Believing
HOW TO PRAY
The other day I was visiting friends, they were husband and wife, and she only speaks Spanish. So, I was
sharing the Word of God with them in Spanish, I call what I speak Spanglish ‘cause I am not the most
fluent Spanish speaker around. We got on the subject of prayer and the wife told me that in Spanish
there are two words for prayer, rezar and orar. They have different meanings. Rezar means to pray in
repetition as in Matt. 6:7.
Matthew 6:7-8 (KJV)
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard
for their much speaking.
The other Spanish word, orar, means to talk with God.
So I have been thinking about that conversation for days and tonight I would like to share on HOW to
pray (orar.)
I have listed seven steps to effectual prayer. There are others, but, these are the main characteristics of
a Christian’s prayer life.
Number One: Know who you are in Christ Jesus.
What this means is that you have to know that you are a son of God, that God loves you and you, as a
child of God you have legal sonship rights. This all starts with Romans 10:9,10
Romans 10:9-11 (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
You have to know that God loves you and wants the best for you.
1 John 3:1-2 (KJV)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Luke 11:11-13 (KJV)
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he
for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?In that culture the women would make flat bread, much like a tortilla today, outside. They would stack
them and put a flat stone on them to hold them down. Soon the stone would take on the oils of the
bread and the dusting of flour so that it looked like a piece of flat bread. In the near east they have
serpents and fish that look alike much like we have eels and snakes that look similar. There is a type of
scorpion in the near east that can roll up in a ball and it looks like an egg.
The point of this is that God is a loving God. He is a caring father. He is faithful to His Word. He will only
give you the best.
Number Two: Know what is available
There are hundreds of promises in the Bible to us as Christians, how many do you know? By going to
God’s Word and finding those promises relating to your needs and deliverance you can lay those
promises before God. “God, you said it and I know you are faithful to your Word. So, I thank you for
giving me this need and desire. Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ.”
1 John 5:14-15 (KJV)
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will,
he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that
we desired of him.
Promises of God supplying all of your needs in Philippians
Healing in Psalms
Prosperity in Deuteronomy
Anything according to God’s Word in Mark
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Mark 11:24 (KJV)
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
You can’t pray for things contrary to God and His Word, but, you can pray for deliverance, freedom,
love, health, children, prosperity and much more.
Number three: Know the power in the name of Jesus Christ
It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we are saved.Acts 4:12 (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
In the name of Jesus Christ every knee must bow.
Philippians 2:9-10 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth;
And it is in the name of Jesus Christ that we go to God with our petitions.
John 16:23 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you.
THIS IS THAT DAY!
Number Four: Cast your cares on Him
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
You have to learn to give ALL of your cares and concerns to God and leave them there.
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God.
The word “careful” is the word anxious. Don’t be anxious, but in everything pray to God!
Number Five: Be Thankful
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
The reason we are to be thankful is that when we were born again (Romans 10;9,10) He gave us all
spiritual blessings. It is no longer going to God hoping for a handout. We are God’s children, we have all
spiritual blessings so it is now a matter of thanking God for what we have and that it is manifested in the
senses realm.
Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:Number Six: Believe
First, you have to believe that God is and that He hears you.
1 Peter 3:12 (KJV)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face
of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Mark 11:24 (KJV)
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
When you pray do what? Believe! You have to believe that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him. Believe that God will give you the desires of your heart. God’s heart yearns to give
you the petitions of your heart more than you desire to receive them.
Number Seven: Be fervent in your prayers
When I say fervent I mean more than boldness. Fervency brings an attitude of continuance until you get
your deliverance. The world wants you to quit praying. It doesn’t want you to know that prayer works,
so, it will try to discourage you. Don’t let that happen! God’s promises are yea and amen! God knows
what you need and He knows when you need it and God is never late.
James 5:16b (KJV)
16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Hebrews 4:15-16 (KJV)
15 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.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Prayer works because we have a loving father God and when you apply the principles set forth in this
article you will see great deliverance in your life and the lives of those you pray for.
The Truth About Exorcism
I have been noticing a rise in the number of articles about exorcisms and today a psychiatrist
came out and said there are devil spirits and there is a need for exorcisms. Well it is time that I
deal with this subject.
.
It is no secret that there are devil spirits in the World. The Bible has told us this for thousands of
years,, but, the reason that people don’t want to believe there are evil spirits is they want to
belittle the Bible and Christians. Then they think it’s ok to talk about these things when
psychiatrists come out in the news about it.
God does not want us ignorant of Satan’s devices (II Corinthians 2;11.) God gives us clear
instruction and examples so that we aren’t ignorant. so, I am going to share with you the Truth of
God’s Word regarding exorcism. To do that we are going to start in Acts chapter 19.
Acts 19:8-20 (KJV)
8 And he (Paul) went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months,
disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers (many people) were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way
before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the
school of one Tyrannus.
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the
word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases
departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
So, what caused the people to get great deliverance? It was the Word of God being taught and
people believing that Word. How do I know this? Because, the Bible tells me so. You have to
hear the Word and you have to believe.
Hebrews 4:2 (KJV)
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them,
not being mixed with believing in them that heard it.
Matthew 13:53-58 (KJV)
53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch
that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and
Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour,
save in his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.Paul is teaching the Word of God and people are believing it and great miracles are happening.
Then some Jews proclaiming themselves to be exorcists decide to do by exorcism, which is black
arts, what Paul is accomplishing by preaching the Word. Let’s see what happens.
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil
spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed
against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
What a contrast between the results Paul had and the consequences of the exorcists.
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on
them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them
before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Do you know what “curious arts” are? Amulets, Ouija boards, tarot cards, books on witch craft,
the I Ching, Harry Potter and the like. When they saw the great deliverance available from God
verses the black arts they took all the curious arts and burned them. When that happened the
Word of God prevailed.
Let’s look at how Jesus Christ and Paul dealt with devil spirits.
Luke 4:31-35 (KJV)
31 And , Jesus Christ, came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a
loud voice,
34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy
us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown
him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
Do you see anything about Jesus Christ having a special meeting with low lights, pentagrams,
candles and chants? No! A thousand times No. Jesus Christ happened to be in a synagogue and
he didn’t hesitate he spoke to the spirit and said you have to go! Jesus Christ had the authority
over all devil spirits. You know who has it now? The Christian believer! That’s right those born
again of God’s spirit. (Rom. 10:9,10)
1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world.2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Jesus Christ acted immediately let’s see if Paul did anything different.
Acts 16:16-18 (KJV)
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of
divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most
high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Even though what she said was true, how she said it was derogatory and belittling.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command
thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Right there on the city street, in broad daylight! Paul didn’t mess around either. Paul acted immediately.
The one thing that he did different than Jesus Christ is that he didn’t use his own name, but, that name
which has all authority, the name of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:10-11 (KJV)
10 That at the name of Jesus (Christ) every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Don’t be fooled by these modern day charlatans. Christian believers are the ones with the power! They
are the ones with the authority to use the name of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:37 (KJV)
37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us
THE DESIRES OF THE HEART
I have, over the past few years expounded on our rewards in Heaven, Matthew 6:19, 20. I have talked
about what we can believe for, now. But, I haven’t shown you or talked to you about what God has in
store for those who commit their lives to God. So, tonight I want to expand on Earthly Rewards .
The greatest reward that a person can have is to be given the desires of his/her heart. Now when I talk
about the desires of your heart I am not talking about a new car, a new boat or a new house. I t could be
for some people, but, I am talking about the deepest inner most desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
I would like to show you a couple of people that put God first in their lives and how God gave them the
desires of their hearts.
The first is Job. Job was a man that walked with God and loved his family. But, fear crept into Jobs life
and you cannot believe God when you are fearful.
Job 1:1-5 (KJV)
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and
upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred
yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the
greatest of all the men of the east.
4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their
three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified
them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of
them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus
did Job continually.
As you will see, Job did this out of fear.
Job 1:13-22 (KJV)
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their
eldest brother’s house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses
feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with
the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen fromheaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am
escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three
bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with
the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters
were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the
house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell
thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and
worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD
gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 3:25 (KJV)
25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
You SEE?? Job had fear in his life. Fear always causes us to be less than we can be. Fear opens
an avenue for our adversary, the Devil, to attack us. So, this fear that Job had caused him to lose
so much. The rest of the book of Job is about how Job justified himself and how his three
friends, “miserable comforters,” accused him of sin. It isn’t until chapter thirty-two that Elihu
talks to Job and starts to straighten out Job’s thinking from self-righteousness to the
righteousness of God.
Chapters thirty-two through thirty seven are wonderful chapters of instruction as to God and
chapters thirty eight through forty one shows anyone who thinks themselves somebody who
GOD is. Then in chapter forty-two Job finally gets to the place of giving God the respect and the
place in his heart that God deserved. God deserves the same respect and position in each and
every one of our lives.
Job 42:1-6 (KJV)
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood
not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Job 42:7-16 (KJV)
7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz
the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not
spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and
offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will Iaccept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is
right, like my servant Job.
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did
according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD
gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his
acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and
comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a
piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen
thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she
asses.
13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name
of the third, Kerenhappuch.
15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave
them inheritance among their brethren.
16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four
generations.
Job finally put God first in his life and God gave Job the desires of his heart! No more fear just an
absolute reverence and love for God.
The other man I want to show you tonight is the Apostle Paul. Paul was a man much like Job in his
attitude of self-righteousness.
Paul (Saul is his Hebrew name) wanted to be the best for God. He did everything that he could to be
God’s best! His schooling was the best. He moved up through the ranks of Judaism to one of the top
positions of the time, a member of the Sanhedrin. But, what he was doing was contrary to God’s will.
Paul was a very zealous person and he thought getting rid of the Christians was doing God a favor.
In Acts chapter seven Stephen, a Christian full of the holy spirit is confronting a crowd of Jews. But, what
he had to say didn’t go over very well with the crowd. So, in verse fifty-seven they had enough.
Acts 7:57-60 (KJV)
57 Then they (the crowd) cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one
accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young
man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he
had said this, he fell asleep.Acts 8:1 (KJV)
1 And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen’s) death. And at that time there was a great
persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;
Paul continued his rampage against the Christians.
Acts 8:3 (KJV)
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and
women committed them to prison.
Acts 9:1-2 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went
unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Paul was a murderer, yet, one day he learned that the righteousness of God is greater than his
own righteousness.
Acts 9:3-9 (KJV)
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from
heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for
thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him,
Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by
the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Acts 9:17-22 (KJV)
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him (Paul) said,
Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me,
that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and
arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples
which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this
name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief
priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving
that this is very Christ.Paul went on and became one of the greatest believers that ever walked the Earth. Paul who once
was a murderer and worked to destroy the Christians every chance he got ended up receiving the
great revelation regarding the mystery of the body!
Paul’s heart’s desire was different than Job’s, but, God honored them both and gave them the
desires of their hearts when they changed their thinking and put God first in their lives.
God is no respecter of men or women. He does, however, stands by His promises and He
promises that when you put Him first He WILL give you the desires of your heart.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN “TO PUT GOD FIRST”
God has given us specific rules and guidelines to live our lives by. Those are in the Epistles. He
gave the Old Testament for our learning but He gave the Epistles for us to walk by. When we
apply those principles, rules and guidelines in our lives instead of what we think, our friends
think or the world thinks then we are putting God first
Climb Back Into Daddy’s Arms
I had a particularly trying two days last week and after they were done I thought about the people in the
World, the Christians and especially YOU! Everybody has trying times, once in a while, but, what
happens during and after is what this article is about.
You see, as Christians, we have an adversary. He is called the prince of the World, Satan and the Devil
just to name a few and he doesn’t want the Christian to prosper. So, he goes about to make inroads into
your mind so you will not/cannot believe the Bible and more specifically the promises of God and what
He says about you!
Have you ever thought about how the Brain works? How it gathers information, processes it and acts on
it? Our brains work exactly like a computer. What you allow into your mind is what you will become. It
will be how you think of yourself, how you see the World and how you will interact and ultimately
succeed or fail. All of this lies within your ability to control what goes into your mind.
What you watch on TV, what you read, what you listen to, who you hang around and who you are
friends with.
The Bible calls the positive programming of the mind by studying God Word the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
WHY and what does that mean?
When you are born of God’s spirit (Rom. 10:9,10) God creates spirit in you. You are now, spiritually, a
new man or woman. What is funny about this is that you cannot see, smell, hear, taste or touch spirit.
The only tools that we have to learn with. What we have to do is go to the fountainhead from which you
learned how to be born again to find out everything you have, who you are and how to operate what
you have. Not only that, but, how to interact with the World and other Christians. This process is called
the renewing of the mind.
There is another aspect to this renewing of the mind and that is unlike a computer. We sometimes can’t
stop the information coming to our minds. So, the World is trying to program your mind to think it’s way
and God calls you to program your brain to what He says about you. That is where I was for two days. I
had programmed my mind on who I am in Christ and I knew that God was with me and talks with me,
but, after two wearying days of confrontation I was tired and felt beat up. Have you ever felt this way?
Usually, the average person when in a situation like this will just go on with life and wait for time to blur
the memories of the event/programing. But, there is a much faster way to cleanse your mind and heal
up and that is to renew your mind.
Now that you know how the mind works and you know the fountainhead of all truth you can reprogram
your mind to think the positive thoughts of God’s Word.
The World will tell you that you are no good, that you won’t amount to anything and that you won’t win.
On the contrary God tells us that He loves us, that we are more than conquerors and that we will bevictorious! He tells us that we are His and He comforts us by His words. When you start seeing and
believing these words it is like a small child climbing into his daddy’s arms for comfort and love.
1 John 4:10 (KJV)
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for
our sins.
1 Corinthians 1:5 (KJV)
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV)
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all
comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Galatians 1:3-5 (KJV)
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the
will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 John 5:4 (KJV)
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith.
Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the
slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now in this programming of the mind there are two ways to program the mind and neither one will due
by itself. The first is to study to show yourself approved unto God.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.
I liken this to having a pitcher of muddy water. The only way you can clear the mud out is to keep
pouring clear water into the pitcher until it flushes out the mud.
By the way, part “B” of this is to stop listening to the World. Stop the negatives that bombard you every
day!Part two is to keep your mind focused on one verse of scripture until your mind changes. Salesmen the
world over know this and practice this. They will stand in front of the mirror and keep repeating that
they are strong and great salesmen. They will do this until their mind changes and they start believing it.
How much more you can do with the greatness of the power of God when you change your mind and
start to believe!
Ephesians 1:19 (KJV)
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of
his mighty power.
Here is one verse that is great for this purpose.
I confess that I have been delivered from the power of darkness by my lord and savior Jesus Christ.
(paraphrased from Col. 1:13.)
Another is:
1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (all the evil wicked things of this World:) because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Look, the World and the things of the World will always vote against you. God will always vote for you.
How you vote will determine the outcome.
So study God’s Word to know who you are and then when the World gets you down just climb into the
loving arms of God by coming back to His word and seeing how important you are and how much He
cares for you.
BUT FIRST THE RESURRECTION
Most of Christendom espouses I Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know anything among you
except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Everywhere you look you see the cross, on steeples, on necklaces
on the covers of Bibles etc.. It is always about Jesus Christ and him crucified. However, by only going as
far as Jesus Christ’s crucifixion the unsaved stays in the state of sin and iniquity.
Why? Because there is no power there. If all Jesus Christ did was to accomplish miracles while he walked
the earth and then died then all hope and all power to and for the believer would have been lost.
Ephesians 2:12
That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers
from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Neither does the sinners prayer get you any closer to salvation because that is a work of the flesh.
According to Ephesians 2:9 we are not saved by works. You don’t confess your sins. You confess the
savior from sin the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God by his works while he was on earth. But, now he has
been declared to be the Son of God by power never before seen on earth.
Romans 1:4 4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead.
Now, because Christ rose from the dead God has called to YOU!
Romans 1:5&6 5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all
nations, for his name: 6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 2:8,9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest
any man should boast.
We see, now, that the doctrine of the modern church is lacking the key ingredient in the road to
salvation. Many good intentioned ministers have led their followers down a dead end road and many
good intentioned people will wake up in the last day to find themselves outside the pail of Christianity.
However it is so easy to be assured of heaven and salvation, but, first you must understand the
resurrection! It is in the resurrection that we find our salvation!
In I Corithinians 2:6-9 it says the devil would not have crucified Jesus Christ if he knew what was coming
after the crucifixion.I Corinthinians 2:6-9
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the
princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the
hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this
world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written,
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him.
So something great was coming and it was kept secret from before the world began and that something
was the resurrection of Christ and all that that encompasses.
Let’s look at some of the verses dealing with the resurrection.
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet
shall he live.
When the apostles were choosing someone to take Judas’s place the one criteria that they had was that
that person had to be a witness of the resurrection.
Acts 1:22,23
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out
among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must
one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Acts 4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace
was upon them all.
Philippians 3:4-10
4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof
he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the
church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but
dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings. The great apostle Paul, the one to whom the great mystery was revealed to, gave up all that he
had, his position as a Pharisee and all of his wealth for one thing; that is he could know Christ Jesus and
the power of his, Jesus Christ’s, resurrection.
Now we must ask ourselves why the resurrection, what is so important about the resurrection?
Romans 10:9,10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The word saved is the Greek word sozo. Sozo means completely whole. Whole in every aspect.
Physically, mentally, spiritually, financially whole.
I Peter 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and
abideth for ever.
This is the beginning of the Christian walk! It is being born again of God’s spirit. Beloved now are we the
sons of God (I John 3:2.)
All of God’s goodness to the Christian is available to you when you understand the resurrection and
confess, the savior from sin, Jesus as Lord in and of your life
A Study of I Corinthians 14 (part one)
Without an understanding of the connection between I Corinthians chapter twelve, thirteen and
fourteen you will not get the great understanding of I Corinthians chapter fourteen. As we saw, in
previous articles, chapter twelve deals with the gift of holy spirit and the operations of that gift.
Chapter thirteen teaches us that there is a better way than needing gift ministries of apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and that is for each member of the body of Christ to
operate the love of in the renewed mind in manifestation. Therefore, each one of us builds up the
body of believers. Now in chapter fourteen God is explaining how to conduct ourselves within a
group of Christians.
In studying I Corinthians chapter fourteen we have to, as we go through it, use the principles of
Biblical research that I have taught in previous articles, namely 1) when using the King James
Version of the Bible the italicized words were man added and could be correct or they could be
way off base. Howbeit, they have no authority and we can keep them or delete them as the
scripture dictates. 2) we have to use the Greek to see if the words were translated correctly. 3)
We must understand the context.
1 Corinthians 14:1-22 (KJV)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Charity is the love of God that we as Christians manifest when we study the Bible and practice
the principals directly given to the Christians.
The word “gifts” is in italics and is wrongly supplied. The Greek word is pheumaticos and means
things of the spirit or spiritual matters. But, more so, that you may prophesy. Where? Why?
We are talking about “HOW” to conduct ourselves in the Church. So, when we are in a body of
believers we are to Pursue a walk of love and covet the things of the spirit, but, more than that, in
the Church seek to prophesy.
There are two types of prophesying. Did you know that? Yup, there is! The first is “fore” telling
much like we think about in the Old Testament where men of God told what was going to
happen in the future. But, most of the prophesy is not that but is “forth” telling.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man
understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
The word “unknown” could be removed or could be left. However, the word “him” has to be
deleted because there were, on the Day of Pentecost, men that understood what the Apostles
were saying. When a person speaks in tongues the only one guaranteed not to understand is the
person speaking. Otherwise, it would be a known language to that individual.
Understand that the word “he” is an inclusive noun and implies both men and women and
children too.3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort
.
So here it is. The REASON that we are to desire to prophesy IN THE CHURCH, is so that we
can edify (build up) the body of believers, exhort them to a more worthy endeavor and to
comfort them.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the
church.
Delete the word “unknown” it is too confusing. Once you get rid of the confusing word
“unknown” this verse is very simple.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that
prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive
edifying.
Why, why, why? Why would a person be greater? As you will see, Paul is explaining in verses
6-25 that we are to build up the Church and you can not do that if people don’t understand what
you are saying. That is why he that prophesies is greater than he that doesn’t or that only speaks
in tongues.
Let me, also, explain that prophesy and speaking in tongues with interpretation are similar. They
both edify the body.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I
shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction
in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be
known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without
signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a
barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the
edifying of the church.
Scratch out the word “gifts” it should be spiritual matters.
Bingo! In the Body of Believers the whole purpose is for people to be blessed and you can’t do
that by using the manifestation of speaking in tongues wrongly.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.Scratch out the word “unknown.” Let him that speaketh in a tongue BELIEVE to interpret as
well. You don’t have to pray and then wait for an answer from God! You have to believe to
operate what God has already given you.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Scratch out the word “unkown.”
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, in my personal prayer life, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit in my personal prayer life, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the
unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
Otherwise, when you speak in tongues and don’t interpret in a fellowship no one will understand
what you are saying.
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Do you see what is going on? In my personal prayer life I can speak in tongues all I want, but, in
the Church nobody will understand me unless I interpret. That way everyone gets blessed.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
This is the great Apostle Paul who says that he spoke in tongues more than the whole Corinthian
Church put together. Now if he spoke in tongues wouldn’t it behoove us to follow his lead?
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I
might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
How simple this is. How Paul loved the Church and how he wanted to bless them. But, speaking
in tongues in a fellowship without interpretation is wrong! Speaking in tongues is of God,
speaking in tongues is perfect prayer, but, speaking in tongues in a fellowship without
interpretation only leads to confusion.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in
understanding be men.
What the Corinthians were doing was speaking in tongues in a fellowship and causing confusion.
Paul says, stop it and grow up.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people;
and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: butprophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
That is right! Speaking in tongues in a fellowship, done correctly which is to speak in tongues
WITH the interpretation is a sign to them that are unlearned that there is power, the power of
God, at work in the Church. Not only that, they hear the message from God, a message of
edification, exhortation and comfort.
Prophesy is specifically for those that are more mature believers, they aren’t neophytes. They
know the difference between a person talking and one bring forth a message from God. A
message of edification, exhortation and comfort
God Loves You and Will Deliver
Sickness and disease have been a bane to the existence of Christians and God’s people since Genesis.
This has been troublesome for Christians because of wrong teaching by the Christian leadership. The
main line doctrine of these so-called leaders is that “everything happens for a purpose” and “God uses
sickness to test you or to make you stronger.” What they are implying is that God makes a person sick
for a reason or that God causes a person to be sick. Just the thought of such blasphemous teaching hurts
me to the core. It makes me want to shout from the tallest buildings and highest mountain tops “THIS IS
A LIE FROM THE PIT OF HELL! GOD LOVES YOU AND WILL DELIVER YOU!
That is right! You heard me! God will deliver you.
Let me start out by saying that God NEVER causes sickness, disease or death!
James 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with
whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
God only knows how to give good AND it says that in God there is no variableness nor shadow of
turning. That means that God does not change his mind. That, also, means that what God does for one
person He has to do for anyone that meet the same criteria. If God healed one Christian ever, which we
know he did by the bucket full in the Book of Acts, He has too for YOU! And, just in case you think you
are not good enough or that God has higher regard for some look at Acts 10:34.
Acts 10:34 (KJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons:
1 John 1:5 (KJV)
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all.
God is not only the Father of lights, He IS light and there is no evil,no darkness, no ill will to the
Christian!
So, we have established that God wouldn’t cause sickness, so, let’s look at Jesus Christ.
Luke 4:17-19 (KJV)
17 And there was delivered unto him (Jesus Christ) the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had
opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he
hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight tothe blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
John 4:34 (KJV)
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 6:38-40 (KJV)
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose
nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may
have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU?
3 John 1:2 (KJV)
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth.
Neither God nor Jesus Christ want you to be sick. As a matter of fact even Jesus Christ’s Apostles were
told to deliver people from sickness.
Matthew 10:7-8 (KJV)
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
We have established that neither God or Jesus Christ ever brought sickness upon anybody. As a matter
of fact, God loves you with a deep and ever abiding love. Why would he ever want to harm any of His
children? That is what you are! When you are a Christian you are God’s child (I John 3:2.) He doesn’t!
What God gives, as I mentioned before, is GOOD.
So, who does cause sickness. Notice I say “who” and not “what.” Who causes the captivity that Jesus
Christ came to deliver people from? He is the fallen angel of Isaiah fourteen, the Serpent of Genesis
chapter three, the Anti-Christ of I John two and father of lies in John 8:44. He is the Devil.
To say that God causes sickness is a great lie and those who propound it are messengers of the Devil!
Sickness is death in part or in whole and the Devil, not God, has the power of death.
Hebrews 2:14 (KJV)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (Jesus Christ) also
himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil;
Wow,, wow, wow! What are we going to do now! The lines of demarcation are set! God is
voting FOR you and the Devil, our adversary, is voting against you! How you vote will
determine the outcome! That is right, what you decide to believe will be your deliverance or it
will be your continued suffering!Listen, I know as a minister of reconciliation that when a person is sick they need love more than
anything. But, I am not there to put my arms around you and to comfort you. I can’t speak tender
words of comfort. So, I am doing the best I know how and that is to give you the TRUTH and let
you, for once in your life, make that decision. “Do I believe the purity of God’s matchless divine
Word or what the World has to say. Do I want to be whole or not!”
The first step in your deliverance is found in Romans 10:9,10.
Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
This is the key that unlocks the door to all of God’s promises. Over eight hundred promises to
the believer! Promises of health, children, long life and so much more are yours for the taking.
The word “saved” in verse nine is the Greek word “sozo” which means to be made whole,
complete in every aspect of your life! At the time of the new birth, the spiritual birth, at the time
you do what it says in Romans 10:9,10 God gives us EVERYTHING, that we will ever need. It
is up to us to so change our minds so that we will get our deliverance in the physical realm. We
do this by literally believing the promises in God’s Word. You must so renew your mind that you
literally believe God’s Word.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
God will deliver each and every one of us just like He did in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts
if we believe. Oh, you say, but, I have _________ how is God going to deliver me? That is
God’s choice your choice is to believe Him when He says he will heal you when He says he will
deliver you.
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live
unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
John 15:16 (KJV)
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give it you.
John 16:23 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you.1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)
14 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 confession.
15 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.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Matthew 9:20-22 (KJV)
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and
touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith
hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Notice that this woman never gave up! Discouragement is sin. Get the promise that you want to
claim and repeat it over and over again until you start to believe it. Keep the image of your
deliverance formost in your mind and don’t let anything take precedence over it.
James 1:6-8 (KJV)
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
I leave you with two records of people who have believed and gotten their deliverance.
Acts 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth
hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate
of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones
received strength.8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God.
Matthew 15:30-31 (KJV)
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed,
and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole,
the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:22-28 (KJV)
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have
mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for
she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.
And her daughter was made whole from that very hour
Commitment
I am, again, going to interrupt our series on I Corinthians. I want to share with you a conversation I had
with a gentleman, yesterday. But, first, let me give you the background.
The man used to be a contractor in Florida and he had crews working for him. One crew was Haitian.
One of the men from another crew stole some of the Haitians’ equipment.
The contractor told him to give it back and that “you don’t want to mess with the Haitians.” The man
didn’t give the equipment back. So, the next day, the Haitians told the contractor that they “shook the
chicken foot.” That meant that they used voodoo to curse the man. Shortly there after the man that
stole the equipment got into a car accident. Was it coincidence or was it dark power?
The point that I want to make is not about the power of darkness, but, about our conviction to the
power of light! It is amazing to me that people are more committed to lesser things than Christians are
to the greatness of the power of God in their lives! The Haitians were serious! They expected results.
Do you, when you pray, have the same conviction as these people do, or do you pray and then don’t
follow through with expectation, enthusiasm and belief? Do you believe that GOD will give you the
desires of you heart?
Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
How often do you come to God’s great throne and EXPECT him to grant you your petition and how often
do you stand firm on that belief without wavering until you get your deliverance.
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Mark 11:22-24 (KJV)
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou
cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall
come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
Our conviction, our stand, our commitment to what we believe should be GREATER than any unbeliever
to their cause.
When God says to cast your cares on him for He cares for you, DO YOU? Not only to cast your cares on
God, BUT, to leave them there and go on your merry way rejoicing.
When God says you are a SUPER CONQUEROR (Rom. 8:37) do you walk into every situation with that
mind set?
This works with every aspect of God’s Word. Stop pussy footing around and expect to get results. It
won’t work. God demands believing and believing is an action verb! To believe you must act!Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Psalm 37:5-6 (KJV)
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
It is time to stop toying with God and His Word and to walk as a son or daughter of God and to shine as
lights in this crooked and perverse world and the only way to do this is to commit and BELIEVE!
Principles for Deliverance
I have a friend that has a physical ailment and wants, no, needs deliverance and he asked about
deliverance for God’s people according to the Bible. I am here to tell you that, YES, there is deliverance
for God’s people and tonight, by the grace of God, I will give you keys that will start you on the road to
deliverance.
Your healing, from whatever malady that is affecting you no matter what it is, is dependent on what you
think of the Bible! Is it the Word of God or not? Some people say it “contains the Word of God,” but that
is not it! The Bible does not just contain the Word of God for if it did it would, by default, contain things
that are “not” the Word of God. Then, you would be in a mess trying to figure out what is and what isn’t
the Word of God. People, it is either all of God’s Word or none of it is God’s Word. Your deliverance,
your freedom, your very fellowship with God is absolutely dependent on your belief that the Bible IS the
revealed word and will of God.
Once you come to that conclusion then all of questions, all of the doubts melt away and then you can
look to God’s Word for truth regarding your deliverance. This is the Great Foundational Principle
regarding deliverance. The second principle is FEAR NOT.
It is amazing to me how people take the word of a doctor as truth in spite of what God says. Let me
explain. My father was in a car wreck back in the late 60’s. He broke his hips and right leg and his pelvis.
All of the doctors told him that he would not walk again and so he started thinking that maybe he
wouldn’t walk again, but, a new doctor took over his case. The doctor at the time was the orthopedic
surgeon for the New England Patriots. So, on his first visit my dad and he started talking and my dad told
him that all the other doctors told him he would never walk again and the doctor, my dad called him
“Doctor Jack,” looked my dad right in the eye and said “it is up to you! If you want to walk Walk!” From
that moment on my dad worked on walking and within six months he was walking and he walked for
close to fifty years after that!
The point in this little story is the doctors don’t know and their opinions change. I am not disparaging
doctors, but, if I am going cling to something as if it were truth I, my friends, would prefer that it be
truth itself! Wouldn’t you? Let me show you something in Luke.
Luke 8:40-42 (KJV)
40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all
waiting for him.
41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down
at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he (Jesus Christ)
went the people thronged him.
Luke 8:49-56 (KJV)
49 While he (Jesus Christ) yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to
him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made
whole.
51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and
the father and the mother of the maiden.
52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Jairus had a choice, he could have gotten angry with Jesus for being distracted on his way to Jairus’s
house, he could have sat down and cried or he could do the ONLY thing that would bring deliverance, he
could BELIEVE the words of Jesus Christ! Jairus chose wisely. The circumstances hit Jairus square in the
face or perhaps it would be better to say square in the heart. The words must have come like a mac
truck “your daughter is dead.” I am sure that Jairus couldn’t hear much after that, but, Jesus got his
attention and contradicted the circumstances and the experts by saying “fear not, believe only and she
shall be made whole!”
I will tell you that God’s Word and God’s Will contradicts the circumstances and the negatives of this
world because God’s desire for YOU is wholeness , complete and utter wholeness just like Jairus’s
daughter.
My dad didn’t have the Word of God. There was nobody there to show him the greatness of God’s love
for him. All he had was the opinions of doctors and, yet, he defied all of the doctors that came before
doctor Jack and he walked. How much more you that are reading this because you know, beyond a
shadow of a doubt, that God is with you waiting for you to believe so that He can pour His blessing of
health and wholeness on you.
Jesus had to wait. It may not have been long, but, he had to wait for Jairus to make up his mind. Once
Jairus made up his mind, once Jairus committed to believing the Words of Christ, Jesus went into action
and Jairus and his daughter got their deliverance. How long will it take you to believe God’s Word? No
matter how long it takes God will be with you ready to give you that deliverance.
In Ephesians chapter six is the list of the weapons of our warfare. One of them is the shield of believing
to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:13-17 (KJV)
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:So, the second great principle is “Fear Not!” And the third great principle is “Believe Only.”
Now what are you to believe? Jairus knew. It is the Word of God and specifically that Word that is
addressed to you! Let me give you some verses.
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live
unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Romans 8:37 (KJV)
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
The term “more than conquerors” is more accurately translated “super conquerors.” We are super
conquerors when we believe God’s Word.
Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV)
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the
saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his
dear Son:
All the negatives, all sickness, all defeat has to go when you believe!
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
A literal translation is “Believing is the title deed of things prayed for, the evidence that they are yours
before they are seen.
Psalm 103:2-4 (KJV)
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Ephesians 1:18-19 (KJV)
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of
his mighty power,
Matthew 21:22 (KJV)
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Mark 11:23-24 (KJV)
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thoucast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall
come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
Now that you understand the first principles in deliverance, from anything, you must focus on what you
want. Get a vivid picture in your mind of the thing that you want in your life and keep that picture of
your deliverance in your mind and heart and don’t let anything else sway you from your goal. Focus on
that image of deliverance and then go to God’s Word to build the truth of God’s love and deliverance in
your life.
Use the verses of deliverance to change your mind. The salesmen of today use this technique before
they go out for the day. They will get in front of a mirror and repeat a positive saying until their mind
changes and they believe what they are saying. Christians can do this to a greater efficacy because when
they repeat a verse out of the Bible they are repeating the truth that is backed up by God.
Here is a simple statement that you can use. “ Adversary, you are defeated and I claim my rights as a son
of God to health and wholeness.” Or, how about “I confess that I have been delivered from the power of
darkness by my lord and savior Jesus Christ. How many times do you say it? Until you mind changes.
How many days do you do this? Until you get your deliverance.
The last principle in the understanding of deliverance is found in I Peter.
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Give it to God! Let God carry the burden. God loves you, God wants to give you the deliverance that you
want and need greater than you want it. Pray to God and expect that He will deliver you.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)
14 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.
15 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.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Prayer – To God
I read from time to time about prayer and praying from the perspective of a psychologist or secular
sources. It is always the same “prayer is good for a person. It gives them a better attitude.” REALLY?? Is
that all there is to it, a better attitude a better feeling? Well, ladies and gentlemen, if that is all there is –
it makes you feel better, then you as a Christian (Romans 10:9,10) do not understand prayer!
The very first thing you need to understand is WHO you are praying to. Part of this understanding is
knowing to whom you are not praying.
1 Corinthians 12:2 (KJV)
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led (before you
became a Christian.)
Dumb idols are idols (gods) that can’t hear, that won’t speak, that can’t bring deliverance to a person
when they need it. They don’t have to be idols of wood or stone. They could be anything that is man
made. But, the point is, that they CANNOT give deliverance. We don’t pray to a God that can’t hear us!
We don’t pray to a God that can’t see us. We pray to ALMIGHTY GOD who created the Heavens and the
Earth. The God who set the stars in their course. The God who is willing to give us the desires of our
hearts. The God who promises deliverance in sickness, in finances and in every aspect of your life.
John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If you want answers to prayer you have to pray according to the rules and regulations and those are only
found in the Bible. Do you see what Jesus Christ said?? He said the only access to God is through him,
Jesus Christ! So, there is no getting to God by Buddha, or Allah, or Shiva, or any other so-called god. The
Christian is the only one that has access to God Almighty, if the Bible is correct…and it is.
So, who is it that we pray to? What are His attributes? Is He a vengeful God or a caring, loving God?
Psalm 91:1-7 (KJV)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be
thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at
noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh
thee.
Isn’t verse four a wonderful figure of speech? My wife has a screen saver on her computer that
makes me think of this verse every time I see it. It is a photograph of a mother duck sitting in thegrass, the rain is coming down, her wing is outstretched and underneath it are four little
ducklings looking out at the rain, dry, warm and protected. God will do and does the same for us.
Exodus 6:2-4 (KJV)
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my
name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their
pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
Do you know what Jehovah means? It means God in His covenant relationship. He covenanted with
Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. Although God took care of them they did not know His full
potential as Jehovah. There are ten redemptive names for Jehovah and Psalm 23 has eight of those ten
names
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with
oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the LORD for ever.
In verse 1 He is Jehovah Raw aw – Jehovah my shepherd.
In verse 1 He is, also, Jehovah Jireh – Jehovah who will see and provide
In Verse 2 He is Jehovah Shalom – Jehovah our peace
In verse 3 He is Jehovah Ropheka – Jehovah who healeth thee
In verse 3 He is, also, Jehovah Zidkenu – Jehovah our righteousness
In verse 4 He is Jehovah Shammah – Jehovah is there ( He never leaves you or forsakes you)
In verse 5 He is Jehovah Nissi – Jehovah my banner, my covering, my protection, just like Psalm 91:4.
In verse 5 He is, also, Jehovah Mekaddishkem – Jehovah that doth sanctify you.
I want to trace out for you a few verses to show you that this same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
the same God that delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt and brought them into the promised land
is the same Jehovah to you.
Romans 4:16 (KJV)
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all
the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham;
who is the father of us all,Galatians 3:6-9 (KJV)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before
the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Are you “of faith?” You are if you have done Romans 10:9,10!
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
John 16:23-24 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be
full.
Expect miracles every day
Expect miracles when you pray
When you expect them God will find a way
To perform miracles for you each day!
As a Christian, when you pray, you have a direct line to the One that so loved the World that He gave His
only begotten son so that when you pray you can get answers and deliverance.