Light

for Living

By Joseph Kostelnik, Ph.D.

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 Light for Living

Light for Living

Copyright ©1994 by Gospel Truth Ministries.

Revised Edition ©2004-2015 by Gospel Truth Ministries.

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 1-59196-784-8

Printed in the United States of America.

Prophetic Voice Publications

http://www.gtm.org/pvp/

Gospel Truth Ministries

P.O. Box 1885
Cincinnati, OH 45201-1885
USA

http://www.gtm.org/

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 Table of Contents
Light for Living..................................5
The Mystic Secret...............................7
This is it!.................................................13
The Mystic Path.....................................17
Waiting, Winging & Walking..........23
Mysterious Ways....................................24
Waiting...................................................25
Winging..................................................35
Walking..................................................39
Stop, Look & Listen.........................43
Stop.........................................................44
Look.......................................................51
Listen......................................................55
Wrestling & Winning.......................59
Pray or Be Prey......................................60
James & Peter.........................................63
Powerful Prayer......................................65
Paul’s Advice..........................................69
Guiding Prayer.......................................71
Conquering Prayer..................................73
Energizing Prayer...................................75

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 Light for Living

The Sword of the Spirit..........................79

Prevailing Prayer....................................83
About the Author.............................87

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 Light for Living

Light for Living

Several years ago, I was invited to write an article to be
translated into Dutch and published in a “full gospel”
magazine with a circulation of over 100,000. Needless to
say, I was seeking the Lord concerning the subject matter,
desiring to minister as effectively as possible to as many as
possible. I titled the article “The Way Out,” and began it by
asking the question, “If you were in a dark cave and saw
just a tiny sliver of light ahead, which direction would you
travel?”
It’s obvious that we need more than a little light to
“make it” in this sin-darkened world. It seems we are
constantly beset with difficulties, trials, troubles and
tribulations. But there is a Way out: His Name is Jesus.
Through His Spirit and Word, we can live in the
fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ and not only
weave our own way through life’s often complicated
tapestry, but bring light along life’s pathway to others as
well.
Heavenly Hints
This volume is a compilation of four previously
published books. Each has been well received, both here in

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the United States, as well as overseas. We begin with The
Mystic Secret and shed light on the mystery of the gospel,
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
The second section, Waiting, Winging & Walking,
continues with some helpful hints from Heaven regarding
our progression as developing believers in the Lord Jesus
Christ.
The third portion, Stop, Look & Listen, details a
simple, yet profound, approach to handling life’s
difficulties with the sure Word of God and principles of
victory from His infallible Word.
The final section entitled, Wrestling & Winning, is a
brief but comprehensive look at the dynamics of spiritual
warfare, zeroing in on the Bible truth concerning the
“Sword of the Spirit” (and how to wield It).
Spiritual Smorgasbord
Pull up a chair, then, and heed the Master’s invitation
to, “Come and dine,” feasting on heavenly riches gleaned
from His Word. It is our prayer that these studies—grouped
together, edited and presented in this new form—will be
enlightening, edifying and inspiring to you as you walk the
daily path prepared for you by the Lord.
May you benefit from His Light for living.

Dr. Joseph Kostelnik, Ph.D.

(White Oak) Cincinnati, Ohio
June 1994

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 The Mystic Secret

The Mystic Secret

“Know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly, that
mystic secret of God [which is] Christ, the Anointed One”
(Col. 2:2, Amplified).

A number of years ago, when I was in graduate school,

my friend and I were making our way home on the
interstate highways between Lexington, Kentucky and
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Neither of us were married at the
time; but we both had sweethearts awaiting us in our
hometowns. Needless to say, we were very anxious to
reach our destination!
However, being young seminarians (knowing all the
answers and needing someone to tell them to!), we became
deeply involved in a discussion of theological matters.
Suddenly, I noticed a sign indicating we were
approaching a certain city in Ohio. The problem was, in all
the previous trips home, I never remembered having driven
past this town! We quickly pulled off the road, and after
checking the road map, discovered we were hours out of
our way! To say we were shocked and disappointed would
be a gross understatement.
After a number of turns, we were once more on the

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right road, and in a number of hours, were reunited with
our girlfriends (both of whom we later married).
Do you suppose we rejoiced the entire weekend over
the fact that we had finally gotten back on the right road?
No!
We rejoiced when we reached our destination!
Our destination – from start to finish – was always
Pittsburgh, and our waiting girlfriends. Getting on the
wrong road, and eventually getting back on the right road,
were only means to the end. They were never our goal or
original intention.
My experience illustrates a great spiritual truth, perhaps
the greatest one of all. The entire plan of redemption,
including the Incarnation of the Son of God: His life, death,
burial, resurrection and ascension to Heaven and pouring
out of the Gift of the Holy Spirit was a divine parenthesis!
Two Trees
This fact—alarming as it sounds—is firmly rooted in
the revelation of God given to us in the Scriptures. Paul,
the Apostle, describes God’s original intention for mankind
in the Book of Colossians:
“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and
from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the
glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in
you, the hope of giory” (Col. 1:27).
Here, in this fascinating verse of scripture, the apostle
declares what was in the Mind of God for man from the
beginning: a divine Indwelling.
Can you take that in?
God, from the very beginning—from before the
beginning—has desired to indwell man with His own life,

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love and power.
This is the true genius of Christianity!
Not a ritual, but a reality.
Not a religion, but a relationship.
Not an imitation, but an impartation.
Not a creed, but a living Christ.
This was all set forth in the first book of the Bible in the
description of the two trees God placed in the midst of the
garden.
“And out of the ground made Yahweh God to grow
every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food;
the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:9).
Often, confusion arises in our minds as we study this
record of Man’s earliest ages. Many have taught us that the
tree of life in the midst of the garden was placed there by
God for the purpose of prolonging Adam and Eve’s
physical lives.
However, this cannot be.
Before Adam and Eve sinned and fell from grace, there
was no physical death.
Simply eating from the fruit of any of the trees of the
garden which were “good for food,” would have more than
provided for that. At that time: there was no physical
death!
The tree of life “in the midst of the garden” must have
symbolized something other than natural, human life. In
short, the tree of life was God’s offer to Adam and Eve of
His own uncreated life.
Adam and Eve were not “sons of God” as we Christians
presently understand that term. They were “created”
Children of God, but did not possess the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit. They were innocent, morally neutral human

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beings. God, the Heavenly Father’s intention in the garden
was for them to willingly receive His life into their human
spirits and thereby become partakers of the divine Nature,
Eternal life. It was this purpose which caused Him to place
the tree of life ‘in the midst of the garden.’
There was, however, another tree in the center of the
garden; it was called the tree of the Knowledge of Good
and Evil. For Adam and Eve to eat of this tree would bring
forth “death” (Gen. 2:17).
As a matter of fact, God had said that in the very day
they would eat of it, they would surely die. We know their
decision. First Eve, then her husband, partook of the fruit
of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
What was the result?
Did they die—physically—that day?
No.
The Inspired Record tells us that Adam lived over 900
years before he succumbed to physical death.
How, then, did they “die” that day?
They died spiritually.
That is, their innocence became disobedience, and their
communion with the Heavenly Father was severed. death,
biblically means separation. They were spiritually “dead.”
Eating from the fruit of the tree of the Knowledge of
Good and Evil brought forth “spiritual death.” This fact
reinforces the truth of our contention that eating of the fruit
of the tree of life would have brought forth “spiritual life.”
Adam and Eve rejected God’s “mystery” which Paul
declares in Col. 1:27, namely, the divine Indwelling of the
Son in them through the Holy Spirit, and chose, instead, the
life of rebellion and self-centeredness offered to them in the
tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Instead of choosing to live a life of humility, receptivity

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and faith (living from the tree of life which is Christ), they
chose to walk the way of independence, trusting in their
newly acquired “knowledge.”
Instead of living from Spirit-led intuition, they chose to
plod their way through life by sense-knowledge gained
from their souls.
Did God abandon man?
No.
As we mentioned earlier, the entire plan of redemption
was established by God the Father in order to bring about
His original intention: the divine Indwelling.
It took the Incarnation of the Son, His sinless life, His
miracles, His teaching, and, most importantly, His
substitutionary death upon the Cross and subsequent
Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, as well as His
pouring out of the Gift of the Holy Spirit, to achieve God’s
‘impossible dream.’ (see my book, The Lord Jesus: The
Christ).
But it happened. Jesus Christ came. He conquered sin,
sickness, Satan, circumstances and death. He shed His
blood to forgive our sins.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have
given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for
your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for
the soul” (Lev. 17:11).
God revealed to the Children of Israel His appointed
means of forgiving their sins: the shedding of the blood of
an innocent animal. All of this, in the words of the Apostle,
Paul, in his letter to the Hebrew Christians, was symbolic
of the work of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10).
Holy Communion
Paul tells us that whenever we celebrate the Lord’s

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Supper, we “show forth the Lord’s death until He comes”
(1 Cor. 11:26).
What are those emblems but symbols of our union with
Him and with one another?
What is Holy Communion but an outward sign of an
inward grace which declares that we have decided to live
from the tree of life?
Each time we take the Bread and the Cup, we travel in
spirit to our own “Edens” and choose—willingly—what
Adam and Eve refused: the divine Indwelling.
Praise God forevermore!
Not that the Communion service exhausts our
experience of the life of Christ. Far from it! Our real life
is now “hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). We are
blessedly “one Spirit with Christ” (1 Cor. 6:17). Christ in
us is our only hope of being glorified at the Second Coming
of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:27).
Can you understand that it has been the Father’s
intention from eternity past to live His life of love in you?

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This is it!
How many times I have looked into the faces of
suffering human beings, their expressions mutely asking
the question in every honest heart:
“Why am I here?”
“That we should be to the praise of his glory” (Eph.
1:12).
Paul, by the revelation of the Spirit, answered this oft-
repeated human cry: we are to exist to the praise of the
glory of God. We were created to contain Him, to express
Him, to commune with Him, and to reveal Him unto others,
that all might be one in Christ.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven” (Mt. 5:16).
Paul says this divine Indwelling is the Mystery of God
(Col. 1:27)!
This blessed experience was made possible by the
Cross-work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is made actual
in us by the Holy Spirit.
In writing to the Ephesians about this “mystic secret,”
Paul said:
“How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery… that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of
the same Body, and partakers of his promise by the

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Gospel” (Eph. 3:3-6).
What is, “His Promise?”
“...And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For
the promise is unto you” (Acts 2:39).
“...That we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith” (Gal. 3:14).
“...In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon
you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be
endued with power from on high’’ (Luke 24:49).
His “Promise,” as these verses clearly show, that
“Promise” which is so intimately connected with this
“mystery,” is none other than the fullness of the Holy Spirit
poured out upon believers in Jesus Christ.
Praise God for His unspeakable Gift!
Through this Promise we become the Temples of the
Living God (2 Cor. 6:16).
He dwells in us, walks in us, and talks in us! At last,
God’s glory is resident—continually—in man!
We now have the unspeakably precious privilege of
uninterrupted communion with the divine! He is in us,
motivating us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil.
2:13).
Man has come home to God.
The Dwelling Place of God is with man.
The “Mystic Secret,” or “divine Mystery,” has finally
been revealed.
After our Lord ascended into Heaven and was seated at
the Right Hand of Majesty on High, He poured out the
Promise, the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
In his Pentecostal sermon, Peter boldly equated the
Pentecostal effusion experienced by the 120 with what Joel

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had prophesied many centuries earlier through the
revelation of that same Spirit.
“But this is that” (Acts 2:16).
We might paraphrase and, were it possible, shout to
seeking, suffering, dissatisfied humanity: This is it!
This divine Indwelling is what you crave. It is the
Master’s own dear life, Spirit and power which you so
desperately require. It is only the Christ-life in your life
that will satisfy the longing of your heart!
Oh, to appreciate and enjoy all the glorious riches of
this “mystery!”
It was Paul’s passion to do just this.
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching
every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28).
It was the desire of Paul’s life to unfold the full glory
and radiance of this wonder-fact: Jesus Christ is literally
within you!
This is also my desire.
We are never alone.
But how few Christians intelligently recognize this.
Instead, when temptation comes, or trouble strikes, or
problems threaten, we despair and lament, inwardly, if
not outwardly:
“Oh, God, where are you now?”
Do not persist in this.
Instead, affirm: “In Your Presence is fullness of joy”
(Ps. 16:11).
Do not persist in the illusion that you are “on your own”
as you face life’s cruelties.
You are not.
“Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is
in you” (2 Cor. 13:5)?

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Remember, this is not a theological theory, but a divine
reality!
It is not “your” trouble, unless you are determined to
make it so.
You are not your own; you were bought with a price,
and the Lord of Glory is residing in you (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
Cast your care upon Him. Get alone in the Presence of
God. Pray in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18).
Can you not sense His Presence, warm and vibrant,
thrilling your entire being?
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).
Here, the Psalmist exhorts us to “be still” (at once,
Heb.), and then “know” (recognize) that I-I (emphatic,
Heb.) am God (Elohim, Heb.).
It is only when we are still long enough that we can
really know that He—not the temptation, trouble or
problem—is God, the Triune Lord and Master of Creation.
And He lives within us!
A lack of knowing, understanding or living in the light
of this glorious reality is the reason for the lack of the
victorious life among even Spirit-filled Christians. We are
God-indwelt, yet we live as though He were a million miles
away and totally unconcerned with us and our lives.
How tragic!
With Peter, we must again affirm: this is it!
It is Him that we seek and need.
Let us experience His Presence (see my book, The
Presence of God).
Let us begin to look at our life’s difficulties in the light
of His radiant indwelling.

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The Mystic Path

Real Christianity is a far cry from what often passes for
it.
Christianity is not to be confused with “churchianity.”
Real Christianity is a mystical relationship with the
Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ in the power
of the Holy Spirit. I say “mystical” relationship because it
is so easy to mouth creeds and make mental assent to
correct doctrine while remaining a stranger to the warming,
revitalizing grace of God which is offered in Jesus. It is
that personal communion in the Holy Spirit with the Son of
God which is the sum and substance of the Christian life.
The difference between it and the counterfeit brand is
something like the difference between a photograph of a
chocolate sundae and a real one.
How sad that many earnest believers have nonetheless
missed the boat by adhering to the fundamentals of the faith
and mentally assenting to the truth of the divine Indwelling,
while not actually experiencing it.
It is our fellowship that He desires. Sometimes I
wonder if Jesus Christ isn’t the loneliest Person in the
universe.
Here we are, the recipients of His grace, the possessors
of this “treasure in earthen vessels,” and most of us spend
all of our time magnifying and testifying only to the plan of

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Salvation, while missing the truth of the purpose of
Salvation: His indwelling!
It is like spending the rest of one’s life rejoicing that
one is on the right road instead of glorying in the fact of
reaching one’s destination!
May God help us to appreciate His grace.
There is no need to be afraid of that word, mystic.
According to the dictionary, a mystic is one who professes
to be in a conscious union with the divine, or ultimate
reality.
That is true of every Christian, is it not?
Paul was a mystic. The believers in the Early Church
were mystics. All of the great saints throughout the
Church’s history have been mystics such as: Francis of
Assisi, George Fox, Madame Guyon, A.B. Simpson, John
G. Lake, Charles S. Price and others.
Do not deny yourself the ultimate Christian experience:
union with God!
Begin—at once—to live in the light of this glorious fact
of the indwelling Presence of God, and allow it to
transform your entire experience of everyday life.
A Compelling Indwelling
This truth of the Master’s indwelling can absolutely
revolutionize your entire Christian experience. One cannot
be a conscious participator the life of Christ within, without
this fact making itself evident to others in what we think,
feel, say and do. The Christ-life in our life will bring about
a graceful transformation into every facet of our being (see
my book, Psychology, Sin & Salvation [Diploma in
Ministry]).
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may
instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor.

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2:16).
The pronoun, “we,” in this verse is emphatic.
Paul says, “but we-we have the Mind of Christ.”
How wonderful!
Because of His indwelling in us, the Lord can actually
impart His thoughts to us, giving us His own divine insight
into the nature of things in the natural and the spiritual
world.
The Apostle assures us in this verse that we believers,
unlike unsaved humanity, need not plod our way through
life, stumbling in the darkness of Satanic deception and the
confines of our fallen intellects. We have a divine Unction
within!
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom,
to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit” (1
Cor. 12:8).
This is not the wisdom of the world, or knowledge
gleaned from the study of books, but the intuitive
intelligence of the Almighty given in the present moment,
directly by the Holy Ghost. Praise God!
“For the love of Christ constraineth us” (2I Cor. 5:14).
This is not Paul’s love for Christ, but the love of Christ
in Paul for others.
Just as we can begin to, “think God’s thoughts after
Him,” because of the mystery of God, so we can also have
our emotions infused with the divine Personality of the
Triune Godhead. We can “feel as He feels.”
This is a miracle of grace. It is not a thing in the whole
wide world that we “feel.” Rather, it is simply the Holy
Spirit, indwelling and influencing our spirit with His divine
nature.
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be
filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

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We have here the great contrast.
One stimulation, wine, leads to excess. The margin
reads, riot, or profligacy. Isn’t that just like the Devil?
Everything he seeks to stimulate mankind with tears down
and destroys the human personality.
On the other hand, being “under the influence” of God’s
Stimulant (the Holy Spirit), does just the opposite: it builds
us up.
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth
himself” (1 Cor. 14:4).
The word “edifieth” in this verse means to “build up,”
or strengthen. Jude uses a form of the same Greek verb in
verse 20 of his letter.
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in
the love of God” (Jude 20).
This sentence involves a subjunctive construction. That
is to say, if we are in the habit of “building ourselves up in
our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit” (I Cor.
14:4, 15, 16), we will automatically keep ourselves in the
love of God.
It is as we allow the River of life (John 7:37-39) within
us to flow, that our emotions can come under the influence
of God’s divine Nature of love.
Let’s face it; we all need to be “turned on.”
We were created to be sustained by a power source
outside of ourselves. The question is not, “do we need
stimulation?” Rather, the question is, “What (or Whom)
shall be the source of that stimulation?” Shall it be the
unholy spirit and the life-destroying motivations he
provides (alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, etc.), or the Holy Spirit
and the healing, transforming, renewing, invigorating
influence He makes available?

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The answer should be obvious to the sane mind.
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of
God” (1 Pet. 4:11).
Not only can we think God-inspired thoughts, and feel
God-inspired emotions through the divine indwelling, but
we can also serve as the mouthpiece of Heaven unto others.
I have stood amazed hundreds of times on three
continents as the words of God from the Holy Spirit within
which passed through my lips have resulted in the blind
seeing, the deaf hearing and the crippled being made well.
Indeed, space does not permit me to recount the
creative miracles, and even the raising of the dead that
God’s power has accomplished. Such is the goodness of
God!
It is not our power or holiness which brings about such
miraculous results, but, rather, the ministry of the Master
within which avails for the glory of God and the good of
suffering humanity.
The same Voice which said, “Let there be light,” and
caused the brilliance of a million suns to leap into being,
can also speak through our mortal lips of clay words of life,
healing, deliverance and peace. Praise God!
It is not, on these occasions, we who speak, but our
Father Who is within us.
Can you see the unlimited vistas of spiritual service for
helpless humanity which unfold when viewed in the light
of the “Mystic Secret” of Christ’s indwelling?
Can we limit God in any way?
“They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover” (Mark 16:18).
It is a fact that our very bodies are the Temples of God!
He actually inhabits us!
“For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath

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said, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them’“ (2 Cor.
6:16).
The word, “ye,” is emphatic in the Greek text.
“For ye-ye are the temple of the living God.”
What a blessed contrast is our state compared to that of
unsaved humanity.
Moreover, the word translated, “temple,” refers not to
the outer court, but to the inner sanctuary, where the
Shekinah Glory of God used to descend and rest upon the
two cherubim above the Ark of the Covenant. HalleluYah!
God is actually walking and talking on the inside of us.
He is interceding through us (Rom. 8:26-28). He is
ministering through us. When we lay hands on the sick,
something really takes plac: virtue is imparted, miracles
transpire, needs are wonderfully met!
The other evening at service a sister came in the prayer
line for healing of back pain. As I took her hands, the
healing virtue of God was imparted to her. I felt the fire of
God going into her spine. Later, she testified that she felt
something like electricity go all through her and the pain
disappeared (I could relate hundreds of similar stories).
Do you believe we are reservoirs of the Anointing? Do
you believe God can minister to others through us?
We are His habitation, His dwelling-place. He can
think, feel, speak and act through us. All that we need is in
Him.
And He is in us.
Do you really know “The Mystic Secret”?
Are you living in the light of it?
Why not begin today?

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 Waiting, Winging & Walking

Waiting, Winging
& Walking
The Bible declares that God’s ways are “past finding
out.” I’m discovering the truth of that statement with each
passing year of my Christian life. He is eternally a “God of
surprises.” I’m glad this Christian adventure never gets
old, aren’t you?
I want to share with you in these pages some insights
the Holy Spirit ministered to me in some unlikely places
lately. This is not a book of theology or doctrine. It is not
a formal treatise on the “fundamentals of the faith.” I trust
you will be encouraged by the truths contained within these
pages as much as I have been.
May God, through this little book, plant a seed in your
heart that will bring forth much fruit.

Joseph Kostelnik
Ocean City, Maryland
July, 1987

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Mysterious Ways
I was looking for guidance: a “word from God.” It
seemed there were many cares and worries surrounding me;
I needed answers, not more questions. God opened a door
and provided a way for my family to attend a school of
ministry. Surely, God would speak to us in such an
atmosphere!
I didn’t hear a great deal; the day the plane landed in
Washington, D.C. I took an earache that lasted for the
duration of the week of meetings! There in that hotel room
I poured out my heart unto God. It seemed the heavens
were as “brass.” I felt like I had a speaker but no receiving
set. But, just as the hymn writer wrote, “God works in
mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.”
We were not aware of it at the time—the answer didn’t
come immediately—but the words of God’s prophet did
come true days later:
“God is going to turn you around; you will see yourself
in an entirely new light; and He will bring you into an
experience of His will for your life.”
Praise God! Some of the answers came two days after
the school of ministry; others came weeks later.
His ways are past finding out!

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Waiting
“But they that wait upon Yahweh shall renew their
strength” (Is. 40:31).

How we need to be sensitive to the Voice of the Holy

Spirit! God will absolutely not be put in a box. The Wind
of the Holy Spirit blows where God determines and when
He decides. We have nothing to do with it; we must just
“go with the flow.”
The other night a young lady approached me in the
prayer line for healing of an ear condition (it was stopped
up and causing a “thumping sound”). Traditional
Christianity said to anoint her with oil, lay hands on her or
say certain words over her. The Holy Spirit instructed me
to snap my fingers beside her ear three times and pray a
short prayer (about two sentences). A few minutes later she
testified, “Pastor, we just had prayer for my ear and it just
“popped” twice and it’s fine now!”
Praise God forevermore!
God is like that; sometimes He ministers to us and
through us in the most unlikely ways.
The devil told me I had missed it in going to the
conference. He fought us every step of the way. My wife
remarked, “I knew Satan would try to keep us from coming
to this school; but I didn’t know he would come along!”

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Not only did he come along, but he was waiting for us
at home when we returned!
As an elderly saint said to me once, “He’s a good devil,
isn’t he?”
The question is, is God a good God?
The answer is an unmistakable, irrevocable, yes!
Sometimes, we just seem to lose sight of this fact.
Often, we get tricked into thinking, believing and expecting
God to minister to us or through us in a certain,
predetermined way (as He has perhaps done before).
Don’t put God in a box!
I didn’t expect to hear from God on a beach!
But while I was sitting in front of the ocean in Ocean
City, Maryland, the Holy Spirit began to minister to me.
The Voice of God came to me there in that sandy setting.
The Holy Spirit directed my attention to the verse of
scripture quoted on the previous page. God seemed to
direct my attention to those words, “wait on the Lord.”
A poised man is a powerful man.
Where can we find this poise, this serenity, this
tranquility in the midst of life’s questions, problems and
uncertainties?
In the Presence of the Lord.
As I surveyed that breathtaking scene before me it
seemed that all of nature was in tune with His Presence.
We can’t conceive of the fish, fowl and frogs taking
nervous breakdowns or heart attacks. It seems that all of
nature is in its “niche.” God’s material handiwork adapts
itself to the “rhythm of infinity.”
How peaceful it all is!
I found myself asking, “What’s wrong with mankind,
that we can’t experience this wonderful “rest” of God in
His Presence?”

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The Bible says that they that “wait” on the Lord shall
“renew” their strength. The word “renew” is interesting.
The Hebrew verb means to “exchange.” Praise God! As we
wait in God’s Presence, we can exchange our limited,
human strength for His limitless, supernatural power, might
and ability!
Often, this waiting is the most difficult thing to do.
We’d rather try than trust, work than wait, and strive than
stand. God help us!
During these times of waiting on the Lord in secret
prayer we can make the “great exchange.” We can glory in
our infirmities (weaknesses) in order that the power of
Christ may continually rest upon us (2 Cor. 12:9).
Stay In The Developer
I remember when I was in college studying journalism.
One of the interesting classes was photography. Not only
did we learn to correctly take pictures; but we also had a
chance to develop them ourselves. It always fascinated me
to watch a seemingly “blank” piece of paper metamorphose
into a finished picture, right before my eyes!
The “picture,” of course, was always there. However, it
was not visible to the naked eye until it soaked in the
developing solution for the prescribed amount of time.
This principle reminds us of the words of Paul:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the
glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from
glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor.
3:18).
The devil will tell you that you are wasting time as you
tarry in secret prayer. He will tell you that you are
“marking time.” Don’t listen to him!
Stay in the developer!

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It may seem that nothing is happening; your flesh may
even feel like it is dying; but stay in the developer; let God
finish the picture!
Those prayer times are never wasted; you’re being
changed; step by step you are being changed into the image
of Jesus!
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to
be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29).
This will happen in fullness at the Second Coming of
Jesus Christ, but we can begin to experience at least a
measure of this conformation in the here and now.
We’re moving: from faith to faith, from glory to glory.
The final destination: the image of Christ!
Over and over again I have had the Lord direct my
attention to the story of Mary and Martha in the Book of
Luke. How we need to take time to sit at the Master’s feet
—to wait upon the Lord—and hear His word (teaching,
Gk.) to us.
I had rather hear a “word from God” than to receive a
million dollars.
How about you?
Are you willing to wait?
Are you willing to drop your plans, ideas and
endeavors?
Are you willing to hear from God, to exchange your
strength (feeble as it is!) for His?
As you tarry in secret prayer, as the Holy Ghost is
praying through you, God has you in the developer. You
can be emptied out of your self-will; only God’s Will shall
remain. Praise God!
He can help your infirmities (Rom. 8:26-28) and cause
your life’s circumstances to work into good.

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Will you let Him?
Will you make the “great exchange?”
Abraham
It must have tried Abraham’s faith to wait upon the
Lord for his son, Isaac. It was well over ten years from the
time of God’s promise to its fulfillment. No doubt
Abraham felt God had made a mistake or forgotten about
him. Indeed, Sarah tried to “help God out” and produced
an offspring after the flesh, Ishmael.
All the while, God was working. He was molding and
making Abraham and Sarah into vessels unto honor. From
their perspective it seemed like an eternity to wait for the
promised child. They were not, “marking time,” but simply
being adjusted to the “rhythm of infinity.” How well have
many of us discovered that God’s clock is set differently
than ours (2 Pet. 3:8)!
God’s plan for your life is forever settled in Heaven.
What He has purposed for you will come to pass—as long
as you remain willing, humble and obedient. His Word
will come to fruition. Wait on the Lord!
Joseph
Joseph was a man given to dreams and inspirations
from on High. As a lad the Lord visited him in his sleep
and gave him a divine Word, which promised his exaltation
over his brethren and even his parents (Gen. 37:5ff.). The
dream was given to him twice assuring him of its veracity
and the certainty of its fulfillment (Gen. 37:9ff.). No doubt,
he expected the mighty revelation of God to break forth
into reality at any moment.
However, he had some “waiting to do.” God was
preparing him in the inner man to take his place in the

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perfected plan. He needed to be changed, inwardly.
Joseph encountered many trials, troubles and
tribulations between the time of the receiving of his dreams
and the enjoyment of their fulfillment.
Again, well over ten long years came and went
before the will of God for his life became his in reality.
There were tests and trials, doubts and delays. He was in
the developer. While he waited on the Lord, a
metamorphosis was taking place in his inner man. He was
attending the school of “hard knocks and kneeology.”
No doubt, at times it appeared God had forgotten and
forsaken him. But God had a plan, and it was going forth
undaunted, even if not totally understood by Joseph in his
finite, human comprehension.
“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was
sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was
laid in iron: until the time that his word came: the word of
Yah tried him” (Ps. 105:17-19).
I’m sure Joseph didn’t enjoy being sold into slavery,
away from his home, relatives, religion and region. No
doubt, panic tried to set in as he realized he was moving
farther away from his goal. Rather than a crown on his
head, his neck was forced into an iron collar. He was
humbled and humiliated: “until the time that his word
came.”
Can you see that?
There is a time and a season for the blessings and
benefits of God. Not only must there be an outer unfolding
of events, but there must be an inner development of the
Christ-character in us. We must be changed.
The deceit and treachery, the envy and hate of his
brothers and Potiphar’s wife, were an excellent fertilizer to
any resentment, judgment or bitterness seeking to take root

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in Joseph’s heart. God’s Word “tried him.” In his patience
he was possessing his soul.
At the culmination of all of God’s designs, he emerged
triumphant, a changed man, capable of handling the office
to which he had been elevated.
His brothers began with envy and deceit and—years
later—end with the same, their inner selves seemingly
without any alteration or maturity at all. At the very end of
the drama they were still scheming and striving (Gen.
50:15ff.).
What about Joseph?
How had the intervening years and difficulties affected
him?
“And Joseph said unto them, fear not: for am I in the
place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me;
but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this
day, to save much people alive” (Gen. 50:19-20).
Joseph possessed “X-ray eyes.” His time of waiting on
the Lord had given him the ability to see through the outer
circumstances and happenings of his life to the Hand of
God—sovereign—quietly working behind the “seen,” and
bringing into focus the divine “scene.”
Do you have “X-ray eyes?”
Will you stay in the developer?
Will you let the Holy Spirit—through secret prayer—
filter out your will until only God’s will remains?
Our situations can be stumbling blocks or stepping
stones, depending upon our outlook, faith and reactions.
We can experience the crisis or enjoy the Christ. The
choice is ours.
Beloved, remember Abraham and Joseph. It matters
not what people or problems come into your life’s
circumstances. They have no power to hinder God’s will

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from being done in your life.
He has reserved that authority for you. Will you use it?
God’s Word Is Impregnable
As I sat on some boulders there on the beach the Holy
Spirit reminded me of this great truth. The storms of life
may come, the enemy may assail, the persecutions and
afflictions may do all in their power to thwart the unfolding
of God’s plan for your life, His answers to your prayers,
His fulfilling of His promises to you. But they amount to
no more than the waves crashing against the strong rocks of
the beach. Long after the tide has gone back out, the rocks
are still there!
Satan is like a dog barking at the moon; after the dog
has fallen asleep, the moon continues to shine. Praise God!
Build your life on His Word. Remain yielded to His
Spirit. Be obedient to His will. You will come out on top.
A lot of our experience depends upon where we’re
anchored while we wait. Is our footing secure? Are we on
the rock of God’s Word, or the sand of human ideas?
I was amused as I saw an elderly lady on the shore.
She seemed so secure as the waves played at her feet. But
wait! Suddenly, a large wave rushed in, washed the sand
out from under her and, wham, down she went! I don’t
think anyone was more surprised than she.
The Holy Spirit reminded me about the parable of the
Master concerning building our lives on the right
foundation (Mt. 7:24-27).
The storms of life aren’t the important factor, our
foundation is. Sometimes we forget this fact and do all in
our power to escape from the trials of life, even if it means
destroying our fellowship with the Master.
My wife and little boy were playing on the rocks as the

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waves came crashing in. Solomon would do his best to
“out dance” the water as it pounded against the granite. He
jiggled so fast and furiously that he nearly lost his footing
several times and fell. Barb quickly reminded him that as
long as he stayed “rooted and grounded” on the rock, it
didn’t matter how hard the waves rushed in. He would be
safe.
Some of us are like my young son. At the first sign of
difficulty, we’re “off and running,” trying to out-distance
the trouble. And we lose our footing and testimony for the
Lord.
Brethren, don’t back up, don’t let up, don’t give up and
don’t quit!
Stay on the Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)!
Let all the demons of hell assail; you will be victorious
if you will stay rooted and grounded in the Word of the
Living God. He will make it good in your life. Trust Him
and wait!

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Winging
“They shall mount up with wings as the eagles” (Is. 40:31,
Heb.).

Don’t let the devil confuse you about this matter of

“waiting on the Lord.” It is certainly not a matter of
“marking time.” It is not sitting, twiddling our thumbs and
lamenting, “What will be, will be, if it never is.”
Waiting on the Lord is only a preparatory step in getting
into orbit for God! While we tarry in secret prayer, we
exchange our natural strength for God’s supernatural might.
After this experience, we are enabled to minister in His
Spirit, with His power. How much more can then be
accomplished for the Kingdom of God!
I noticed the sea gulls while I was sitting there on that
beach. It seemed that they were wasting a lot of effort as
they vigorously flapped their wings into the air, against the
wind. It appeared that they were “suspended in space,” not
gaining an inch of forward mobility.
But wait!
After a time of “flapping,” when they sensed the wind
was right, they suddenly stopped exercising their wings and
began to soar, high into the sun-kissed skies, far above the
crashing of the waves.
It seems we can be a lot like those birds on the

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seashore. As we wait in God’s Presence—as we “flap our
(spiritual) wings” in secret prayer—it may seem that we are
getting nowhere. It may appear to our natural eye that we
are wasting our time. But it is in intercessory prayer, when
the Holy Spirit has right of way through us, that the devil
and hosts of darkness are driven back (Eph. 6:10-18).
It is through spiritual prayer that we win spiritual
battles, and the spiritual “air” around us is “cleared” of
demonic resistance to the plans and purposes of God for
our lives and ministry.
Don’t give up; keep flapping!
Keep right on, wrestling with principalities and powers,
with spiritual wickedness in high (heavenly) places.
Soon, when the “air” is “cleared,” you will catch the
wind of the Spirit and begin to fly, to soar, far above all of
the malevolent hosts of the nether world which have
marshaled themselves in battle array against you.
Having overcome all, you will stand victorious, to the
amazement of the world, your flesh and the devil.
Praise God!
It matters not what things look like to the sight of your
natural, physical eye. The important thing is what is
actually happening in the spirit world. Keep “flapping;”
keep praying; soon, you will take off!
How often I have been amazed at the difference a
change in perspective can make in our life’s experience.
Many times as I have been flying to a particular
meeting, it has been raining, the atmosphere dark and
depressing on the ground before take off.
However, a few minutes later, thousands of feet above
the ground, up above the clouds, the sun has been shining
brightly.
Did it just “appear?”

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No!
It was there all along. I only needed a change in my
perspective, an elevation in altitude in order to fully
appreciate the beauty of the sun.
God has some beautiful blessings prepared for us.
They’re already ours. He’s blessed us with “every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” It hasn’t even
come into the heart of the natural man (he can’t see, hear,
touch, smell or taste) the dynamic privileges and
opportunities for us who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Can you understand that, positionally, we are “seated
with Christ,” far above all that could trouble us as
believers?
We need a change in perspective.
We need to see with the eye of the spirit.
We need to leave the natural and begin to fly in the
spiritual, where the blessings of God can be “seen,”
received and appreciated.
Keep on “flapping.”
Keep on praying.
Keep on pressing through in the spirit until the heavens
open and you perceive all of the beauty of the glory of God
given to us, His blood-bought children.
Stake your claim!
Receive the blessing!
See, believe, receive and be blessed!
Remember the seagull.
You, too, can fly.

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Walking
“They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint” (Is. 40:31).

The Christian life is not for sprinters; it is a marathon.

It demands some endurance. Through the Holy Spirit, His
Personality becomes ours. One of the fruit of the Spirit is
patience (endurance). If we have the Spirit, we have
endurance (Gal. 5:22).
If you study the scriptures carefully on the subject of
patience in trials and troubles, you will discover that the
endurance is actually already in us; trials just “exercise” it
or “bring it out” (Rom. 5:3; James 1:3).
Isn’t that comforting? We have everything we need in
Christ!
These verses from the Book of Isaiah speak of
becoming weary, of fainting. The prophet reminds us that
even the youths faint and become weary; the young men
shall utterly “cave in.”
Not so, the Christian. We have access to resources
beyond those of the natural. We have the opportunity of
drawing upon the “Higher power.” What a rejuvenation!
What a tonic! Through the Holy Spirit, we can be edified,
and our weaknesses swallowed up in His strength (1 Cor.
14:4; Rom. 8:26).

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I remember, years ago, seeing Grant Kenny on
television while in Australia. He had been awarded the
title of “Iron man,” having been the winner of the grueling
Olympic-like triathlon held in Hawaii.
God is looking for some “Iron-men” in the Spirit.
Will you be one?
Remember, if you faint in the day of adversity, the
Bible says your strength is small. Now is the time to grow
strong in the inner man. Now is the time to develop your
faith. Now is the time to rise up in the power of the Spirit
and take our place as ambassadors of the Most High!
God tells us that by waiting daily in His Presence we
shall exchange our strength for His. He goes on to explain
that we can “mount up with wings as the eagles.” He has
given us two “wings,” prayer and praise (Phil. 4:6-7; Col.
4:2). Through secret prayer, we can “labor” to enter into
rest (Heb. 4:9).
God has determined that our Christian life shall be lived
in His strength, not ours.
God does not “help those who help themselves.”
God helps the helpless!
When we can’t, He can!
When we stop, He begins!
We, like Paul, can rejoice in our infirmities in order that
the power of Christ may continually rest upon us!
He gives power to the faint, and to them with no might,
He increases strength (Is. 40:29)!
Are you a candidate for this type of ministry?
Praise God forevermore!
In Him we live and move and have our being! Can you
believe that, Beloved of God? He is our life!
We must walk in His Spirit and in His strength.
He wants us to “run” the Christian race and not be

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weary; to walk in the Spirit and not faint.
We must be careful of not fainting, spiritually.
It seems the air conditioning was not working properly
in the auditorium where the conference meetings were
being held recently. At least one over-excited saint
“fainted” from the heat and exertion. No doubt, she did
not realize she had gone beyond her limit of endurance.
We must be careful of not overstepping our strength in
God. Let him who thinks he stands, beware, lest he fall,
the Bible says (1 Cor. 10:12).
Let us guard against spiritual lethargy and weariness in
our Christian life. Let us be sober and vigilant in these
end-times. Our spiritual life and ministry depend, upon it!
“And let us stop becoming weary in well doing: for in
due season we shall reap, if we are not fainting” (Gal. 6:9,
Gk.).
Don’t allow the devil to tire you out, Beloved. Keep on
keeping on in your race for the finish line. You have a race
to run which only you can complete. You have a place in
the Body of Christ that only you can fulfill. Do you believe
it?
Remember, there is a “due season” of reaping for each
of us, and for each and every endeavor of our Christian
lives, including our sowing seeds of faith support into
God's work. How necessary it is that we, “hang in there,”
and remain absolutely faithful to Him.
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of
the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).
This verse literally says, “Walk at once and keep on
walking in the Spirit.” This is a command to obey and a
life style to adopt. It is only through the Spirit’s power that
we can say “No” to the world, the flesh and the devil.
It is definitely not by our might or power, but by His

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Spirit that we overcome in life’s fight.
One evangelist (now in Heaven) said he didn’t believe
he had made one sacrifice since he had received the Holy
Ghost. That is the Christ-life in action. That is “walking in
the Spirit.” That is depending upon His power, not ours.
Can you say that, Beloved?
Are you taking time to tarry in His Presence,
exchanging your strength for His?
Are you daily “winging” in intercessory prayer and
praise, inspired by the Holy Spirit, defeating the devil and
soaring in the Spirit where the blessings of God are?
Are you consistently “walking,”—step by step—in
obedience to God’s plan for your life, taking care not to
faint, but to run your race to its completion?
May God help all of us to live in the light of His
glorious provisions that we might live our lives fully to His
praise, our fulfillment and the good of humanity.

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 Stop, Look & Listen

Stop, Look &

Listen

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Stop
“I’m so tired; I think I need a vacation to recover
from my vacation!”
Have you ever said those words, or do you know
someone who has said them?
They are symptomatic of our modern way of life. It
seems we are all in quite a hurry to get somewhere, do
something or see someone. We never take time “to stop
and smell the roses.” Really, we never even see the roses!
What’s the matter with us?
When is the last time you really took time to S-T-O-P?
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).
This is an interesting verse of scripture, and one we
today could do a lot worse than to meditate upon.
This is a command. The Psalmist, under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit, reminds us to, “Be still at once (Heb.).”
“A stitch in time saves nine.”
How much grief, heartache and unhappiness could have
been avoided if we had heeded God’s advice in this text.
Perhaps we wouldn’t have married as we have, chosen
the job we are imprisoned in, or spoken those rash words
which are still echoing around the family, church or
community.
How important it is to “look before we leap.” God
knows that.

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This text isn’t in the Word to fill up space. Our Father
is concerned about us, about our every need. He knows us
better than we know ourselves. He knows we need to
relax. Actually, this is the first step in living a victorious
life, to stop.
We need to wait upon the Lord. Only then will we
renew our strength (Is. 40:31).
Do you remember those Think And Do books in grade
school?
Do you recall the admonition in them to:
STOP,
LOOK,
and
LISTEN?
That principle has more than a natural application. It
contains a vital spiritual truth.
When it comes to living our everyday Christian life, we
desperately need divine help every step of the way. It is
only as we stop, look, and listen—spiritually—that we are
enabled to experience the victory of God in our lives.
It is only after we are “still” before the Lord that we can
“know” things, spiritually.
The problems, trials, difficulties and temptations of live
can seem overwhelming to our natural, finite minds. These
situations can loom as large as mountains before the sight
of our natural eyes. It is so easy to hurry, scurry and
worry. It is so natural to run, risk and retreat. We must
stop and allow God to speak to us about the mountains
before us. We desperately need a change in our perspective.
Some months ago, I marveled at the skyscrapers in New
York City. They seemed overpowering to the sight of my
natural, human eyes.
But wait!

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Those same buildings “shrank” to the size of
multicolored “specks” in moments when I viewed them
from the window of the jet. It all depends on how we look
at things. If we can take time to be still, we will be enabled
to know a very important fact:
“That I-I am Elohim” (Ps. 46:10, Heb).
The pronoun, “I,” is emphatic in the original. The
Psalmist is saying, “Be still at once, and recognize that I-I
am the Triune Lord of Creation.”
Unless we take time to be still, we will continue to be
overwhelmed by the contrary circumstances of life and our
“mountains” will never be moved. Rather than seeing—by
faith—God our Father as Lord, we will see—in the natural
—the situations as master.
It is the knowledge of God, gained through spending
time in His Presence by faith, which cuts our mountains
down to size.
One time the Israelites faced a problem: the Egyptian
Army was pursuing them on one side; on the other was the
Red Sea.
Talk about being between a rock and a hard place!
What were the People of God admonished to do?
“Fear ye not. Stand still, and see the salvation of
Yahweh, which he will shew you today” (Ex. 14:13).
Had they been like most of us, they would have all
drowned! We would much rather strive than stand.
Can you see the wisdom of God’s command?
Remember, you’re never sunk until you spring a leak!
Traffic Trouble
If you are like most Americans, one thing you cannot
abide is waiting in traffic. It seems there is nothing more
nerve-wracking than having to wait. We just don’t want to

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stop. We do not like to be still. We’ll do almost anything
to avoid it.
I remember when I was in High School. Sometimes,
my best friend’s dad would drive us to school. I think he
knew more back roads than any person I have ever met! If
he was delayed for more than three seconds, he would
immediately be in hot pursuit of an alternate route. He
drove so fast and furiously that I often wanted to kiss the
ground when we arrived at the parking lot! No matter, there
wouldn’t have been time!
He died before he turned 40, of a heart attack.
God was concerned about our health when He told us to
be still once in awhile. He doesn’t want His children to
fuss, fume and fret.
Why can’t we rest and relax?
Some months ago, I had an appointment with two
brothers for lunch. I was an hour and a half on the
interstate from Cincinnati to Kentucky. I fussed and
fretted. I agitated and aggravated. I squirmed and
squinted. What was the problem anyway!?
Just about the time when my knuckles were white,
straining at the steering wheel, God seemed to speak to my
heart.
“Why don’t you just enjoy the wait?”
Suddenly, I let go of the tight grip I had on the wheel. I
looked at the drivers on both sides of my car. I leaned
back and let out a great, big sigh. I began to pray in the
Spirit (Eph. 6:18).
There, in that car, I took the attitude that I could
“redeem the time.” God spoke to me in that traffic tie-up.
When I arrived at the restaurant, I discovered the two
brothers had had time to discuss some important ministry
matters. I was “prayed through” and able to enter into a

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spiritual discussion.
It pays to pray, even in a traffic jam.
Police Problems
Another difficulty which can be avoided is trouble with
the authorities. Things go better with Christ. He is a
Friend Who sticks closer than a brother.
I’ve had occasion to engage in conversation with the
Law on three continents. Always, my first reaction is to
sweat and strain. But I am learning. It makes all the
difference in the world how we approach a potential
problem.
As a missionary, I drove a lot of loaned cars while
overseas. The speedometers weren’t always accurate. One
evening I was stopped on my way home from a crusade. It
seems the officer nearly forced me off the road trying to
apprehend me. I could have exasperated and excused. But
I stopped. I said, “Good evening, officer.” (Never mind
that he didn’t smile). While he was looking at the car, I
was looking to the Lord (that’s the second step to victory).
Instead of an agitated argument, we had a quiet
conversation there in the middle of the night on a highway
near Brisbane, Australia.
I explained I was a minister on my way home from
service. My name was signed “Reverend” on my driver’s
license. Satisfied, he looked in the car window and said,
“Reverend, better have the owner of the car have that
speedometer checked.”
I replied, “Yes sir, officer; Good night, officer,” and I
was on my way!
Moving Mania
Moving can be another source of tension and anxiety.

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I remember when all of our earthly belongings were
stored in 21 boxes in the trunk of a British Leyland
automobile, with the remainder of our clothes packed in six
suitcases on the roof. It seemed we lacked security.
Yet, after awhile, we learned to, “whistle while we
worked.” Soon, we had packing, “down to a science.” With
the right attitude—if we take time to S-T-O-P—we can be
aware of God’s Presence, even while packing for the
umpteenth time!
His grace really is sufficient.
The more we trust; the less we will try. We can “let go,
and let God.” That will save our health and make the
mountains in our lives, molehills. We can be still, and
really know that He, not the circumstance, is God, Lord,
Master of all. I
It all depends upon our attitude.
Keyed Up Over Keys
Some time ago I was about to leave for service. I was
in a hurry (as usual).
Suddenly, I reached for my car keys; they were gone!
Immediately, I went into action! I paced, patted and
probed. I searched, scrambled and stewed. The
temperature (in me) rose. I puzzled and perspired; I
looked and leaped. I was getting nowhere, fast.
The quicker I worked, the less I got done. The clock
kept ticking and I kept clicking.
Finally, in desperation, I gave up.
I went next door and asked my neighbor to drive me the
25 miles to service. Good-naturedly, he agreed.
I think it was about halfway through the message that
night when I touched my sport-coat while making a
gesture.

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What was that lump?
It seems the keys were there all the time.
Why didn’t I S-T-O-P?
Why don’t you?
Car-nality
Automobiles can be a source of trouble: which model,
which options, which price. Sometime ago we nearly
“drove” ourselves to distraction over new cars! We tested,
tried and troubled. It seemed that every sale took place on
a cold, rainy night.
Finally, we gave up. We S-T-O-P-P-E-D.
When we stop, God begins.
One day we leisurely drove up to a new car lot. Within
an hour, we had picked out our car. The next day, we drove
it home. I’m sure God knew which car we needed all
along. Sometimes we need to stop long enough to look to
Him, and then listen to Him speak to our hearts (there are
all three keys).
Outright sin isn’t the only thing that can spoil your walk
with God. Carnality is wider than that. Anything can
interrupt your fellowship with the Heavenly Father.
Even a car.

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Look
The second step in our search for a victorious life is to
L-O-O-K.
It makes all the difference in the world what you look
at, spiritually. The longer you look at the problem, the
bigger it will become (in your mind).
Someone has said that we become like that which we
habitually look at. We Christians want to become “like
Christ.”
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith” (Heb. 12:2).
Bible scholars tell us that the words rendered “author”
and “finisher” in this verse are athletic terms. They are
descriptive of a race being run (Heb. 12:1). The word,
“author,” refers to the leader of the run, the first one down
the track. This is exactly Who Jesus is, the Captain
(Leader) of our Salvation. He has already, “blazed the
trail” for us.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
fast our profession (Heb. 4:14).
The word translated “finisher” refers to the winner of
the race, the first one across the finish line. How well we
know that in the natural realm, the “pacesetter” and the
“winner” are not usually the same person.

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But Jesus isn’t exactly like us in this regard, is He?
Praise God!
He made it; and so can we!
We need to stop, yes; but then we need to look unto
Jesus Who has already overcome that which is threatening
us today.
“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he
is able to succor them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:18).
Jesus Christ has weathered the storms of life, all of
them.
There is nothing that can touch our lives which He has
not experienced already in His Humanity. He overcame for
us as a Man.
He can overcome in us by His Spirit.
We must simply look unto Him for strength, grace and
victory.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
Here we see our Christ, totally immersed in all of the
experiences of our humanity. He offers us sympathy and
victory!
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of
need” (Heb. 4:16).
Don’t continue to look at the mountain: look to Christ!
Turn to Him, come to Him and pray to Him. He
understands your pain—He has felt it—and He will save,
heal and deliver you!

Can you see how this simple principle can change

everything about your life?
No longer need you say, “I can’t;” with Jesus, you can

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say, “We can!”
Look at the trouble and you have trial; look at the Lord,
and you have triumph!
The “mountain” says “you lose.”
Jesus Christ says “you win.”
What do you say? A two-thirds majority wins; you
have the deciding vote. Cast it now!
It is not what we can do, but what He has done!
Remember, we become like that which captivates our
attention.
“But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the
glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from
glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor.
3:18).
“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their
faces were not ashamed” (Ps. 34:5).
Our Christ is relentless. He will not allow us to face
this world alone. He is with us and in us, upon us and
before us. He has overcome for us, that He might
overcome in us. He is waiting for us to S-T-O-P long
enough to K-N-O-W that He (not our trouble) is God (Ps.
46:10), and then L-O-O-K away from the situation which is
overcoming us to Him Who has overcome it!
Which would you rather look at, the crisis or the
Christ?
Your answer determines whether you will experience
defeat or victory in your life.

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Listen
The third key in our study is L-I-S-T-E-N.
We must be careful of what we “hear.” Some have “ears
to hear,” but they do not hear. That is, they understand the
truth of the Word of God—they hear it, spiritually—but
they do not act on it in obedience. It is important that we
listen to the Lord’s Word to us. Our problems can be
solved by faith. But how do we get it?
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
A literal translation is:
“So then the faith, by hearing, and the hearing, by a
spoken word from God.”
This verse points out that real Bible faith does not come
by, “hearing the Word of God,” but by hearing. This
spiritual “hearing” comes by a “spoken Word from God.”
That is, the Word must be quickened or energized by
the Holy Spirit. It must be more than black ink on India
paper. It must be the live oracles of God! Jesus must
minister the truth of the Word directly to us.
“Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with
us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures”
(Luke 24:32)?
Without the fellowship of the Lord, the Bible is a closed
Book. Apart from the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we will

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not receive the truth of the Word of God.
The Pharisees knew the “letter of the Law,” but missed
the Author of it altogether! It takes the precious fellowship
of the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit to unveil the
Word to us (1 Cor. 2:10ff.). It is that particular, ‘Word from
God,’ ministered directly to us by the Lord, which is the
key to our deliverance.
And how do we hear it?
First, we must S-T-O-P.
We must take time to meet with God (see my book, The
Presence of God).
Next, we must L-O-O-K.
That is, we must look away from the problem, to the
Lord, Who, alone, has the solution.
In Him we see One Who has been tempted, tested and
tried in every way that we are. In Christ we see a Man
Who triumphed over trial for us. We sense, in our “look of
faith,” His companionship in our circumstances. It is
gloriously not, “What am I going to do?,” but “What are we
going to do?”
Praise God!
This look makes all the difference!
The third step is to L-I-S-T-E-N, not to what the Devil
said, or to what the deacon said, or to what the doctor said,
but to what, “thus sayeth the Lord.”
We must get quiet enough in the Presence of the Lord to
really hear the Voice of God to us. Perhaps He will quicken
a Scripture to our hearts. Maybe He will “speak” to us a
biblical truth by means of a Christian song, testimony or
book. Perhaps a brother or sister in Christ will serve as His
mouthpiece to us. Indeed, the psalmist discovered God’s
truth was brought home to him in the corporate worship
and teaching service (Ps. 73). His discouragement was

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abated when he entered “the House of the Lord.”
Regardless of how it comes, we can rest assured that it
will come, and when it does, it will bring spiritual
“hearing” (understanding), which is faith (Heb. 11:1-3).
And faith is the victory (1 John 5:4-5).
Once faith has been imparted to our hearts by our
“hearing” (Rom. 10:17), we must simply believe (choose
to act upon) His Word to us for victory to be ours!
Stop, Look, and Listen: your three steps to a victorious
life in Christ.
Begin today to use them in your life.

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Wrestling &
Winning
Unleashing the Power That Changes Things!

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Pray or Be Prey
Several years ago, my sister-in-law, Carol Binder, had a
very unusual dream from the Lord. In it, He admonished
her to “pray or be prey.”
She puzzled over the words for a time and then came to
understand the importance of them to her spiritual well-
being.
Think about them for a moment. Pray… or be prey.
They contain quite a sermon, don’t they?
After all, if we fail to let the Holy Spirit defend us in
our daily Christian walk—through a powerful prayer life—
we will fall prey to a host of the enemy’s strategies.
I remember a dream God gave me many years ago. In
the dream, I was surrounded by angry dogs, waiting to
devour me (see 1 Pt. 5:8). It seemed I rebuked,
commanded, reminded and confessed for some time, to no
avail, the dogs closing in all around me.
Suddenly, I began to pray earnestly “in the Spirit.” As I
continued to pray vigorously “in other tongues,” I noticed
that the vicious animals slowly withdrew, one by one. As I
continued to pray, now and then one of the dogs would
again try to close in on me. But as I became alert to the
attack and resumed my prayer, the wild beast would
withdraw.
After some time, I noticed I was completely surrounded

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by dogs: all at bay! The Holy Spirit—through my prayer
life—had worked a miracle of protection!
Did not Isaiah prophesy:
“When the enemy shall come in like the flood, the Spirit
of Yahweh shall put him to flight” (Is. 59:19, Heb.,
Margin).
It is Spirit-inspired prayer which enables us to triumph
in life’s fight and emerge victorious over all the works of
the enemy. It seems this prayer life is absolutely invincible.
Are there some “wild dogs” attacking you, your loved
ones, or your church? Why not allow the Holy Spirit to
work through you to overcome them and see the victory of
Christ Jesus manifested?

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James & Peter

The Early Church learned the importance of “praying
through” for its own in a graphic manner:
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his
hands to vex certain of the church, and he killed James the
brother of john with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2).
Notice, that there is no mention of the Church doing
anything about this situation of persecution. Instead, a
“wild dog” indwelling Herod did as it pleased and had a
dedicated saint put to death.
Encouraged by the Jews and the apathy of the saints,
Herod proceeded to arrest and imprison Peter. It is here
that the Holy Spirit pens a divine but in the scripture text:
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was
made without ceasing of the church unto God for him”
(Acts 12:5).
The Apostle Peter had been arrested...but prayer!
Notice this prayer “was continually being made earnestly
by the church unto the God for him.” That is a literal
translation.
They didn’t read a short prayer from a book as an
excuse for praying on behalf of Peter. The Early Church
didn’t stick its head in the sand in the face of persecution
and whisper, “What will be, will be, if it never is.”
Instead, they prayed, “continually and earnestly!” The

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result was, whereas James died, Peter lived!
“And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him”
(Acts 12:7).
Peter was visited by the Lord’s angel instead of the
executioner’s ax!
What if the Church hadn’t prayed?
What if we, facing similar problems, don’t pray?
This prayer is a powerful weapon in God’s armory.
May the Lord help us to understand this fact and act
accordingly. Many saints are perishing for a lack of
intercessory prayer. We may say we’re “waiting on the
Lord,” but, in reality, the Lord is waiting on us to enter into
the prayer that really changes things. It’s up to us to take
our stand.

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Powerful Prayer
This prayer that “changes things” is no weak-kneed
excuse for active communion with God. It is a vibrant,
vital, explosive experience of divine energy that snaps the
prisoners’ bonds and opens prison doors.
Paul and Silas experienced the power of prayer as they
sat in the dungeon, suffering persecution for righteousness’
sake. After delivering a little girl from a divining spirit, in
the midst of fulfilling a “heavenly vision” (Acts 16:9-10),
these two Spirit-filled preachers found themselves in a
dank, dirty prison.
I don’t believe they were able to watch the Super Bowl
there, do you?
Had they been like some of us, no doubt they would
have reasoned they were fulfilling a “pizza dream” instead
of a heavenly calling. No doubt, they would have lamented
their fate with such words as, “I don’t remember having
this much trouble when I was a sinner!” Or, “This
Christianity sure isn’t what the preachers said it was going
to be.”
Thank God, they weren’t like a lot of us. They were in
touch with the God of Heaven and they knew it!
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang
praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts
16:5).

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The force of the Greek text says they were, “continually
praying and then sang praises unto the God.”
They were not praying to an idol, or to the “man
upstairs, away off in space somewhere, real busy.” They
were communing with the one, true God! HalleluYah!
The idea is they tarried in prayer until they “prayed
through” or received the assurance that their cries had been
answered.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if
we ask anything according to his will, he hearth us: and if
we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that
we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-
15).
This verse discloses the real art of prayer. It is a living
relationship with the Father in Heaven in which we make
requests known and tarry in His Presence until we know
that we have received our request. This “knowledge” is
based upon our praying, “according to His will.” When we
pray in the Spirit of Christ, we always pray according to
His will (Rom. 8:27).
What are the results of this kind of prayer?
“And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that
the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately
all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were
loosed” (Acts 16:26).
Praise God!
Notice the Bible says that this kind of prayer brought a
miraculous response from Above (see my book, Miracles
and the Ministry [Diploma in Ministry]).
Thank God for a “selective earthquake”!
No one was injured! Instead, all the prison doors were
opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed!
Not only did Paul and Silas get delivered, but so did

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everyone else! The preachers were set free and the
prisoners got blessed by the “overflow!”
Thank God!
Remember, as Paul and Silas prayed and sang, the Bible
says, “the prisoners heard them.” The margin reads, “the
prisoners were listening.”
Not only was there a physical miracle and deliverance,
but spiritual prison doors were opened that night and bands
of sin were loosed also. HalleluYah!
This prayer is powerful. When the Holy Spirit in you
contacts God, prepare for an explosion! Not only will your
needs be met, but expect others to receive also!

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Paul’s Advice
No doubt, this experience influenced Paul’s life. He
said he taught the same doctrines in every church (1 Cor.
4:17). No wonder he wrote:
“Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we
know not what to pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered” (Rom. 8:26).
Paul practiced what he preached. When he was “in the
thick of it,” when circumstances were “beyond his control,”
when he saw himself compassed about with many an
“infirmity,” he didn’t “lay down and play dead;” he “prayed
through and got ahead!”
He knew to pray, but not how to pray as he ought.
So, he simply let the Holy Spirit make intercession for
him in groanings he couldn’t utter: the Spirit had to provide
the utterance as he prayed “in other tongues.”
While the battle raged, Paul was getting stronger and
stronger, edifying himself, building himself up in his most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 14:4; Jude
20). He tells us to do the same (1 Cor. 14:5; Eph. 6:18).
He tells us to be “continuing instant in the prayer”
(Rom. 12:12, Gk.).
What is “the” prayer?
Prayer in the Holy Ghost!

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He knew we must pray or be prey!
What Paul preached, he practiced; what he practiced, he
preached.
It’s kind of like that with the Lord. The more we “taste
and see” that He is good, the more we recommend Him to
others.
Jesus said, “Freely ye have received; freely give” (Mt.
10:8).
We cannot give to others what we have not received
ourselves.
How can we testify convincingly to others about the
reality and power of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit if we
have never received it?
How can we speak of power with God in prayer if we
have never experienced it?

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Guiding Prayer
The Lord called me to minister in Australia in March of
1976 while I was attending seminary.
It wasn’t until May of 1982 that I first set foot in
Sydney’s international airport. I knew very few individuals
in that nation. I had received a pastor’s name from a friend
I met while preaching in England. This first trip (six
weeks) was largely a “fact-finding” tour to develop a
contact in a church or full-gospel organization who would
be willing to “sponsor” us when we returned for a longer
period of time.
Needless to say, I was quite anxious to see what God
would develop during this initial stay.
Unfortunately, after some meetings, although the
ministry was received quite well, none of the churches
seemed to be able to offer the sponsorship which the
government required.
Suppose I would have lamented, “Maybe it’s not God’s
will after all.”
No doubt, the plan of God for my life and my ministry
in Australia would have been thwarted.
Instead, I prayed from 10:00 a.m. one morning until
4:55 p.m.
At the end of that prayer time I “saw in the Spirit” a
golden door which swung open. The Lord then gave me

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the scripture:
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it” (Rev. 3:8).
The next day that verse became a reality as I traveled
north to Brisbane and eventually was sponsored by the
largest full-gospel organization in Australia! As a result—
in 14 months—we saw hundreds saved, filled with the
Spirit, healed and delivered from all manner of affliction!
What if I hadn’t prayed?
Thank God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the
prayer that changes things! Through the intercession of
the Holy Ghost we are enabled to have God’s will brought
to pass in our lives and have everything work together for
our good (Rom. 8:26-28).

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Conquering Prayer
No wonder the Apostle Paul said, after explaining the
ministry of the Holy Ghost in prayer, in all these things we
are “more than conquerors”!
The Lord Jesus overcame for us 2,000 years ago, and
the Holy Spirit overcomes in us today as we allow Him to
wage war against the enemies of our souls through prayer.
Praise God for His precious gift!
During my first trip to England we ran into problems
immediately. If you encounter difficulties while serving
God, don’t despair! Those problems only serve to prove
how dangerous you are becoming to the devil! Through
prayer, press through to newer and greater victories!
We arrived in England expecting an itinerary of three
weeks of meetings. Instead, we discovered our sponsor had
arranged three meetings!
Needless to say, we were quite dejected.
However, after the first meeting in Darlington, we had a
prayer time in our flat. The music director, became aware
of an evil presence in the room. Soon, he “saw” the spirit
hovering by the ceiling. Next, it called his name. (We
later discovered spiritualists were living next door and
knew of our arrival; they were “praying” against us).
After several hours of intercession in the Holy Ghost,
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mighty battle had been won in the heavenly realms; we
were in God’s will, and we would be back many times (I
have made six trips as of this writing, April, 1989).
Through another contact, we received 15 meetings in 18
days and returned eight months later with our families for a
nationwide tour. Such is the goodness of God!
Can you put limitations on the power of God which is
ours through prayer?
No problem you face is a match for the might of the
power of God unleashed through prayer. It is absolutely
limitless.

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Energizing Prayer
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much” (James 5:16).

This scripture gets to the heart of the issue. The margin

says, “effectually operating prayer.” One Greek authority
says the force of the original implies a prayer which is
energized inwardly in the “pray-er” by the Spirit.
Praise God!
Here we get to the “nitty-gritty.” This is prayer right
where we live. It is not by our might or power, but by the
miraculous energy of the Holy Ghost (Zech. 4:6).
Do you recall the words of Jesus regarding the Gift of
the Holy Spirit and what it would produce in our lives?
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this
spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him
should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;
because that Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:38-39).
What “came out” of their “bellies” when the 120
received the Holy Spirit?
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance” (Acts 2:4).
Could anything be clearer?

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This anointing of power from on high resulted in a
supernatural prayer life which allowed the Holy Ghost to
literally “change things” through the disciples’ yielded
lives.
When the apostles were forced to choose between types
of ministry, they decided:
“But we-we will give ourselves continually to the
prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4, Gk.).
What was “the” prayer? Prayer in the Holy Ghost!
They did not take their prayer privilege lightly. This
fact accounts for how they were able to go places for God
later, as depicted in the Book of Acts.
The divine dynamite of God is literally dwelling inside
of us. What are we doing about it?
“Now unto him, the one who is powerful to be doing
exceeding abundantly above all that we are asking or
thinking, according to the power, the one that is constantly
working within us” (Eph. 3:20, Gk.).
Certainly, God is more than able to meet our needs, but
this supply is according to the power constantly working in
us. That power is none other than the Holy Spirit. But this
will not happen automatically. We must unleash this power
through prayer!
The “rivers” are there; we must let them flow!
Years ago, when I was in graduate school, I became
aware of a great many needs in my life as I sought to
prepare for the ministry. It seemed what God was calling
me to was totally out of the question. As I looked at myself
I saw nothing but infirmities and inadequacies.
Discouraged, I drove out of town one day and parked
the car near a park. I walked down a grassy hill and sat
down under a tree. I must have looked a little like Elijah to
the Lord, despairing there under the shade of that tree. In

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the distance I saw a great dam with the waters of the
Kentucky River crashing over it. There in the river I
became aware of a mass of debris by each shore.
But wait!
As the water rushed over the dam, the force of it was
slowly pushing the debris out of the way. The garbage was
no match for the force of the water. Suddenly, I saw all my
fears, confusion, inferiority, trials, tribulations and
temptations as so much “debris” (works and infirmities of
the flesh).
The Lord reminded me of His promise in John 7:37-39.
I had received the Holy Spirit years before. Then I saw it!
Continue to let the rivers flow! Never mind the obstacles:
the rivers would triumph, if only I would let them flow and
keep on flowing!
I began to pray, “in the Spirit.”
Soon, I was aware, not only of my human nature and its
lack, but also of God’s divine nature indwelling me, and its
abundant supply!
Are you weak?
You are in good company. Listen:
“Most gladly therefore will I glory (bless, praise, I Cor.
14:15-16) in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ
may tabernacle over me” (2 Cor. 12:9, Gk.).
Would you like the power of Christ to “swallow up”
your weaknesses? Do what Paul did: let the rivers flow!
“Pray through,” until the burden is lifted and the peace
of God is ruling and reigning in your heart.

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The Sword of the Spirit

I have written extensively on this subject in other books
(see The Perfect Weapon), but we must remind ourselves
of the Apostle Paul’s teaching about spiritual warfare and
the importance of prayer in it.
In Ephesians 6:17 he writes:
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The word translated “take” literally means to “receive”
or “give access to.” It means to yield to the Sword of the
Spirit. You are familiar with a busy interstate highway. As
the traffic rushes past, if you desire to merge, you must first
“yield.” Paul pictures the Sword of the Spirit within us,
waiting for us to yield to It.
The other point we must recognize is the identity of the
Sword. It is not the Bible, as many of us have been taught.
Sometime ago, I was being interviewed on a Christian
television program. A lady rushed back from the set into
the waiting room, whisked up her Bible and said, “I can’t
go on without my sword!”
The Bible, however, is not Paul’s subject here.
There is a rule in Greek grammar that says, “a pronoun
must always agree with its antecedent in number and
gender.”
In the Greek text of Eph. 6:17, the word “sword” is

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feminine in gender. The word “Spirit” is neuter in gender.
But the word “which” is neuter in gender, agreeing with
Spirit, not feminine to agree with “Sword.”
Paul is saying, “receive the helmet of salvation, and the
Sword of the Spirit, which (Spirit) is the word of God.”
The confusion arises because of this verse saying the
Spirit is the Word of God.
We all know the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible and uses
the Bible, but is not the Bible. However, the word
translated “word” here is “rhema” which can mean “spoken
word,” or “utterance.”
Paul has in mind here the ministry of the Holy Spirit in
which He is God’s “Voice” or “utterance” on our behalf.
This is proved by the following verse.
How do we “receive” the Sword of the Spirit, which
(Spirit) is the “Voice” of God?
“By means of all prayer and supplication, praying at
all times in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18).
The Apostle is here declaring that our Heavenly Father
has equipped us with a Sword with which to wage and win
spiritual warfare. This Sword is none other than the Holy
Spirit Who is His “Word” or “Voice” on our behalf. We are
commanded to wield the Sword of the Spirit by means of
praying in the Spirit.
To use a 21st century illustration, we might liken the
Holy Spirit to a rifle and consider prayer the trigger.
Neither article is complete without the other.
Perhaps this explains why many “Spirit-filled”
Christians are seemingly still paralyzed by defeat. Either
they don’t know the Spirit of God is their Sword
(mistakenly thinking the Bible is), or they don’t know how
to yield to the Spirit in prayer. In either case, they are
victims and not victors.

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Paul, however, triumphantly declares:
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).
The phrase, “having done all,” in the margin reads,
“and having overcome all, stand.”
The picture here is a group of Spirit-filled believers
remaining victors on the field after having waged a
successful spiritual warfare in “the evil day.”
What is the “evil day?”
It is any time the victory of Christ over the world, the
flesh and the devil is being contested, either in our lives, or
in the lives of others for whom we are doing spiritual battle.
Every “evil day” of opposition by the Enemy has
already been legally overcome by our Christ on the Cross
2,000 years ago (Col. 2:14).
It remains for us to enforce that victory in every
situation where it is being challenged. This will entail
some “wrestling.”
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places” (Eph. 6:12).
We “wrestle” by means of prayer.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus
Christ’s sake, and through the love of the Spirit, that ye
strive (wrestle) together with me in your prayers to God for
me” (Rom. 15:30).
Notice the combination of these three important factors
in this verse: the love of the Spirit, wrestling and prayer.
What was to be the result?
“That I may be delivered from them that do not believe
in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem

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may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you
with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed”
(Rom. 15:31-32).
How was the “will of God” going to be accomplished
for Paul?
By the saints “wrestling” for him in prayers inspired by
the Holy Spirit, prompted by His love, prayed in His will,
causing everything to work together for the good of all
(Rom. 8:26-28).
By wielding the Sword of the Spirit in prayer, victory is
always assured for the saints (Eph. 6:18).
When the “evil day” approaches, we must launch a
spiritual counterattack in prayer!

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Prevailing Prayer
Not only did Paul receive the benefits of Holy Ghost
prayer, but he, himself, entered into a mighty ministry upon
his knees.
Listen to what he wrote to the Colossians:
“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, praying always for you” (Col. 1:3).
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard of it,
do not cease to pray for you” (Col. 1:9).
Paul said he “suffered for them” (Col. 1:24).
“Whereunto I also labor, striving (wrestling) according
to his working, the one which is constantly working in me
mightily” (Col. 1:29, Gk.).
We know that this “working” is the ministry of the Holy
Spirit (Col. 1:29).
How was he “suffering” for the Colossians, and
“laboring” (wrestling) for them, when he was physically
separated from them?
By prayer!
Listen to what the apostle says of his colleague in the
ministry, Epaphras, who had originally taught the
Colossians the Gospel in the first place:
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,
saluteth you, always laboring (wrestling) fervently for you
in the prayers” (Col. 4:12, Gk.).

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These early preachers performed “prayer service” for
the saints. They didn’t preach “three points and a poem”
and consider that a substitute for real ministry. They
considered prayer a sacred service and a respectable
responsibility (see my book, Seven Keys of Successful
Ministry [Diploma in the Deaconate]).
Do you long to be of service to some saint from whom
you are physically separated? Take them to the Lord in
prayer. Let the Holy Spirit pray the will of God for them,
through you.
What was the result of Epaphras’ prayers for the
Colossian church?
“That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will
of God” (Col. 4:12).
This prayer life is fired by the energy of the Holy
Ghost.
“For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for
you” (Col. 4:13).
We desperately need Pentecostal power, which will
result in Pentecostal procedures and make available
Pentecostal possibilities!
This will all come about through prayer!
The Apostle Paul drew his imagery for the believers’
“spiritual armor” from Isaiah 59:16-21. In verse 19 of that
portion of scripture, we read this startling statement from
the Word of God Almighty:
“When the enemy shall come in like the flood, the Spirit
of Yahweh shall put him to flight” (Heb., Margin).
Praise God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit that is
ours in prayer.
Many today are spending time mastering a martial art in
quest of a “black belt.” This is all right as far as it goes, but
how much more do we need truth as our belt (Eph. 6:14)!

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We need power from God to do more than break boards
or be physically fit. We need to unleash the anointing
which opens the prison doors and sets the captives free
(Luke 4:18ff.)!
We must learn to prevail in prayer; we must wrestle and
win.
When Paul was imprisoned and surrounded by sinners
and false brethren he declared:
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through
your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”
(Phil. 1:19).
Deliverance from danger was no mystery to Paul. The
one who was used of God to write Rom. 8:26-28 lived it
(Acts 16:25), and believed in prayer’s mighty results when
inspired by the Holy Spirit. The apostle didn’t “hope so;”
he knew!
Such knowledge is not guesswork, mind over matter or
“positive thinking.” If we rely on those things, we may as
well flip a coin with the devil and say, “Heads you win,
tails I lose.”
Paul was assured—by the gift of faith received in
prayer—that he would overcome all the work of the enemy.
Praise God!
It is the reality of the “Pray-er” on the inside of us that
enables us to be victorious in every “evil day.”
Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we can unleash
the power of God through prayer.
We can “wrestle and win.”
Begin—today—to turn all your cares into prayers.
Wrestle and win!

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 About the Author

About the Author

Joseph Kostelnik is founder and president of Gospel
truth Ministries, an apostolic ministry with a three-fold
vision: a local church (White Oak Chapel), training up
and sending out of God-called ministers of the Word (The
Prophetic Voice Institute), and short-term mission trips
and other international outreaches to nearly 160 nations.
He holds a B.A.,cum laude, from Point Park University,
an M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary, a Th.D. and
Ph.D. from International Seminary, an honorary D.D. from
Kingsway Christian College & Theological Seminary and
an honorary Litt.D. from International Seminary.
He has served as: pastor, assistant pastor, evangelist,
Bible teacher, missionary, author, educator, and media
minister. He has ministered in the United States as well as
completing nearly 50 short-term mission trips to countries
overseas, including: England, Scotland, Australia, France,
Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Crete,
Haiti and New Zealand. Dr. Kostelnik also served as an
adjunct professor for International Seminary (Plymouth,
FL, USA) for 15 years, having authored lesson material for
their curriculum, and remains a seminary representative.
Joseph is assisted by his son, J. Solomon and his wife,
Barbara, with whom he regularly co-hosted a local,
Christian television program for over 15 years.

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His ministry has continued over 40 years and is
consistently confirmed by startling signs, wonders and
miracles of the Holy Spirit.
All Books by the Same Author
At the Master's Feet Creative Faith
Help from Heaven Miracle Money
I Saw Satan! I Saw the Lord!
Living on the Threshold
Light for Living
of Eternity
Prayer in the Spirit:
Plead the blood!
The Missing Link
Seven Secrets of
Ready for the Rapture
Successful Living
Success Secrets The Lord Jesus:
from Sacred Scripture The Christ
The Man Who
The Path to peace
Wasn't There
The Perfect Weapon The Presence of God
The Stranger on the Road Walk with God
What Price, Freedom? When You Need a Miracle
Why Not Women? Wonder Working Words
You Must Be Drunk! Your New life

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 About the Author

The Ministries of Joseph Kostelnik

Gospel truth Ministries
P.O. Box 1885
Cincinnati, OH 45201-1885
USA
http://www.gtm.org/

White Oak Chapel

A Charismatic Christian Church
3260 W. North Bend Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45239
USA
http://www.whiteoakchapel.org/

The Prophetic Voice Institute

Free online ministry training courses
http://www.gtm.org/pvi/

Prophetic Voice Publications

Free online books and MP3 audio sermons
http://www.gtm.org/pvp/

The GTM Radio Network

Free online 24/7 Christian radio network
http://www.gtm.org/radio/

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WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS MINISTRY...
“Dr. Kostelnik's book, The Lord Jesus: the Christ, is one
of the most edifying and uplifting books I've ever read...and
working with Dr. Cerullo, I’ve read a lot of good books." -
Ruth Meadows, European director, Morris Cerullo
World Evangelism

“To know Joe is to know he is an anointed minister of the

gospel, striving to hear and do as the Holy Spirit directs.
His revelations on women in ministry have surely been
directed of God." - Mary Laird, station manager, Trinity
Broadcasting Network

"His anointed teaching has inspired me and many others in

Australia; after having Dr. Kostelnik minister in our church
and in a citywide crusade, I recommend that you acquire
more of this divinely inspired material through which you
will undoubtedly be blessed also.” - Rev. Merv
Westbrook, Outback Evangelism, (Darwin, Australia)

“I appreciate Joe’s books, teaching and great evangelistic

ministry; he has a unique combination of intellectual and
educational depth, strict scriptural adherence and
outstanding preaching ability.” - Rev. Dick Taylor,
founder & president FOCAS, (Cincinnati, Ohio)

“We recommend Dr. Kostelnik and his ministry highly, he

has been a great blessing in all of our churches in Holland
and Belgium, with many saved, healed and filled with the
Holy Spirit. We have published his articles in our
magazine and are busy translating Prayer in the Spirit:
The Missing Link, into Dutch." - Gerie van der Dussen,
secretary, Maasbach World Mission (Holland)

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 About the Author
“Now that we have translated your book on ministry into
Greek, we can start on your others; the people here
desperately need this anointed ministry.” - the late Rev. D.
Jimmy Zachariou, Assemblies Of God, (Athens, Greece)

“Brother Joe has a real touch of God on his ministry. We

saw this in Haiti in great outdoor mass crusades... many
were saved, healed, baptized in the Holy Ghost and
delivered! We are very anxious for his next crusades here.”
- Bishop Octamoliere Liberius (Port-au-Prince, Haiti,
W.I.)

"love, truth and compassion are what I sense after seeing

the Lord Jesus glorified through the ministry of Brother
Kostelnik.” - Xavier Mainguy, deacon, New life Church
(Paris, France)

“Through the revelation of the Spirit and also the

manifestation of God's power to His children through him,
I believe Dr. Kostelnik is qualified to tell God's people that
signs, wonders and miracles are for the Body of Christ
today.” (from the foreword to Miracles and the Ministry) -
the late Rev. Dr. Brian Graham, pastor-evangelist
(Darlington, England)

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