So Saith The Lord

The Words of Thy Mouth ...

Words are powerful when released out of your mouth because they carry spiritual forces.

Jesus said it this way:
"…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life".
John 6:63

I think sometimes we miss what He said. “There is spirit life in the words that I speak.” That’s why it is important for us to agree with God, and to say what God says.

When we talk about “confession”, that is actually what we are talking about: agreeing with God. When we mention confession, most people think we are referring to confessing our sins. If we sin, we should confess our sins to God. But here we are talking about agreeing with God. That is the confession of God’s Word.

Words carry spiritual forces. Words transmit fear; words transmit supernatural power, words transmit faith. Words transmit your image to others. God’s Word transmits God’s image – the devil’s word transmits the devil’s image.

For example;

If I wanted to give someone an image of my car, I would start describing it. Every word I speak would transmit a clearer image of that car. Inside of me right now I can see that car mentally. I can walk around it. That is a mental image. I can describe it in such detail that you could recognize it when you see it, even though you have never seen it with your natural eye. My words produce an image of that car inside you. I transmit to you the image I have with words.

Yes indeed! Words are powerful transmitters.


Remember Paul said in Romans 10:17:
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Today you can have an image inside of you. You may even have the Word of God for it. The Spirit of God may be moving concerning the very thing you have an image of, but until you release that image through faith-filled words, very little will happen to bring that into being. You must speak that image. You must give voice to it. You give substance to that image by releasing your faith in words.

Confess abundance in the face of apparent lack.

Text taken from Mark 11:23. (read it and read it often)


The Word of the Lord came unto me and spoke one of the most profound statements I have ever heard. It was simple, but then Jesus never made anything hard to understand. It is so simple that it makes me feel almost foolish, but it has changed my life. It will change yours if you receive it as I did.

Let’s put it in the context of which He spoke.

Mark 11:23, “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.”


As I was reading from this text, Jesus spoke to my heart and said to me, “I have told my people they can have WHAT THEY SAY, and they are SAYING WHAT THEY HAVE.”


That is a very simple truth, but oh how profound and far reaching. For as long as you say what you have, you will have what you say, then you, again say what you have, and it will produce no more than what you say. You can see that you have set a spiritual law in motion that will confine you to the very position or circumstance you are in when you set that law in motion. It is an age old problem of not looking beyond what you can see with the physical eye.

A correct application of this spiritual law will change even the most impossible situation. But, to incorrectly apply these laws will hold you in bondage, and cause the circumstance to grow worse.

Every faith principle, and every spiritual law that God set forth in His Word was for your benefit. It was designed to put you over in life.


Learn to Release Your Faith in Words

You can have what you say if you learn to release faith from the heart in your words. Jesus said, “… "as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” (Matthew 8:13)

He didn’t say it would only work if you believed right. Whether you believe right, or wrong, it is still the law. “… God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

The spiritual law is based on the same basic principle of seed-time harvest. The words you speak are seeds that produce aſter their kind. Just as sure as they are planted, you can be equally sure a harvest will follow. Faith talks. When faith talks, it talks faith, not fear and unbelief.


The Treasures of the Heart Cannot be Hidden, But are Manifest Through Words


Learn to take the Words of Jesus personally. In Mark 11:23, Jesus tells you that you can have what you say if what you say comes from faith in your heart.
What would happen if Jesus walked down the aisles of your church, laid His hands on the people, and said, “It will come to pass that aſter I have laid my hands on each one of you, everything you say will happen just as you say it”?

Half the congregation would jump up and say, “Whoo Hoo Hoo! Alrighty then!" and the other half would say "Well crap"

The "well, crap" crowd has allowed the enemy to program their minds until instead of resisting him, they have sort of buddied up with him, and begun to talk his language. They know that years of speaking negative words will surely effect the outcome.

While the "whoo hoo hoo" crowd has become accustomed to speaking God's Word.


Train Yourself to Speak God’s Word

Let us train ourselves to speak God’s Word. Ephesians 5:1 tells us,
“be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children….”

The word, “followers” in Greek means to imitate. We are to imitate God as a child does his father. If a child imitates his father, he will walk like him, talk like him; and patterns his every move aſter him. We should do no less aſter our Father, God.


WHOSE WORDS WILL YOU ESTABLISH ON EARTH?

When you study the life of Jesus you find several important facts that caused Him to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. I will list a few.

1. He spent much time in prayer, but He never prayed the problem; He prayed the answer. What God said is the answer.

2. He spoke accurately, never crooked speech. His conversation always consisted of what God said.

3. He always spoke the end results, not the problem. Never did He confess present circumstances. He spoke the desired results.

4. He used the written Word to defeat Satan.


THE WORD OF GOD CONCEIVED IN THE HEART, FORMED BY THE TONGUE, AND SPOKEN OUT OF THE MOUTH IS POWER!


Christianity is called the great confession, but most Christians who are defeated in life are defeated because they believe and confess the wrong things. They have spoken the words of the enemy. And those words hold them in bondage.

Proverbs 6:2 says,
“... Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth.”

Faith filled words will put you over. Fear filled words will defeat you. Words are the most powerful thing in the universe.

Man is a spirit being, very capable of operating on the same level of faith as God.

We read in Mark 9:23,
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

Matthew 17: 20 says,
“And Jesus said unto them, ... for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Mark 11:23 says, “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.”


Spiritual Law

This is not theory. It is fact. It is a spiritual law. It works every time it is applied correctly. This is a SPIRITUAL LAW. God never does anything without saying it first. God is a faith God. God released His faith in Words.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God .” (Mark 11:22)

A more literal translation of the above verse says “Have the God kind of faith, or faith of God.”

Ephesians 5:1 literally tells us to be imitators of God as children imitate their parents. To imitate God, you must talk like Him and act like Him. He would not ask you to do something you are not capable of doing.

Jesus operated in the faith principles of Mark 11:23 and Matthew 17:20 while He was on earth. He spoke to the wind and sea. He spoke to demons. He spoke to the fig tree. He even spoke to dead men. The wind, sea, tree, demons, and even the dead were obedient to what He said. He operated in the God kind of faith.

God is a faith God. God released His faith in Words. Jesus was imitating His Father and getting the same results as His Father.

In John 14:12 Jesus said, “…He that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also; and greater… .”

These principles of faith are based on spiritual laws. They work for whosoever will apply these laws. You set them in motion by the words of your mouth.
Do you really want all the negative things you have been confessing to come to pass?

Are you believing for those things?

If Jesus came to you personally and said, “from this day forward it will come to pass, that everything you say will happen exactly as you say it;” would that change your vocabulary? I believe it would.


Binding and Loosing

In Matthew 16:19 Jesus said, “I give you the keys of the kingdom, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NKJV)

Psalm 119:89 tells us, “For ever O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”

Now, it is up to you. What are you going to say about it?

God will not alter what He has said. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” (Psalm 89:34)

Whose words will you establish on earth?

The power of binding and loosing is on earth.


Spoken Words

 “I have told my people they can have WHAT THEY SAY, and they are SAYING WHAT THEY HAVE”. saith the Lord.

Spoken words program your spirit (heart) either to success or defeat. Words are containers. They carry faith, or fear, and they produce after their kind.

“So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of  God .” (Romans 10:17)

Faith comes more quickly when you hear yourself quoting, speaking, and saying the things God said. You will more readily receive God’s Word into your spirit by hearing yourself say it than if you hear someone else say it.



Live in the Authority of the Word

The Spirit of God spoke to me concerning confessing the Word of God aloud; where you can hear yourself saying it. And it works, thank God.

“My Word is not void of power. My people are void of speech.”

The body of Christ must begin to live in the authority of the Word. For God’s Word is power. That Power is produced by the heart, formed by the tongue, and released out of the mouth in word form.



The Word of the Lord came unto me saying:

“If men would believe me, long prayers are not necessary. Just speaking the Word will bring what you desire. My power is given to man in Word form. I have ceased for a time from my work and have given man the book of MY POWER . That power is STILL IN MY WORD.

For it to be effective, man must speak it in faith. Jesus spoke it when He was on earth and as it worked then so shall it work now. But it must be spoken by the physical body. Man must rise up and have dominion over the power of evil by my Words.

It is my greatest desire that my people create a better life by the spoken Word. For my Word has not lost its power just because it has been spoken once. It is still equally as powerful today as when I said, ‘Let there be light.’

But for my Word to be effective, men must speak it, and that power will come forth performing that which is spoken in faith.

They hear the world and speak as the world speaks. By observing circumstances they have lost sight of my Word. They even speak that which the enemy says, and they destroy their own inheritance by corrupt communication of fear and unbelief. No Word of Mine is void of power, only powerless when it is unspoken.

As there is power in my Spoken Word, so is there evil power present in the words of the enemy to affect and oppress everyone that speaks them. Be not conformed, but be transformed into the body of faith, knowing that my Words are alive ever more. Believe, speak, and obtain that your joy may be full  and you shall be complete in Me.”


These truths changed my life. I will never be the same. And neither will you; if you have but an ounce of Faith.

What Does The Holy Word Say?

What Does the Holy Word Say?
Bible Word Study

Your Blessings Are So Many, Lord!

Your blessings are so many, Lord,
To count them one by one
Would take much longer than a day
That has just now only begun!

You fill each day with miracles
From dawn to setting sun.
Each night You hear a million prayers
When Your day's work is done.

You keep this old world spinning
As seasons come and go,
And each one is a masterpiece
That sets our hearts aglow.

You fill the earth with beauty, Lord,
With flowers, shrubs and trees,
And we marvel at Your rainbows
And butterflies and bees.

Your words still give us comfort
For Your promises are true.
Your blessings are so many, Lord,
In everything we do!


Is There A Little .....

Have you ever believed that God was there for you, even when it didn't seem like it? Then there's a little Moses in you.

Have you ever helped a friend be brave? Then there's a little Deborah in you.

Have you ever helped somebody even when nobody else wanted to help them? Then there's a little Good Samaitan in you.
 
Is there a little Thomas in you? Think you would've believed without proof? Hmmm.


Have you ever:

1. Wondered, even for a second, if God was really there?
2. Wished God would come to you in person so you'd be sure?
 
It's human to have doubts and want proof. But there are even better blessings in store when we believe without having to "see him in person." Bible Reference: John 20:24–29


Is there a little Noah in you?
People probably thought Noah was weird for being obedient.

Have you ever:
1. Given Respected to someone that looked less than respectable?
2. Befriended someone that was "different" while everybody else ignored them?
3. Been original when everyone else was mainstream?
 
Yes? Then you have confidence in God's instructions, just like Noah. Bible Reference: Genesis 8



Is there a little Judge in you? Think you don't judge people?

Have you ever thought:

1. You were better than somebody else because you are a Christian?
2. Thought someone wasn't really a Christian because they didn't practice their belief like you do?
 
We judge when we criticize people, even silently . . . especially when we're talking about God. Paul reminds us to leave the differences to God and just love each other. Bible Reference: Romans 14:10–13


Is there a little Titus in you? Have you ever advised somebody to "just say no" to any of these?

1. Fighting/Argueing
2. Gossiping
3. Cheating
 
If you go beyond "just say no" and help friends stay away from the un-Godly things, Titus has nothing on you. Bible Reference: Titus 2:12



YOU Getting To Know YOU !

The object of this is to get to know yourself better based on Scripture. Read each question and select an answer of either A, B, or C. (Be completely honest and no peeking at the Scriptures until you have selected your answer.)

Then read the Scripture based on the selection you have made. You'll be surprised at what you learn about yourself.


Ready? Then let's go!


1. I have to admit, when I make a promise I sometimes:

A. Make it before I know I can keep it.
Go to Proverbs 20:25.

B. Put off carrying it out.
Go to Deuteronomy 23: 21 and 23.

C. Try to get out of keeping it.
Go to Mark 7:9–13.


2. What do you want most in a friend? Somebody who:

A. Will stick up for you?
Go to Proverbs 17:17.

B. Can make you feel better?
Go to Job 2:11–13.

C. Will say, "You can do it!"?
Go to 1 Thessalonians 5:11.


3. When I meet a new person, I tell other people:

A. The good stuff I saw in her/him.
Go to Proverbs 11:27.

B. The not-so-good-stuff I saw in her.
Go to Proverbs 6:16–19.

C. Exactly what happened when I met her.
Go to Proverbs 12:17–19.


4. The consequences of my actions have been:

A. Natural, like a burn from touching the curling iron.
Go to 2 Corinthians 9:6.

B. From another person, like a fellow Christian.
Go to Hebrews 12:11.

C. From God, 
Go to 2 Corinthians 9:7–8.


5. When something comes up between you and a friend, do you:

A. Just leave it alone
Go to Matthew 10:13–14.

B. Go off on the person?
Go to Matthew 18:15–16.

C. Send an email/card/letter to try to work it out?
Go to 1 Corinthians 1:10.


6. It would be hardest for me to:

A. Give up money I saved.
Go to Luke 19:1–9.

B. Serve homeless people at a shelter.
Go to Matthew 25:34–40.

C. Let somebody else do what I so much wanted to do.
Go to Matthew 20:20–28.


7. When I realize I've hurt someone, I:

A. Just Hate myself for it.
Go to Colossians 3:13.

B. Apologize.
Go to Matthew 5:23–24.

C. Try to make up for it.
Go to James 2:14–18.


8. When you think God isn't answering your prayer, do you:

A. Figure He's saying no and give up on it?
Go to Hebrews 10:35–39.

B. Keep waiting and hoping?
Go to Hebrews 6:13–15.

C. Pray some more?
Go to Luke 18:1–8.


Dear God,
Why do I make so many mistakes/mess up when I want to do right?


Like everyone, you have a gap between what you know is right and what you do. It's there because you're human, but you can ask God to help you make your gap smaller. Tell Him about the times where your actions were way different from your beliefs. Then imagine the gap being pushed together by God's power, bringing you closer to Him.


Between You... and Me...

Compassion means you feel so badly for someone you want to help him or her. Have you ever NOT had compassion for someone when you probably should have? What can you do to change so that it never happens again?


Answer:  _________________________________________________

My ~Aha~ Moment

My ~Aha~ Moment
Conversation with the Lord

Today I thought I would share with you a conversation that I had recently with a ~new to Christ~ young lady in which she ask "What was the one thing that made me realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord actually sees us and hears our individual prayers".

I honestly had to think long and hard about that as throughout my Christian life the Lord has done so many things that I ask of Him; some of those things feel so trivial to me now that I am frankly much too embarrassed to mention. Yet; answer those prayers He did as well, trivial or not.

But; what was the One thing that was my defining ~Aha~ moment?

And then I knew what it was. Those of you that are pet lovers will completely understand this story while those that are ... not so much ... probably won't get the full impact of the significance of my ~moment~ but I hope you do.

Years ago I had a miniature schnauzer named Buddy. I know ... not very original but it so suited him perfectly because he was absolutely my "buddy", my "pal", my "laugh a moment fuzzy ball of pure joy". If it is any consolation his name was suppose to be "Winston" which is a very dignified and proper name for a schnauzer but Buddy just seemed to describe his personality so much better.

From the moment we brought him home as a tiny little puppy it seemed as if he had always been there and knew the routine of toilet activity. Listen; I have my share of potty training puppy stories and puppies that will eat the finish off the walls if you leave them alone for even a second but Buddy seem to come pre-wired with the do's and don't's of what is acceptable behavior. All of the Lysol wipes, potty pads, carpet cleaner etc. etc. that I purchased prior to bringing him home went unused and stashed under the sink.

Soon we settled into a routine of day to day life. If I got up to get something Buddy followed me. If I went outside for fresh air Buddy went to. When I went to bed Buddy went to bed and when I got up in the morning Buddy got up in the morning. He even insisted that I leave the bathroom door cracked so he could lie on the rug while I took a shower. Secretly; I believe that his favorite time of the day was when I curled up on my chaise lounge to read or watch TV- in which case he also curled up on the chaise and took a nap.

Not so secretly my favorite time of the day was when I gave him his dog bone chew and instead of eating it he walked around with it hanging out of the side of his mouth and I promise you it looked as if he was smoking a cigar. Why I found that so hilarious I have no idea but every time he did it; it just cracked me up. He looked like Humphrey Bogart. So I started calling his dog bone a Bogart. I would say to him "Go get your Bogart ... Humphrey" and off he'd run and come back with it hanging out the side of his mouth and I would laugh every single time.

So; yes. I was completely "gone" over this dog. Completely "over the moon gone" for him. Every day he would make me laugh about something and it feels so very good to laugh just for the pure joy of laughing; doesn't it?

A little before Buddy's third birthday I got up with the alarm and went to make coffee and of course Buddy followed me in the kitchen. While I was waiting on the coffee to perk I said "Humphrey; where is your Bogart this morning"? and off he ran to get it. He came back into the kitchen with it hanging out of the side of his mouth just like he always did- promptly dropped the bone on the floor in front of me and then fell over onto his side. I thought he was just goofing off but just that quickly Buddy had died. No fuss, no muss, no nothing - he just simply died.

Well; it's 5 o'clock in the morning and the Vet's office doesn't open up until 7 am so I just sat on the floor in the kitchen and held him in my lap and cried until I could take him to the Vet. Not of course because I thought there was anything to be done. What can you do with death but just deal with it? But; if I had to deal with it then I demand to know why! Why was this wonderful creature that had brought me so much joy gone at such a young age? How could this happen? How could this be? I wanted answers and the Vet came to the conclusion that Buddy appeared to have suffered a massive heart attack.

How? What? Why? Had I not kept up with every conceivable test, inoculation, exam known to veterinary medicine? Had I not fed him the veterinary recommended nutritious diet? Stayed away from giving him "people food"? Given him daily bouts of exercise and free play time? Had him regularly bathed and groom right there at the veterinary office? So; how is it that my beloved dog is dead? The best the Vet could say was that he simply must have had some undetectable heart problem which resulted in a heart attack and that's just that.

Anywho; my dear sweet Buddy was dead and my heart hurt in ways that simply defy explanation. I cried every time he crossed my mind or those unexpected times when it just skips your mind that they are no longer there. You expect them to be lying on the rug when you step out of the shower and when you pull back the curtain and they are not you are reminded all over again that they are gone and they aren't ever coming back.

I am not entirely sure when the idea rooted in my mind to find out definitively that animals go to Heaven and that one day I would see Buddy again. Frankly; I just always assumed that they did. But now I had to know for certain. I was like a mad woman possessed. I Had To Know! I read every Scripture that I could dig up. I spent hours on the Internet reading the arguments of those that were "for" and those that were "against" animals going to Heaven. The decision was so split that it only caused me more anxiety. The more anxious I became the more sadder I became. The more sadder I became the more I cried. It was a vicious circle and more than a few times I seriously considered getting professional help. Surely it is not normal to grieve this much over the loss of a dog?!

But of course, as is often the way, we underestimate the ways in which the Lord will reveal Himself to us and His love for us; don't we?

Left with no where left to turn to discover beyond a shadow of a doubt that our beloved pets go to Heaven; I went to sit out on the back patio and just pray. I cried out to the Lord that I had to know. I told Him of every avenue- including the Bible - that I had looked for the answer and came up confused and unsure. I cried and I poured my heart out to Him. Finally I said "Please Lord please. Tell me that Buddy is in Heaven and one day I will see him again. Please. I have to know".

Sitting out there on the patio there wasn't so much as a hint of a breeze. It had been that way for weeks. Just hot, muggy and still. It was the subject of most every conversation around here.

While I waited sad and quiet for the Lord to speak to my heart; to answer my prayer, all of the sudden a wind blew up. More than a breeze but far from a gale; just a soft warm wind came blowing up out of no where and then there rolling like a tumble weed across the patio was a large tuft of Buddy's hair! and it stopped at my foot and then the wind stopped blowing. There it was so shiny and silvery and I leaned down and picked it up and then I smelled it. It had that same lovely vanilla scented shampoo smell that Buddy had whenever he went to be groomed. But; Buddy had been dead for months and schnauzers do not shed their hair! Nonetheless; there it was. A big tuft of Buddy's bright shiny silver hair smelling like fresh vanilla shampoo and then all I could do was fall on my knees and Praise God right there on the patio!

Jesus; in all of His wondrous Glory and infinite love had heard my prayers and had answered it in a way that left me knowing so many wonderful things. Yes; Jesus hears our individual prayers. Yes; what matters to us matters to Him. Yes; what grieves us also grieves Him. And Yes! Buddy is in Heaven and one day I will see him again. Jesus is taking care of him; just like He'll take care of me when I die. Just as He takes care of me while I am alive. And you too.

There is nothing that escapes the attention of the Lord. Everything about our lives He is completely in tune to. Our hurts, our fears, our joys- all of it. If it effects you then it effects Him. You are not small. You are not insignificant. Jesus loves you so much that He is willing to do anything to win you over to accept the love He has for you.

Why do you resist that love? Why can't you just accept the love that is offered to you so freely?

It isn't weakness when you bend your knee to the Master. It's strength. It takes courage to admit that you aren't doing so well on your own and need help.

If you believe my story - and I hope you will - and you can clearly see in the telling of it the lengths in which Jesus was willing to go to the answer my prayer over a little dog; ask yourself what would He be willing to do for me to accept His Grace and Mercy?

My defining ~Aha~ moment. What will yours be?
In His Service,
~Lazzy~

“Let your beauty be found in “the hidden person of the heart,
with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.”
1 Peter 3:4

Emergency Numbers

Emergency Telephone Numbers
Please place in your purse or wallet

When -

You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are causing anxiety, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressed or sad, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
People seem unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
You want Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
You need clarity with big opportunity/discovery, phone Isaiah 55
It's difficult to get along with other people, phone Romans 12

ALTERNATE NUMBERS

For help dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

Information!

All of these numbers may be dialed directly.
Operators are standing by.
All direct lines to HEAVEN are available 24 hours a day; 7 days a week.

What Does The Holy Word Say?

Bible Word Study
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?

1 Peter 1:15-16
"But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy".

Holiness and sanctification is both instant, the moment we are born-again, and progressive from that moment onward. We grow in Jesus through the Word, and are made more Christ-like every day. Anyone who truly loves God wants to be holy.

WORD STUDY
 Study on the following words

Called
1. To give the command for
2. To order or request to undertake a particular activity or work
3. To cause to come to the mind or to attention
 
Holy
1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred
2. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct
3. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly
 
Written
1. To communicate by correspondence
2. To set down in writing; as in to form (letters or words)
3. To ordain or prophesy



1 Thessalonians 5:23
According to the Word, in what ways are we sanctified?
 

Hebrews 12:14
Why is holiness a prerequisite for "seeing the Lord"?
 

Ephesians 4:24
How is Christ's righteousness, holiness and sanctification different from other religions?



THOUGHTS TO PONDER ON

1.  Righteousness vs. Holiness

Righteousness is the right-standing with God you gained when you were born again. The only thing you did to be made righteous was to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.

Holiness is another matter. You are not made holy. Holiness is the result of your choices. It's what you do with your time and your actions. It's your conduct. It comes when you make a decision of your will to live according to the precepts of the Lord. In short, holiness is doing those things that please the Father.


2.  Sanctification

Sanctified means "set apart." Set apart from what? From the world! God wants us to be so caught up in spiritual things that we lose interest in carnal activities and pursue Him with all our heart. Sanctification is the process God uses to impart His nature and ability to us, so we are separated from sin and the world and set apart for pure and consecrated living. We love God and therefore we yield to His influence rather than the influence of our flesh.


3.  The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the One Who makes us holy. The Father willed it, the Son paid for it, and the Holy Spirit does it. We become the sanctuary of God because of the presence of the Holy One in us. The Holy Spirit is the agent in the process of sanctification that accomplishes what needs to be wrought in us. The Holy Spirit must be allowed to be in charge. We cannot change the things in our life that need to be changed, but the Holy Spirit can. We must choose to yield to His power flowing through us and not just try to be holy on our own.

What Does The Holy Word Say?

Bible Word Study
WHAT DOES THE HOLY WORD SAY?

1 John 1:7
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin". 

COVENANT RELATIONSHIPS
THE STRONGEST BOND - BUILT TO LAST FOREVER

A covenant is one of the strongest types of agreement known to man. By definition, it's "a pledge, vow, or promise between two or more parties to carry out the terms agreed on."

A covenant is not based on feelings, but on agreement. When you are in a covenant relationship, you love when it's good and when it's bad ... regardless of the circumstances, you love.

Relationships affect our lives like no other resource. Our friends have the potential to influence us for greatness and godliness, and we can influence other people in the same way. It doesn't matter how strong you are in the Word. It doesn't matter what a great person of faith you are.

Regardless of what a powerful prayer warrior you may be or how "spiritual" you are ... If your relationships aren't what they ought to be, God is going to have a hard time getting good things into your life. Relationships are to be based on the love of God that's been shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Spirit.

WORD STUDY
Study on the following words

'Walk' (Greek wôk):

1. The gait of a human or other biped in which the feet are lifted alternately with one part of a foot always on the ground
2. To move over a surface by taking steps with the feet at a slower pace
3. To go or travel on foot 
 

'Fellowship' (Greek fe'l-o'shp):

1. Friendship; comradeship
2. The companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms
3. The condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences,


'Cleanses' (Greek kle'nz):

1. To free from dirt, defilement, or guilt; purge or clean.
2. To make or become clear by the removal of impurities
3. The act or process of removing physical impurities

God's Word holds some powerful promises where relationships are concerned. If we follow after God's principles of covenant relationships, we will surely know true prosperity in every area of our lives.

Luke 2:52
How does this verse relate to us and our relationships?
 

Psalms 133:1-3
What does this verse say about good relationships?
 

Proverbs18:24
How can we be sure to be the right kind of friend?

GOD'S DOORWAY

Nearly everything that comes into your life; good or bad, comes through the vehicle of relationships. When God wants to bring blessing, increase, instruction or encouragement to you, He'll almost always use a relationship to do it.
 
The Hand of God at Work

When God wants to bless you financially, He doesn't stick a giant hand out of the clouds and drop a bag of gold on your head. Or begin floating down $100 dollar bills from Heaven. No; He'll move on someone's heart to be the instrument of that blessing.

When God wants to encourage you, you don't hear a booming voice from Heaven saying, "Be thou encouraged my child." Nor will you see a celestial note float down from the sky. No, He sends a brother or sister in Christ to put an arm around you, give you a squeeze and say, "I sure do appreciate you." The same is true for every form of blessing and help God wants to give you.

The Devil's Door, Too

Unfortunately, blessing isn't the only thing entering your life through the door of relationships. If your relationships aren't right, trouble, heartache and disappointment will come waltzing through that door with painful frequency. The devil works overtime to keep your relationships from prospering. He'll do everything in his power to keep you and your spouse mad at each other. He'll pull every trick in the book to sow discord in your home, in your workplace and in your church.

Standing on the Promises with the Anointing:

Like any of the promises of God, these promises concerning your relationships don't automatically bloom in your life the day you are born-again. They are seeds that must be planted in your heart and cultivated through faith, confession and corresponding action. As you make a quality decision to prosper relationally, the anointing and power of God will be released in your relationships like never before.

THOUGHTS TO PONDER ON

The person we're at odds with may be the one God wants to use to meet our needs. But if we've spoken badly of them or refused to forgive them, how can God help us? The management of our relationships will certainly affect and impact our quality of life. God does things in the earth through human beings. Even the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, came through the faith of Abraham and the faith of a teenage girl by the name of Mary, who believed God.

People in the world today know little about the unconditional love of God; the kind of love that abides and endures through changing times and the stormy winds of adversity and uncertainty. People everywhere long for relationships motivated by such a love. And in the midst of the chaos and unpredictability of the world today, God has made a way through Jesus Christ for each of us to have that kind of a relationship with God Himself and with those He has brought into our lives ... spouses, children, family, friends and neighbors.

Tend carefully to the Relationship Garden between you and God. The bounty is truly awesome!

What Does The Holy Word Say?

Bible Word Study

WHAT DOES THE HOLY WORD SAY?

God's Word makes it clear that we are to desire to have the gifts of the Spirit at work in the Body of Christ. The world is longing to see all believers be living examples of Jesus, carrying on His plan and allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself in and through our lives.


THE REVELATION GIFTS: THE SPIRIT MANIFESTED


1 Corinthians 12:7-8,10
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit ... to another discerning of spirits."


A SUPERNATURAL OCCURANCE!


According to the Word of God there are nine manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit. These can be classified into three different categories:
the gifts of utterance,
the gifts of revelation
and the gifts of power.


The utterance gifts, which are also referred to as the inspirational gifts are:
the gift of prophecy,
the gift of tongues
and the interpretation of tongues.


The gifts of power are:
the gift of faith,
the working of miracles
and the gift of healings.


The revelation gifts, (which are the focus of this study), are:
the word of wisdom,
the word of knowledge
and the discerning of spirits.

All three of these gifts reveal something in the supernatural. These gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifested through individual believers as the Spirit of God wills. The gifts of the Spirit aren't just given for the individual, but they are given in order to edify the whole local assembly or local body of believers. 

1 Corinthians 12:11
How does this verse work with our desiring of spiritual gifts?
 
1 Corinthians 14:1
Why are we called upon to pursue love amidst pursuing the gifts?
 
John 16:13
How does this verse relate the the revelation gifts?

 

DEFINING THE REVELATION GIFTS:

All of these manifestations of the Spirit are not to be confused with the day-to-day workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. These are unique and special instances when the Holy Spirit supernaturally shows up on the scene and brings about something that is otherwise impossible.
 
The Word of Wisdom:

The gift of the "word of wisdom" is different than the wisdom that we receive as we spend time in prayer and meditate on the Word of God. The word of wisdom has to do with perceiving the future. God opens the curtain a little bit and you see into what lies ahead. When God sees fit to reveal His own mind and purpose and plan to man in a supernatural way, He does so by this supernatural manifestation of the word of wisdom.


The Word of Knowledge:

The gift of the "word of knowledge" is different from the every day knowledge we gain from exercising our mind. The word of knowledge is a revelation to an individual of something that they would have no way of knowing outside the Spirit of God showing it to them. The word of knowledge is a supernatural revelation by the Spirit of God concerning certain facts in the "mind of God" facts about people, places, or things in the past or present.


The Discerning of Spirits:

Through this spiritual gift, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to discern or distinguish between different kinds of spirits. In other words, the Holy Spirit can and will enable us to unmask even the most cleverly disguised evil spirit. This gift allows you to discern when others are being led by an evil spirit. You are enabled to judge the presence and activity of an evil spirit, and even identify the spirit. At the same time, the discerning of spirits also enables you to know when the Holy Spirit is working in an unusual manner, and not confuse His uniqueness with the work of an evil spirit in disguise as an angel of light.
 

WORD STUDY:
Look up the following words

1. Wisdom  ___________________
 
2. Knowledge  ________________
 
3. Discerning  ________________



THOUGHTS TO DWELL ON

Everyone all over the world is hungry to see Jesus. They are tired of just hearing about Him and they don't just want to know what other people say about Him. They want to see Him for themselves. They want to see His character, His life and His power. It's time for us to let Jesus walk and talk and live His life through us and by the power of the Holy Spirit, to do the works that He did so that the world can see Jesus through us.

God's has always intended for us to reveal Jesus to the world during our earthly lives just as Jesus revealed the Father to the world during His earthly life. We need to wholeheartedly yearn for the gifts of the Spirit to operate in the Body of Christ. We need to allow His compassion to well up within to the extent that it can't help but pour out to all those around us. Just as Jesus was moved with compassion as the gifts of the Spirit flowed through Him, so the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself through our lives to reveal the one and only true God. 


The Revelation Gifts Scriptures

John 16:13
1 Corinthians 1:5-6; 12:11; 14:1,6
Romans 11:29
Galatians 1:12
Acts 16:16
Revelation 19:10

Further Scriptures

Psalm 112:1-3
Romans 16:3-4
Mark 11:25-26
1 Peter 3:7

Breaking Yokes Part VII. Conclusion

~ Breaking Yokes - Part VII. - Conclusion ~


So; here we are at the conclusion of this very important study. By now you should have in your possession most every Scripture that was ever written Just For You! to break the yokes of negative thinking and come out from under bondage. And make no mistake about it; It Is Bondage. Rather it is the chains of the Isrealites; prior to Moses freeing them from Pharoh and leading them out of Egypt or your own feelings of negative self worth- Chains are Chains. You either have on shackles and leg irons or you have on the Ephesians Armour.

I can not urge you enough to go back and study these eighty lessons. Read a little here and a little there. Print them out and make yourself a booklet. Do whatever you want with them but study them with all of your power and all of your might and then go out and share what you have been taught here these many weeks. Ultimately; that is what it is all about. Sharing what you have been given.

Someday, at some point, I'd like to hear if this has helped you in any way in your walk with the Lord. That's my reward. Being able to Praise the Lord right along side you! because finally and at lost last you have come out of Egypt and left your chains behind.

God Bless You in the Reading of the Word!
      In His Service,
~ Dr. Angel Koerner Ph.D ~


36. That Person Has Really Gone Too Far. They've Really Devastated Me.

Today we're fasting from the thought that says: "That person has really gone too far. They've really devastated me." 

Too often we give people more power over our lives than what they actually have. By thinking they can have that big of an effect on you, you become enslaved to their whims and their attitude flavor of the month.

1. Fix your mind on Jesus - look at His life.
He was denied by His close disciple, Peter, betrayed by Judas, and forsaken by the rest of His disciples. He was lied about, accused and maligned. None of it stopped Him. In fact, He used each betrayal or personal blow against Him as a path to God's greater purpose for His life.

2. CELEBRATE when someone hurts you, betrays you or accuses you.
It says in 1 Corinthians 11:23, "in the night He was betrayed (while His betrayal was in progress!), He took bread with His disciples..." In the gospel of Mark, he writes afterwards, "They went to the Mount of Olives and sang a hymn."

3. See people's stumbling stones as stepping stones.
Jesus knew that Judas' actions would only serve God's purpose, one way or another. Don't give people's actions PERMISSION to defeat you or hinder you. Rather, use them to step into more of God's will.

4. Stay ATTACHED (one meaning for love = attached) to the promises of God's Word.
Psalm 119:165 says, "Those who LOVE (stay attached to) God's Word have great peace, and nothing offends them." We insulate ourselves from being offended when we love God's Word more than our feelings.

5. Get rid of retaliation thinking.
Entrust yourself to the One who judges righteously.
1 Peter 2:24 says Jesus kept handing Himself over to God, when reviled and falsely accused. When they did their worst to Him, He kept entrusting Himself to the hands of God. Do that today - ENTRUST YOURSELF TO THE HANDS OF GOD.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

No matter what anyone says or does to me, I will not be devastated by it. I will not give them that kind of power over me. I fix my mind on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith.

I choose to celebrate, rejoice and live happily when someone accuses me or betrays me. I will not live in denial, as if it didn't happen, but I will celebrate what Jesus did for me, anyway. I will see other's actions as an opportunity for me to step further into God's will.

I trust that God will cause all things to work together for my good (Romans 8:29). I stay attached to what God says about it and I REFUSE to get offended.

God will avenge me. I will not take vengeance or become bitter. I will continue to entrust myself to Him, as I know that He will judge righteously, and defend my cause!



37. My Life Is Out Of Control.

Today we are fasting from the thought that says: "My life is out of control!" No it's not! 

That's what the devil wants you to think. He wants you to feel helpless and "under" the circumstances. When you think this way, you get discouraged. You lose hope. You give into things. Like a jellyfish, you are carried by the prevailing current.

1. Think: Above.
Stop for a moment and understand what I'm saying here. Think "above" - think from a higher point of view. Look down at life rather than "up" at it. When Elisha's servant saw from "above", he realized there were more for him than those against him. (2 Kings 6:14-17)
Notice, God didn't add any chariots. They were always there. Elisha's servant just couldn't see them, because he wasn't thinking "above." THINK ABOVE.

2. Don't see the bigger picture today.
That's not a typo! Think of your situation and your world as small. Think of yourself bigger. Don't forget - how YOU see yourself, is how life will see you. That's how the devil will see you. That's how your mountain will see you. If you see yourself bigger than the mountain (Greater is He that is in you - that makes you big!), then the mountain will respect what you say when you tell it to move!

3. The best day of your life is the day you decide your choices are your own; therefore, your life is your own.
No excuses. No one to blame. Remember the lame man at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years. He stayed in his condition because he told Jesus what he had believed for all those years: "I have no one to help me." (John 5:7) DECIDE TO OWN YOUR CHOICES and you will own the life God wants you to have.

4. Focus on the inside, not the outside.
If you're like me, there are several things on the outside that are not fully under control, but that's not my job. My job is to get control of the inside. That's what this fast from wrong thinking is about. It's taking care of the INSIDE. Deal with your thoughts by continually going over these verses, these mindsets. YOU ARE IN CONTROL IF YOU CONTROL YOUR THOUGHT LIFE.

5. Take control of your day, one thought at a time.
Don't be overwhelmed. Isaiah 28:13 says that we build God's Word and God's thoughts in our lives: "line upon line, precept upon precept."

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I am in control of my life, because I am in control of my thoughts. I rule my life by ruling my thoughts. My thoughts liberate my emotions, my health, my relationships and my whole life.

I think ABOVE beginning today. I choose to look down at life, rather than look up at it. I see it from God's point of view. I'm bigger than my problem, bigger than the mountain, bigger than any enemy I face today.

Greater, larger and more dominant is HE that is in me, than he that is in the world. TODAY IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE, because I have control of the choices I make.

I will not stay in a defeated, lonely, sick, depressed condition another day of my life. I will focus on the inside. I know the thoughts of victory that I am developing will take care of my outside. This fast from wrong thinking is working IN ME, in Jesus' name.




38.  Why Don't I Have More?

As we continue our Fast from Wrong Thinking, I really want to help you get the most out of your relationship with God. He is in you. He is with you! Yet, so many people have asked how to deepen their walk with God.

I believe one of the keys is: fasting from the thought that says, "Why don't I have more?" (Whether it's more time, money, success, friends, etc.)

I remember complaining to God a while back, as I watched other people in my field getting blessed, having quicker success, etc., while I just steadily plodded along, little by little. When I was done whining, I had a sort of "Solomon" moment and heard the Lord ask me this: "Would you rather have those things, or substance and deep meaning in your relationship with me?"

Knowing that I couldn't say "both," I responded- of course- with the obvious answer. Then I heard this: "The things you've gone through and learned slowly are the precious secrets that you have built your life upon. Now you have something of substance to give that no one else can offer in the same way." That set me free. Then He said, "Now more will come."

I wouldn't trade the depth of relationship with God for anything in this world!

How do we fast from the thought that says: "Why don't I have more?"

1. Choose His face, rather than His hand.
(You'll end up with both.) Spend time with God- start with a verse, or these thoughts, etc.

2. Think positively about your adversity, rather than striving to avoid it.
Let me be clear. I am not saying that adversity comes from God, BUT IT DOES COME. Psalm 34:19 says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Know that adversity comes. Expect Him to deliver you. Expect to become better as result.)

3. See your life is a gift from God and for others.
Realize that your relationship with God and your life experiences have uniquely qualified you to make a difference in this world. Everyone has a motivational gift according to Romans 12:6-8. Perhaps to show mercy, or lead others through servanthood, or the gift of making money to give.

4. Don't ever want what other people have.
Solomon said, "Give me what you have prescribed." This doesn't mean to settle for less than all that God has for you; but don't determine what He has for you based on what other people have. God knows what He's doing in your life. Philippians 1:6 says, "Faithful is He who began a good work in you. He will complete it until the day of His return."

5. THINK SECURELY.
God has reserved a place at the table for you. God told Saul not to worry about where he stood compared to others. "There is a place at the table and a portion that has been set aside for you." (1 Samuel 9:23, 24)

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I choose the face of God. I look positively at adversity, rather than fighting to avoid it. I expect God to deliver me from all afflictions and trials.

I choose to see my life as a gift from God and for others. I have a unique and special gift that will make a difference in this world. I won't settle for less than what God has for me, but I will not desire or covet what others have.

I know that God has a portion reserved for me. He has a place for me at His table, and I think securely, therefore I live securely. In Jesus' name.




39. I Wonder If I'm Doing Enough For God.

Have you ever asked the question, "I wonder if I'm doing enough for God?" This kind of thinking produces in us a "works-mentality" and hinders the freedom and joy that God wants us to experience. Let's fast from it!

Christianity is not a life of attainment and achievement. It's a life of acknowledgment. This means to recognize, appreciate and accept.

The problem with so many believers is that they are striving to get God to do something or try to make God's promises come to pass in their lives. Gang, listen to 3 of the most important words you'll ever hear: IT'S ALREADY DONE!

1. Everything God has is yours!
You have a covenant with Him through the blood of Jesus. Luke 15:31 is a picture of God and us, the father said to his son: "All that is mine is yours!"

2. THINK "BLESSED" not "cursed."
You are blessed not cursed. Stop thinking that since you're mother or father had a disease or anger, or some other problem, that you will have it too. You are of a new blood line - the blood of Jesus. You have a new DNA - the DNA of Jesus. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us on the cross, that the blessing of Abraham might come to us."

3. IT IS FINISHED -
ahh, the magnificent final words of Jesus on the cross! (John 19:30) There's nothing more that has to be done for you to be saved. Nothing more that has to be done for you to be accepted by God. Nothing more that has to be done for you to be approved and loved! Nothing more that has to be done for you to be free.

4. Realize that your job is to acknowledge and to recognize.
God has done it. You must accept it. This is the true meaning of "confess." It means to acknowledge. We're not trying to MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN by confessing God's Word. We're acknowledging what is already done, what is already ours, and that's what brings it out of the invisible world into the visible world. Think about "confession of sin." When you confessed your sin, that's not when you sinned. You were simply acknowledging what was ALREADY done. When we "confess God's promises," it's the same thing. We're acknowledging what is already done. Philemon 1:6 says your faith becomes effective by acknowledging every good thing that is already in you.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I have a covenant with God, already! I'm not trying to get God to do something for me. I'm going to focus on believing what He has already done. This is what the Christian life is about - acknowledging what is already in us, and recognizing what He has already done.

I'm already blessed. I'm already healed. I'm already everything that God says I am. I will live a life of acknowledgment - recognizing and praising God for what is already mine through the blood of Jesus.

I'm "blessing" conscious rather than "cursed" conscious. I'm connected to the blood of Jesus; therefore, I have the DNA of blessing. Goodness and mercy WILL follow me all the days of my life.

I accept that I already have in me everything pertaining to life and godliness. I lack no good thing. It's already done! IT IS FINISHED.



40. It's Just Impossible.

As we come to the close of our Study, we need to take the limits off of our thinking. In order to do so, we have to fast from the thought that says: "It's IMPOSSIBLE."

Jesus said "All things are possible to him who believes!" (Mark 9:23)

What is in your life today that you have given up on or considered impossible? Whatever it is (provided it's legal!), don't ever give up. NEVER NEVER NEVER give up!

There is no greater story than the resurrection of Jesus! If a man can rise from the dead, anything is possible!

1. Think about the resurrection every day!
This reveals the miraculous power of God to do anything!

2. Eliminate thinking that says, "I can't believe that."
Cynicism and skepticism have filled our culture. We need to get out of the habit of questioning and doubting the possibility of things. When you think there's no way, JESUS IS THE WAY!

3. Deal with the real problem.
It's not whether God will help. It's whether we believe. The man with the demon-possessed son came to Jesus and said, "If you can do anything, help us..." Jesus responded and said, "If you can believe..." See it's not whether God can do it. It's whether we can believe it. And remember that faith comes from hearing God's Word. (Romans 10:17)

4. Believe that your words move mountains.
Matthew 17:20 says, "You shall say to this mountain 'Remove from here to there', and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."

5. Meditate on people who had an impossible situation turn around. Abraham was 99 years old when he had a son. Sarah was 90! Moses parted the Red Sea. The list goes on and on. Find those people in the Bible and fill your mind with their testimonies.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "We have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us..." If it could happen for them, it can happen for you and IT WILL, if you don't throw away your confidence in God's promise...because THE ONLY THING IN THIS WORLD THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE is that: it is impossible for God to lie. (Hebrews 6:18)

THINK IT & SAY IT:

Since Jesus rose from the dead, anything is possible. I expect impossible situations to become possible today. I CAN BELIEVE THAT!

Jesus is my way when there seems to be no way. I BELIEVE GOD CAN AND WILL DO ANYTHING IN HIS WORD THAT I BELIEVE.

Since my words can move mountains, nothing will be impossible to me. I will not throw away my confidence in God's promises, because there is only one thing in this world that is impossible - for God to lie. Therefore, His promises WILL happen in my life, beginning today!

* Today as we approach the end of our fast from wrong thinking, I want you to acknowledge (to recognize) some things. And as you do, I hope you'll join me in taking a personal Communion at some point. Just have your wine/waffer or grape juice/bread ready, set a date and then carry through with it.

See; communion is a RECOGNITION that He is already with you, in you, and for you. Remember in Luke when the 2 men on the road to Emmaus thought Jesus was a stranger. When they took bread, it says "they recognized Him." You see, He was already with them, but when they took communion they were able to recognize and EXPERIENCE His presence. Take your communion and enter into the presense of God!

1 Cor. 11:23-26 NIV
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.


Concluding Communion Prayer:

Father, we thank You for this opportunity to come together as a united Christian front, the many membered body of Christ to partake of the Supper in honor of You.

You!! who are so worthy of all praise and glory. You! who watches over our comings and our goings. Lord thank you for the price You paid on our behalf at Calvary. And we know that even during that painful time You saw us through the ages and were pleased at the people we would become and will continue to become as we grow in You.

Thank You Jesus for loving us and guiding us as we walk this Path called Righteousness. Though oftentimes it is difficult- You are with us and it is always worth it.

Reveal to each of us in Your perfect timing those things that You would have us to do that will bring You the Greater Glory.

It Is In Your Precious Name We Pray, Amen!

Breaking Yokes - Part VI.

Breaking Yokes - Part VI.


Continuing on with our Study on breaking the yokes of negative thinking that we have been bound up in for years. It is so past time to let these things stop eating away at us. Amen?!


31. I feel guilty

Today, we're fasting from the thought that says: "I feel guilty."

Ever thought that or felt that way? Honestly; I use to be so eat up in guilt that I didn't need anyone else to beat me up- I did a good enough job on my own. But I don't beat myself up anymore and I don't allow anyone else to either. And neither should you!

Or how about its cousin thoughts: "You don't do enough. You're not good enough. You don't say the right things. You don't take care of yourself. You don't measure up. You don't do as much for others as you should. You aren't a very good Christian. You aren't a good enough mother, wife, husband, sister, brother, son, daughter etc. etc." Blast if the list isn't endless when it comes to us feeling like we aren't absolutely Perfect people- something we can NEVER BE but that doesn't stop us from feeling like a complete and total failure because we aren't.  Ohhh the guilt. Yes, Guilt.

All this line of thinking produces is guilt, which leads to self-hatred, anger toward others, bad decisions, harsh words, procrastination and fear.

So often, we feel guilt because we THINK we don't do enough for God and for others. We're not good and holy enough.

This thinking has enslaved people for centuries.

Nothing seems to rob us of our true purpose more than thoughts and feelings of guilt.

God doesn't motivate by guilt. That's manipulation. God motivates by love. Romans 2:4 says "It's the love and kindness of God that leads us to change."

Often people put a guilt trip on us, to get us to do something or to give in to them. God isn't like that, and He wants you free.

Let's fast from guilt:

1. Jesus declares you: NOT GUILTY. This doesn't mean that you've never done wrong. This means, that He washes your wrong with His blood.

2. See what God sees. Accept Colossians 1:22 which says through His blood "He presents you holy and faultless and unblameable in the Father's eyes."

3. Meditate on Job 10:7 which says "According to your knowledge, I AM INDEED NOT GUILTY..."

4. When you blow it, don't deny it. Admit it; confess it. 1 John 1:9 says "If you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive you and to CLEANSE YOU FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS."

5. It's already done! Believe that it is already done! Hebrews 1:3 says "He cleansed us from our sin."

6. Stop thinking that you have to FEEL GUILTY to be forgiven. Sometimes we think we owe it to people to feel guilty and feel bad for everything. Stop thinking that. You don't owe anyone. Don't think guilt somehow pays for something. The blood of Jesus paid it all. It's an insult to His blood, when we feel like we owe God guilt or we owe it to others to wallow in guilt.

7. Stop beating yourself up about what you haven't done. How? Live in the "now". Living in the now, stops your mind from bombarding you about the past and future. Enjoy that moment in the now. When you're praying, the devil says "you should be cleaning." When you're cleaning, the devil says, "you should be reading your Bible." Shut that garbage up. Live in the now. Hebrews 11:1 says "NOW FAITH IS the substance of things hoped for." And 2 Corinthians 6:2 says "NOW IS THE TIME OF SALVATION."

8. Rest in the fact that you don't have to be perfect. God is not holding you to a perfect standard. Jesus is your perfection. JUST REST!

THINK IT & SAY IT:

Jesus has declared me: NOT GUILTY. Even when I feel I don't do enough, or that I'm not good enough, God says FAITH IN HIM IS ENOUGH.

I don't have to feel guilt to be forgiven and I am not going to feel guilty when I blow it. I will receive God's forgiveness, since He already cleansed from my sin. I will admit it, receive His mercy and move on.

I stop TODAY, beating myself up about all that I haven't done, or have done. I choose to live in the now. I will enjoy the moment that I'm in and praise God in the midst of it.

I rest in the fact that He is my perfection. I don't have to be perfect. He already is, and I put my faith in Him.



32.  I'm Not Worthy. I Don't Deserve To Be Blessed
 (After All I've Done Wrong).


The battles of life are won or lost between our ears. It's in our heads. 

Satan understands that the root to everything in our lives is what we think about. That's why he fights so much to fill your mind with wrong thinking. But we have declared war on wrong thinking!

Today, we're fasting from the thought that says:

"I'm not worthy. I don't deserve to be blessed (after all I've done wrong)."

I can't be the only who has had this thought. The below steps take us deeper in our freedom from guilt.

1. Stop focusing on your "wrongs," and focus on His "rights."
We've all done enough wrong in life, to send us straight to hell. But God doesn't judge us based on our right or wrong. He judges us based on what Jesus did right. We just need to believe it.

2. He doesn't bless us because we deserve it.
He blesses us because He promised He would. This will free you when you know that God is a God of promise. Genesis 17:1 says, "I will bless you and multiply you and make you exceedingly fruitful."

3. Blessing flows when you believe you are forgiven.
Romans 4:7 says, "Blessed are they whose sins are forgiven." This is amazing! Putting your faith in God's forgiveness is the gateway to blessing in your life. That's why Jesus said to the paralytic man, whose friends lowered him through the roof, "Son, your sins are forgiven." THEN He said, "Take up your pallet and walk." You see, the blessing of healing was the RESULT of BELIEVING HIS SINS WERE FORGIVEN. (Mark 2)

4. Jesus IS WORTHY of God's blessing, and you are IN HIM.
Galatians 3:29 says, "If we belong to Christ, we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise." Galations 3:9 says, "Those who are of faith are blessed..."

5. Stop condemning yourself.
STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP WHEN YOU MAKE A MISTAKE. Romans 14:22 says, "Blessed (happy) is the man who does not condemn himself."

6. He took the curse so you could take the blessing!
He deserves to see you blessed, because of what He went through to take your curse! "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us... on the cross...that the blessing of Abraham might come on us through Jesus Christ." (Galatians 3:13)

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I take my eyes off all that I have done wrong, and put my eyes on all that He has done right for me.

He blesses me because He promised that He would, therefore I expect to be blessed coming in and blessed coming out.

I choose to believe I am forgiven, and therefore BLESSING FLOWS. I belong to Christ, therefore I am blessed with Abraham. Genesis 24:1 says, Abraham was blessed IN ALL THINGS - therefore that's what I expect.




33. It's Not Going To Happen For Me.

Today we are fasting from the thought that says: "It's not going to happen for me." Ever heard that or thought that? 

Or thoughts like: "I'm not going to get the job. I'm not going to find the right guy or girl. My situation is not going to turn around."

Let's begin thinking that it is going to happen for us. Ready?

1. Expect something good to happen to you today.
The Lord has done great things for us! (Psalm 118:24 & Psalm 126:3)

2. Know that God has a good plan for you today!
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the plans I have for you, plans for good, to give you a future and a hope." (Notice those 2 words: "I know." This means that God is certain about it. It's definitely going to happen. Take it to the bank! It's coming!)

3. Expect doors to open.
Psalm 5:12 says, "Favor surrounds the righteous like a shield." Favor means: God opens doors that no one can close. Expect doors to open today.

4. Believe in God's fairness.
Life's not always fair, but God is! Romans 12:19-21 says He will right every wrong. Remember, it happened for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; therefore, it will happen for you. The Bible says, "God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11) That doesn't mean He doesn't respect you. It means that He won't show partiality - blessing one person and not another. But you have to believe it and expect it. What He did for Abraham, He has promised He would do for you. Galatians 3:29 says, "For if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham's seed, and heirs of the promise!"

5. Think "solution thoughts".
No matter what the problem is, no matter what hasn't seemed to happen for you yet, expect a solution. Expect an answer. James 1:6 says, "If any man lacks wisdom, ask of God...who gives to ALL men generously." Notice, He gives to all men, not some. You're one of those who He does give it to. You're not just in line. You're in the front of the line!

6. Think about some good that has happened in your life.
This shows the past faithfulness of God. Since He never changes - expect His faithfulness AGAIN today! (Psalm 23:6)

THINK IT & SAY IT:

Something good is going to happen for me today. Things are going to work out. God has a good plan for my life today. He is certain that it is good, therefore I'm certain as well.

I expect favor today. Favor surrounds me like a shield. Doors are going to open for me that no one can close.

God is going to right every wrong, and show the same help to me as He did for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He gives me wisdom and holds nothing back. I am in the front of the line.

I remember the good that God has already done, and therefore I expect Him to do it again. Good and right things are going to happen in my life today - goodness and mercy shall FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE!



34. Things Aren't Getting Better. They're Getting Worse!

Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "Things aren't getting better. They're getting worse!"

Gang, thinking this way is NOT AN OPTION.

This thinking keeps us bound to the past, or moving backwards. The media espouses negativity. The spirit of darkness is behind all these thoughts. The devil promotes doom and gloom, to get people depressed, on drugs, fearful and timid, distracted from the worship of God and the work of the gospel.

The world is full of bad news - the economy is getting worse, society is getting worse, etc.

But we reject this thought TODAY!

1. The path of the righteous ... gets brighter and brighter until the full day.(Proverbs 4:18)

2. "Evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13) But the opposite is true about you! Goodness follows you, therefore, you go from good to better!

3. Don't think "glass half full or glass half empty." Think: My cup runs over! (Psalm 23:4)

4. Your life is going to end up better than it started!
Eccl. 7:8 says, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning."
Haggai 2:9 says, "The latter days of this house shall be greater than the former."

5. Believe that God has saved the best for last.
John 2:10 says, "...But you have saved the best for last!"

6. God only has the best in mind for you.
In Luke 15:22 the father said, "bring the best robe, and put it on my son..."

Follow the pattern of how God does things-

He takes us from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; from the blood of animals to the blood of Jesus; from law to grace; from sin to righteousness; from sickness to health; from adversity to prosperity; from defeat to victory; from unclean to clean; from empty to filled.

Everything in God's kingdom gets better and better.

The kingdom of God is in you (Luke 17:21) therefore, expect things to get better and better in every area of your life.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

No matter what is happening in this world, things are getting better and better for me! God has made me righteous through His blood; therefore, my path is getting brighter and brighter every day.

My inner man is being renewed, day by day. Evil people may go from bad to worse, but the goodness of God follows me, so I go from good to better, every day.

I can celebrate in the presence of my enemies, because my cup runs over, and never runs out! God has saved the best for last in my life, and my latter days will be better than my former days, in Jesus' Name.



35.  I Just Can't Stop Blowing It. I Always Seem To Mess It Up.

As we celebrate another awesome day in Christ Jesus, I want us to particularly fast from thoughts that take for granted what Jesus did for us. We need to appreciate the power of His blood, and the power of His sacrifice.

Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "I just can't stop blowing it. I always seem to mess it up."

Jesus did more than just forgive us from our sins when He died on the cross and rose again. He gave us power over sin! No more should we see ourselves victims of a defeated, beaten life. We are the head and not the tail; above only and not beneath!

1. Rejoice in the grace of God.
Romans 6:14 says, "For sin shall not have dominion over you. For you are not under the law, but under grace." Titus 2:11-12 says the grace of God enables us to say "NO" to ungodliness.

2. Stop beating yourself up.
Romans 14:22 says, "Happy is he who does not condemn himself..." Remember, God doesn't beat you up, He builds you up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 says, "Love builds up!"

3. Remember the woman caught in adultery.
In John 8:1-11 Jesus said to her, "I don't condemn you. Now go and sin no more." Notice, first there was acceptance and forgiveness. Then there was POWER over sin. The power over sin was the RESULT of recognizing her freedom from it. Sometimes we feel we have to repent of everything before we can be forgiven. Jesus forgives first, and that gives us the power to be free.

4. Believe in the power of the blood.
Paul said not to drink the communion cup in an unworthy manner. We need to renew our mind about what makes us worthy. It's not our holiness that makes us worthy to drink the cup. It's the "cup"; it's the blood of Jesus that has the WORTHINESS to cleanse us and empower us to overcome anything. (1 Corinthians 11)

5. Think about the 3 gifts God gives in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given you the spirit of fear, but POWER, LOVE AND DISCIPLINE." You have the power of discipline and self-control. Stop thinking you are out of control and realize you have been given the power of self-control.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I am not a slave to sin. I have dominion over it. It doesn't have dominion over me because I am not under the law, I'm under grace.

I expect the free gift of God's grace to enable me to say NO to ungodliness. I am free because I am forgiven. God is love and love builds me up today!

I put my faith in the blood of Jesus to forgive me if I have fallen; but also to empower me to be free from the things that I'm struggling with.

I have the power of self-control. I am no longer out of control. I have been given power, love and a sound mind. I am free from fear and free from sin.