ* Fear 3o/es into our lives when we dont :now what we have in Christ( or what our a3tual inheritan3e is.,he /inute 'ou dis3over who 'ou are( 'ou will 8e5in to have vi3tor' over the fear of failure. I re3entl' wrote a letter to a nu/8er of people who had written us pa5es and pa5es of their trou8les and pro8le/s. 7l/ost all of the/ related to fear. I wrote 8a3: and told the/ to ta:e all of their fears( dou8ts and un8eliefs and write the/ down on a sheet of paper. ,hen at the 8otto/ I instru3ted the/ to write the followin5> 0La'( in all these thin5s we are /ore than 3on=uerors throu5h %i/ that loved us.2 1 .

,r' it 'ourself. Get a pie3e of paper ri5ht now and write on it the fears 'ou have in 'our life. 1a:e the list as lon5 as 'ou need to. Write down ever' one of 'our fears( 8i5 and s/all* 7t the ver' 8otto/ of the pa5e( or pa5es( write in 8i5( 8old letters( 0IL 7LL ,%G+G ,%ILG+ WG 7IG 1)IG ,%7L C)LOJGI)I+ ,%I)JG% %I1 ,%7, L)NG" J+*2 AIo/ans 8> $B. When 'ouve finished that( 'ou /i5ht even want to 8urn the list( 9ust to let the devil :now those fears dont eFist an' /ore* Gods Word doesnt allow roo/ for failure( 8e3ause over and over %e 5ives us the pres3ription for total deliveran3e fro/ fear and worr'. 7nother of /' favorite s3riptures as an antidote to fear of failure is 6rover8s 1.> in the 7/plified 4i8le> 0Ioll 'our wor:s upon the Lord C 3o//it and trust the/ wholl' to %i/D ?%e will 3ause 'our thou5hts to 8e3o/e a5reea8le to %is will( and@ so shall 'our plans 8e esta8lished and su33eed.2 "id 'ou ever 8owl( or did 'ou ever wat3h an'one 8owl; You use a 8all whi3h has two or three holes in it for 'ou to put 'our fin5ers in( 'ou stand at one end of a lon5 wooden freewa'( and tr' to :no3: down the 0pins2 at the other end( and ever'one 5ets all eF3ited when 'ou :no3: the/ down* ,he se3ret in 8owlin5 is to let the 8all 5o ri5ht down the 3enter path Awith a sli5ht 3urveB and its done* You 3ant :no3: the pins down with the 8all in 'our hand* ,he sa/e se3ret holds true in 0rollin5 'our wor:s upon the Lord2 C this /eans to let 5o of the 1 $

load 'ouve 8een 3arr'in5 and throw it on the Lord. ,urn it loose* ,he neFt step is so i/portant C 03o//it and trust the/ wholl' to %i/.2 Isnt that diffi3ult so/eti/es; 7fter weve let 5o we 8e5in to wonder if we 3an trust God for the answers* "id 'ou ever feel li:e 'ou wanted to run down the alle' after the 8owlin5 8all; ,hats what a lot of us do with pro8le/s C we 5ive the/ to God( and then run after the/ as fast as we 3an to 5et the/ 8a3:* ,he 4i8le is so si/ple and so spe3ifi3 in tellin5 us to 3o//it and trust our pro8le/s 0wholl'2 to %i/( not 9ust partwa'( 8ut 7LL ,%G W7Y* Wat3h what happens when 'ou do* 0%e will 3ause 'our thou5hts AGod wor:s in 'our /indB to 8e3o/e a5reea8le to %is will.2 "o 'ou see what happens when 'ou 5ive 'our /ind and 'our fears to God; %e 3auses 'our /ind to 8e3o/e a%reeable to %is will instead of ar5uin5 with %i/. ,hen( loo: at the wonderful pro/iseD 0and so shall 'our plans 8e esta8lished and su33eed.2 ,heres 'our se3ret for su33ess* If 'ou 8elieve the Word of God to 8e true and o8e' what God sa's( theres no wa' 'ou 3an 8e a failure 8e3ause Gods Word pro/ises that 'our plans shall 8e esta8lished and su33eed* Failure and +u33ess dont 5o to5ether( and Fear and Faith arent datin5 either* God said in Genesis 2.>24 A7/plifiedB> 0Fear not for I a/ with 'ou( and will favor 'ou with 8lessin5s.2 ,he Livin5 4i8le adds( 0...8e3ause of /' pro/ise2 %e 3an 8e trusted* %e will 8e with us* %e is true to %is wonderful Word* %allelu9ah* 1 8

)ne of the /ost 8eautiful antidotes for the fear of failure is in the first 3hapter of 6sal/s at the ver' end of the third verse whi3h sa's( 0and whatever he does shall prosper.2 %ow 3an we ever anti3ipate failure when Gods Word pro/ises us that ever'thin5 we do is 5oin5 to prosper* We need to 3onfess that over and over until we have prosperit' rollin5 in our doors in su3h 5reat /easure that we dont have roo/ to 3ontain it* ,hats Gods wa'* ,hats what God wants* If su33ess is what 'ou need( ta:e Gods pres3ription listed in "euterono/' 1>21 ALM&NB> 0Loo:( the Lord 'our God %7+ +G, ,%G L7L" 4GF)IG Y)JD 5o up and possess it( as the Lord God of 'our fathers has spo:en to 'ouD ") L), FG7I )I 4G "I+C)JI7GG".2 ,hats an order fro/ God* %es orderin5 'ou to 5o out and possess the thin5 %e has for 'ou* %es sa'in5 to 'ou( 0Go and 5et 'our inheritan3e. Go and possess what Ive 5iven to 'ou. Go and 5et what is ri5htfull' 'ours*2 God 5ives plain instru3tions 8e3ause %e tells us that we are not to fear and neither are we to 8e dis3oura5ed. 4ein5 dis3oura5ed is the sa/e as tellin5 God we dont 8elieve what %e sa's( and that we are 5oin5 to 8e diso8edient. We need to 8e5in 3onfessin5 Gods Word* When the da' 3o/es that we learn to 3onfess the Word of God instead of the lies of +atan( it will 8e a 5reat da' of vi3tor' for us and a 5reat da' of re9oi3in5 for the Lord. %is Word sa's( 0If God 8e for us( who 3an 8e a5ainst us;2 AIo/ans 8> 1B. It doesnt /a:e an' differen3e who is a5ainst us 8e3ause were 3hildren of the Min5* 1 9

1e/oriEe Io/ans 1->9<1-( 0...that if 'ou 3onfess with 'our /outh the Lord &esus and 8elieve in 'our heart that God has raised %i/ fro/ the dead( 'ou will 8e saved. For with the heart one 8elieves to ri5hteousness( and with the /outh 3onfession is /ade to salvation2 ALM&NB. Confession is /ade unto su33ess or failure( whi3hever 'ou 3hoose. Confessin5 fear will 8rin5 fear. Confessin5 Gods Word will /a:e the 4i8le a realit'. I 5uarantee 'ou if 'ou line up 'our life with the Word of God( the Word of God will line up with 'our life* 0+a' to the/ that are of a fearful heart( 4e stron5( fear not> 8ehold( 'our God will 3o/e with ven5ean3e( even God with a re3o/pen3eD he will 3o/e and save 'ou2 AIsaiah #>4B. ,hats a personal word fro/ the Lord 9ust for 'ou* Where does fear start; 1an' ti/es we instill fear in our 3hildren as it was instilled in us( and then it 3ontinues throu5hout their lifeti/e. %ow /an' ti/es have we said to our 3hildren( 0Wat3h out or the 08oo5e'2 /an will 5et 'ou*2 )r have we said( 0If 'ou dont 8ehave( Ill put 'ou in the 3loset where its dar:*2 "ar:ness then 8e3o/es a thin5 to fear. ,ellin5 5host stories was the 0in2 thin5 when I was 5rowin5 up. Gver'one tried to 3o/e up with the /ost 5or'( 5rueso/e stor' possi8le to 0s3are2 ever'8od' else. We a3tuall' put a value and eF3ite/ent on fear. I often loo: at our 5randdau5hter( Charit'( and thin: of the wa' her parents are raisin5 her. )n 14-

%alloween when she was two 'ears old( /an' of the 3hildren in the nei5h8orhood 3a/e 8' dressed in 3ostu/es 5rotes=ue enou5h to s3are even the /ost 3al/ individual. When Charit' 8e3a/e fri5htened and ran 8ehind her /other( &oan said( 0%one'( 'ou dont have to 8e afraid 8e3ause the an5els have 3har5e over 'ou*2 6sal/ 91>11 sa's( 0For he shall 5ive his an5els 3har5e over thee( to :eep thee in all th' wa's.2 Charit' now has no fear 8e3ause she :nows what the 4i8le sa's( and she often states( 0,he an5els have 3har5e over /e*2 What a 3onfession for a two< 'ear old 3hild to /a:e* ,hats the 3onfession we 7LL need to /a:e. When the devil tries to put fear on us( we need to a33ept and then 3onfess the prote3tion of the an5els over us. "ont 3onfess the devils power C 3onfess Gods Word* +o/eone re3entl' 5ave us so/e 4i8le /ar:ers whi3h had 22 different 3olored ri88ons. We laid these down on our des:. When Charit' visited us( she i/rnediatel' spotted the/( put one in ea3h hand and started runnin5 throu5h the house with the ri88ons fl'in5 in the air as she said( 0%es alive* %es alive* %es alive*2 %ow we praise God that as 'oun5 as she is( her thou5hts are on &esus* +hell never thin: of &esus as dead. ,o her( 0%es alive*2 %ow we wish that all Christians would eF3itedl' pro3lai/ the sa/e /essa5e with 8anners fl'in5. We as:ed her parents where she learned this. ,he' said the' reall' didnt :now( 8ut we praise God that so/ewhere in her /ind had 8een i/printed the fa3t that %G+ 7LING* 141

Fear eFists when we dont sin3erel' and honestl' 8elieve that %es alive and 3apa8le of handlin5 all of our affairs 8etter than we. "ou8t and the devil 5o hand in hand. When dou8t 3o/es in( we dont thin: God is 8i5 enou5h to ta:e 3are of us( so fear has us where the devil wants us( 8e3ause fear is nothin5 8ut the a8sen3e of trust in God. If 'ou reall' love &esus( 'ou will not live in fear. When we have 8een raised in and have lived in a at/osphere of fear( how do we 5et over it espe3iall' when were past our 3hildhood da's; ,heres ord' one wa' that I :now of( and thats to start 3onfessin5 and possessin5 the Word of God. Fear of not :nowin5 our standin5 with God 3an 8e so easil' ta:en 3are of 8' a si/ple pra'er. +a' ri5ht now( 0Father( I have thin5s in /' life that /a:e /e afraid of /' eternal destin'. 6lease for5ive /' sins and 3leanse /e. I pro/ise to =uit doin5 an'thin5 displeasin5 to 'ou as soon as I :now it is wron5. I :now 'ou will let /e :now in /' heart instantl' when I a/ not pleasin5 'ou. ,han: 'ou for for5ivin5 /e and than: 'ou for the pea3e 'ou pro/ise when I o8e' 'ou.2 Where do we 5o fro/ here; ,he answer is si/ple* We need to possess the pro/ises of God( so( li:e God told the 3hildren of Israel( 5o in and possess the land* 0I 8elieve 'ou want /e to possess /' ri5hts as 'our 3hild( Father( so ri5ht now( 8' faith( I possess pea3e fro/ all fear( espe3iall' the fear of death. I have the power and desire to o8e' 'our ever' wish( and therefore I have full ri5hts as 'our 3hild to 142

en9o' total pea3e and freedo/ fro/ all fear* I reall' love 'ou*2 ,he 4i8le distin5uishes 8etween two :inds of fear. )ne is the ne5ative fear weve 8een tal:in5 a8out( 8ut the other is a ne3essar' 0fear2 C 5odl' fear. It is a reveren3e toward God( an attitude of awe and wonder at Gods 5reatness and /arvelous wa's. It /eans to honor( o8e'( respe3t( reveren3e and worship God. God see:s onl' our 5ood and 3ertainl' nothin5 evil. ,he %ol' +pirit reveals God as our lovin5 Father( and a hol' fear Aor respe3tB of God is the result of our wal:in5 0in truth2. ,his t'pe of fear is not the fri5htenin5 :ind of fear 8ut is 3onne3ted onl' with respe3t or awe. When we have this fear Aor aweB of God( we possess pea3e( 9o'( 3ontent/ent and serenit'. ,o 8e afraid of God /eans we dont reall' :now and understand %i/( or that we are re8ellin5 a5ainst %i/ and have reason to 8e afraid. ,his ne5ative fear destro's the pea3e we 3ould have. ,he thin5 to do when sin in our lives 3reates fear in us( is to 3onfess that sin to God and as: for5iveness for it ri5ht then and there* 0If we 3onfess our sins( %e is faithful and 9ust to for5ive us our sins and to 3leanse us fro/ all unri5hteousness2 AI &ohn 1>9B. ,o 3ontinue havin5 re8ellion puts us in 3onstant fear of what would happen to us if we died. 6s'3holo5ists sa' that fear of death is one of the 8i55est 3auses of fear. It is not a3tuall' the fear of death itself( 8ut fear of what will happen to us after we die* 6ossess /eans to have( to hold( to o33up'( to en9o'( to own( to 3o//and( to inherit( to a3=uire( to 14

retain( to 8elon5 to( to pertain to( to 8e in ones possession. We need to have Gods pro/ises in our hearts( hold on to the/ with our spirits and let the/ o33up' our thou5hts( so that we 3an en9o' life. When we possess the pro/ises of God( we 3an spea: the/ 8oldl'( in 3o//andin5 tones( 8e3ause we have inherited( throu5h salvation( all of Gods pro/ises. We have a3=uired and will retain the/ 8e3ause the' 8elon5 to us and pertain to us and are in our possession as lon5 as we a3t upon the/. )ne of the 8est 3onfessions a5ainst fear that I :now of( whi3h I would re3o//end 'ou /e/oriEe( is found in the first siF verses of the 2$th 6sal/> 0,he Lord is /' li5ht and /' salvationD Who/ shall I fear; ,he Lord is the stren5th of /' lifeD )f who/ shall I 8e afraid; When the wi3:ed 3a/e a5ainst /e ,o eat up /' flesh( 1' ene/ies and foes( ,he' stu/8led and fell. ,hou5h an ar/' should en3a/p a5ainst /e( 1' heart shall not fearD ,hou5h war should rise a5ainst /e( In this I will 8e 3onfident. 0)ne thin5 I have desired of the Lord( ,hat will I see:> ,hat I /a' dwell in the house of the Lord all the da's of /' life to 8ehold the 8eaut' of the Lord( and to in=uire in %is te/ple. For in the ti/e of trou8le %e shall hide /e in %is pavilionD In the se3ret pla3e of %is ta8erna3le %e shall hide /eD %e shall set /e hi5h upon a ro3:. 7nd now /' head shall 8e lifted up a8ove /' ene/ies all around /eD ,herefore I will offer sa3rifi3es of 9o' in %is ta8erna3leD I will sin5( 'es( I will sin5 praises to the Lord.2 ALM&NB

144

Feast on the pro/ises in these verses( and fear has to disappear. If 'ou have a fear in 'our life ri5ht now( sa' over and over a5ain( 0,he Lord is /' li5ht and /' salvationD who/ shall I fear; ,he Lord is the stren5th of /' life( of who/ shall I 8e afraid;2 ,he ene/ies that 3o/e around 'ou to eat up 'our flesh are all sent 8' the devil. Wat3h what happens to the/ when 'ou rel' on and live 8' the Word of God. ,he se3ond verse sa's that when the' 3a/e upon 'ou to eat up 'our flesh( the' fell ri5ht down* Wh'; 4e3ause God 3ares for 'ou and is prote3tin5 'ou* Gven if an entire ar/' en3a/ps a5ainst 'ou( 'ou dont have to fear* Gven if war should rise a5ainst 'ou( 'ou 3an 8e 3onfident that the Lord is 'our li5ht and 'our salvation and 'ou have L),%ILG( L),%ILG( L),%ILG to fear* Fear 3an 3o/e when we are afraid of 8ein5 hurt e/otionall'. ,he 4i8le sa's( 04ehold( I 5ive 'ou the authorit' to tra/ple on serpents and s3orpions( and over all the power of the ene/'( and nothin5 shall 8' an' /eans hurt 'ou2 ALu:e 1->19B. +a' that over and over and over until it is as /u3h a part of 'ou as 'our e'es so that 'ou will #now that nothin5 shall 8' an' /eans hurt 'ou. ,he 4i8le pro/ises that nothin% shall hurt 'ou* Fear 3ant rea3h 'ou as lon5 as 'ou are 8elievin5 and livin5 8' the Word of God* Its a/aEin5 how our /ouths 3an lead us ri5ht into the pit of hell throu5h fear. 1atthew 12> $ ALM&NB sa's( 0For 8' 'our words 'ou will 8e 9ustified( and 8' 'our words 'ou will 8e 3onde/ned.2 If 'ou spea: fear( 'ou will 8e full and 14#

overflowin5 with horri8le( 3onde/nin5 fear. ,hose sa/e lips 3an for/ the ri5ht words and 'ou will 8e 9ustified. %allelu9ah* We need to 8e 3areful of the thin5s we sa' 8e3ause we 3all into 8ein5 those thin5s whi3h are not as thou5h the' were( and this applies to 8oth the 5ood and 8ad. I prefer to 3all into 8ein5 the thin5s of God( how a8out 'ou; Freedo/ fro/ fear 3o/es so easil' if we will listen to the words of &esus( 0If 'ou a8ide in /' Word( 'ou are 1' dis3iples indeed. 7nd 'ou shall :now the truth( and the truth shall /a:e 'ou free2 A&ohn 8> 1( 2 LM&NB. Lothin5 8ut the truth 3an set 'ou free( and to find that freedo/ we need to sta' in %is Word at all ti/es. I love the words of an old favorite h'/n( +,7L"ILG )L ,%G 6I)1I+G+. It sa's( 0+tandin5 on the pro/ises that 3annot fail( when the howlin5 stor/s of dou8t and fear assail.2 Christians often have dou8t and sa'( 0Will God reall' do this; Will God reall' do that;2 Ie/e/8er( 'ou 3an stand on the pro/ises of God* "ont loo: at the 3ir3u/stan3es( loo: at &esus 8e3ause Gods Word has never failed. 07nd the Word 5rew and prevailed.2 When 'ou hide the Word of God in 'our heart( that Word is 5oin5 to 5row and 5row and 5row until the Word prevails over the 3ir3u/stan3es. You 3an loo: at situations that dont loo: 5ood( 8ut if 'ou stand on %is pro/ises( Ill 5uarantee those pro/ises will 3o/e true. 7n'thin5 that is not of faith is sin. A+ee Io/ans 14>2 B. Is fear of faith; Lo( fear and faith are at opposite ends of the pole( so when fear re/ains in 14.

'our life( it is sin* Lo one wants to sin so lets a5ree with God all the wa' that %is perfe3t love 3asts out 7LL fear. Ie3entl' we were visitin5 in a Canadian 3hur3h. Lo8od' :new we were 5oin5 to 8e there. ,he pastor had 9ust eFtended an invitation to us on +aturda' ni5ht and we told hi/ we would love to share sin3e we were not spea:in5 until +unda' afternoon. When we wal:ed in( the pastor as:ed Charles to 5o so/epla3e with hi/. I was left alone for a few /inutes in the nartheF of the 3hur3h. I was standin5 there loo:in5 out the door at the deep snow when one of the ushers wal:ed up to /e( introdu3ed hi/self and said( 0,here is an aura that surrounds 'ou. I saw it when 'ou wal:ed in.2 %e paused a /o/ent( and then 3ontinued( 0You reall' :now who 'ou are( dont 'ou;2 I said( 0I 3ertainl' do :now who I a/ in Christ* I have over3o/e the devil 8' the 8lood of the La/8 and 8' the word of /' testi/on'. I a/ a 9oint<heir with &esus. ,he Lord is /' shepherd( and 8e3ause of this I shall not want for an'thin5* Greater is %e that is in /e that he that is in the world* I/ a 3hild of the Min5* ,hats who I a/*2 6raise God( it shows* Christians need not 8e 3rin5in5 slaves of fear. We need to throw our shoulders 8a3: and let the world :now weve 5ot so/ethin5 spe3ial and :now who we are* Lot in ourselves 8ut in Christ* When 'ou :now eFa3tl' who 'ou are in Christ( that :nowled5e will drive fear ri5ht out of 'our life. %ere are so/e words that will war/ 'our heart. 0I will 8less the Lord at all ti/esD %is praise shall 14$

3ontinuall' 8e in /' /outh2 A6sal/s 4>1 LM&NB. If the praise of God is 3ontinuall' in 'our /outh( 'ou 3ant 8e shoutin5 the praises of the devil( 3an 'ou; ,hats what 'oure doin5 when 'ou have fear* Youre 9ust shoutin5 the praises of the devil and tellin5 the world that he is 5reater than God* God is 5reater* 01' soul shall /a:e its 8oast in the LordD the hu/8le shall hear of it( and 8e 5lad2 Avs. 2B. Who are 'ou 5oin5 to 8oast a8out; ,he devil or God; You 3ant do 8oth( and if 'oure 8us' tellin5 the world what the Lord has done for 'ou( 'ou wont have ti/e to tell the/ a8out the fear 'ou thin: 'ou have in 'our life. 0- /a5nif' the Lord with /e( and let us eFalt %is na/e to5ether2 Avs. B. ,hats ri5ht. Get so/eone to /a5nif' the Lord with 'ou. If 'ou dont( +atan will have hundreds of 3ohorts read' to s'/pathiEe with 'ou and a5ree with 'ou a8out 'our fear* ,hen loo: what God pro/ises( 0I sou5ht the Lord( and %e heard /e( and delivered /e fro/ all /' fears2 Avs. 4B. ,hats ri5ht( 'ou 8oast in the Lord( 'ou /a5nif' the Lord( and %e will hear 'ou and 8' this praise 'ou will 8e delivered of all 'our fears* ,hats what 'ou have in &esus C deliveran3e fro/ 7LL fears. %eres so/ethin5 spe3ial for 'ou out of the 7/plified 4i8le> 0)h( how 5reat is Your 5oodness( whi3h You have laid up for those who fear( revere and worship You( 5oodness whi3h You have wrou5ht for those who trust and ta:e refu5e in You 8efore the sons of /en* In the se3ret of Your presen3e You hide the/ fro/ the plots of /enD You 148

:eep the/ se3retl' in Your pavilion...2 A6sal/ 1>19(2-B. %allelu9ah( I a/ se3retl' hidden in GodD nothin5 3an 5et to /e* 7nother 5reat s3ripture for an' person who is trou8led with fear is( 0For God hath not 5iven us the spirit of fearD 8ut of power( and of love( and of a sound /ind2 AII ,i/oth' 1>$B. +a' it over and over and over until 'ou possess it* ,hats what Gods Word has to sa' a8out fear. What has God 5iven us to possess; 6)WGI( L)NG 7L" 7 +)JL" 1IL"* Glor'* 6)WGI...authorit'( /i5ht and stren5th fro/ God ALu:e 4>.D II Corinthians 4>$B( ...fro/ on hi5h ALu:e 24>49B( ...to 8e3o/e the sons of God A&ohn 1>12B( !that wor:s in us to perfor/ eF3eedin5 and a8undant thin5s AGphesians >2-B( !that destro'ed +atan who on3e had the power of death A%e8rews 2>14B( ...that :eeps us throu5h our faith AI 6eter 1>4(#B( ...whi3h 5ives to us all thin5s that pertain to life and 5odliness throu5h :nowin5 Atheres the need to :nowB %i/. AII 6eter 1> B( ...over the nations C that /eans over ever'thin5 in our world or life> 07nd he who over3o/es and :eeps 1' wor:s until the end( to hi/ will I 5ive power...2 AIevelation 2>2.B. L)NG !the antidote for fear. ..3asts out fear AI &ohn 4>18B. 1IL" ...We have the sound /ind of Christ AI Corinthians 2>1.B. ...God shall :eep 'our heart and /ind throu5h Christ &esus( our Lord A6hilippians 4>$B. 149

,here are others. What are the'; Loo: the/ up. Write the/ down and share the/ with so/eone. ,he words 0fear not2 are /entioned ## ti/es in the 4i8le( one for al/ost ever' da' of the entire 'ear* %ere are a few of the/> 0FG7I L),( for I a/ with 'ouD 4e not dis/a'ed( for I a/ 'our God. I will stren5then 'ou( Yes( I will help 'ou( I will uphold 'ou with 1' ri5hteous ri5ht hand2 AIsaiah 41>1- LM&NB. 04ut now( thus sa's the Lord( who 3reated 'ou( - &a3o8( 7nd %e who for/ed 'ou( - Israel> KFG7I L),( for I have redee/ed 'ouD I have 3alled 'ou 8' 'our na/eD Y)J 7IG 1ILG2AIsaiah 4 >1 LM&NB. 07lso I said to 'ou( KI a/ the Lord 'our GodD ") L), FG7I the 5ods of the 7/orites Aheathen( the pa5ans( the ene/'B( in whose land 'ou dwell2 A&ud5es .>1- LM&NB. 0,hen the Lord said to &oshua> K") L), 4G 7FI7I"( L)I 4G "I+17YG"D ta:e all the people of war with 'ou( and arise( 5o up...2 A&oshua 8>1 LM&NB. 07nd the Lord appeared to hi/ the sa/e ni5ht and said( KI a/ the God of 'our father 78raha/D ") L), FG7I( F)I I 71 WI,% Y)J. I will 8less 'ou...2 AGene.sis 2.>24 L&MNB. 0...") L), 4G 7FI7I"D la/ the First and the Last. I a/ %e who lives( and was dead( and 8ehold( I a/ alive forever/ore. 7/en. 7nd I have the :e's of %ades and of "eath.2 AIevelation 1>1$(18 LM&NB. 0") L), FG7I( little flo3:( for it is 'our Fathers 5ood pleasure to 5ive 'ou the :in5do/2 ALu:e 12> 2 LM&NB. 1#-

0FG7I L),( - landD 4e 5lad and re9oi3e( For the Lord has done /arvelous thin5s* ") L), 4G 7FI7I"...2 A&oel 2>21(22 LM&NB. "o 'ou realiEe that is onl' ei5ht of the total nu/8er that appear in the 4i8le; ,hat should 5ive 'ou an idea of what God is sa'in5 to 'ou C 0Fear not( fear not( fear not* "ont have fear( trust /e.2 GFodus 14>1 sa's in the Livin5 4i8le( 0"ont 8e afraid. &ust stand where 'ou are and wat3h and 'ou will see the wonderful wa' the Lord will res3ue 'ou ,)"7Y.2 %es tellin5 'ou to han5 loose and not to 5et upti5ht with fear. When 'oure afraid of failure( read I Chroni3les 28>2- in the Livin5 4i8le> 04e stron5 and 3oura5eous and 5et to wor:. "ont 8e fri5htened 8' the siEe of the tas:( for the Lord /' God is with 'ou> %e will not forsa:e 'ou. %e will see to it that ever'thin5 is finished 3orre3tl'*2 I love 6sal/ 4.> 0God is our refu5e and stren5th( a ver' present help in trou8le. ,herefore WILL L), WG FG7I( thou5h the earth 8e re/oved Awhat 3an 8e /ore earth<shatterin5;B and thou5h the /ountains 8e 3arried into the /idst of the seaD thou5h the waters thereof roar and 8e trou8led( thou5h the /ountains sha:e with the sweffin5 thereof.. .God is in the /idst.. .,he Lord of hosts is with us. ..4e stifi and :now that I a/ God. ,he Lord of hosts is with usD the God of &a3o8 is )JI refu5e.2 6raise the Lord( we dont even have to worr' if the world 8lows up with a 8o/8 of one :ind or another( and the whole earth falls into the sea. 1#1

%allelu9ah( God sa's that %e will 8e in our /idst and that we have nothin5 to fear. "id 'ou ever have GNGIY,%ILG 5o wron5 at one ti/e; Well( I did( and /a'8e this stor' will deliver 'ou fro/ the fear that the devils 5oin5 to win the 8attle. )ne da' it see/ed li:e our world was fallin5 apart* We were havin5 all :inds of personnel pro8le/s in our offi3e( we ran into all :inds of 3o/pli3ations in our 8an: loan for a new 8uildin5( our road se3retar' =uit( and the devil was havin5 a field da'. We had 5one to the 8an: to si5n the final papers for the loan and so/ethin5 had 3o/e up that held 8a3: the loan. Charles and I sat outside the 8an: and /' heart was 3r'in5 out to God. I said( 0God( have 'ou for5otten all a8out us; What have we done wron5 that 'ou dont answer our pra'ers an' /ore; Is there so/ethin5 wron5 with us; I 3an hardl' pra'. God( where are 'ou; "ont 'ou reall' love us an' /ore;2 ,hen I said to Charles( 0%one'( re/e/8er when there was 9ust the two of us and God did /ira3les; We didnt have all these pro8le/s; What happened;2 Lever have I ever had su3h a 3ir3u/stantial down sin3e I 8e3a/e a Christian( 8e3ause it reall' see/ed li:e the devil was 5oin5 to win the 8attle. I 5ot in the 3ar to drive a3ross town to 5et so/e papers si5ned. When I started /' 3ar( I heard /' own voi3e readin5 the Livin5 6sal/s. A,he tape re3order auto/ati3all' 3a/e on in our 3ar when we started the en5ine.B 1#2

,he $$th 6sal/ 3a/e on. Listen to what it sa's( 0I 3r' to the LordD I 3all and 3all to hi/. )h( that he would listen. I a/ in deep trou8le and I need his help so 8adl'. 7ll ni5ht lon5 I pra'( liftin5 /' hands to heaven( pleadin5. ,here 3an 8e no 9o' for /e until he a3ts. I thin: of God and /oan( overwhel/ed with lon5in5 for his help. I 3annot sleep until 'ou a3t. I a/ too distressed even to pra'*2 0I :eep thin:in5 of the 5ood old da's of the past( lon5 sin3e ended. ,hen /' ni5hts were filled with 9o'ous son5s. I sear3h /' soul and /editate upon the differen3e now. %as the Lord re9e3ted /e forever; Will he never a5ain 8e favora8le; Is his lovin5 :indness 5one forever; %as his pro/ise failed; %as he for5otten to 8e :ind to one so undeservin5; %as he sla//ed the door in an5er on his love; 07nd I said> ,his is /' fate( that the 8lessin5s of God have 3han5ed to hate. I re3all the /an' /ira3les he did for /e so lon5 a5o. ,hose wonderful deeds are 3onstantl' in /' thou5hts. I 3annot stop thin:in5 a8out the/.2 "id 'ou hear the ver' words I had 3ried out to God; ,he' were the sa/e ones "avid 3ried out( and &esus 3ried out as %e went to the 3ross* God :new what I needed* ,he 3assette 3a/e to the end and I flipped it over. Listen to what 3a/e on neFt fro/ the #.th 6sal/ Avss. 9< 11B. 0,he ver' da' I 3all for help( the tide of 8attle turns. 1' ene/ies flee* ,his one thin5 I :now> G)" I+ F)I 1G* I a/ ,IJ+,ILG God C oh( 1#

praise his pro/ises* I a/ not afraid of an'thin5 /ere /an 3an do to /e* Yes( praise his pro/ises.2 1' heart leaped* God was reassurin5 /e that the tide of the 8attle had turned. God was reassurin5 /e that there was no reason for /e to have fear( 8e3ause %e was for /e C %e was for us C %e was for %JL,GI 1ILI+,IIG+* %allelu9ah* 7nd the tide of the 8attle turned* God s/oothed out all the pro8le/s and ever'thin5 started 5oin5 ahead at full speed. Lothin5( nothin5( L),%ILG 3an ta:e the pla3e of the Word of God when 'oure havin5 pro8le/s* ,he fear of ever'thin5 5oin5 wron5 i//ediatel' left /e when I heard /' own voi3e 3o/in5 8a3: at /e sa'in5( 0,his one thin5 I :now C G)" I+ F)I 1G*2 7nd %e is for Y)J** +a' it( out loud* 0G)" I+ F)I 1G2 0G)" I+ F)I 1G2 0G)" I+ F)I 1G2 0G)" I+ F)I 1G2 0G)" I+ F)I 1G2 0G)" I+ F)I 1G*2

1#4

CHAPTER SEVEN If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL SAY$ 'DEVIL$ YOU CAN"T STEAL WHAT"S &INE() 7t the top of /' lun5s I s3rea/ed( 0GG, )J, )F 1Y C7I* W%7, ") Y)J ,%ILM Y)JIG ")ILG WI,% I,;2 ,he thief didnt 8lin: an e'e* Leither did I* I 9ust s3rea/ed a5ain( 0"I" Y)J %G7I 1G; I +7I" GG, )J, )F 1Y C7I*2 Later( as I related this stor' to a poli3e 3hief( he said( 0733ordin5 to statisti3s( 'ou should have 8een dead in thirteen se3onds*2 0,he thief does not 3o/e eF3ept to steal( and to :ill( and to destro'. I have 3o/e that the' /i5ht have life( and that the' /a' have it /ore a8undantl'2 A&ohn 1->1- LM&NB. +atan 3o/es to steal 'our 9o'( 'our pea3e( 'our 3o/fort( 'our finan3es( 'our salvation( 'our health* %e 3o/es to steal GNGIY,%ILG that 'ou hold pre3ious. Wh' do 'ou :now a8out pea3e and 9o' and love and happiness and 3ontent/ent and prosperit' and the a8undant life; 4e3ause of the 4i8le( and the /inute the Word of God 5ets into 'our heart( it /a:es the devil /ad* It /a:es hi/ /ad 8e3ause he :nows that now 'ou realiEe that the pri3e has alread' 8een paid for ever'thin5 to whi3h 'ou are entitled as a 3hild of God. 7nd the /inute 'ou 1##

8e5in to 5et the Word of God into 'our heart and 'ou 8e5in to understand the pro/ises of God( then the devil 3o/es to tr' to steal the Word awa'. ,his is wh' in all our /eetin5s and tea3hin5s we put so /u3h e/phasis on readin5 the Word( on spea:in5 the Word( and on 8elievin5 the Word. )n3e 'ou 5et 'our spirit full of the Word of God( the devil is 5oin5 to have a /ore and /ore diffi3ult ti/e a33o/plishin5 an'thin5 in 'our life* Its the Word of God hidden deep within 'our heart whi3h will allow 'ou to rise a8ove the ne5ative situations in life. Lu:e 8>#<12 reall' tells 'ou how to 8e on the loo:out for +atan( 8e3ause if ever +atan was roarin5 around li:e a lion( it is toda'. Youre 5oin5 to 8e seein5 /ore of the devils Kroarin5 around 8efore &esus 3o/es 8a3: than 'ou have ever seen 8efore. 07 sower went out to sow his seed. 7nd as he sowed( so/e fell 8' the wa'sideD and it was tra/pled down( and the 8irds of the air devoured it. +o/e fell upon a ro3:D and as soon as it spran5 up( it withered awa' 8e3ause it la3:ed /oisture.2 ALu:e 8>#<12 LM&NB. Whats the /oisture that 'ou need in 'our life; ,he /oisture is the livin5 water of life* It 3o/es in to water 'our inner spirit 8' a 3ontinuation of IG7"ILG the 4i8le( and +,7YILG in the Word of God( and 4GLIGNILG what God sa's in the 4i8le( 8e3ause not onl' do 'ou need to plant it in there( 'ou need to water it and 'ou need to fertiliEe itso that the Word thats in 'ou will 3ontinue to 5row.

1#.

0K7nd so/e fell a/on5 thornsD and the thorns spran5 up with it( and 3ho:ed it. 7nd other fell on 5ood 5round( and spran5 up( and 8are fruit an hundredfold. 7nd when he had said these thin5s( he 3ried( K%e that hath ears to hear( let hi/ hear. 7nd the dis3iples as:ed hi/( sa'in5( KWhat /i5ht this para8le 8e; 7nd he said( KJnto 'ou it is 5iven to :now the /'steries of the :in5do/ of God> 8ut to others in para8lesD that seein5 the' /i5ht not see( and hearin5 the' /i5ht not understand. Low the para8le is this> ,he seed is the word of God.2 ,he seed that the devil wants to tr' to steal fro/ 'ou is the Word of God. 0,hose 8' the wa' side are the' that hearD then 3orneth the devil( and ta:eth awa' the word out of their hearts( lest the' should 8elieve and 8e saved.2 ,he /inute 'ou 8e5in to hear the Word( the devil is 5oin5 to 8e ri5ht there and he is 5oin5 to tr' to steal that Word out of 'our heart so that 'ou will no lon5er 8elieve and so that 'ou will no lon5er want to follow after &esus. Io/ans 1->1$ sa's( 0Faith 3o/eth 8' hearin5( and hearin5 8' the word of God.2 I li:e to sa' it this wa'( 0Faith 3o/eth 8' hearin5( and hearin5( and hearin5( and hearin5( and hearin5( and hearin5 the Word of God(2 8e3ause the Word of God will never sta' in 'our heart if 'ou hear it onl' one ti/e. You need to :eep replenishin5 that suppl'. ,he sa/e thin5 is true of food. We 3ould not eFist ver' well if we ate one /eal this 'ear and then didnt eat another until neFt 'ear. Ill 5rant 'ou so/e of us /i5ht do a little 8etter with a few less /eals( 8ut we all :now that there is no wa' 'ou 3an 1#$

5et alon5 without ph'si3al food. You have to eat* God /ade a plan when %e 3reated us that we would ta:e nourish/ent into our 8odies and the nourish/ent that we ta:e is ph'si3al food to :eep our 8odies alive. ,o :eep our spirits alive( we need the Word of God( 8e3ause the /ost i/portant food in the world is the livin5 Word of God. Ie/e/8erin5 that 0Faith 3o/eth 8' hearin5( and hearin5 8' the word of God(2 we ou5ht to have %e8rews 11>. underlined( s3ri88led on( /ar:ed with a /ar:in5 pen3il or so/ethin5 e=uall' distin3tive in our 4i8les. It sa's( 04ut without faith it is i/possi8le to please hi/.2 I, I+ ,),7LLY I16)++I4LG ,) 6LG7+G G)" IF Y)J ")L, %7NG F7I,%* You 3annot please God when 'ou have dou8t and un8elief in 'our life 8e3ause without faith( it is totall' 3o/pletel' 1--H i/possi8le to please God* ,he 4i8le 3ontinues to sa'( 0..for he that 3o/eth to God /ust 8elieve that he is( and that he is a rewarder of the/ that dili5entl' see: hi/.2 First of all( 'ouve 5ot to 8elieve that %e I+( and how do 'ou dis3over that %e I+; ,hrou5h readin5 the Word of God 'ou dis3over that God I+( and then 'ou have to 8elieve that %e is a IGW7I"GI of the/ that dili5entl' see: %i/. ,hats wh' the hun5r' people in the nations around the world need to :now and 4GLIGNG what the 4i8le sa's( 8e3ause the' 3an never please %i/ until the' have faith. 7nd the' 3ertainl' dont have faith when the' 1#8

are starvin5 to death and dont hear the 5ospel and dont :now an'thin5 a8out the onl' true God( the God who said( 0I 71.2 &a/es 1( verses # throu5h $ sa's( 0If an' of 'ou la3: wisdo/( let hi/ as: of God( that 5iveth to all /en li8erall'( and up8raideth notD and it shall 8e 5iven hi/. 4ut let hi/ as: in faith( nothin5 waverin5. For he that wavereth is li:e a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that /an thin: that he shall re3eive an' thin5 of the Lord2 AM&NB. "ont 'ou dare waver( 8e3ause the 4i8le sa's that then 'ou are li:e a wave of the sea that is driven with the wind and tossed. 7nd let not that /an who wavers 8etween faith and dou8t and un8elief thin: he is 5oin5 to re3eive a thin5 8e3ause he isnt 5oin5 to re3eive a thin5* Nerse 8 sa's( 07 dou8le /inded /an is unsta8le in all his wa's.2 +o/eti/es we for5et what that reall' /eans* It /eans that 'ou 3annot 3o/e to 3hur3h on +unda' /ornin5 and sa'( 0&esus is Lord(2 and then wal: out and live dire3tl' opposite of what 'ouve 9ust 5otten throu5h sa'in5 in 3hur3h* God is real at all ti/es* If 'ou 8elieve God is real( then dont 'ou dare 5o around waverin5 all wee: lon5 sa'in5( 0God doesnt answer /' pra'ers* ,he devil has /ore power than God( and nothin5 5ood ever see/s to happen to /e.2 When 'ou 9u/p fro/ one side of the fen3e to the other( 'ou 3annot eFpe3t to re3eive an'thin5 fro/ God 8e3ause %e sa's that a dou8le< /inded /an is unsta8le in all wa's and hes not

1#9

5oin5 to re3eive one sin5le( solitar' thin5 fro/ the Lord. I want GNGIY,%ILG that God has for /e* &ohn 8> 1( 2 M&N tells us so/e 5ood news> 0,hen said &esus to those &ews whi3h 8elieved on hi/( KIf 'e 3ontinue in /' word....2 6raise God that %e is so plain and si/ple in %is dire3tions to us* "oes %e tell us to 3ontinue in sin; "oes %e tell us to 3ontinue in the devils 8i8le; Lo( %e 3ertainl' does not( 8ut %e sa's to 3ontinue in Gods Word* 0If 'e 3ontinue in /' word( then are 'e /' dis3iples indeedD 7nd 'e shall :now the truth( and the truth shall /a:e 'ou free.2 )n3e 'ou :now the truth( the truth is 5oin5 to /a:e 'ou a8solutel'( totall' and 3o/pletel' free. ,hat is wh' the devil hates it when 'ou reall' understand the truth( when 'ou :now what the truth sa's and when 'ou have hidden the Word so deep in 'our heart that the devil 3ant rea3h down there and snat3h it awa' fro/ 'ou* ,hats what the devil reall' hates( 8ut what God wants 'ou to do is to 5et it planted down there so deep that there is no wa' the devil 3an steal it* I have en9o'ed al/ost total divine health in re3ent 'ears. %owever( ever' on3e in awhile the devil snea:s in and pun3hes /e with a low 8low and down I 5o for the 3ount* While we were out on a re3ent trip( the devil delivered to our /otel roo/ a 3ase of so/ethin5 3alled the flu or a viral infe3tion. 7s soon as I felt the s'/pto/s snea:in5 up on /e( I re8u:ed the/ in the na/e of &esus and :ept on doin5 the thin5s I was supposed to 8e doin5. I 3ontinued spea:in5( la'in5 hands on the si3: and 1.-

/inisterin5 the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit. %owever( as soon as we 3o/pleted a /eetin5 I would have to run and 9u/p in 8ed 8e3ause I was totall' and 3o/pletel' eFhausted. Finall'( the lon5 trip was over and we 3a/e ho/e. I was still too 8us' tr'in5 to tea3h in the +3hool of 1inistr' and 5ettin5 thin5s read' for our Nideo +3hools so I was still eFhausted and as a result the devil reall' 3losed in. )ne /ornin5 when I wo:e up( I thou5ht( 0I dont 8elieve this* I /ust have si5ned for that pa3:a5e of flu the devil wanted to 5ive /e.2 I i//ediatel' 8ound the devil and re8u:ed all si5ns of the flu( and de3ided to 5et up. I 5ot a8out as far as the end of /' 8ed and turned around and went 8a3: to 8ed and thou5ht( 0Wow( Id 8etter lie here for another - /inutes until I re3over /' stren5th.2 7t the end of - /inutes I did the sa/e thin5 a5ain. I slid out of 8ed( 5ot 9ust as far as the end of /' 8ed and turned around and went ri5ht 8a3: to 8ed a5ain. )n3e a5ain( I resisted the devil and told hi/ to ta:e his little /er3handise so/epla3e else 8e3ause I wasnt a8out to si5n for it( 8ut it didnt see/ to /e that he even 8othered to put his hearin5 aid in. I 8e5an to 3r' out to God( and I 8e5an to pra'( and I 8e5an to as: God to tou3h /e and then I rolled over and went 8a3: to sleep for another /inutes. 7t the end of the - /inutes I 5ot up and went as far as the end of the 8ed and turned ri5ht around and 3a/e 8a3:.

1.1

,his sa/e pattern 3ontinued all da' lon5. I do not :now when I have had a da' that I felt so totall' and 3o/pletel' /isera8le in /' entire life. 78out two 'ears a5o we /oved fro/ the house where we had lived ever sin3e we had 8een /arried to a house 3lose to the offi3e. +o while I was l'in5 there feelin5 a8solutel' /isera8le and 3r'in5 out to God and pleadin5 and al/ost 'ellin5( I finall' de3ided God for5ot that I had /oved. I loo:ed up and said( 0God( did You for5et that we /oved last 'ear; "id You for5et that we dont live over on that other street an'/ore( that were livin5 out here in Min5wood;2 4ut I didnt hear a word fro/ God. I :ept 3r'in5 out re/indin5 God of /' new address 8ut it didnt see/ to /e li:e %e heard one sin5le little 8it of /' pra'er at all. Charles 3a/e ho/e after wor: and I didnt even 5et up to fiF hi/ supper 8e3ause I felt so terri8le. %e 3a/e to 8ed earl' that ni5ht and I said( 0%one'( we re3eived a tape toda' fro/ so/e8od' in Lew Qealand. "o 'ou want to listen;2 I had not even 8een a8le to listen to the tape 8e3ause I felt so /isera8le. We turned the tape pla'er on and as the /an 8e5an spea:in5( it see/ed li:e a lon5 fin5er rea3hed all the wa' over fro/ Lew Qealand and pointed strai5ht at /e 8e3ause this is what he said( 0%ave 'ou ever had a da' when 'ou felt that God didnt hear 'our pra'ers;2 I s3rea/ed at the 3assette re3order at the top of /' lun5s( 0YG+*2

1.2

It see/ed li:e the spea:er on this tape waited 9ust lon5 enou5h for /e to sa' 0'es2 and then he said( 0If thats 'our pro8le/( wh' dont 'ou tr' pra'in5 in ton5ues for - /inutes without stoppin5;2 I turned off the tape re3order. I turned to Charles and said( 0Charles( did 'ou hear what he said; %e said to pra' in ton5ues for - /inutes( so lets do it*2 ,hen I added( 0Lets wat3h the 3lo3:.2 We noted the ti/e and 8e5an to pra' in ton5ues. I felt so utterl' /isera8le( I didnt feel li:e pra'in5 in ton5ues at all* 4ut I for3ed /'self to 3ontinue( 8e3ause in the 8e5innin5 it sounded li:e soundin5 8rass or tin:lin5 3'/8als. %owever( the 4i8le sa's that pra'in5 in the +pirit edifies the 8eliever. 7fter I had for3ed /'self to pra'( within two or three /inutes /' spirit 8e5an to rise up and to 8e edified 8' /' pra'in5 in ton5ues. 7t the end of - /inutes I was so totall' edified in the +pirit that I leaped out of 8ed( ran to the 8athroo/( too: a shower( washed /' hair( 8low dried it( 3a/e 8a3: to 8ed and slept li:e a 8a8' all ni5ht lon5. ,he neFt da' we 5ot up( went to "allas( and appeared on 4o8 ,iltons television pro5ra/( "7Y+,7I. Fro/ there we were on radio for two hours and fro/ there we had a 1ira3le +ervi3e that ni5ht and then 3a/e ho/e earl' the neFt da'. I was 9u/pin5 all over the pla3e with ener5'. ,here lies within ever' +pirit<fified 8eliever an unleashed( li/itless reservoir of power. Lets ta:e the lid off of that power and use it the wa' we should. If we would all spend - /inutes a da' 1.

pra'in5 in ton5ues( we 3ould turn the world upside down* I su55ested this to the students at the +3hool of 1inistr'. I also announ3ed this on /' radio pro5ra/ and a/ a/aEed at howl have 8een swa/ped with people tellin5 /e of /ira3les that happened as a result of pra'in5 - /inutes a da' in ton5ues. I love what 4rother 6aul said( espe3iall' in the 7/plified 4i8le. 0I than: God that I spea: in ?stran5e@ lan5ua5es /ore than an' of 'ou or all of 'ou put to5ether2 AI Corinthians 14>18B. Lets do so/ethin5 spe3ial. Lets show 4rother 6aul that we 3an pra' in ton5ues /ore than he did and lets 5et ourselves so edified and so 8uilt up in our faith that there will a8solutel' 8e no holdin5 us 8a3:* +hortl' after I 8e3a/e a Christian( I 8ou5ht a new 3ar. It was ver' spe3ial to /e 8e3ause the e'e pro8le/ that turned /e toward &esus( the one that God too: and /ade a /ira3le out of( 5ave /e pro8le/s in seein5 throu5h a nor/al windshield at ni5ht. I ordered a new 3ar that had a spe3ial tinted windshield so that I would not have pro8le/s as I drove at ni5ht. I had to wait a8out ei5ht wee:s to 5et the 3ar( and when I finall' 5ot it I was so eF3ited 8e3ause I thou5ht it was the /ost 8eautiful 3ar I had ever owned( and it ena8led /e to drive at ni5ht without e'e pro8le/s* I praised God that I had enou5h /one' to pa' 3ash for it* It was a 8eautiful shade of teal 8lue< 5reen and it had ever'thin5 on it that an'one 3ould 1.4

have ever wanted on or in a 3ar* It was 8eautiful on the outside and ele5ant on the inside( and I loved it* It was all /ineD it had no /ort5a5e lien a5ainst it. I had the title to it whi3h showed it was 3lear of an' en3u/8ran3es. ,he title had 8een re5istered in the 3ount' re3ords so it was re3orded offi3iall' that it was /ine( and no8od' had an' ri5ht to it eF3ept /e* It was 8ou5ht( paid for( and all /ine* 7t that ti/e I owned a printin5 3o/pan' whi3h was lo3ated in a shoppin5 3enter /all. 1' 8a3: door opened onto the alle' so that the /ail tru3:s 3ould pi3: up sa3:s of /ail that went out fro/ /' 8usiness dail'. It was also ni3e 8e3ause that was where the 3ars were par:ed for the people who had 8usinesses in the shoppin5 3enter. ,he front of the shoppin5 3enter was reserved for 3usto/ers( 8ut the 8a3: was a 8i5 par:in5 lot for the tenants. ,his was super for /e 8e3ause ever' ti/e I wal:ed 8' a window 5oin5 fro/ one depart/ent to another( I 3ould loo: out at /' new 3ar and sa'( 0,han: 'ou( &esus* ,han: 'ou( &esus* ,han: 'ou( &esus*2 It was a super<8eautiful 3ar and it 9ust thrilled /' heart( and I was so 5rateful that it was totall' /ine 8e3ause it was 3o/pletel' paid for* )ne da' as I was 5oin5 throu5h the offi3e( I loo:ed out the window at /' 8eautiful 3ar( and I saw a stran5e /an drivin5 /' 8eautiful( 8rand<new 3ar out of the par:in5 lot* I 3ould hardl' 8elieve /' e'es* I loo:ed a5ain( and sure enou5h( it was 1Y LGW C7I 8ein5 driven ri5ht out of the par:in5 lot in front of /' ver' own e'es*

1.#

I loo:ed a5ain* It was /' 3ar* I had the title to it* I had paid 3ash for it. ,he title showed that the 3ar was /ine. Lo8od' had an' 3lai/ on that 3ar and here was a /an drivin5 off in /' 3ar* I 5ot /ad* )ne of the 5irls in /' offi3e had a hus8and who was a poli3e/an( so I felt sure she would :now what to do( so I s3rea/ed( 0,)LI( +)1G4)"Y I+ "IINILG )FF IL 1Y LGW C7I*2 ,hen I said( 0Get in 'our 3ar( lets 5o 5et hi/*2 ,his 5irl had fla/in5 red hair and reall' had plent' of Eip* +he and Iran out of /' offi3e( 9u/ped into her 3ar and she s3rat3hed out and ra3ed down the alle' after the thief. 73ross the street fro/ us there was a 8i5 super/ar:et( and when the thief 5ot over there( he slowed down( so I said( 0,oni( Eip around in front of hi/ and 8lo3: hi/ off*2 +he did 9ust that( and I 5ot out and ran up to the side of /' 3ar( stu3: /' head inside the window ri5ht up a5ainst the fa3e of the /an drivin5 it and said( 0GG, )J, )F 1Y C7I* W%7, ") Y)J ,%ILM Y)JIG ")ILG WI,% I,;2 I 3ould have 8een shot* %e said( 0What /a:es 'ou thin: this is 'our 3ar;2 I said( 0What /a:es /e thin: its /' 3ar; ,hats /' 4i8le on the seat neFt to 'ou( and this is /' new 3ar.2 ,hen I s3rea/ed a5ain( 0Y)J GG, )J, )F 1Y C7I IIG%, L)W*2 1..

%e loo:ed at /e and said( 0What /a:es 'ou thin: 'our na/e is Fran3es;2 I thou5ht to /'self( 0Youve 5ot to 8e :iddin5* I 3ertainl' ou5ht to :now what /' own na/e is*2 I realiEe now that he was loo:in5 in the rear view /irror and he 3ouldnt 8a3: up( and he 3ouldnt 5o forward 8e3ause ,oni had her 3ar in front of hi/. %e was 9ust stallin5 for ti/e. 75ain( I s3rea/ed( 0"id 'ou hear /e; I said GG, )J, )F ,%7, C7I* It 8elon5s to 1G*2 4eloved( I /eant 8usiness* 4' that ti/e( the 3ar in 8a3: of hi/ pulled out and he was free( so he 8a3:ed up /' 3ar a8out siFt' /iles an hour( turned it around and roared off down the alle' 8ehind /' offi3e a5ain. I ran and 9u/ped 8a3: in the 3ar with ,oni. Li:e 3ops and ro88ers( we too: out after hi/. %e 5ot a8out hallwa' down the alle' when he stopped /' 3ar( 9u/ped out( 5ot in his own 3ar( and IG7LLY ,))M )FF* I said to ,oni( 0Follow hi/*2 7nd she did* %ere were two wo/en ra3in5 down an alle' 5oin5 up to ei5ht' /iles an hour* I never pra'ed so hard in /' life for a poli3e/an and never saw one an'where. We finall' 5ot his li3ense nu/8er( 8ut he eventuall' lost us* You /a' wonder what the point of this stor' is( 8ut I/ tr'in5 to show 'ou that I was even willin5 to 8e foolish to prote3t so/ethin5 that was /ine. ,hat 3ar didnt 8elon5 to hi/. It was /ine* I had paid for it* I had wor:ed hard in /' printin5 3o/pan' to pa' for it and here 3o/es a thief to tr' to steal it ri5ht fro/ underneath /e* If I had not 8een so ra/8un3tious and if I had not 5one out 1.$

there( I would never have 5otten that 3ar 8a3: a5ain* 4ut I :new it was 1ILG and L)4)"Y was 5oin5 to 5et it awa' fro/ /e* We need to fi5ht to :eep the devil fro/ stealin5 our health and finan3es 9ust as hard as I fou5ht to :eep that /an fro/ stealin5 /' 3ar* 1an' ti/es we thin: we have to rea3h out to 5et our healin5* 1an' ti/es we thin: we have to rea3h out to 5et our prosperit'* 1an' ti/es we thin: we have to rea3h out and 3lai/ so/ethin5( when all we have to do it to 6I),GC, and IGC)NGI what ri5htfull' 8elon5s to us* Gver'thin5 God is 5oin5 to do for 'ou has alread' 8een done* Gver'thin5 &esus Christ is 5oin5 to do for 'ou has alread' 8een done* 4ut we have let it slip throu5h our fin5ers 8e3ause we didnt understand* We thou5ht we had to 8e5 and plead and 3lai/ so/ethin5 that was alread' ri5htfull' ours when &esus died on the 3ross* &esus died on a 3ross two thousand 'ears a5o and in so doin5 %e 5ave us a title deed Awith no liens atta3hedB to health( wealth and happiness. It is ours. %e paid for it full' and that deed is free and 3lear* ,he 4i8le is 'our title deed* %ealin5( health( prosperit'( 9o'( a8undant livin5 plus /an' other thin5s 8elon5 to us IIG%, L)W* ,he' are not so/ethin5 that God is 5oin5 to 5ive to us in the sweet 8'<and<8'. ,hese thin5s 8elon5 to us( and 'et we have let the devil steal the/ fro/ us. We have let hi/ steal our 5oods* We have let hi/ steal our 9o'* 1.8

We have let hi/ steal our health* ,he devil 3a/e 8a3: at /e after I had re3overed fro/ the flu and he said( 0%a( ha( ha( that pra'in5 in ton5ues didnt wor:* You 5ot up one da'( didnt 'ou; 4ut I 5ot 'ou ri5ht 8a3: in 8ed a5ain*2 "o 'ou :now what I did; I pra'ed in ton5ues a5ain. For thirt' /inutes( I said( 0"evil( healin5 is /ine* %ealth is /ine* It isnt so/ethin5 that I have to pra' and as: God to 5ive to /e. %es alread' 5iven it to /e( 'ouve tried to steal it( 8ut its /ine( and I/ 5oin5 to prote3t it*2 ,he lon5er I thou5ht a8out the episode of the 3ar( the /ore I 8e5an to see a real spiritual truth* I said( 0+atan( 'ou have stolen the last thin5 fro/ /e that 'oure ever 5oin5 to steal.2 I said( 0You have /essed with the finan3es of this /inistr' lon5 enou5h( 8e3ause &esus 8e3a/e poor that we /i5ht 8e3o/e ri3h.2 ,hen I added( 0You have had 'our hands in the offerin5s( 'ou have had 'our hands in the /ail that 3o/es in( 8ut 'ouve done it for the last ti/e( 8e3ause do 'ou re/e/8er how I prote3ted that 3ar siFteen 'ears a5o; I/ 5ivin5 'ou noti3e ri5ht now that toda'( and fro/ this da' on( I a/ prote3tin5 ever'thin5 that God 5ave in salvation in eFa3tl' the sa/e wa' and with the sa/e fervor that I prote3ted that 3ar( 8e3ause its /ine*2 I dont have to plead for it* I dont have to 8e5 for it* I 9ust have to prote3t it* 7nd so/e of us have not 8een prote3tin5 our assets the wa' the' should 8e prote3ted* I,+ 7LL 4GGL 67I" F)I* Gver' a3he( ever' pain( ever' 8it of si3:ness has alread' 8een ta:en 1.9

3are of( 8ut weve let the devil steal fro/ us. We need to sa'( 0"evil( 'ou are LGNGI 5oin5 to steal fro/ /e a5ain.2 I dont :now what 'oure 5oin5 to do( 8ut I/ 5oin5 to fi5ht to prote3t what is /ine*2 God told /e in %is Word that the desire of %is heart was for /e to prosper and to 8e in health even as /' soul prospers* I/ doin5 /' part 8' :eepin5 /' soul 3o/plete in &esus so that /' life will 8e prosperous. &esus told /e that Ive 8een delivered fro/ ever'thin5 of the 3urse( so I/ 5oin5 to prote3t what 8elon5s to /e* Its not so/ethin5 that I have to atte/pt to a3=uire C its so/ethin5 that 8elon5s to /e*2 %ow do we prote3t so/ethin5 that 8elon5s to us; If its /one'( we ta:e it to the 8an: and deposit it 8e3ause we 8elieve that when we need it( the 8an: will 5ive it 8a3: to us* 1ost of us dont even 3he3: out the 8an: in whi3h we deposit our /one'. We 8an: for 3onvenien3e sa:e( 'et we 8elieve the 8an: is trustworth' 8e3ause all 8an:s are re5ulated 8' law and prote3ted 8' insuran3e as se3urit'. I have never had an ur5e to hide /' /one' in the 5round 8' 8ur'in5 it( and then hopin5 to find it when I needed to di5 it up* We auto/ati3all' ta:e all /one' to the 8an: and leave it there without a dou8t or worr' a8out its safet'* ,o prote3t our ho/es( we all have doors to :eep out intruders and 8ur5lars( and we :eep our houses lo3:ed* Ner' few people :eep valua8les in their ho/es 8ut deposit the/ instead in a 8an: vault* 1an' ho/es have 8ur5lar alar/ s'ste/s whi3h sound off when so/eone tries to enter ille5all'.

1$-

,o prote3t our offi3es and propert'( /an' or5aniEations have ni5ht wat3h/en. Li5hts 8urn 3ontinuall' 8e3ause a thief li:es to operate in the dar:. "oors and windows are 3he3:ed ni5htl' to /a:e sure there is no eas' wa' for a thief to enter and steal. What prote3tion do we have to prevent the devil fro/ stealin5 what &esus paid for and 5ave to us; 4e3ause &esus is the door throu5h whi3h we /ust 5o to rea3h our heavenl' Father( %e is our 5reatest se3urit' fro/ theft 8' the devil. &esus provided a dou8le<lo3: s'ste/ for our prote3tion. Lot onl' is %e the door( 8ut %e 5ave us the Word of God. 0For the word of God is livin5 and powerful( and sharper than an' two<ed5ed sword( pier3in5 even to the division of soul and spirit( and of 9oints and /arrow( and is a dis3erner of the thou5hts and intents of the heart2 A%e8rews >12 LM&NB. Ie/e/8er the atta3:s of the devil often 3o/e throu5h the thou5hts and intents of our hearts( so if we have the Word of God hidden in our hearts so we /i5ht not sin a5ainst %i/( we 3an defeat the entran3e of the devil into our hearts and /inds. Mnowin5 Gods Word( %is laws( and %is prin3iples ena8les us to operate in the nature of God whi3h is a shield fro/ the entran3e or atta3:s of +atan. %e tries to enter the door of our life 8' 8rin5in5 si3:ness into our 8odies. ,he 8est preventative /edi3ine I :now of is the 4i8le. When we saturate ourselves with 1#. IF Y)J IG7LLY L)NG 1G

1$1

Gods Word( the devil has diffi3ult' tr'in5 to 5et in. When 'oure out of the Word of God( 'ou 3ause 3ra3:s to 3o/e into 'our ar/or( and the devil 3an snea: in. &esus said( 04ehold( I 5ive 'ou the authorit' to tra/ple on serpents and s3orpions( and over all the power of the ene/'( and nothin5 shall 8' an' /eans hurt 'ou2 ALu:e 1->19B. We wrote the 8oo:( ,) %G7L ,%G +ICM( so that ordinar' people would :now that the' have the power to re3over what the devil has stolen( 8e3ause we 3an heal the si3: 8' the power of the %ol' +pirit and with the authorit' that &esus has 5iven us. ,o prote3t our fa/ilies( we :eep a wat3hful e'e on the/ when the' are little and una8le to prote3t the/selves. 7s the' 5et older( we la' down 3ertain rules and re5ulations for the/ to follow for their own safet' and prote3tion. We /a:e sure the' eat the ri5ht foods and 5et suffi3ient rest and sleep until the' are /ature enou5h to operate on their own* ,o prote3t our spiritual life( we need to 8e alert to the 8uilt<in 8ur5lar alar/ whi3h we have( whi3h is the %ol' +pirit* We need to listen to the little nud5es whi3h the +pirit 5ives us. We have the 8est and /ost fool<proof 8ur5lar alar/ s'ste/ in the world nestled inside of us* We need to put on the whole ar/or of God* 7 soldier never 5oes to 8attle without all the prote3tion he 3an 5et* We need to do the sa/e thin5 8e3ause were in a spiritual war where the ene/' is fi5htin5 to steal ever'thin5 we have 8een 5iven 8' God*

1$2

,he Word of God will 3lothe 'ou fro/ head to toe. )n3e 'ou 5et it inside 'our spirit( so that it will 3o/e out of 'our /outh at all ti/es( 'ou will have the 8est prote3tion in the world a5ainst +atan* 04e dili5ent to present 'ourself approved to God( a wor:er who does not need to 8e asha/ed( ri5htl' dividin5 the word of truth2 AII ,i/oth' 2>1# LM&NB. &ust as we la' down 3ertain rules and re5ulations for our 3hildren( God has laid down rules and re5ulations for us and %e put the/ into per/anent for/ C %is Word* ,hen the neFt ti/e the devil tries to steal 'our health( 'our wealth( or 'our happiness( 'ou 3an s3rea/ at the top of 'our lun5s the sa/e thin5 I said to the thief who tried to steal /' 3ar* +tart toda' and sa'( 0"GNIL( GG, Y)JI %7L"+ )FF )F 1Y LIFG. W%) ") Y)J ,%ILM Y)J 7IG; Y)J C7L, +,G7L W%7,+ 1ILG***

1$

CHAPTER EIGHT If You Really Love Me,

YOU WILL DISCOVER GOD"S BIG 'IF) 0IF2 is 8oth lar5e and s/all* It is one of the s/allest words in the Gn5lish lan5ua5e( and one of the 8i55est in Gods vo3a8ular'* 0IF2 has onl' two letters( and is al/ost dis3ounted in the di3tionar'. 1r. We8ster has ver' little to sa' a8out the word 0if2. %e has three little definitions( and when I loo:ed up those definitions( I didnt see that the' parti3ularl' pertained to an'thin5. 4ut even thou5h 1r. We8ster has ver' little to sa' a8out the word 0if2( God and &esus have a lot to sa' a8out it( 8e3ause 0if2 is used 1(#22 ti/es in the Word of God. In al/ost ever' instan3e where the word 0if2 is used( it pertains to a 3ondition whi3h we /ust fulfill if we want to re3eive the 8lessin5s of God. In other words( God sa's( 0If 'ou do this( then I will do that.2 What a /arvelous pro/ise( 8e3ause when we do our part( we ML)W that God will never fail to do %is part* ,he word 0if2 is also used in 3on9un3tion with the 3urses that God sa's will happen to 'ou 0if2 'ou dont do what %e wants 'ou to do. I dont want to re3eive the 3urses( so I/ not 5oin5 to fall under that 0IF2. 1$4

In the 28th 3hapter of "euterono/'( God 5ives us five si/ple 3onditions we /ust fulfill if we want to re3eive %is 8lessin5s. In the first verse( %e sa's a lot> 07nd it shall 3o/e to pass( IF thou shalt hear:en dili5entl' unto the voi3e of the Lord th' God( to o8serve and to do all his 3o//and/ents whi3h I 3o//and thee this da'( that the Lord th' God will set thee on hi5h a8ove all nations of the earth.2 ,he first 3ondition sa's 0...IF thou shalt hear:en unto the voi3e of the Lord th' GodD2 the se3ond 3ondition is 0...to )4+GING and ") the/.2 Lu/8er three is in verse 9 where it sa's( 0,he Lord shall esta8lish thee an hol' people unto hi/self( as he hath sworn unto thee( IF thou shalt :eep the 3o//and/ents of the Lord th' God( and W7LM in his wa's.2 In other words( %e tells us to W7LM in %is wa's* In verse 14( %e tells us that the fourth 3ondition is 07nd thou shalt not 5o aside fro/ an' of the words whi3h I 3o//and thee this da'( to the ri5ht hand( or to the left( to 5o after other 5ods to serve the/.2 %e tells us to han5 in there and 5o ri5ht strai5ht down the line and we will 8e 8lessed* ,he fifth 3ondition( sa's God( will 8less 'ou IF 'ou do not 5o after other 5ods. ,he 8i55est idol that people 5o after in the world toda' in the idol of +GLF. 0I want to do /' own thin5*2 +atan had the sa/e pro8le/* %e wanted to 8e li:e God. %e didnt want to serve God. %e didnt want to wal: in Gods wa's. %e didnt want to listen dili5entl' to God. 1$#

%e wanted to do his own thin5. What happened as a result was that +atan was thrown out of heaven li:e a 8olt of li5htnin5( and the sa/e 3onditions that 3aused hi/ to 8e thrown out of heaven appl' in our own lives toda'. God pro/ises to 8less us IF we LI+,GL to %i/ "ILIGGL,LY. +o often were involved in 05i//e( 5i//e( 5i//e( 5i//e2( that we dont ta:e ti/e out to let God tal:. 7nd %e tells us not onl' to listen( 8ut to listen dili5entl'( whi3h /eans with all 'our /ind( 'our heart( 'our 8od' and 'our soul. ,hat /eans to 5ive %i/ 'our undivided attention IF 'ou want to re3eive all the 8lessin5s whi3h %e pro/ises in the verses that follow. In other words( 5ive %i/ ever'thin5 'ouve 5ot* "ont 8e a half<wa' Christian* "ont 8e a lu:ewar/ Christian* "ont 8e a /iddle<of<the<road Christian* If 'ou are 5oin5 to 5o for &esus( G) 7LL )F ,%G W7Y( 8e3ause God li:es fanati3s* 0)4+GING2 7L" 0")2 all %is 3o//and/ents* "ont 9ust sit there and 8e a hearer onl' C the 4i8le tells us to 8e a doer of the Word. You 3an sit and a8sor8 ever'thin5 that ever' prea3her has to tell 'ou a8out what the 4i8le sa's 8ut if 'ou dont 5et out and do what God tells 'ou to do( 'our life is not 5oin5 to 8e the a8undant( vi3torious life that &esus Christ wants it to 8e. 7nother 3ondition is to W7LM in %is wa's. 1an' have said( 0Its hard to live a Christian life.2 ,he 4i8le sa's the wa' of the ,I7L+GIG++)I is hard( not the wa' of the Christian. ,he Christians life is eas'* 7ll 'ou have to do is do what God tells 1$.

'ou to do( dont do what %e tells 'ou not to do( and :eep wal:in5 down that strai5ht and narrow road. ,hat is all there is to it* "o 'ou :now wh' we run into /iser' in our Christian life; 4e3ause we 5et off the strai5ht and narrowD we start to do our own thin5( and we dont wal: in the wa's of God. 0Well( God wouldnt 3are if I sinned 9ust a little 8it( would %e; God wouldnt 3are if I had a little 8it of 8eer( would %e;2 )ne 8eer is as offensive to God as siFt'< five /artinis( 8e3ause God hates 3o/pro/ise. We need to wal: in Gods wa's without an' 3o/pro/ise whatsoever. God is not a God of 3o/pro/ise. Gver' 3ondition in the 4i8le is the opposite of 3o/pro/ise. God is a 3onditional God. %e does not sa'( 0,oda' its all ri5ht to do it( 8ut to/orrow it is not.2 God /eans ever' pro/ise that %e laid down in the Word of God. %e /eant it 2(--- 'ears a5o. %e /eant it .(--- 'ears a5o( and %e /eans it ,)"7Y in the 2-th 3entur' that we /ust o8serve and do %is laws and wal: in %is wa's* ,he onl' wa' we are ever 5oin5 to have an eF3itin5( wild( a8undant( 9o'ful( fun<filled( thrill< filled life is to wal: eFa3tl' the wa' God wants us to wal:. ,he Christian who is /isera8le is the Christian who 5ets out of line and sa's( 0I dont thin: God sees /e. I a/ 9ust off the strai5ht and narrow so little( I dont reall' thin: that God will noti3e at all.2 If 'ou dont thin: God 3an see 'ou( 'ou had 8etter thin: a5ain* ,he /inute 'ou 5et off of that strai5ht and narrow path God has 'ou on( 'ou are 5oin5 to 8e a8so lutel' /isera8le. ,he Word sa's( 1$$

0"ont 5o to the ri5ht. "ont 5o to the left. Wal: ri5ht down the /iddle.2 Wal: that /iddle road 8e3ause the shortest distan3e 8etween two points is a strai5ht line* If 'ou follow after the devil( and 'ou 5et off to the ri5ht and the left( 'ou are 5oin5 to 8e followin5 a 3roo:ed line( and 'our ti/e /a' run out 8efore 'ou /a:e it to where that strai5ht line would have ta:en 'ou( whi3h is ri5ht into the ar/s of the Lord &esus Christ* I 3ant wait until I 5et to heaven and I a/ 3onsu/ed with the love of God IL 6GI+)L. I thin: Gods love is overwhel/in5 and over3o/in5 even down here on this earth. I/a5ine 8ein5 in heaven and 9ust sittin5 there with God and with &esus. Glor' to God* God tells us how not to /iss it. 7nd 'et( so /an' of us tr' to write a new 4i8le and sa'( 0Well( God( this little sin wont hurt /e a tin' 8it.2 I tell 'ou( that word 0IF2 is a 4IG word* Ouit doin5 what Y)J want to do( and let God do with 'ou what %G wants to do. ,hat is the thin5 that will /a:e 'ou happ' C IF 'ou will trade the 8i5 0IF2 in 'our life for the 8i5 0IF2 of God. I re3entl' /ade a ver' interestin5 o8servation. God sa's IF 'ou will hear:en dili5entl' to %i/( 'ou will re3eive all %is 8lessin5s* Gods 0IF2 is a pro/ise. ,he devils 0IF2 is a te/ptation. 0)h( 3o/e on( /an( wh' dont 'ou 5o out with the fellows after wor:; &ust have one drin:. What did 'ou 5ive up s/o:in5 for; You :now it /a:es 'ou fat* God will never noti3e whether 'ou are s/o:in5 or not.2

1$8

,he devil tries to te/pt 'ou. ,he devil 5ets after 'oun5 people and he sa's( 0)h( 3o/e on( 9ust have one little puff on a /ari9uana 9oint. &ust one. It wont hurt 'ou.2 %e 3ontinues to sa'( 0If 'ou will 9ust tr' it( 'ou will dis3over what thrillin5 thin5s it will do for 'ou. It will send 'ou on su3h a hi5h trip that 'ou will reall' 8e turned on*2 "o 'ou see how the devils 0if2 is alwa's a te/ptation; %e sa's( 0If 'ou will 9ust 3heat a little 8it in 'our 8usiness.2 If 'ou owned 'our own 8usiness( it would 8e so te/ptin5 to sa'( 0If I 3heat 9ust a little 8it( I will /a:e a lot /ore /one'. If I 3har5e that wo/an 9ust an eFtra P#-( she wont :now the differen3e. +he doesnt :now the pri3e of the wor: Ive done( so /a'8e I 3ould 9ust raise the pri3e a little 8it( and /a:e an eFtra P#- that I 3ould 5ive to God*2 ,hats of the devil. ,he devil te/pts 'ou to do the thin5s that are dishonest. In the /onths prior to filin5 in3o/e taF returns( /ore Christians are te/pted than at an' other ti/e( 8e3ause the' are te/pted to 3heat on their in3o/e taF. ,he devil /a:es it so interestin5. %e sa's( 0)h( the 5overn/ent 5ets too /u3h of 'our /one' an'wa'( so wh' dont 'ou 9ust 3heat a little 8it. Wh' dont 'ou sa' that 'ou 5ave P$(--- to %unter 1inistries last 'ear; 7ll 'ou reall' 5ave was P .4.( 8ut wh' dont 'ou 3heat; ,he 5overn/ent doesnt 3o/e and 3he3: up on 'ou( and 'ou :now Charles and Fran3es. &ust 5o up to the/ and sa'( KI put P$(--- 3ash in the offerin5( 8ut I didnt 5et a re3eipt for it( would 'ou 5ive /e a re3eipt;2

1$9

+o/eone /i5ht thin: that Charles and Fran3es would do that( 8ut the' dont :now us* Charles is a C67 and he sa's( 0&esus si5nature overla's ours.2 God is honest( and if we are 3reated in %is i/a5e( we will 8e honest( too. "o 'ou see how the devil te/pts people; Ie/e/8er( the devil ,G16,+. God 6I)1I+G+* )ne of the 8i5 0ifs2 that people sa'( and I have heard this over and over a5ain( is the one whi3h sa's( 0I would 5o out and 8e su3h a witness IF God would 9ust heal /e.2 Your 0IF2 invalidates the pro/ise of God. In other words( 'ou are sa'in5 to God that 'ou will do it on 'our own ter/s and 3onditions. What 'ou are in effe3t sa'in5 is( 0I a/ not 5oin5 to tal: a8out You unless You heal /e*2 )ne ti/e I thou5ht God was 5oin5 to heal /e 8efore I went to the hospital( 8ut %e didnt. %owever( I love %i/ 9ust as /u3h toda' as if %e had rea3hed down and said( 0Let there 8e new le5s on that 5irl*2 Goin5 to the hospital didnt shut /' /outh* I have news for 'ou* You will never witness for God after %e does so/ethin5 for 'ou if 'ou /a:e that a 3ondition of 'our salvation or 'our witnessin5. I/ 5oin5 to open /' /outh and tal: a8out &esus all of the ti/e. I a/ never 5oin5 to shut it( no /atter what happens* "euterono/' 28 lists /ore than twent'<one 8lessin5s that will 3o/e upon 'ou and overta:e 'ou IF 'ou will 9ust do these five little thin5s. 1. Listen dili5entl'. 2. )8serve and do. . Wal: in %is wa's. 18-

4. "ont 5o to the ri5ht or to the left. #. "ont 5o after other 5ods. "id 'ou noti3e that three tell 'ou what to do( and two tell 'ou what L), to do* Loo: at so/e of the 8lessin5s God pro/ises in 9ust that one 3hapter. If 'ou /eet %is 3onditions( God will set 'ou hi5h a8ove all the nations of the earth* Glor'* God said %e would 8less 'ou in the 3it'. What if 'ou dont live in the 3it'; "o 'ou :now where 'our 3it' is; Your 3it' is where 'ou live. If 'ou own a ho/e( that is 'our 3it'. If 'ou live in an apart/ent( that is 'our 3it'. If 'ou live on a 8i5 far/( that is 'our 3it'* You will 8e 8lessed in the field. 4ut what if 'ou are not a far/er( and 'ou do not have a field; "o 'ou :now what 'our field is; If 'ou are in the insuran3e 8usiness( 'our field is insuran3e. God will 8less 'ou in that field. If 'ou are a se3retar'( that is 'our field( and God will 8less 'ou in that field. If 'ou are a ho/e/a:er( God will 8less 'ou in that field* Your field is whatever o33upation 'ou have* If 'ou are in the 3onstru3tion 8usiness( or 'ou are sellin5 houses( that is 'our field( and if 'ou do those thin5s God 3o//anded in "euterono/' 28( 'ou are 5oin5 to 8e 8lessed in 'our field. You will pro8a8l' 8uild and sell /ore houses than an'one else in the 3onstru3tion field. Whatever 'our field is( God is 5oin5 to 8less 'ou in that field( IF 'ou o8e' 7LL of %is 3o//and/ents. ,hat /eans wherever 'ou are

181

e/plo'ed( God is 5oin5 to 8less 'ou IF 'ou /eet the 3onditions. %e said 'ou are 5oin5 to have perfe3t offsprin5. When 'ou have fulfilled the 3onditions( 'ou are 5oin5 to have perfe3t offsprin5. Low( 'ou 3an loo: at 'our 3hildren and sa'( 0You /a' not loo: ver' perfe3t to /e( 8ut Gods Word sa's that 'ou are perfe3t. ,herefore( I have perfe3t offsprin5*2 ,he neFt ti/e 'our 3hild diso8e's( sa' to hi/( 0+on( 'ou are a perfe3t offsprin5. You /a' not 8e a3tin5 li:e it ri5ht now( 8ut Y)J 7IG 7 6GIFGC, )FF+6IILG.2 If an' of 'our 3hildren 5et out of line( sa' to the/( 0You are a perfe3t offsprin5 8e3ause I have fulfilled the Word of God.2 ,hat is 9ust one of the 8lessin5s God pro/ises* It sa's that 'our 3rops will in3rease. If 'ou are not a far/er( what is 'our CI)6; ,hat is the salar' 'ou are 5oin5 to 5et for the wor: 'ou do. Your 8as:et and 'our storehouse will 8e full of 5ood thin5s. I have heard people sa'( 0Go out and store up a whole 8un3h of so'8eans 8e3ause theres 5oin5 to 8e a 8i5 fa/ine 3o/in5.2 I a/ not worried a8out that 8e3ause of what God sa's. %is Word sa's that /' 8as:et is 5oin5 to 8e filled as lon5 as I o8e' that 8i5 0IF2 and I do what %e tells /e to do. I/ not 5oin5 to worr' a8out /' storehouse ever 8ein5 e/pt' 8e3ause Gods Word sa's that I a/ 8lessed in all that I underta:e* Nerse $ tells us that 'ou will have 3o/plete vi3tor' over 'our ene/ies. "id 'ou ever have an ene/'; "id the ene/' tr' to steal 'our 9o' or pea3e* It is so /u3h fun to have vi3tor' over 'our 182

ene/ies* 7nd to :now in advan3e that 'oure a winner* Your land will 8e a8undantl' fertile and produ3tive* You will 8e esta8lished as a hol' person to God* You are 5oin5 to 8e an eFa/ple and witness to all of the people of the earth. ?f 'ou reall' love God( 'ou are 5oin5 to 8e an auto/ati3 witness. You are not 5oin5 to 8e a8le to :eep 'our /outh shut. You are 9ust 5oin5 to tal:( tal:( tal: to ever'one a8out the Lord &esus Christ. ,hat is one of the 8lessin5s whi3h 3o/es upon 'ou. It sa's that all the people of the earth will 8e afraid of 'ou. When people realiEe that God is on 'our side( the' dont want to /ess with 'ou. You will 8e prosperous in 5oods and 3hildren( in sto3:( and in 3rops. ,he Lord will open to 'ou %is 5ood treasur'. Wow( %is resour3es are unli/ited( and %es openin5 the/ to /e* ,he Lord will 5ive 'ou rain in due season. ,he Lord will 8less the wor: of 'our hands* 6ut 'our hands out in front of 'ou ri5ht now and sa'( 01' hands are 8lessed( 8e3ause God is 8lessin5 /' wor:. Whatever I put these hands to is 5oin5 to prosper( 8e3ause the 4i8le sa's so.2 ,hen it sa's that 'ou are 5oin5 to 8e prosperous enou5h to lend to /an' nations( and 'ou are not 5oin5 to need to 8orrow fro/ an' of the/* Glor' to God( it pro/ises that the Lord is 5oin5 to /a:e /e 0the head( and not the tail.2 ,hen it pro/ises that 'ou will 8e a8ove all /en and not 8eneath the/. ,hat is one of the 8lessin5s 18

whi3h 3o/es when 'ou ta:e the 8i5 0IF2 of God* 0IF2 thou shalt hear:en dili5entl' to the voi3e of the Lord 'our God. ,he word 0IF2 5oes all the wa' throu5hout the 4i8le. You /i5ht sa'( 0Well( that is in the )ld ,esta/ent. Isnt there an'thin5 in the Lew ,esta/ent; We dont have to o8e' the )ld ,esta/ent. We live under 5ra3e and not under law.2 God put those laws down to :eep us on the strai5ht and narrow. &esus 3a/e to fulfill the law. ,hat is wh' we dont have to 8e le5alisti3 and sa'( 0IF 'ou slip out of fellowship with God for one /inute( that is it* You have had it* You are 5oin5 ri5ht strai5ht to hell*2 Lo( the 4i8le sa's( IF( IF( IF( C 0If we 3onfess our sins( he is faithful and 9ust to for5ive us our sins( and to 3leanse us fro/ all unri5hteousness(2 AI &ohn 1>9B. %ere is a real 5ood 0IF2. In 1atthew 1.>24( and this is under the new 3ovenant( &esus said to %is dis3iple( 0IF Athere is that 8i5 0IF2 a5ainB an' /an will 3o/e after /e( let hi/ den' hi/self( and ta:e up his 3ross( and follow /e.2 1an' people are under the wron5 i/pression as to what pi3:in5 up 'our own 3ross /eans. Ive heard /an' sa'( 0Well( I have this thorn in /' flesh li:e 6aul did. I 5uess /' 3ross is that I /ust 8e si3: all of /' life.2 ,hat is devil tal:. ,hat is not God tal:* 01' unsaved hus8and is /' 3ross to 8ear. I have to 5et up ever' /ornin5 and I a/ so /isera8le 8e3ause I have that old unsaved devil for a hus8and.2 ,al: li:e that( and 'ou will never 5et hi/ saved.

184

"o 'ou reall' :now what the Word /eans when it sa's( 06i3: up 'our 3ross and follow /e;2 It /eans to "IG ,) +GLF* Wh' did &esus pi3: up %is 3ross; ,o die to %i/self. ,hat is what we need to do. We need to die to ourselves( so that the thin5s of the world will not hurt us. We 3annot 5et /ad( 8e3ause 0so/e8od' said so/ethin5 that hurt /' feelin5sD the' offended /e.2 ,hat is another lie of the devil. If we are dead to self( we 3annot 8e offended* 7nother 5ood 4i8le stor' a8out the 0IF2 of the devil is in 1atthew 4> <1-. 0When the te/pter 3a/e to hi/( he said( IF thou 8e the +on of God A"o 'ou see the devils IF;B 3o//and that these stones 8e /ade 8read.2 A"o 'ou see how the devil was te/ptin5 &esus; &esus had 8een on a fast for fort' da's. "o 'ou 8elieve that Y)J would 8e hun5r' after fort' da's; "o 'ou thin: 'our sto/a3h would 8e 5rowlin5 after fort' da's; "o 'ou 8elieve that &esus( while %e was divine was also /an( and so %e suffered the sa/e hun5er pan5s that we do; I i/a5ine in &esus /ind there instantl' flashed a pi3ture of 8eautiful hot ho/e/ade 8read( 8rown on the top with 8utter 9ust ooEin5 off all over the pla3e.B ,he devil said( 0)h( 3o/e on( 'ou have the power to do it. You 3an do it* Co/e on( do it* %e was te/ptin5 &esus in an area where %e was wea: 8e3ause of fastin5( and thats what the devil does to ail of us. %e te/pts us in the area where we are the wea:est* 4ut &esus said( 0It is written.2 When the devil te/pts 'ou( throw a verse of s3ripture at hi/ ri5ht 18#

in his fa3e( 8e3ause he 3annot stand the Word of God. ,ell hi/( 0"evil( 'ou sit down there. You sit in that 3hair over there( 8e3ause I a/ 5oin5 to read the Word of God to 'ou.2 You /a' not 8e a8le to see the devil in that 3hair( 8ut I want 'ou to 8elieve that he is there. We 3an sa' eFa3tl' the sa/e thin5 that &esus did( 0It is written( 1an shall not live 8' 8read Aph'si3alB alone( 8ut 8' ever' word that pro3eedeth out of the /outh of God. ,hen the devil ta:eth hi/ up into the hol' 3it' and setteth hi/ on a pinna3le of the te/ple( 7nd saith unto hi/( A+ee( he is te/ptin5 hi/ a5ainB If thou 8e the +on of God( 3ast th'self down> for it is written( Athe devil :nows the 4i8le( too*B %e shall 5ive his an5els 3har5e 3on3ernin5 theeD and in their hands the' shall 8ear thee up( lest at an' ti/e thou dash th' foot a5ainst a stone.2 Ii5ht then and there is where &esus 3a/e ri5ht 8a3: to that 8i5 0IF2 and said( 0It is written a5ain( ,hou shalt not te/pt the Lord th' God.2 075ain( the devil ta:eth hi/ up into an eF3eedin5 hi5h /ountain( and sheweth hi/ all the :in5do/s of the world( and the 5lor' of the/D and saith unto hi/( A"o 'ou re/e/8er I said the devils 0IF2 is alwa's a te/ptation;B 7ll these thin5s will I 5ive thee( IF thou wilt fall down and worship /e.2 What he was reall' sa'in5 was( 01an( 'ou 3an have the whole world IF 'ou will 9ust fall down and worship /e*2 ,his is eFa3tl' what the devil does to all of us* %e /a:es his plan so te/ptin5. I re/e/8er a 'oun5 ro3: and roll sin5er who was raised in a 6ente3ostal Chur3h. %e had a voi3e that the world will never for5et( 8e3ause it had a 18.

hauntin5 =ualit' that will sta' with the sinner and the saint ali:e. ,hen 3a/e the 3rossroads in his life where he was sin5in5 in a 6ente3ostal Chur3h and not /a:in5 /illions of dollars. I dont reall' :now of an' 3hur3h that pa's a sin5er /illions of dollars( do 'ou; 4ut the devil 3a/e to hi/ and said( 0You 3an :eep 'our relationship with God( 8ut 9ust thin: how /an' /illlions of people are 5oin5 to 8e 8lessed 8' that sin5in5 voi3e of 'ours IF 'ou will 9ust 5o into ni5ht 3lu8s.2 ,he devil said( 0Where 'ou are livin5 in povert' now( 'ou will have 'our own private airplane. You will have a house with 81 roo/s. You will have servants all over the pla3e. You will have people who will even 3ut 'our food and put it in 'our /outh. 4ut the devil for5ot to tell hi/ what was on the other side of the led5er. ,he devil for5ot to tell hi/ that the end of all of that was death* ,he devil for5ot to tell hi/ that when the' perfor/ed an autops' on hi/ there would 8e seven different :inds of dru5s found in his veins. ,hat was a 'oun5 /an at the ver' pinna3le of su33ess( as the world /easures su33ess. I dont 8elieve an' sin5er has ever sold as /an' re3ords as this /an. ,his 'oun5 /an listened to the devil( 8e3ause the devil /ade it sound so 5ood. ,he devil said( 0You 3an have the whole world. You are 5oin5 to have so /u3h /one'( that the whole world is 5oin5 to env' 'ou.2 I re/e/8er the ni5ht when this 'oun5 sin5er 3a/e to a ,eFas 3it' and too: out a half</illion dollars in 3ash for one ni5hts sin5in5. ,he headline in the neFt /ornin5s paper shouted the 5ood news 18$

that he 5ot a half </illion dollars in 3ash. %e would ta:e no 3he3:s. ,he newspaper was so eF3ited a8out the tre/endous 3ash he re3eived( and I i/a5ine this sin5er reall' thou5ht he was 0hot stuff2* Wa' down in the 3orner( in the 8a3: part of this sa/e paper( there was an arti3le a8out a 0/one'< 5ra88in52 evan5elist who 5ot su3h 8i5 offerin5s that the reporter felt he had ro88ed these poor people in 3hur3h. 7nd then it went on to sa'( 0Fro/ the two hundred plus people who were at this /eetin5( he 5ot over a thousand dollars in an offerin5.2 Conde/ned* 7 /inister of the 5ospel wantin5 /one' to spread the 5ospel 5ets pu8li3l' 3onde/ned for re3eivin5 one thousand dollars( 8ut the front pa5e stor' of the sa/e paper 5lorified a sin5er who 5ot a half</illion dollars 3ash fro/ his fans in the sa/e 3it'. You 3an see that the devil 3an /a:e it loo: so interestin5( 8ut the wa5es of sin is death* Colossians 1>2 3ontains that 8i5 word 0IF2 and God tells 'ou so/e thin5s to do. %e said( 0IF AIf( if if( if( if*B 'e 3ontinue in the faith 5rounded and settled( and 8e not /oved awa' fro/ the hope of the 5ospel( whi3h 'e have heard( and whi3h was prea3hed to ever' 3reature whi3h is under heavenD whereof I 6aul a/ /ade a /inister.2 If 'ou 3ontinue in the faith( he 5oes on to sa'( 'ou are 5oin5 to :now the /'ster' of the a5es( 0whi3h is Christ in 'ou( the hope of 5lor'.2 &esus Christ livin5 IL and ,%I)JG% 'ou* What 3an the devil possi8l' 5ive 'ou that is an' 5reater than the :nowled5e of the fa3t that &esus 188

Christ is livin5 in 'our heart; Gver' on3e in awhile I feel li:e wal:in5 down the street and sa'in5( 0%e'( 3ant 'ou see &G+J+; %es in there*2 I would 9ust love so/eti/e to wal: into a super/ar:et and sa'( 0%e'( ever'8od'( do 'ou :now what; &esus lives in here. You pro8a8l' thin: %e died 2(--'ears a5o*2 What 5reater thin5 3an the devil ever 5ive 'ou; %e 3ant 5ive 'ou 7LY,%ILG that 3an 3o/pare with the :nowled5e that &esus Christ is livin5 in 'our heartD livin5 in and throu5h 'ou in the power of the %ol' +pirit. Youn5 people sa'( 0IF it was as /u3h fun 8ein5 a Christian as it is 8ein5 a sinner( I would 8e a Christian.2 "id 'ou ever hear an'one sa' that; "id 'ou ever hear an'one sa'( 04ein5 a Christian is a real fudd'<dudd' thin5* I dont li:e to have to 8e a 5ood'<5ood' all of the tune.2 ,hat is the devil te/ptin5 'ou* It is alwa's the devil who tells us to ta:e another path. &ohn 8> 1 sa's( 0,hen said &esus to those &ews whi3h 8elieved on hi/( Athe' were new 3onvertsB If 'e 3ontinue in /' word( then are 'e /' dis3iples indeedD2 A7nd here 3o/es the verse that so /an' people =uote without readin5 the verse ahead of itB 07nd 'e shall :now the truth and the truth shall /a:e 'ou free(2 A&ohn 8> 2B. )ver and over a5ain( I hear people =uote the verse( 0Ye shall :now the truth( and the truth shall /a:e 'ou free.2 ,hat is onl' part of the truth. You have to 8a3: up and listen to the 3ondition( and the 3ondition that 5oes with /a:in5 'ou free sa's( 0If 'e 3ontinue in /' word( then are 'e /' dis3iples.2 189

0IF Y)J C)L,ILJG IL 1Y W)I".2 You wont 8e a dis3iple of &esus unless 'ou 3ontinue in %is Word. 7nd what does 3ontinue /ean; Continue /eans to IG7" %is Word. It /eans to ") %is Word. It /eans to L)NG %is Word. It /eans to LING %is Word. It /eans to %)L" )L,) %is Word( and dont let the thin5s of the world 3o/e in to ta:e it out of 'our heart. ,hen( %e sa's( 'ou will 8e %is dis3iple. ,%GL is when %e 5ives the pro/ise( 8ut dont ever for5et the 3ondition of God. ,hen 0'e shall :now the truth( and the truth shall /a:e 'ou free.2 Nerse sa's the' answered( 0We 8e 78raha/s seed( and were never in 8onda5e to an' /an> how sa'est thou( Ye shall 8e /ade free;2 7nd &esus answered the/( 0Neril'( veril'( I sa' unto 'ou( Whosoever 3o//itteth sin is the servant of sin.2 A"id 'ou hear that;B 0Whosoever 3o//itteth sin is the servant of sin.2 0Well( God( I a/ servin5 'ou( 8ut I 9ust da88le in sin a tin' little 8it. Lot ver' /u3h( 9ust a tin'( little 8it( God.2 4ut what does Gods Word sa'; It sa's that an'one who 3o//its sin is a servant of sin. 7nd listen to this s3ripture( 07nd the servant a8ideth not in the house for ever.2 ,he servant of sin does not a8ide in the house of God forever( 8ut the +on a8ides forever. 7nd then %e 5ives that wonderful pro/ise( 0If the +on therefore shall /a:e 'ou free( 'e shall 8e free indeed.2 4ut 'ou 3annot 8e a servant of sin and 8e free indeed( 8e3ause the +on will onl' /a:e those free who are in %i/. +o we have to :now 8e'ond a shadow of a dou8t that 19-

we are in Christ &esus. We have to /eet %is 0IF2 3ondition to 8e /ade free. 1atthew #>1 sa's( 0IF the salt have lost his savour( ...it is 5ood for nothin5( 8ut to 8e 3ast out.2 ,hat /eans IF 'ou have lost 'our savour( 'ou have lost 'our a8ilit' to per: up so/ethin5* "o 'ou use salt in 'our 3oo:in5; "o 'ou thin: for the /ost part food tastes prett' rotten if 'ou dont put salt in it; I do* I thin: it tastes terri8le without salt. +alt is what 8rin5s out the flavor( and if we Christians have lost our a8ilit' to flavor the earth( we have lost our a8ilit' to have people loo: at us and sa'( 0W)W* Whatever it is that wild wo/an has( I want it. I dont understand what shes 5ot( 8ut whatever it is( I want it. I dont understand what shes 5ot( 8ut whatever it is( she loo:s li:e she sure is happ'* 07L" I 71* I a/ the wildest( happiest person in the entire world. I 8elieve that without a dou8t in /' heart. I dont have to worr'. I have vi3tor' over all pro8le/s. Ive 8een set free* %allelu9ah* When our little 5randdau5hter was two<and<a< hail she was sittin5 on /' lap and 8e5an pra'in5 in ton5ues. I listened intentl' for a few /inutes( then I said to her( 0+pi3e( are 'ou pra'in5 in ton5ues;2 I wish 'ou 3ould have seen the loo: on her fa3e when she said( 0Yeah*2 I as:ed her dadd' if he had laid hands on her for the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit and he said( 0Lo( Charit' Aour 5randdau5hter who was then five 'ears oldB pro8a8l' did( 8e3ause 'ou :now how she pra's and sin5s in ton5ues all the ti/e*2 7nd dont even /ention that 'ou have a pain when the' are near8'( 191

8e3ause 'oull have four little peanut 8utter and 9ell' hands laid on 'ou so fast it will /a:e 'our head swi/* God is 5oin5 to raise up fanati3s two 'ears old( five 'ears old( ten 'ears old* God is even 5oin5 to 5et ahold of old people. I/ 5lad God didnt 5ive up on old people( or %e would have 5iven up on /e a lon5( lon5 ti/e a5o* +o/eti/es when we first 5et saved( we sit down in our 3o/forta8le little pew and sa'( 0Well( now &ean rest. I/ saved*2 You have lost 'our flavor if 'ou sa' that and do that. You have lost 'our a8ilit' to season the world around 'ou. You need to re/ain a fanati3 all of 'our life. I re3entl' led a Catholi3 5irl to the Lord( and shes 5oin5 to 0salt2 her whole 3hur3h. +he is reall' eF3ited a8out &esus. +he even 5ave a tape on how to re3eive the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit to the priest. ,hat is reall' puttin5 a little flavorin5 in the pot* If the salt loses its flavor( then it is 3ast out. God sa's( 0If 'ou have lost 'our flavor( IF 'ou for5et( IF 'ou are asha/ed when 'ou 5o to s3hool or to wor: to tal: a8out &esus(2 then( God sa's( %e will throw 'ou out. 7nd all 8e3ause 'ou have lost 'our a8ilit' to flavor the people around 'ou. Id rather 8e one fanati3 in a hi5h s3hool 3lass who tal:s a8out &esus than to 8e the popular one that 'ou 3ant tell fro/ a sinner. I want to 8e salt' wherever I 5o* ,hat fanati3al hus8and of /ine tal:s a8out &esus ever'where we 5o. %e a3ts li:e the' :now what he is tal:in5 a8out. %e 9ust 5oes ri5ht on and on( and I dont :now of 192

an'one who leads /ore people to &esus than Charles does. %e hasnt lost his flavor a sin5le 8it* %es saltier toda' than he was the da' he 5ot saved* Glor'* ,hin: a /o/ent. 7re 'ou a 8i55er fanati3 toda' than 'ou were when 'ou 5ot saved; %ave 'ou lost a little 8it of that savour; %ave 'ou lost 'our first love AIevelation 2>4B; "o 'ou need to 5et 8a3: to the Lord and sa'( 04o'( I had 8etter 5et into the Word of God. Id 8etter listen to the Word of God. Id 8etter ") what %e tells /e to do. Id 8etter W7LM in %is wa's( and Id 8etter =uit wal:in5 in /' own wa's.2 ,hat is the thin5 that we all need to do. Ie/e/8er the three te/ptations of the devil* %e /ade it sound so 5ood to &esus. %e said( 0)h( 'ou 3an 8rea: that fast 'ou have 8een on( &esus* You 3an 8rea: that fast. &ust turn those stones into deli3ious hot 8read with fresh 3ountr' 8utter runnin5 all over the top. )r how a8out the world; Worship /e and I will 5ive 'ou the whole world*2 Ie/e/8er this( ,%G "GNIL C7L, GING Y)J 7LY,%ILG 4J, ,I)J4LG sin3e &esus redee/ed us fro/ his 3ontrol* 0)h( if God would 9ust heal /e( or heal /' hus8and( we would tal: a8out &esus*2 If 'ou dont tal: a8out %i/ 8efore 'ou 5et healed( 'oull never tal: a8out %i/ after 'ou 5et healed. You tal: a8out &esus 8e3ause 'ou love God* ,hats the thin5 that will /a:e 'ou tal: a8out %i/ IF 'ou reall' love %i/. Id tal: a8out %i/ whether or not %e had healed /' le5.

19

,he Israelites wal:ed fort' 'ears and their an:les never swelled. I loo:ed down at /ine re3entl' and said( 07n:les( 'ou are not 5oin5 to swell either.2 I loo:ed at 6sal/s this /ornin5 and dis3overed a5ain it sa's( 0%ow lovel' on the /ountain are the feet of the/ that 8rin5 Good Lews.2 I loo:ed down and said( 0%ello( 'ou 8eautiful feet* Youre lovel'*2 7nd 'ou 8rin5 Good Lews when 'ou tal: a8out &esus Christ. ,hin: in 'our own world how /an' ti/es 'our life hin5ed on the word 0IF2. "id 'our hus8and sa'( 0IF 'ou would /arr' /e 'ou would /a:e /e the happiest /an in the world;2 ,hat was a 5ood 0IF2( wasnt it; When our little 5randdau5hter was five 'ears old( she loved to help her /other( 8ut on3e in a while her 0helpin52 wasnt eFa3tl' helpin5. )ne da'( when her /other wasnt loo:in5( Charit' 5ot the :it3hen 3leanser out whi3h has a 5ood 8lea3h in it( and de3ided to wash the new 3arpet for her /other. Laturall'( she /ade a /ess of it* &oan said( 0When 'our dadd' 5ets ho/e( 'ou are 5oin5 to 5et a 5ood span:in5*2 Charit' said( 0Call /' dadd'. Ive 5ot so/ethin5 to sa' to hi/.2 +he 3alled her dadd' on the phone and said( 0"add'( IF 'ou dont span: /e( I will never do it a5ain. Ill never do it a5ain*2 +o/ethin5 powerful hun5 on her word 1an' ti/es we /a:e a pro/ise li:e that to God and sa'( 0)h( God( IF 'ou will 9ust for5ive /e this one /ore ti/e( I will never do it a5ain. I WILL LGNGI ") I, 7G7IL* God( IF 'ou will for5ive 194

/e this ti/e( I will never do it a5ain.2 ,hen( we turn ri5ht around and 8rea: the pro/ise to God( 8ut G)" LGNGI 4IG7M+ %I+ 6I)1I+G+ ,) J+. ,he favorite eF3use of /an' people for not attendin5 3hur3h is( 0I would 5o to 3hur3h ever' +unda' IF there werent so /an' h'po3rites in 3hur3h.2 "o 'ou see what the' are doin5; ,he' are invalidatin5 the Word of God( 8e3ause the Word sa's in %e8rews 1->2 # that we are not to forsa:e the asse/8lin5 of ourselves to5ether. 7nd that person who sits at ho/e thin:s it is a 5ood eF3use to sa'( 0,hose h'po3rites in 3hur3h :eep /e out*2 4eloved( I have news for 'ou. 7t least the h'po3rites are doin5 so/ethin5* %eres another 8i5 0IF2. 0IF I 3ould 9ust 5et /' 8ills paid( Id 5ive to the 3hur3h.2 0IF I 3ould 9ust 5et /' finan3es strai5htened out( Id 5ive to the 3hur3h.2 ,hats 9ust the opposite of what Gods Word sa's. %e said IF 'ou want to 5et 'our 8ills paid( 5ive first* 04ut Fran3es( that doesnt /a:e sense*2 I didnt sa' it /ade sense( I 9ust said that was what Gods Word sa's* %e sa's( 0IF 'ou 5ive( 'ou will 5et*2 Lu:e .> 8 /a:es that ver' plain and 3lear 8e3ause in it &esus sa's( 0Give( and it shall 8e 5iven unto 'ouD 5ood /easure( pressed down( and sha:en to5ether( and runnin5 over( shall /en 5ive into 'our 8oso/. For with the sa/e /easure that 'e /ete withal it shall 8e /easured to 'ou a5ain.2 %eres another 8i5 0IF2 that stands in the wa' of our 8ein5 Gods anointed at all ti/es* 0I a/ so worried. I have so /an' pro8le/s. I/ so worried a8out those 3hildren of /ine. ,he're on dru5s and 19#

dope( and the' want to sin all of the ti/e. ,he' dont want to do the thin5s of God. I 3ant 3on3entrate 8e3ause I/ so upset( so I 3ant read the 4i8le( 8ut 0IF2 I 3ould 9ust 5et /' fa/il' strai5htened out( I would reall' serve God and 5et into the Word*2 Lo( 'ou wouldnt. IF 'ou want 'our 3hildren to 5et saved( 8e a real witness for the Lord( and 5et the en< 5rafted Word of God into 'our heart( and then see what happens* What does &esus sa' a8out worr'; In 1atthew .>19< 4( %e tells us not to worr'. ,he heathen worr'* &esus tells us not to worr' 8e3ause %e will ta:e 3are of us. 6hilippians 4>19 sa's %ell suppl' 7LL of our need a33ordin5 to %is ri3hes in 5lor' 8' Christ &esus* 7nd that in3ludes the salvation of our fa/il'* 04ut see: 'e first the :in5do/ of God( and his ri5hteousnessD and all these thin5s shall 8e added unto 'ou2 A1atthew .> B. ,he 8i55est 0IF2 that stands in the wa' of /ost people is a 3o/plete 3o//it/ent to the Lord &esus Christ. 0Well( IF I 3ould 9ust 5et /' life strai5htened out( or IF I 3ould 5et a 8etter 9o8( or IF /' hus8and would 9ust 5et saved( or IF /' 3hildren would 9ust 5et strai5htened out( then I 3ould reall' serve the Lord*2 ,he 8i5 0IF2 in this 3ase is the dou8t and un8elief that the devil 5ives us. ,he eF3itin5 and s3riptural wa' to 8e vi3torious in all these thin5s is to reall' love &esus and let the lesser thin5s 3o/e se3ond to %i/ in 'our life. ,he thin5 that is so eF3itin5 a8out listenin5 to God is that Gods pro/ises are all 5ood. Gver'thin5 that God pro/ises 'ou( %e will 5ive 'ou. ,here has 19.

not failed one word of all of %is 5ood pro/ises( and %e sa's( 0I will even hasten /' word to perfor/ it in 'our life(2 A&ere/iah 1>12( paraphraseB. We need to trade all the 8i5 0IF+2 in our lives for the 0IF2 of God* 04ehold( I stand at the door and :no3:> IF an' /an hear /' voi3e( and open the door( I WILL 3o/e in to hi/ and will sup with hi/( and he with /e2 AIevelation >2-B. Its sure a lot /ore fun servin5 God than servin5 the devil.

19$

CHAPTER NINE If You Really Love Me,

YOU WON"T PANIC$ BUT PRAY( +everal 'ears a5o we visited the 6hilippines( 7ustralia( Lew Qealand and %on5 Mon5. When we returned( we 3a/e up with a new slo5an for the /inistr' C ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y* We had found ourselves in nu/erous situations whi3h 3ould have resulted in pani3 if we had not learned the antidote for pani3( whi3h is pra'er* I love to loo: up words in the di3tionar'( and )anic has a ver' interestin5 definition. It is 0a sudden( unreasonin5 h'steri3al fear C often spreadin5 widel'.2 Can 'ou thin: of situations where people pani3:ed 8e3ause the h'steri3al fear spread widel'; 6ro8a8l' fire is one of the thin5s that will 3ause /ore pani3 than an'thin5 else. When so/eone shouts 0FIIG(2 few people are a8le to reason thin5s out 3al/l'. )ver the 'ears this has 3aused sta/pedes where /an' lives were unne3essaril' sta/ped out. I want to share so/e of these eFperien3es with 'ou to show 'ou how God tau5ht us the real /eanin5 of +on$t ,anic.. .,ray-* We had a fantasti3 ni5ht the last ni5ht we were in the 6hilippines. God /oved in a ver' supernatural wa' and we saw so/e 9- to 9#H of the 3on5re5ation fall under the power of God. 7s 198

God swept throu5h the 4ethel ,e/ple in 1anila( /ira3les 8e'ond 8elief happened. In our wild enthusias/ as we ran up and down the aisles and saw God ta:e people under %is sla'in5 power( we failed to noti3e that Charles had lost his 5lasses* We were leavin5 at /idni5ht after this /a5nifi3ent displa' of the supernatural of God( and went i//ediatel' to the airport( fan3' Filipino dress( 8aron5 and all* We 3ould hardl' 3o/e down to earth lon5 enou5h to 3at3h a plane to 7ustralia. It was onl' after we were safel' on the airplane that Charles 8e3a/e a3utel' aware of the fa3t that he did not have his 5lasses. ,he 8aron5 was a for/al one and did not have a po3:et in it( so he had 3lipped his 5lasses onto the po3:et of his trousers. 7pparentl'( as we ran up and down the aisles in the power of God( so/eone 8rushed a5ainst hi/ and the 5lasses fell off. ,he first tenden3' of all of us in a situation li:e this is to thin:( 0)h( what a/ I 5oin5 to do( &esus( without /' 5lasses;2 ,he se3ond thin5 'ou /i5ht do is 5et /ad at 'ourself for wal:in5 out of a 3hur3h and leavin5 'our 5lasses there. ,he third alternative is the onl' intelli5ent one( and that is to pra'. We pra'ed. We pra'ed in ton5ues. We pra'ed and as:ed God to see that the 5lasses would 8e found and /ailed to us. We 3alled 8a3: several ti/es and after a8out a wee: of atte/ptin5 to 5et the/ 8a3:( we finall' de3ided so/e Filipino had found the/ who needed 5lasses. ,he de3ision 3a/e to have another pair /ade when Charles said( 0I reall' dont 3are what it 3osts 199

to 5et another pair of 5lasses 8e3ause I 3ant 8ear the thou5ht of spendin5 twent'<one and one half hours on the plane 5on5 ho/e without havin5 the a8ilit' to read the 4i8le.2 %e had his pres3ription with hi/( so we went out to see a8out 5ettin5 another pair of 5lasses /ade. Gven thou5h we went to ever' opto/etrist we 3ould find in the telephone 8oo:( we 3ouldnt find an'one in Lew Qealand who 3ould /a:e the/ in less than two wee:s. We 3ould have pani3:ed 8e3ause durin5 the /eetin5s in 7ustralia( I had to read all the s3riptures for our servi3es( and Charles felt so lost 8e3ause an' 4i8le readin5 that he re3eived was when I read out loud to hi/. %ere we were fa3in5 the ei5ht da's in Lew Qealand without 5lasses( and /ost i/portant of all( twent'<one and one half uninterrupted hours of 4i8le readin5 potential without 8ein5 a8le to see* We 8e5an to pra'* We pra'ed in Gn5lish and we pra'ed in the +pirit. We pra'ed and pra'ed and pra'ed waitin5 for God to 5ive us so/e sort of revelation. 7ll this is 5oin5 on while were in a 3a8 /a:in5 the rounds of opto/etrists in Wellin5ton( Lew Qealand. Finall'( we found an opto/etrist who said he would /a:e the 5lasses for us in 9ust two or three da's. ,hen 3a/e another pro8le/* When we started to sele3t the fra/es( he dis3overed that Charles wore 8ifo3als. %e said( 0Well( I/ reall' sorr' 8e3ause theres nothin5 we 3an do.2 Charles told hi/ that the top was 9ust plain 5lass( 8ut that he needed the 8otto/ lens for readin5.

2--

4ut the /an said( 0I/ sorr'( theres no wa' we 3an /a:e an' :ind of a 8ifo3al in less than two wee:s.2 We 8e5an to pra'* We 3ould have pani3:ed( 8ut we didnt* We pra'ed instead* Finall'( the /an 3a/e runnin5 out and said( 0%eres a pair of fra/es that 'ou /i5ht li:e.2 ,he' were ordinar'<loo:in5 5lassesD however( the' were /ade so that 5lass went in the 8otto/ part and the top was a8solutel' nothin5. You 3ould sti3: 'our fin5er throu5h it. Charles didnt need an'thin5 in the top( so in two da's the' /ade hi/ the lower part of the 8ifo3als and we were on our wa'. 4' the wa'( he wore those 5lasses for a8out three 'ears until the fra/es finall' wore out. ,his was a 5ood eFa/ple of a ti/e when we 3ould have pani3:ed instead of pra'in5( and it was at this point( whi3h happened ri5ht after the stor' I/ 5oin5 to tell neFt that we de3ided that the /otto of our /inistr' should forever 8e( ")L, 67LIC( 6I7Y* We 3annot overesti/ate the value of pra'in5 in ton5ues. Charles and I are thorou5hl' 3onvin3ed that /ore happens when 'ou pra' in ton5ues than when 'ou pra' an' other wa'. ,hats wh' we pra' in ton5ues far /ore than we pra' in Gn5lish. ,he 4i8le sa's that the %ol' +pirit pra's for needs that we dont even :now we have. It is so vital to re/e/8er that the %ol' +pirit :nows how to pra' for 'ou whereas when 'ou pra' in 'our own native lan5ua5e so/eti/es 'ou dont reall' :now what to pra' for.

2-1

When we were in the 6hilippines( we had a ver' unusual event o33ur. We had to 3han5e our fli5hts durin5 our trip to 7ustralia( so we went down to Oantas 7irlines and 5ot our ti3:ets 3han5ed. ,he airlines alwa's as: 'ou where 'ou are sta'in5( so we 5ave the/ the telephone nu/8er of the hotel where we were sta'in5( and then a ver' interestin5 thin5 happened* We were s3heduled to leave 1anila on +unda' ni5ht at /idni5ht. )n the Frida' 8efore( so/ewhere around > - in the afternoon we re3eived a telephone 3all fro/ the 'oun5 /an at Oantas 7irline who said( 0I dont :now wh'( 8ut I 9ust 3ant 5et 'ou off /' /ind*2 %e 3ouldnt understand wh' he was thin:in5 a8out us( 8ut we :new. We :new that Gods %ol' +pirit /ust have spo:en to hi/ a8out a need in our lives that we didnt even :now an'thin5 a8out. %e said( 0I 9ust have to as: 'ou a =uestion. "o 'ou have a visa to 7ustralia;2 We said( 0Lo( were not 5oin5 to 8e there that lon5( so we dont need a visa.2 %e as:ed( 0%ow lon5 are 'ou 5oin5 to 8e there;2 We answered( 078out ei5ht da's.2 %e said( 0Well( 'ou ") need a visa 8e3ause 'ou 3an onl' sta' in 7ustralia three da's without a visa. You 3annot leave the 6hilippines until 'ou have a ti3:et out of 7ustralia in less than three da's fro/ the ti/e 'ou arrive.2 67LIC... 67LIC... 67LIC... Lo( lets pra' instead.

2-2

"ont pani3... pra'* Charles and I 8e5an to pra'. ,he %ol' +pirit dropped a thou5ht into /' /ind( 0Call the 7ustralian G/8ass' to find out how lon5 the' are 5oin5 to 8e open.2 ,his was > - p./. on Frida' afternoon( and the' said the offi3e would 8e open until 4 p./. I as:ed how far awa' fro/ us the' were and he said approFi/atel' - /inutes. I hun5 up the telephone( and Charles and I went as fast as we 3ould to 5et a 3a8. When 'oure in a pani3 situation( it see/s as if nothin5 happens fast enou5h* Finall'( a 3a8 3a/e into si5ht( we 9u/ped in and told the 3a8 driver where we needed to 5o. We said( 0Weve 5ot to 8e there 8' 4 o3lo3: 8e3ause weve 5ot to 5et visas to 5et into 7ustralia +unda' ni5ht.2 We had also 8een advised that the' were not open on +aturda' and wouldnt 8e open until 1onda'( and we had to 8e in 7ustralia 8' 1onda' /ornin5. 7s soon as Charles and I told the 'oun5 /an in the 3a8 to 5et there as =ui3:l' as possi8le( we 8e5an to pra' in ton5ues. We didnt even :now how to pra' . We had no idea how or what to pra'. 7ll we :new was that so/ehow or another God was 5oin5 to intervene supernaturall' or we were 5oin5 to 8e in a /ess. We pra'ed in ton5ues as loudl' as we 3ould and as rapidl' as we 3ould( 8e3ause we wanted to 5et ever'thin5 in to God that we possi8l' 3ould in a short spa3e of ti/e. +uddenl'( I loo:ed up in the front seat and the 3a8 was 5oin5 9- :ilo/eters per hour and the speed li/it was - :ilo/eters an hour. I shut /' e'es and we dou8led the speed and volu/e of our pra'ers. We 3ouldnt pra' in Gn5lish 2-

8e3ause we didnt :now whether to pra' that God would have the/ leave the offi3e open( or what When 'ou dont :now how to pra'( the onl' wa' to pra' is in ton5ues. 75ain( we in3reased the speed and volu/e of our pra'ers. We pra'ed and pra'ed and pra'ed and pra'ed in ton5ues for the entire half hour it too: us to 5et there. I didnt open /' e'es a5ain 8e3ause it was all I 3ould do to han5 on as the Filipino 3a8 driver s3ooted around 3ars( went over 3ur8s( up and down alle's tr'in5 to 5et us there. You pro8a8l' thin: we 5ot there at eFa3tl' one /inute to four. Lo( 'oure wron5. We 5ot there at eFa3tl' seven /inutes past four. ,he 7ustralian G/8ass' was 3losed. I :ept thin:in5( 0"ont pani3... pra'* "ont pani3... pra'*2 It would have 8een so /u3h easier to pani3( 8ut we didnt. ,he door to the e/8ass' offi3e was 5lass( so we :no3:ed and :no3:ed( and 3ontinued pra'in5 in ton5ues. We pra'ed as fast and as sin3erel' as we 3ould. +uddenl'( fro/ the other side of the 5lass door 3a/e a 'oun5 Filipino to wash the door. Charles 8ent over to a little 3ra3: in the door and said( 0Weve 5ot to 5et in 8e3ause weve 5ot to 8e in 7ustralia 1onda' /ornin5 and we dont have an' visas. Can 'ou let us in;2 ,he 'oun5 /an 9ust shoo: his head and :ept on wipin5 the door. Charles and I loo:ed at ea3h other a5ain and we 8oth 8e5an to pra' in ton5ues at the sa/e ti/e. +uddenl'( the 'oun5 /an on the inside was /otionin5 with his fin5er for Charles to 3o/e 8a3: to the door. We :ept on pra'in5 in ton5ues and Charles ran over there =ui3:l'( put his ear to the 2-4

3ra3: in the door and we 8oth heard the 'oun5 /an sa' the /ost unusual thin5( 0,a:e the elevator down to the 4th floor and ta:e the fire es3ape 8a3: up* Charles turned around and loo:ed at /e and we 8oth 8e5an pra'in5 in ton5ues a5ain. 0,a:e the fire es3ape;2 We didnt even have an' idea what this /eant or where the fire es3ape was. 4ut we 8elieved that God had /oved supernaturall'( so we 5ot in the elevator( went down to the fourth floor( 5ot off at the fourth floor( loo:ed around( pra'ed in ton5ues all the ti/e( and finall' found the fire es3ape. We went up on the fire es3ape( and would 'ou li:e to :now where the fire es3ape ta:es 'ou; "IIGC,LY IL,) ,%G )FFICG )F ,%G 7J+,I7LI7L G147++Y* Isnt God 5ood; Charles and I ran for a sofa( 5ra88ed a newspaper( and sat there li:e we had 8een waitin5 all da'. +hortl'( so/eone 3a/e out and as:ed us what we needed and we told hi/ we needed our visas to 5et into 7ustralia. %e said( 0,here is no wa'. It ta:es two wee:s.2 We told hi/ we had to 8e there 8e3ause we had a spea:in5 en5a5e/ent on 1onda'. In 8etween ea3h senten3e we silentl' pra'ed in ton5ues. What an opportunit' to pani3... 8ut we :ept thin:in5 to ourselves( ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y* We didnt /ove( and finall'( another /an 3a/e out. 7s he wal:ed over to us( we redou8led our pra'in5 in ton5ues. %e said( 0Let /e see 'our passports*2 7nd to /a:e a lon5 stor' shortD twent' /inutes to five we wal:ed out of the 7ustralian 2-#

G/8ass' with four visas in our hands. Lot onl' did we 5et ours( we 5ot dau5hter and her hus8ands as well* ,his shows 'ou the supernatural power of God when 'ou 3all upon %i/ instead of pani3:in5. I do not 8elieve there is an' wa' we 3ould have 5otten our visas were it not for the fa3t that we didnt pani3...8ut pra'ed* While we were in 7ustralia( one of the ,N 3hannels sent so/e of their 3a/era/en and a reporter out to fil/ one of our /ira3le servi3es. Gven thou5h the' had their 3a/eras on when /ira3les were happenin5( its funn' how a lot of people dont 8elieve even when the' see a /ira3le with their own e'es. ,he station 3alled us the neFt da' and invited us to 3o/e down to their station 8e3ause the' said the' would li:e a personal interview with us. ,he two of us went down eFpe3tin5 the nor/al pleasant interview. ,he interviewer said to us( 06lease dont 8e surprised at an'thin5 that I as: 'ou 8e3ause I/ as:in5 'ou fro/ a reporters view.2 We said( 0,hats perfe3tl' all ri5ht.2 +he said( 0I/ not 5oin5 to tell 'ou what I/ 5oin5 to as: 'ou in advan3e.2 75ain( we said( 0,hats perfe3tl' all ri5ht 8e3ause we have done /an' television pro5ra/s and so whatever 'ou as:( well 9ust as: God to 5ive us the 3orre3t answer.2 When the television li5hts 3a/e on( she had her 8a3: to us so the 3a/era was on 8oth her fa3e and Charles( 8ut the 8a3: of her head was towards us. +he said ri5ht into the 3a/era a =uestion that 3ould 2-.

have :no3:ed our heads off had we not depended on the power of God. +he said( 01r. %unter( I thin: 'oure a ver' sweet2 Awe were s/ilin5 8' that ti/eB... then there was a lon5 pause as she whirled her 3hair around and added( 0...C)L /an* What do 'ou have to sa' to that;2 6ani3 3o/in5 up.. .how do 'ou answer that :ind of a =uestion; If 'ou den' it( it onl' /a:es 'ou loo: li:e 'ou are defendin5 'ourself* "ont pani3... pra'* I 8e5an to pra' 8e3ause the =uestion was dire3ted to Charles. %e never lost one se3ond( never 8atted an e'e. %e loo:ed her ri5ht strai5ht in the e'e and the 3a/era was on his fa3e to 3at3h his rea3tion. %e said( 0%allelu9ah( thats what the' said a8out &esus( so if 'oure sa'in5 that a8out /e( what 'oure reall' sa'in5 is that I /ust 8e li:e &esus.2 Who do 'ou thin: won that interview; Charles( of 3ourse( 8e3ause instead of pani3:in5( pra'er 8rou5ht Gods answer and it was a d'na/ite interview* %eres another eF3itin5 ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y stor'. We had flown into Willia/sport( 6enns'lvania and had to 3harter a private plane to ta:e us on into Canada the neFt da'. We had flown the sa/e airline fro/ the sa/e 3it' to the sa/e 3it' the previous 'ear and had had no pro8le/s whatsoever. %owever( when we 5ot out there this ti/e the' announ3ed that the /aFi/u/ wei5ht load of the plane was onl' what our individual wei5hts were and did not even in3lude the lu55a5e althou5h the' were 5oin5 to tr' to put our two suit3ases in. We 2-$

were 3arr'in5 five 3artons of 8oo:s and two 3ases of tapes and desperatel' needed the/ all in the Canadian area. ,here was no other wa' that we 3ould 5et out of Willia/sport( 6enns'lvania and arrive in Canada until the neFt da' and we had to 8e there to fulfill spea:in5 dates. We loo:ed at the five 3artons of 8oo:s and the two 3ases of tapes and felt li:e this was a perfe3t opportunit' to pani3. We had left tapes and 8oo:s 8ehind 8efore and never had the/ returned to us( so we 3ertainl' didnt want to leave the/. ,he pilot said( 0,heres a8solutel' no wa'.2 ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y* Charles said to hi/( 0Well( there /ust 8e a wa'. +urel' the' dont /a:e a siF<passen5er plane where 'ou 3ant ta:e an' lu55a5e and 9ust a few 3ases of 8oo:s.2 ,he /an was ver' ada/ant. %e insisted there was no wa'. We 8e5an to pra'. We pra'ed in Gn5lish and we pra'ed in ton5ues. Finall'( the /an 3a/e out and said( 0Well( if I left the 3o<pilot at ho/e( /a'8e I 3ould 5et the 8oo:s in. ,he 3o<pilot wei5hts 1#- pounds. %ow /u3h do the 8oo:s wei5h;2 We said( 01#- pounds.2 Ga3h 3arton wei5hed pounds and we had five 3ases. We 3ontinued to pra' 8e3ause we wanted ever'thin5 to 5et into that little plane. We 3ontinued to pra' in ton5ues and praise God. 7nd would 'ou 8elieve it( when the' finall' fi5ured it all out( we too: all the lu55a5e( all the 8oo:s and all the 3assette tapes with us. 2-8

God 3an supernaturall' override re5ardless of what the 3ir3u/stan3es are. We arrived in one of the worst snow stor/s the' had ever seen in Canada in our little twin en5ine plane with all our lu55a5e. 7s we landed safel'( we said( 0%allelu9ah* ,han: 'ou( &esus( for tea3hin5 us not to pani3( 8ut to pra'*2 7nother ti/e we were s3heduled to 8e at IeF %u/8ards Cathedral of ,o/orrow. We were fl'in5 fro/ +iouF Falls( +outh "a:ota to 7:ron( )hio. We had our reservations on the plane( 8ut when we 5ot to the airport( the airlines dis3overed that the travel a5en3' had done a ver' pe3uliar thin5. ,he' had 8oo:ed us on the fli5ht( 8ut on +unda' this parti3ular fli5ht left one hour earlier than it did all the rest of the wee:. We had arrived fift'< five /inutes 8efore the plane was s3heduled to leave onl' to dis3over that the plane had left five /inutes earlier. 6ani3 3o/in5 up* ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y*** 6ani3 3o/in5 up* Weve 5ot to 8e in 7:ron toni5ht* ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y** We as:ed the/ to fi5ure out how we 3ould 5et to 7:ron( )hio( 8e3ause it was a real ne3essit' that we 8e there. ,he ti3:et a5ent said the' were 3o/pletel' sold out on the one fli5ht that would 5et us there on ti/e and there was no other plane 5oin5 into 7:ron until 1onda'. A4' that ti/e the servi3e would 8e over.B ,here was a tour 8oo:ed on the plane and there was no wa' the' would 3an3el 8e3ause the' had 3alled in to 3onfir/ all passen5ers were on a 8us to 2-9

3onne3t with the fli5ht. ,here would 8e no 3an3ellation of seats* 6ani3 3o/in5 up... ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y** We 8elieve that all thin5s are possi8le with God( so we 8e5an to pra' in ton5ues and in Gn5lish. We said( 0God( we dont 3are what 'ou have to do( do so/ethin5 to 5et us on that plane 8e3ause this is the first ti/e we have ever 8een invited to spea: at the Cathedral of ,o/orrow and we dont want to /iss this opportunit'.2 ,hen we said( 0,han: 'ou( &esus* ,han: 'ou( &esus*2 and 8e5an pra'in5 in ton5ues. We wal:ed up to the ti3:et 3ounter pra'in5 in ton5ues and we 3ontinued to pra' in ton5ues. We laid our ti3:ets down on the 3ounter and the lad' said( 0,here isnt a 3han3e in the world for 'ou to 5et on. Were waitin5 for this tour to 3o/e in and ever' sin5le solitar' seat is ta:en.2 ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y** We 3ontinued to pra' in ton5ues( and when it was ti/e for the plane to leave( the 8us still hadnt 3o/e in. ,elephone 3alls 8e5an 5oin5 8a3: fro/ the ti3:et offi3e to the lo88' downstairs( 8a3: and forth( 8a3: and forth. Finall'( the ti3:et lad' 3alled us over and said( 0,he tour has had 8us trou8le( so the' wont 8e a8le to use their seats. ,he two of 'ou 3an 5o on*2 Isnt God 5ood Lot onl' did he 5ive us a plane to 5o on and 5ive us seats to sit in( he 5ave us enou5h seats that we 3ould la' down and ta:e a nap on the wa' to Chi3a5o. God 3an supernaturall' /ove to stop a 8us so that Gods 3hildren 3an 5et

21-

where the're supposed to 5o. ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y** "o these thin5s happen onl' to people li:e Charles and Fran3es %unter; Lo( the' happen to an'one who is willin5 to re/e/8er those three little words( 0")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y*2 )ne of the /ost i/pressive stories I have ever read 3on3ernin5 this was in the 1ar3h( 1982 issue of Guidepost. It is the stor' of 1o'a )lsen Lear( Chair/an of the 4oard of the Lear 7via Corporation( of Ieno( Levada. It was interestin5 to us 8e3ause we re3eived the 8aptis/ with the %ol' +pirit fro/ listenin5 to a tape 8' Geor5e )tis who was at one ti/e the General 1ana5er of the Lear &et Corporation. In fa3t( Geor5e led 4ill Lear to &esus 8efore 4ill died. 4ill Lear had invented /an' thin5s in3ludin5 the 3ar radio( air3raft<dire3tion finder( auto/ati3 pilot( ei5ht<tra3: stereo and the fa/ous Lear &et plane. Gven at the a5e of $#( he had the enthusias/ of a little 8o' for new inventions. %e had invented a new plane 3alled the Lear Fan 21-- whi3h 0would 8e /ade of a /olded 5raphite and epoF' 3o/posite with no rivets or sea/s to 3reate air dra5.2 ,he unusual 3o/8ination would result in tre/endous fuel savin5s 8e3ause it was li5hter than alu/inu/ and tou5her than steel. %e had 8e5un wor:in5 on this in earnest in 19$$( 8ut died 8efore its 3o/pletion. 1rs. Lear had felt her happ' world with her hus8and had ended and felt she 3ouldnt 5o on( 8ut then she re/e/8ered the words her hus8and had spo:en to 211

her fro/ his hospital 8ed( 0Finish it( 1o//'(2 he had pleaded( 0Finish it*2 %er hus8and had willed siF /illion dollars 0seed /one'2 to the pro9e3t( 8ut the' needed at least P1-- /illion. ,here was no /one' to 3o/plete the pro9e3t( 8ut she felt a real ur5in5 of the %ol' +pirit to 3o/plete it. ,he sa/e eF3ite/ent and ur5en3' that she felt see/ed to 8e 5rowin5 a/on5 the people wor:in5 in the plant. Finall'( the' de3ided on a plan. ,he' sold 2-li/ited partnerships in the pro9e3t 8ut also sold advan3e orders for 18-. ,his 8rou5ht in P#- /illion( 8ut it was still onl' half of what the' needed. ")L, 67LIC... 6I7Y 7nd thats what she did. +uddenl'( the 4ritish 5overn/ent( 0wantin5 to 8olster industriall' depressed Lorthern Ireland( pro/ised us P#/illion if the Lear Fans produ3tion plant 3ould 8e 8uilt in 4elfast. 4ut there was that i/portant stipulation> ,he pilot /odel of the Lear Fan had to fl' 8' the end of 198-.2 ,he e/plo'ees all felt the eF3ite/ent of the 3hallen5e( and as "e3e/8er :ept slippin5 8' da' 8' da'( the' 8e5an to wor: harder and harder. ,he /en wor:ed Christ/as Gve. ,heir fa/ilies had to visit the/ at the plant. "urin5 the first holida' wee:( the first shift of wor:ers refused to 5o ho/e. ,he' slept in sleepin5 8a5s in the han5ar. Fa/ilies 8rou5ht sandwi3hes in for the/ to eat. Wor: pro5ressed. )n the -th of "e3e/8er( the plane failed when pro8le/s developed in taFi tests. ,he' were 9ust /inor first<fli5ht :in:s( 8ut the' were 3riti3al 8e3ause the' had run out of ti/e* 212

It was now the 1st of "e3e/8er( the final da' for the plane to su33essfull' fl' in order for the/ to 5et the P#- /illion the' needed. ,he plane started down the runwa'. +uddenl'( s/o:e puffed fro/ under it and the 3raft shuddered to a halt. ,he' had over<used the 8ra:es in the hi5h<speed taFi tests. ,he' heated up and 8lew the tires. 67LIC... 67LIC... 67LIC... "ont pani3( 6I7Y* 1o'a Lear wal:ed into her ho/e alone. +he didnt pani3( she 8e5an to pra'. +he didnt wail and weep. +he 8e5an to pra'( 0I will Kta:e therefore no thou5ht for the /orrow> for the /orrow shall ta:e thou5ht for the thin5s of itself2 A1atthew .> 4B. It was too late for the P#- /illion to 3o/e in fro/ the 4ritish Govern/ent( 8ut the Lear Fan 3ould still fl'. "ont pani3 a8out the future( 1o'a( 9ust pra'* Lew Years "a'( 1981 was a 8eautiful da' and around noon the Lear Fan 21-- 8e5an /ovin5 down the runwa'( too: off( and 3ir3led the field( then sailed up into the 8eautiful 8lue s:'. Lothin5 held it 8a3:( one da' too late. 0+oon after( we re3eived a 3o//uni3ation fro/ the 4ritish 5overn/ent. 733ordin5 to offi3ial re3ords( it said( the Lear Fan 21-- flew its /aiden fli5ht on "e3e/8er 2( 198-*2 When I thin: of &esus( I 3ant re/e/8er a sin5le ti/e %e told us to pani3. %e si/pl' told us to 0pra' at all ti/es.2 +o( ")L, 67LIC. ..6I7Y*

21