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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.-MATTHEW 17:20

 Want of faith is the great cause of failure among Christians, both as to themselves and their work for others. In the mission field, mountains of exclusiveness which shut out missionaries have been removed. In ordinary life, insurmountable difficulties are graciously dissolved. In a variety of ways, before real faith hindrances disappear, according to the word of the Lord Jesus — "Nothing shall be impossible"

 Someone said to me once that they didn't have the faith I had because they thought I had special faith. But that's just not true! I don't have special faith. God has given me the same measure of faith He's given to you and every other believer. The only reason my faith looks like it works better is because I use it!

 If you've been living in the shadow of a mountain, waiting for God to give you some kind of special faith, make a change today. Step out and put the measure of faith you have to work moving the spiritual, physical, mental, or financial obstacles Satan has brought against you.

 Romans 12:3 says, God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Believe Him! Step out in faith about your faith

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Colossians 1:9

The Colossian church needed understanding as much as that of Philippi needed unity.  The brethren were too easily duped and decoyed from the gospel.  We need in these days to know the gospel well, and hold to it firmly.  Many deceivers would mislead us if we permit them to do so.

Nothing could satisfy the apostle, either for himself or his hearers, but the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace.  The Colossians had knowledge, but they must have more.  It is the privilege of all saint’s to be filled with it. 

As the bright shining of the sun in the vault of heaven fills the whole world with light and heat, so the light of the Sun of righteousness is to illuminate our whole man (spirit, soul and body,) and, so that we might know the will of God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

In a word, that we might have such a knowledge such a satisfaction of Divine things as the Spirit of truth can teach to man.

"...and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." ISAIAH 10:27

This same principle of activating a power source applies in the natural realm.  For instance, plugging a fan into an electrical outlet on a hot summer day activates the power of electricity and causes the fan to cool the air.
However, if no one plugs in the fan, the fan won't work and the room stays hot.  In that same case, the power of electricity is present and available to cool the room, but it isn't being utilized or activated.  In order to tap into the power and cool the room, someone has to plug in the fan!

The electricity is already there; someone just needs to tap into it to activate it.  It is the same with healing.  We just need to tap into the power of God that is already available and activate it by faith in His Word! When faith is mixed with the power of God, the anointing breaks every yoke!
 
Luke 5:17, "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them."
 
Notice that even though the power of the Lord was present to heal people, it doesn't mention one single person getting healed.  The only person the Bible records being healed in this account was the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof of the house by his four friends (Luke 5:18,19).  And the Bible says Jesus healed that paralyzed man because He saw their faith (Luke 5:20-25).

The faith of the four men, plus the faith of the paralyzed man, activated the power of God to effect a healing and a cure in the man's body and the paralyzed man immediately rose up healed!!

The power of God won't do a thing in the world by itself.  It's inactive, inert, and passive until faith is mixed with it - until someone taps into it by believing and acting upon God's Word!  You see, faith gives action to the anointing or the power of God.  If there is no faith to give action to the anointing, nothing will happen!

"The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams." --Isaiah 33:21
 
Broad rivers and streams produce fertility, and abundance in the land.  Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and their plentiful harvests.  God is all this to His Church.

Having God she has abundance.  What can she ask for that He will not give her?  What want can she mention which He will not supply?  "In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things."  Do you want the bread of life?  It drops like manna from the sky.  Do you want refreshing streams?  The rock follows you, and that Rock is Christ.

If you suffer any want it is your own fault; if you are straitened you are not straitened in Him, but in your own bowels.

Rivers were of old a defense.  Oh! beloved, what a defense is God to His Church!  The devil cannot cross this broad river of God.  How he wishes he could turn the current, but fear not, for God abides immutably the same.  Satan may worry, but he cannot destroy us.  No galley with oars shall invade our river, neither shall audacious ship pass thereby.

"Behold, Thou art fair, my Beloved." --Song of Solomon 1:16
 
From every point our Well-beloved is most fair.  Our various experiences are meant by our heavenly Father to furnish fresh standpoints from which we may view the loveliness of Jesus.  How amiable are our trials when they carry us heavenward where we may gain clearer views of Jesus than ordinary life could give us!

Song of Solomon 4:8 We have seen Him from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, and He has shone upon us as the sun in his strength; but we have seen Him also "from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards," and He has lost none of His loveliness.  From the weakness of a sick bed, from the borders of the grave, we have turned our eyes to our soul's spouse, and He has never been otherwise than "all fair."

Oh, noble and pleasant service to be for ever gazing at our sweet Lord Jesus!  Is it not unspeakably delightful to view the Savior in all His offices, and to perceive Him matchlessness in each?--to shift the kaleidoscope, as it were, and to find fresh combinations of unequaled graces?  In the manger and in eternity, on the cross and on His throne, in the garden and in His kingdom, among thieves or in the midst of angels, He is everywhere "altogether lovely."

Eternity shall not discover even a shadow of a spot in our Beloved, but rather, as ages revolve, His hidden glories shall shine forth with yet more inconceivable splendor, and His unutterable loveliness shall more and more intoxicate all of paradise’s eternal minds.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.-2 Corinthians 5:17
 
We need to meditate on this verse.  If we do not understand the truth of what the New Birth is, it will hinder our faith and will keep us from receiving the blessings God intends for us to have.
 
The spiritual nature of man is a fallen nature - a satanic nature.  Man received this satanic nature when Adam sinned.  And no man can change his own human nature.  But God can!
 
It is vain for a man to profess affinity to Christ according to the flesh, while he is unchanged in his heart and life, and dead in trespasses and sins; for he that is in Christ, that is, a genuine Christian, having Christ dwelling in his heart by faith, is a new creature; his old state is changed: he was a child of Satan, he is now a child of God; he was a slave of sin, and his works were death; he is now made free from sin, and has his fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 
 
He was before full of pride and wrath; he is now meek and humble.  He formerly had his portion in this life, and lived for this world alone; he now has GOD for his portion, and he looks not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen and calls those things that are not as though they are.  He was cursed; he is now blessed with health, prosperity and eternal life. Therefore, old things are passed away.
 
When you became born again, something occurred inside you - instantaneously!  That old, satanic nature left you, and the very life and nature of God was created in you!  God created you as a brand-new creature - a new creation.  The man on the inside - the real you, a living spirit man - has already become a new man in Christ.
 
So don't look at yourself from the physical, from the natural.  Look at yourself from the spiritual standpoint.  See yourself as a new creature in Christ.  That's how God sees you!

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. -1 JOHN 5:7
In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us... -JOHN 1:1,14

How can I make Jesus Lord of my life?

Jesus is the Living Word.  And God has given us the written Word to unveil the Living Word to us.

Give the Word of God first place in your life.  By doing so, you are putting Jesus first!

Let the Word of God govern your life.  Let this Word be the Lord of your life.  Let the Word dominate you.  By doing so, you are really allowing Jesus to be Lord over you - because Jesus and His Word are One.

We are living in an age when we need to get serious about spiritual matters, and we need to learn what the Bible has to say about love, life, home, marriage, and children.

Let the Word of God be your guide in life.  When you do, you are making Jesus the Lord of your life.  His written Word becomes the Lord of your life.

"All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again." --Ecclesiastes 1:7
 
, time knows nothing of rest.  The solid earth is a rolling ball, and the great sun himself a star obediently fulfilling its course around some greater leading light.

Tides move the sea, winds stir the airy ocean, friction wears the rock: change and death rule everywhere.  The sea is not a miser's storehouse for a wealth of waters, for as by one force the waters flow into it, by another they are lifted from it.  Men are born but to die: everything is hurry, worry, and vexation of spirit.

Friend of the unchanging Jesus, what a joy it is to reflect upon your changeless heritage.  Your sea of bliss which will be for ever full, since God Himself shall pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it.

We seek an abiding city beyond the skies, and we shall not be disappointed.  The passage before us may well teach us gratitude.  Father Ocean is a great receiver, but he is a generous distributor.  What the rivers bring him he returns to the earth in the form of clouds and rain.

A man is out of joint with the universe who takes all but makes no return.  To give to others is but sowing seed for ourselves.  He who is so good a steward as to be willing to use his substance for his Lord, shall be entrusted with more.

Friend of Jesus, are you rendering to Him according to the benefit received?  Much has been given thee, what is your fruit?  Have you done all?  Can you not do more?  To be selfish is to be wicked.

Suppose the ocean gave up none of its watery treasure, it would bring ruin upon our race.  God forbid that any of us should follow the ungenerous and destructive policy of living unto ourselves.  Jesus pleased not Himself.  All fullness dwells in Him, but of His fullness have all we received.  O for Jesus’ heart of love, that henceforth we may live not unto ourselves!

Hebrews 3:12 & 13 “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
 
On the surface this verse may seem complicated, but the theme is really quite simple.  Here the writer is telling us that we who are believers need to encourage each other daily in order to keep unbelief out of the church.  It is our duty to encourage one another.
 
We know there is power in the spoken word.  There are many scriptures that tell us that what we say in the natural realm, what we say with our mouths, has great impact in the spiritual realm.  But did you know your words also have great impact in the physical realm?  That’s right!  Not only do your words carry power into the spirit world, but they make a difference right here on earth.
 
Hebrews 3:12 &13 tells us that we must encourage one another in order that there we will not be an “evil heart of unbelief” within us.  We must lift each other up and encourage one another in order to combat doubt.  Combat doubt through speaking the encouraging promises of God instead of the discouraging problems. 
 
One of the main reasons a person might have doubt is from a lack of the knowledge of the Word of God.  That’s why our encouraging words must be Bible based.  When I say we should encourage one another, I am not saying we are to lie or try to deceive ourselves.  I’m not talking about empty flattery.  But what I am saying is we must speak God’s Word daily to each other.  Whether we see the promise or not, we must speak the promise.  Speaking the promise is a key ingredient in faith.
 
Doubt feeds on ignorance.  When you don’t know God’s Word or His will, you will feed your doubt.  And, that is the opposite of what God told us to do.  He said we were to increase our faith, not our doubt.  That’s why we are to encourage one another with the Word of God.  The Word contains faith. 
 
Too often Christians will speak what they see instead of what the Word says.  That shouldn’t be.  We are not of this world, but we are now living in it.  We will always see the negative.  That’s why we are told in God’s Word to walk by faith and not by what we see.

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. -Romans 4:18

Romans 4 is God’s own account of Abraham and his faith.  Here, the 18th verse says that Abraham believed.  He believed “...according to that which was spoken...”  He believed in that which was promised to excite his hope.  Hope here is put for the object of his hope--that which was promised.

Abraham did not believe according to what he could see.  Abraham did not believe according to what he could feel.  Abraham did not believe according to what his physical senses told him.  Abraham did not even believe according to what his mind told him.

Abraham believed according to what was spoken by God!

When opposition and contradicting circumstances have said, “No, you don’t have it,” stand your ground.  When feelings have said, “No, you don’t have it,” stand your ground.  When sight says, “No, you don’t have it,” stand your ground.

 Say from your heart, “I believe according to that which is spoken.  ” and “…that which is spoken is God’s Word! ”

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And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.  
And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 1Kings 17:1,4

Elijah leaps into the arena, like a lion from the hills.  Who he was, or what he had been, like the priest Melchizedek, we are not told.  He comes in thunder, and speaks lightning.  The times were fit for an Elijah, and Elijah was fit for them.

The prophet's name: Elijahu-- "My God Jehovah is he" (so it signifies),
"is he who sends me and will own me and bear me out, is he to whom I would bring His people back and who alone can effect that great work."

God is a good master, and never suffers his servants to starve.  He will provide for his own, even if all the land is wasted by drought.

"O God!  You who provide meat for the fowls of the air, will make the fowls of the air provide meat for man, any other dependence than on God will always be disappointed.  Let not our faith be wanting towards you Lord, since your care can never be wanting to us."

Whatever this day may bring, we too must spring into Godly declaration of claiming our promises knowing full well God will uphold His own.  The day is fit for God and you dear believer are fit for the day!

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.  Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.-John 14:21-23

 Two things are emphasized in this text:

 1.  "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them...," Jesus said.  Keep in mind what Jesus' commandments are.  Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you.  That ye love one another; as I have loved you..." (John 13:34).  There's no reason for you to worry about any other commandments.  Walking in love sums it all up, because the Word of God says, "...love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10).  (If you keep Jesus' commandments, you will have fulfilled the rest of the commandments.)

 2.  "...shall be loved of my Father..."  If you walk in love, you are walking in God's realm, because God is love.  God's very nature, because He is love, compels Him to care for us, protect us, and shield us!

"The spot of His children." --Deuteronomy 32:5
 
What is the sweet secret spot which infallibly promises the child of God?  It is vain presumption to decide this upon our own judgment; but God's word reveals it to us, and we may tread surely where we have revelation to be our guide.
 
Now, we are told concerning our Lord, "to as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believed on His name."  Then, if I have received Christ Jesus into my heart, I am a child of God.  That reception is described in the same verse as believing on the name of Jesus Christ.
 
If, then, I believe on Jesus Christ's name--that is, simply from my heart trust myself with the crucified, but now exalted, Redeemer, I am a member of the family of the Most High.  Whatever else I may not have, if I have this, I have the privilege to become a child of God.
 
Our Lord Jesus puts it in another shape.  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."  Here is the matter in a nutshell.  Christ appears as a shepherd to His own sheep, not to others.  As soon as He appears, His own sheep perceive Him--they trust Him, they are prepared to follow Him;
 
He knows them, and they know Him--there is a mutual knowledge--there is a constant connection between them.  Thus the one mark, the sure mark, the infallible mark of regeneration and adoption is a hearty faith in the appointed Redeemer.
 
Are you in doubt, are you uncertain whether you bear the secret mark of God's children?  Then don’t let an hour pass till you say, "Search me, O God, and know my heart."  Please do not trifle with this most important decision.  If you must trifle anywhere, let it be about some secondary matter: your health, if you will, or the title deeds of your estate; but about your soul, your never-dying soul and its eternal destinies, I implore you to be earnest.  Make certain work for eternity.

"Thou shalt be called, Sought out." --Isaiah 62:12

The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out.  Men seek a thing which is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out.  The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering when a thing is sought out.

We were mingled with the mire.  We were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather around and carefully inspect the mass of offensive filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found.

Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth.  We wandered to and fro, and when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us and seek us out.  We, as lost sheep, were so desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd could track our devious wandering.  

Glory to our Lord Jesus’ unconquerable grace, we were sought out!  No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home.  Glory to our Lord Jesus’ infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!
 
The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written would shake our faith in all men.  Strange and marvelous are the ways which God used in their case to find His own.  

Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search until the chosen are sought out effectually.  They are not a people sought today and cast away tomorrow.  

Power and wisdom combined will make no failures, they shall be called, "Sought out!"  Any that should be sought out is and act of matchless grace, yet even more for ourselves that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree!  We can find no reason for it but God's own supreme love, and can only lift up our heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of "Sought out."

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27

 The word "conversation" does not merely mean our talk and converse with one another, but the whole course of our life and behaviour in the world.  The Greek word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenship: and thus we are commanded to let our actions, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, be such as becometh the gospel of Christ.

What sort of conversation is this?

In the first place, the gospel is very simple.  So Christians should be simple and plain in their habits.  There should be about our manner, our speech, our dress, our whole behavior, that simplicity which is the very soul of beauty.  

The gospel is pre-eminently true, it is gold without dross; and the Christian's life will be lusterless and valueless without the jewel of truth.  The gospel is a very fearless gospel, it boldly proclaims the truth, whether men like it or not.  We must be equally faithful and unflinching.  

 But the gospel is also very gentle.  Mark this spirit in its Founder: "a bruised reed He will not break."  Some who profess Jesus are sharper than a thorn bush; such men are not like Jesus.  Let us seek to win others by the gentleness of our words and acts.  

 The gospel is very loving. It is the message of the God of love to a lost and fallen race.  Christ's last command to His disciples was, "Love one another."  We hope ever that a more real, hearty union and love finds it’s effect toward all the saints.  We strive deeply searching our heart for a more tender compassion towards the souls of the most wicked of men!  

 We must not forget that the gospel of Christ is holy.  It never excuses sin: it pardons it, but only through an atonement.  If our life is to resemble the gospel, we must shun, not merely the grosser vices, but everything that would hinder our perfect conformity to Christ.  

 For His sake, for our own sakes, and for the sakes of others, we must strive day by day to let our conversation be more in accordance with His gospel.

These were potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work. --1 Chronicles 4:23

Potters were the not the very highest grade of workers, but "the king" needed potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay.  We, too, may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord's work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for "the king"; and therefore we need but abide in our calling, hoping that, although we are associated among and with the pots, yet shall we be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with gleaming gold."

The text tells us of those who dwelt among plants and hedges, having rough, rustic, hedging and common protracted work to do.  They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also were doing the king's work.

The place of our habitation is fixed, and we are not to remove from it out of whim and caprice, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside.  These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt "with the king" and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king there.  No lawful place, or gracious occupation, however mean, can exclude us from communion with our divine Lord.

In visiting shanties and huts, swarming apartment complexes, we may go with the king.  In all works of faith we may count upon Jesus' fellowship.  It is when we are in His work that we may count upon His smile.  

All of you unknown workers who are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills even now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and injurious weeds have been transformed into precious flowers.

Dwell with the King for His work, and when He writes His chronicles your name shall be recorded.

...and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
-ISAIAH 10:27

The anointing the Bible is talking about here is the manifest power of the Holy Spirit.  We can learn an important principle regarding how the anointing works by following the ministry of Jesus.  In Mark 5 we see a demonstration of the healing anointing in the case of the woman with the issue of blood.

Mark 5:25-34, "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years…  And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him…."

There are in the account of the healing of the woman with the issue of blood.  Those words are “virtue” and “faith.”  The Greek word “virtue” is translated dunamis or miraculous power or anointing power.

Jesus knowing immediately that virtue or power had gone out of him, looked around and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” Then Jesus turned around and saw who had touched Him, and said to the woman, “...Daughter, THY FAITH hath made thee whole...” (Mark 5:34).

Some people say, “I thought that the power that flowed out of Jesus - the healing anointing - made that woman whole!  But Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole.”  Why did Jesus say that?

When Jesus asked, “Who touched my clothes?” the disciples said to Jesus, “...thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou who touched me?” (Mark 5:31)  You know yourself if you were in a crowd of people when everyone was pressing in upon you, you would get touched on every side.  But the power of God isn’t activated by just the incidental touch.

I’m sure there were many who reached through the crowd and touched Jesus out of curiosity to see if anything would happen, and nothing did.  The power of God also isn’t activated by curious touch.  No, Jesus said, “Daughter, THY FAITH hath made thee whole...” (Mark 5:34).  It’s the touch of faith that releases the power of God to flow!!

This woman started confessing and building up her faith before she touched Jesus.  She kept saying, "If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole."  Then she worked her way through the crowd and reached out and touched Jesus' garment.  At that point the anointing or virtue flowed into the woman's body and she was healed.

What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  -Romans 8:31-32

God and you are working together in carrying out His plan for the redemption of the world.  God can't fulfill His purpose without you anymore than you can manage exclusive of Him.  That's one reason why Jesus gave us the illustration of the vine and the branches.  The vine can't bear fruit without the branches, and the branches can't live without the vine.

This passage shows us the unconditional oneness of the Father God with His children.  It shows us the perfect fellowship and cooperation God's children enjoy with their heavenly Father.  It shows the mastery God's children have over the forces of darkness and circumstances.  And God climaxes this passage with verse 37: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
 
God is working dynamically on your behalf.  He is standing up for you.  He is aggressively fighting for you.  He is supplying all of your needs.  Out of the treasury of His abundant grace, He is giving you His wisdom and His ability!  This is the master argument in prayer.  If we understand its force we shall not be afraid of asking too much.

Full of Joy
John 16:24 "...Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
 
Doesn't it make you full of joy when you receive God's answer to your prayers?  It certainly makes us full of joy just knowing He will answer our prayers.

In fact, sometimes it is necessary to have the joy before you will have what you are praying for.  If you are trying to figure out a way to make matters work out in spite of asking God to do it, you are probably hindering His helping you.  The reason for that is that you are still trying to carry the load instead of casting it on Him.  If you are going to go ahead and struggle with the problem, it won't do any good to ask Him to handle it because you won't be praying in faith.
 
Philippians 4:6-7 (Good News Bible in Today's English Version) Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
 
(Authorized Version (King James)) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
(Moffatt) Never be anxious, but always make your request known to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving; so shall God's peace, that surpasses all our dreams, keep guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
 
To be successful in praying we have to be thankful and full of joy even before what we are asking is manifested in the physical realm because we know He heard us. We have His Word on it ... "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
 
Ephesians 5:20  (Authorized Version (King James)) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
 
(Moffatt) "and render thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ at all times and for all things."
 
In all of our real praise and thanksgiving the name of Jesus is the access to the heart of the Father.  If it didn't make any difference the way that you pray, why would Father God have inspired Paul to write these things in his epistles?  Do we say that these particular verses in the Word aren't important and yet John 3:16 for example is important?  We must believe that all scriptures are important and for our instruction in our walk with God.
 
It is not by our own power or holiness that we get our answer to prayer.  God doesn't answer our prayers because we are so good.  Prayers are answered because of Jesus.  He is the one with standing in heaven. He is our only way or approach to the Father.  We cannot get there any other way.  It is only in His name that we can come to God.  Jesus gave us the right and the authority to use His name.  The key to seeing answers to our prayers is through the mighty Name of Jesus.

"Sanctified by God the Father." --Jude 1
"Sanctified in Christ Jesus." --1 Corinthians 1:2
"Through sanctification of the Spirit." --1 Peter 1:2

 Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts.  How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if He were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness.

Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit.  In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest.  They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. 

In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided.  Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification.  While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. 

It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit.  Still does the Lord God say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

See the value which God sets upon true holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce in His Church a heart of holiness.  And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation.  Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is what makes you fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. 

Some would wrongly assume the gifts and fruits of the Spirit a matter of personal choice rather than an act of sanctifying power.  We must always purpose in our hearts to receive all of the presence of God in our lives.

This day let us so live as to manifest the complete work of the Triune God in us.

"Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away." --Song of Solomon 2:10

I hear the voice of my Beloved!  He speaks to me!  Fair weather is smiling upon the face of the earth, and He would not have me spiritually asleep while nature is all around me awaking from her winter's rest.  

He bids me "Rise up," and so He should, for I have been lying long enough among the meager provision of worldliness.  He is risen, I am risen in Him, why then should I cleave unto the dust?  From lower loves, desires, pursuits, and aspirations, I would rise towards Him.

He calls me by the sweet title, "My love," and desires me as fair.  This is a good argument for my rising.  If He has thus exalted me, and thinks that I am so beautiful, how can I linger in the tents of Kedar and find congenial associates among the sons of men?

He bids me "Come away."  Further and further from everything selfish, groveling, worldly, sinful, He calls me.  Yes, from the outwardly religious world which does not know Him, and has no empathy for the mystery of the higher life.  He calls me.  

"Come away" forms no harsh sound to my ear, for what is there to hold me in this wilderness of vanity and sin?  O my Lord, I would that I could come away, but I am taken among the thorns, and cannot escape from them as I would.  

I would, if it were possible, have neither eyes, nor ears, nor heart for sin.  You call me to Yourself by saying "Come away," and this is easy to my ear and a melodious call indeed.  

To come to You is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labor, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes.  But Lord, how can a stone rise in the shameful deep waters, how can a lump of clay come away from it’s birth right in the filthy pit?

O raise me, draw me.  Your grace can do it.  Send forth Your Holy Spirit to kindle sacred flames of love in my heart, and I will continue to rise until I leave life and time behind me, and indeed come away.

How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God.  --Psalm 139:17

Divine omniscience affords no comfort to the ungodly mind, but to the child of God it overflows with solace.  God is always thinking upon us, never turns aside His mind from us, has us always before His eyes; and this is precisely as we would have it, for it would be frightful to exist for a moment beyond the observation of our heavenly Father. 

His thoughts are always tender, loving, wise, prudent, far-reaching, and they bring to us countless benefits: thus it is a choice pleasure to remember them. 

The Lord always did think upon His people: hence their election and the covenant of grace by which their salvation is secured.  Our Lord always will think upon them, so their final resolve by which they shall be brought safely to their final rest. 

In all our wanderings the watchful glance of the Eternal Watcher is evermore fixed upon us--we never roam beyond the Shepherd's eye.  In our sorrows He observes us incessantly, and not a shooting pain escapes Him.  In our labors He considers all our weariness, and writes in His Holy Scriptures all the struggles of His faithful ones. 

These thoughts of the Lord encompass us in all our paths, and penetrate the innermost region of our being.  Not a nerve or tissue, valve or vessel, of our bodily organization is uncared for.  All the details of our little world are thought upon by the great God. 

 Is this precious to you?  Then you must hold to it.  Never be led astray by those philosophic fools who preach up an impersonal God, and talk of self-existent, self-governing matter.  The Lord lives and thinks upon us, this is a truth far too precious for us to be lightly robbed of it. 

The notice of a nobleman is valued so highly that he who has it counts his fortune made; but what is it to be thought of by the King of kings!  If the Lord thinks upon us, all is well, and we may evermore rejoice.

REFUSE TO MISTRUST THE WORD OF GOD
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

I refuse to let any thought linger in my mind that comes against what I have asked my Father in prayer.  I constantly affirm and thank Him that I do have the answer.  If a doubt persists, I rebuke it in the Name of Jesus and command it to be gone.  I keep my mind on the answer.

Because doubt is of the devil, I resist it!

He cannot conquer you if you continue to resist.  Strong as he is, God never permits him to conquer the man who continues to resist him; the devil cannot force the human will.  He, who in the terrible name of JESUS, opposes even the devil himself, is sure to have a speedy and glorious conquest.  The devil flees from that name, and from his conquering blood.

I eradicate every mental picture, suggestion, feeling, notion or thought that does not foster my faith that I will have what I ask.  I enjoy only those things that do contribute to my faith.

Our thoughts are governed by observation, association and teachings.  We have to guard against every evil thought and every doubt that comes into the mind.  We must stay away from all places and things that do not support the affirmation that God has answered prayer.  Sometimes this means we have to stay away from those that teach more doubt than faith.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is the word of faith, which we preach.-ROMANS 10:8
 
God's Word is not a far away, unreachable goal for you to grasp. Romans 10:8 tells us no matter what you are going through, regardless of the lies of the devil, God can be relied upon to bring His Word to pass.
 
In Luke 21:33 Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My Words shall not pass away." There is nothing more secure, nothing more powerful and nothing more enduring than God's Word.
 
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of the Lord is "...alive and full of power." Isaiah 40:8 says, "...the Word of our God will stand forever." And in 1 Peter 1:25 we know that "...the Word of God lives and abides forever...endureth forever, And this is the Word of God which By the Gospel is preached to you."
 
We need to make quality decisions. Words of failure, lack and confusion don't have to dominate our lives. We can walk in victory, abundance and peace each and every day. When we make a quality decision that God's Word is the final authority, we shut the door to failure and open the door to victory.
 
Jesus stood on God's Word found in Deuteronomy 8:3 and made it the last Word when He was in the wilderness and tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread. He said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4).
 
Bartimeaus heard that Jesus had come to town, began shouting out for mercy. He refused to be quieted by the crowd, got the attention of God and was healed of blindness (Mark 10:46-52).
 
The centurion knew the power of God's Word and asked Jesus to "...speak the word only..." and his servant was healed (Matt. 8:8).
 
Mary, the mother of Jesus, said, "Be it unto me according to thy Word." and was blessed above all women (Luke 1:42).
 
The Bible is full of examples of great men and women like these that made God's Word the last word and received the miraculous. When you make God's Word the last word, you will see the invisible, believe the incredible and receive the impossible. You can shut the door to failure & open the door to victory

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If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?-Matthew 7:11

 Would you, as a parent, plan, purpose, and will for your children to go through life poverty-stricken, sick, downtrodden, downcast, down- and-out, their nose to the grindstone?  No!  Assuredly not!

 A minister spoke about how difficult a time his younger brother had getting an education.  Their father left the family when this brother was six months old.  He graduated from high school during the depression by working 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at a cotton mill and then going to school immediately after getting off work.

 In time, the brother married, had a son, and became a very successful businessman.  He said to the minister - "I'd rather let my boy die now than to have it like I had it.  But I'm going to see to it that he doesn't have it as rough as I did."

 The brother worked hard to provide a better life for his family than he had known growing up.  Looking at it from a natural standpoint, he did all this because he loved them.  And that's what Jesus meant when He said that if natural men know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our loving heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him!

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ…For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
-1 CORINTHIANS 3: 1, 3
 
With some Christians the inward man does not rule the outward man.  Instead, the body rules the outward man which defines the carnal Christians.  One translation of this text says "body-ruled" instead of "carnal."  Carnal Christians are body ruled.  The deeper doctrines cannot be received by the weak, and it is wise to teach such the simpler truths only.
 
"Ye are yet carnal… and walk as men," Paul told the Corinthians.  In other words, they were living like people who had never been born again.  I like the way the Amplified Bible translated verse three:  "… For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?"  Consequently, they were utterly unqualified to discern between one teacher and another.
 
Refuse to live like mere men!  Live like the new creatures you are!  Determine to let the new man in Christ dominate your being.  Only then may you grasp the truths that will set you free.  Blessing such a healing, prosperity and an abundant life come to the righteous spiritually wise through these truths.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ... -Romans 8:16-17
 
Do you think the people who lived under the Old Covenant could be more blessed than those in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?
 
Do you think that the Church, the Body of Christ, the Body of the Son of God, the Body of the Beloved, would struggle through life poverty- stricken, emaciated, wasted away with starvation, sick and afflicted, singing, "Here I wander, like a beggar, through the heat and the cold?"
 
Away with such ideas!
 
The Bible declares that we are joint-heirs with Christ!  Sons of God!  Children of God!  In the Kingdom of God!
 
This is a chain made of diamond links.  It leads us from the cradle of regeneration to the perfection of glory, by sure steps, each one firm as the throne of God.  Are we children?  Then we shall be glorified with Christ.
 
We're not beggars! We're new creatures.

Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. -- Matthew 12:15
 
What a mass of hideous sicknesses must have plunged itself under the eye of Jesus!  Yet we do not read that He was disgusted, but patiently waited on every case.  What a singular variety of evils must have fallen at His feet!  What sickening ulcers and putrefying sores!  Yet He was ready for every new shape of the bullying monster evil, and was victor over it in every form.

Let the arrow fly from where it might, He still quenched its fiery power.  The heat of fever or the cold of swollen limbs; the weariness of palsy, or the rage of madness; the filth of leprosy, or the darkness of sightless eyes--all knew the power of His word, and fled at His command.

In every corner of the field He was triumphant over evil, and received the worship of delivered captives.  He came, He saw, He conquered everywhere.  

It is even so this day.  Whatever my own case may be, the beloved Physician will with conviction heal me; and whatever the state of others whom I may remember at this moment in prayer, I have perfect hope in Jesus that He will heal them of their sins and their sickness.  My child, my friend, my dearest one, I can have hope for each, for all, when I remember the healing power of my Lord.  

On my own account, however severe my struggle with sins and infirmities, I may yet be of good cheer.  He who on earth walked the hospitals, still dispenses His grace, and works wonders among the sons of men.  I go to Him at once in complete earnestness of faith.
 
Let me praise Him now as I remember how He fashioned His cures, which still brings Him the highest renown.  It was by taking upon Himself our sicknesses.  "By His stripes we are healed."  The Church is full of souls healed by our beloved Physician; and the inhabitants of heaven itself confess that "He healed them all."

Come, then, my soul, publish abroad the virtue of His grace, and let it be "to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off."

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.
Hebrews 11:6

God has told us that without faith it is impossible to please Him, but He has also told us where to obtain faith and how faith comes.

ROMANS 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Be constant in attendance upon the gospel preaching, and be devoutly attentive while hearing, for it is the way by which faith comes.  God has provided the way whereby everyone can have faith.

Faith for salvation "cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  The Apostle Paul said that we are saved by faith.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

But how do we get faith to be saved?
ROMANS 10:8-10,13,14,17
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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 hearth man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We see here that faith for salvation comes by hearing the Word of God.  Now relate that with Acts 11:13-14, "And he shewed us how he [Cornelius] Cornelius was a good man, but he was not saved.
Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).  As Cornelius had not as yet heard this glorious Gospel, he was not saved.

God told Cornelius to send for Peter in order to learn the plan of salvation.  The angel could not preach to Cornelius (Angels cannot preach - God sent men to preach.)  But the angel could tell Cornelius where to go to get somebody "...who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."

Men are saved by hearing words.  And that is because "...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  You cannot believe without hearing the Word.

As a minister of the gospel, my responsibility is to repeat what God says in His word.  I must do what He says to do and I must say what He says to say.

His Word is His will.  Look at the confidence God allows us to have in what we say when we speak His Word.  First John 5:14 says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

We must be word-minded people.  Word-minded people are steady because the Word of God is steady.  Sense-minded people are ruled by how they feel as perceived by the five senses – what they taste, touch, hear, smell and see.  Sense-minded people are up and down emotionally.  “Yo-Yo” Christians…   They are driven by their senses and what we sense constantly changes.

If the Word of God is what you believe, you’ll be steady because the Word of God doesn’t vary.  God doesn’t say that one day He’ll bless you and the next day He’ll curse you.  The Word of God says it is His will to heal you.  Therefore, if you’re attacked with sickness in your body, you’re going to be steady because you know it’s God’s will that you be healed, set free, and live a wonderful life.  You’re going to be steady in your mind regardless of how you feel in your body if you are word-minded.

People who are driven by their senses say what they see.  When they feel good, they say they feel good.   When they feel bad they say they feel bad.  Sense-minded people only speak what they see.

Jesus said in Mark 11:23 that we get what we say.  That means that if we keep saying what we see then we will keep seeing the same thing.  Nothing is going to change until something changes.  And if we keep doing what we have always done then we will always have what we have always had.  If we want change in our lives...  something must change. 

When sense-minded people see nothing changing in their life, they believe nothing will ever change, and they continue to speak that nothing will ever change and the result is – nothing changes.

Once in counseling with a person who was full of doubt and unbelief, He thought he was worthless and his life was a mess.  He spoke that he was worthless and his life was beyond repair.  After much teaching and explaining to him about how he would get what he spoke, his comment was this, “That may work for some people, but it won’t work for me.  I’ve tried to understand God’s Word, but I haven’t been able to and I don’t think I ever will.”  In the years since this counseling session, I must confess, he was right.   He received what he believed.   

Choose to speak the Word of God out of the abundance of your heart and not what your five senses tell you and you will begin to see victory in your life.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.   Proverbs 18:7

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?  or, What shall we drink?  or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. -Matthew 6:31-34

Added to you! Not taken away! That proves that the Father cares for His own. 

“Be not anxious” is the right interpretation. Do not think that you have to be anxious.  Do not for ever be following the worlds trinity of cares.  The questions in this verse are taken out of the lost man’s standard of distrust.  The children of God may quietly work on from day to day, and cast all foreboding cares from them.

God doesn't want His children to be anxious, or to worry.  God is saying, "Have no worry, no fret, not anxiety.  Because I am your heavenly Father, I know you have need of these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Never anticipate troubles, each day has its own, and enough of them.  Yes, and enough grace comes daily to bear us through them.

That's what God our Father is saying!  If God is your Father, you may be assured that He will take a father's place and perform a father's part.  You may be certain that if God is your Father, He loves you, and He will care for you.  Praise God, I am glad He is my Father!  Is He yours?

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. Philippians 4:15

Would you like to know how you can increase your income? Regardless of your status in life, there is a way.  Once you receive the Word of God, then you are responsible for putting it to work.

A minister reflected on a phone conversation with a gentleman and were praying together for his business.  The Lord spoke to him right in the middle of my prayer and said, Ask him why General Motors didn't pay him any-thing last year.

Out of obedience to God. he said, "How come General Motors didn't pay you anything last year?" He was quiet for a second and replied, "Well, they didn't owe me anything."
And the Lord said, Tell him that's why I didn't pay him anything either.

That really opened my eyes! The Word says very plainly, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again" (Proverbs 19:17).  If we haven't been giving, then God has nothing to work with to increase us financially.

I want the Word to change your thinking from giving to giving and receiving.  Don't just think in terms of giving.  The Apostle Paul told the church at Philippi that they alone communicated with him in giving and receiving (Philippians 4:15).

Do you say, "Well, I don't think I should desire to receive anything back when I give.”

If this is what you are thinking, then your thinking is wrong!  You wouldn't think well of a farmer who kept planting seeds and then let his crop rot in the field.  Giving financial seeds and not receiving a harvest is just as irresponsible.  There are people in this world starving to hear the saving message of the gospel.  God wants you to receive a harvest from the financial seeds you plant. You need to have an abundance of finances so that you can help finance the preaching of the gospel.

The Body of Christ should be the wealthiest, most powerful and most influential people in all the world. But we have turned the management of the world's finances over to the devil, and believing his lies is an indictment against us all.

This is a grand assurance.  God is the giver, his infinite glory is the store, Jesus is the channel, and the supply knows no limit.  What more can the most expanded desires wish for?  This promissory note from the Bank of Faith makes all believers rich beyond one’s dreams.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he 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. -Hebrews 2:14

This is spoken in conformity to an opinion prevalent among the Jews, that there was a certain fallen angel who was called malak hammaveth, the angel of death.  He had the power of separating the soul from the body, when God decreed that the person should die.  There were two of these, according to some of the Jewish writers: one was the angel of death to the Gentiles; the other, to the Jews.  Thus: "There are two angels which preside over death: one is over those who die out of the land of Israel, and his name is Sammael; the other is he who presides over those who die in the land of Israel, and this is Gabriel." 

Sammael is a common name for the devil among the Jews; and there is a tradition among them, that the angel of death should be destroyed by the Messiah! 

"Satan said to the holy blessed God: Lord of the world, show me the Messiah.  The Lord answered: Come and see him.  And when he had seen him he was terrified, and his countenance fell, and he said: Most certainly this is the Messiah who shall cast me and all the nations into hell, as it is written Isaiah 25:8, The Lord shall swallow up death for ever."  This is a very remarkable saying, and the apostle shows that it is true, for the Messiah came to destroy him who had the power of death....

that He might paralyze him that held the dominion of death, That is the Adversary. -Hebrews 2:14 Rotherham

Jesus put to naught the hosts of darkness! He paralyzed their death- dealing power!  And when Jesus met John the Revelator on the Isle of Patmos, Jesus said, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive fore evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18).

Keys represent authority.  Jesus conquered Satan and stripped him of his authority.  Jesus was the master of all death, hell, and the grave!

But Jesus did not conquer Satan for Himself.  He conquered him for us.  It was as though you and I personally had met Satan and had conquered him, stripped him of his authority, and stood a master over him.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. --Lamentations 3:21

Memory is frequently the bond slave of despondency.  Despairing minds call to remembrance every dark foreboding in the past, and enlarge upon every gloomy feature in the present.  Thus memory, clothed in sackcloth, presents to the mind a cup of mingled gall and wormwood.

There is, however, no necessity for this.  Wisdom can readily transform memory into an angel of comfort.  That same recollection which in its left hand brings so many gloomy omens, may be trained to bear in its right a wealth of hopeful signs.  She need not wear a cap of iron, but rather she may encircle our head with a crown of gold, bejeweled as the stars of heaven.

Thus it was in Jeremiah's experience.  In the previous verse, memory had brought him to deep humiliation of soul:  "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me"; and now this same memory restored him to life and comfort.  "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope."  

Like a two-edged sword, his memory first killed his pride with one edge, and then slew his despair with the other.  

If we would exercise our memories more wisely, we might, in our very darkest distress, strike a spark which would instantaneously kindle the lamp of comfort.  

There is no need for God to create a new thing upon the earth in order to restore believers to joy.  If we prayerfully stir the ashes of the past, they would find light for the present; and more importantly if we turn to the Word of Truth and the Throne of Grace, our candle will soon shine as before.

It is given to us to remember the loving-kindness of the Lord, and to rehearse His deeds of grace.  Let us open the volume of recollection which is so richly illuminated with memorials of mercy, and we shall soon be happy.

As it has been said memory may be, "the bosom-spring of joy," and “when the Divine Comforter bends it to His service, it may be chief among earthly comforters.”

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Wherefore remember, that...at that time ye were without Christ...having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. -Ephesians 2:11-13

Have you ever really contemplated what it truly means to be in Christ Jesus?  Do you have a clear revelation of this?  Once you do, it will transfigure your life.

You see, it's in Him that we're raised up from our sins.  It's in Him that we're made to sit in heavenly places so that God can show us the exceeding riches of His grace.  It's in Him that we're made the righteousness of God!

If you want that revelation to explode in you, start searching out scriptures that refer to being in Christ.  Watch for the words in Him, with Him, through Him, or in Whom.  Mark those and meditate on them until the truth of them gets down into your spirit man.  They'll give you some powerful ammunition against the attacks of Satan.

When he tries to tell you, for instance, that you're just a sinner and God doesn't want to be bothered with your problems, you'll know he is lying.  You'll be able to answer him boldly and say, "Thank God, I was a sinner, but now I'm the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  I've been raised up to sit with Him in heavenly places.  Now I'm in Him and you can't touch me at all!"

Christ and his covenant are the foundation of all the Christian's hopes.  A sad and terrible description is here; but who is able to remove himself out of it?  True believer, without trembling, reflect upon the misery of a person, separated for ever from the people of God, cut off from the body of Christ, fallen from the covenant of promise, having no hope, no Savior, and without any God but a God of vengeance, to all eternity?

Be prepared the next time Satan comes at you with doubt, unbelief, and condemnation.  Be ready to fight back with the scriptures about who you are in Jesus.  The distance from sin is infinite, and the nearness is intimate.  The blood of Jesus works marvels; it annihilates distance, breaks sown partition walls, and transforms aliens into sons.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
-EPHESIANS 6:10

Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at all grace; and put on the whole armor of God, which he prepares and bestows.

Do you know your own strength?  Weightlifters are always trying to "become stronger."  They spend lots of time developing their muscles in order to increase their strength.

The secret to our victory, however, is not in how strong we are.  It's is how strong our Lord is!  We do not need to try getting stronger or bigger than our enemy.  We are to be strong in the Lord!

We are not trying to get victory; we are to stand in a victory already won!

Satan's most controlling way of keeping you weak is to keep you from knowing the truth, for when we know the truth we are free! (John l0:l0)  Instead of believing a lie from hell, we recognize the lie and believe the truth!  We become "strong in the Lord", no longer "weak in faith".

The Bible tells us in II Corinthians 2:11 not to be ignorant of Satan's way of doing things.  Learn to recognize your enemy.  He is the "Devil", which means he is your "accuser."  He is also called "Satan", which means he is your "adversary".  He is also called a tempter, murderer, thief and liar and deceiver.  When you are "strong in the Lord" you can stop him from having any power over you!

Have you ever seen a policeman holding up his hand to direct traffic?  A two-ton truck will stop for him! Now, we all know that the truck is "stronger" than the policeman.  But, the policeman has something the truck doesn't have.  He has the authority to stop traffic.

Be "strong" in the authority that has been given to you In Christ Jesus!  When your accuser tells you a lie, you tell Him the truth!

When your enemy tries to tell you you're a prisoner of your past, your failures, your sins or sorrows, be strong in the Lord and declare that you are free in the Name of Jesus!  You have the authority to stop his "two-ton truck" from running over you!

"For God has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan's kingdom and brought us into the kingdom of His dear Son.  And the Son of God forgave our sins and set us free"! (Col. 1:13-14)
(Living and Translators)

"When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." --Psalm 61:2

Most of us know what it is to be overwhelmed in heart; turned upside down and emptied; submerged and thrown like a vessel tossed by the storm. 

Discoveries of inward dissatisfaction will do this, if the Lord permits the great deep of our wantonness to become troubled and cast up mire and dirt.  Disappointments and heart-breaks will do this when billow after billow rolls over us, and we are like a broken shell hurled to and fro by the surf.

Blessed be God, at such seasons we are not without an all-sufficient comfort, our God is the harbor for the weather-beaten from life’s perilous travels, the hospice of the forlorn. 

He is higher than we are; His mercy higher than our sins, His love higher than our thoughts.  It is pitiful to see men putting their trust in something lower than themselves; but our confidence is fixed upon an exceeding high and glorious Lord.  He is a Rock since He changes not, and a high Rock, because the storm which overwhelm us roll far beneath at His feet.  He is not disturbed by them, but rules them at His will.

If we get under the shelter of this superior Rock we may defy the hurricane; all is calm under the leeward side of that towering cliff.  Such is the confusion in which the troubled mind is often cast, that we need piloting to this divine shelter. 

Thus is the prayer of the text.  O Lord, our God, by Thy Holy Spirit, teach us the way of faith, lead us into Thy rest.  The wind blows us out to sea; our grip has lost control of our course.  You Lord, You alone can steer safe into the fair haven.

How dependent we are upon You--we need You to bring us to You.  To be wisely directed and steered into safety and peace is Your gift, and Yours alone.  This day Lord, be pleased to deal well with Your servants.

"Be that is in Christ Jesus." --2 Timothy 2:1

Christ has grace without measure in Himself, but He has not retained it for Himself.  As the reservoir empties itself, so has Christ emptied out His grace for His people.  "Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace."  He seems only to have in order to dispense to us.  He stands like the fountain, always flowing, but only running in order to supply the empty pitchers and the thirsty lips which draw nigh unto it.

Like a tree, He bears sweet fruit, not to hang on boughs, but to be gathered by those who need.  Grace, whether its work be to pardon, to cleanse, to preserve, to strengthen, to enlighten, to quicken, or to restore, is ever to be received from Him freely and without price; nor is there one form of the work of grace which He has not bestowed upon His people.

As the blood of the body, though flowing from the heart, belongs equally to every member, so the influences of grace are the inheritance of every saint united to the Lamb; and herein there is a sweet communion between Christ and His Church, inasmuch as they both receive the same grace.

Christ is the head upon which the oil is first poured; but the same oil runs to the very skirts of the garments, so that the meanest saint has an unction of the same costly moisture as that which fell upon the head.

This is true communion when the sap of grace flows from the stem to the branch, and when it is perceived that the stem itself is sustained by the very nourishment which feeds the branch.  As we day by day receive grace from Jesus, and more constantly recognize it as coming from Him, we shall behold Him in communion with us, and enjoy the great happiness of communion with Him.  

Let us make daily use of our riches, and ever draw near to Him as to our own Lord in covenant, taking from Him the supply of all we need with as much boldness as men withdraw money from their own bank account.

"Why are ye troubled?  and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?"
--Luke 24:38
 
"Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?"  The Lord cares for all things, and the least of His creatures share in His universal providence, but His particular providence is over His saints.

"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him."  "Precious shall their blood be in His sight."  "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."  "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose."

Let the fact that, while He is the Savior of all men, He is specially the Savior of them that believe, cheer and comfort you.  You are His peculiar care; His royal treasure which He guards as the apple of His eye.  You believers are His vineyard over which He watches day and night. "The very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Let the thought of His special love to you be a spiritual pain-killer, a dear comfort to your woe: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." 

God says that as much to you as to any saint of old.  "Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."  We lose much consolation by the habit of reading His promises for the whole church, instead of taking them directly home to ourselves. 

Believer, grasp the divine word with a personal, appropriating faith.  Think that you hear Jesus say, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not."  Think you see Him walking on the waters of your trouble, for He is there, and He is saying, "Fear not, it is I; be not afraid." 

Oh, those sweet words of Christ!  May the Holy Ghost mak