Part 4: COVENANT PROMISES

Who Am I In Christ?

One of the first things we learn as a child is our name. It uniquely identifies us from other people. Our name tells us which family we belong to and what position we hold in that family. Some hold the position of father, mother, grandfather or grandmother, whereas others hold the role of son, daughter, sister or brother.

This association with a particular family also gives us special rights. We have keys that give us access to the house at anytime and we live in the home as a resident not a guest. We don't ask for permission to watch television or eat food in the pantry because we have confidence that we have authority to do so. When someone passes away, it is common that the person will leave an inheritance to the other family members. This inheritance belongs to them not because of what they did but with whom they were associated.

The same holds true in the Kingdom of God. Because of Jesus, we have a position in God's family and have been given special rights. There is also an inheritance stored up and available for us right now in this lifetime. It is not given to us based on our actions but rather we receive it by grace through faith because of Who we know and what He did for us.

Just as with our natural family, if we don't know who we are, what our position is, and what is rightfully ours, it will be difficult to live in the overflow of God's blessings. For example, let's say I create a trust fund for my son when he is born and he can access the money at age eighteen. He doesnt know when he is born what a trust fund is and that he has one. However, that doesn't mean it doesnt exist. Eventually his eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth birthdays pass and no one tells him about the trust fund. The money is still there and he is old enough to withdraw from it, however he doesnt know about the trust fund so he cant tap into it.

Unfortunately, the same thing is happening with God's children. We have been given authority in God's family as well as an inheritance to enjoy here on this earth and in eternal life. However, many do not know that this authority and inheritance exists so they miss out on the benefits. We want to show you who you are and what you have in Christ so that you can start walking in all of its benefits.

It's important to note that through Jesus death and resurrection we didn't BECOME righteous. We were MADE righteous. It wasn't a transition that we went through. We were immediately put in the proper condition before God. Righteousness is to stand before God without the sense of guilt, condemnation and insecurity. We were in jail guilty as charged, but Jesus took our place, finished the sentence for us and paid the price to set us free. God doesn't see our faults because He sees us through the blood of Jesus. When we are born again, we walk through the waterfall of Jesus' blood that filters out all of our sins and impurities. God sees us when we come out the other side completely free of any spot or blemish. We are no longer unworthy to stand before God. We can now take our rightful place as His sons and daughters because of what Jesus did for us. We are free to live in abundance, to the full, until it overflows!

Following are various Scriptures that explain who you are in Christ.

We are children of God.

Romans 8:14-16

14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! 16The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.

Ephesians 2:18-19

18For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him]. 19Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household.

Ephesians 5:8

Galatians 3:26

I John 4:6

We are loved by God.

Romans 5:8

8But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.

I John 4:7-12

We are made in God's image.

I John 3:2

2Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.

II Corinthians 3:18

18And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:10

10For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

God lives in us.

I John 4:13-15

I John 4:24

We are reconciled with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection. We can confidently talk with God and know that He hears us.

Colossians 1:20-23

20And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross. 21And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities, 22Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father's] presence. 23[And this He will do] provided that you continue to stay with and in the faith [in Christ], well-grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting or moving away from the hope [which rests on and is inspired by] the glad tidings (the Gospel), which you heard and which has been preached [as being designed for and offered without restrictions] to every person under heaven, and of which [Gospel] I, Paul, became a minister.

Hebrews 4:16

John 15:7

I John 1:22

I John 5:14-15

We are saved by grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

Romans 10:9-13

Hebrews 7:25

We are redeemed, delivered, forgiven and made righteous (in right standing with God).

Ephesians 1:7-10

7In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, 8Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), 9Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, 10[He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth.

Colossians 1:13-14

13[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

Romans 5:7-11

Romans 8:1

Galatians 3:13

I John 1:9

Hebrews 4:16

We are Joint-Heirs with Christ. (Meaning sharing in His inheritance)

Romans 8:14-16

17And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.

Ephesians 2:5-6

5Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). 6And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Galatians 3:29

We are Kings.

Romans 5:17

17For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

We are conquerors.

II Corinthians 2:14

Romans 8:37

We are blessed.

Proverbs 9:22 (If God didn’t want us to be prosperous, He wouldn’t have associated “The blessing of the Lord” in this verse with riches.)

Psalm 94:12-13

Isaiah 61:7-9

Ephesians 1:3

Galatians 3:6-8

Galatians 3:14

Because of Jesus, we are qualified, entitled, worthy, able and enabled.

Colossians1:12

*Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light... (KJV)

*Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light. (Amplified)

*thank the Father who has entitled you to share the lot of God’s people in the realm of light. (Smith-Goodspeed)

*who has qualified you for your share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. (New Berkeley)

*the Father that hath made you sufficient for your share... (Rotherham)

*who has made us worthy …” (Godbey)

*He enabled us to share the inheritance of the saints who live in the light. (Noli)

*to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the kingdom of light. (Living Bible)

Qualified:

*fitted as by training or experience for a given purpose; competent.

*having complied with the specific requirements or precedent conditions.

*one that satisfies the requirements

Entitled:

*to furnish with proper grounds for seeking or claiming something.

*a right to benefits especially by law or contract.

Worthy:

*having sufficient value (worth): important enough; deserving.

Able:

*having sufficient power, skill or resources to accomplish.

(I am able to receive my inheritance!!)

Enabled:

*to provide with the means or opportunity.

*to make possible, practical or easy.

Confession:

I thank you Father that according to Colossians 1:12, I am qualified, entitled, worthy, and able to partake of my inheritance in Christ. I refuse to be beaten out of my inheritance! I am qualified, I satisfy all of God’s requirements… I am entitled. I have a right to claim God’s benefits… I am worth it. I am important enough. I deserve it. God has made me able to easily receive all He has for me. I refuse to be beaten out of my inheritance!

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Angel Faith Bookmarks

This adorable set of bookmarks lets you express your faith in the sweetest way. Adorable angels from The Morehead Collection grace the front of each below a Scriptural quote. Click the picture for more details.

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What Do We Have In Christ?

Now that we know what our identity is and what our position is in God's family, our next step is to learn what we have in Christ. I used an example of a trust fund earlier which is again applicable here. Let's say I create a trust fund for my son when he is born and he can access the money at age eighteen. He doesn't know when he is born what a trust fund is and that he has one. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Eventually his eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth birthdays pass and no one tells him about the trust fund. The money is still there and he is old enough to withdraw from it, however he doesn't know about the trust fund so he cant tap into it. He cant enjoy what I put aside just for him.

This exact same scenario exists for us. We need to understand what belongs to us as children of God and what authority we have in Christ so that we can live the overflowing life He planned for us. Lets start with some of the basics.

We have eternal life.

I John 5:4-13

God wants us to have a happy, prosperous and victorious life. We have an inheritance.

Genesis 1:28, Deuteronomy 28:8, 12, 18, Psalm 23:1, Proverbs 10:4, Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 61:7-9, John 10:10, John 15:8, II Corinthians 8:9, Galatians 3:29, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 1:11-12, Philippians 4:19, Colossians1:12

We have authority.

Matthew 18:18, Luke 10:19, Colossians 1:15, James 4:10

We have direct access to God. When we pray according to God's will, He hears us and answers our prayers.

Jeremiah 1:12 Isaiah 62:6, Ephesians 2:18, John 15:7, John 16:24, I John 1:22, I John 5:14-15, I Peter 3:12

We have the mind of Christ.

I Corinthians 2:16

We have the Holy Spirit who will guide and teach us. We have wisdom and knowledge.

Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:23, John 15:26, I Corinthians 2:12, Romans 8:26, James1:5,

I John 2:27

We have strength.

Psalm 18:32, 39, Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:10,

Philippians 4:13

We have peace.

Psalm 94:12-13, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 54:17, John 14:27, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:15, Hebrews 13:5-6, I Peter 5:7, 2 Timothy 1:7

We have protection.

Psalm 18:39, Psalm 91, Psalm 105:15, Isaiah 54:17, Deuteronomy 28:7

Our pathway has been perfected because God watchfully cares for us.

Psalm 18:32, Psalm 23:6, Psalm 138:8, I Peter 5:7

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Blessed Exchange Items

Click the picture below to see address labels, checks, and checkbooks with the Blessed Exchange theme.

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Introduction to Healing

Did you know that healing is for today and can be received by anyone? Healing is a part of God's character. It's a part of who He is. God identified Himself as the healer in Exodus 15:26. In fact, one of the names of God is Jehovah Rapha which means “I am the Lord who heals you.” That name alone was used 67 times in the Old Testament.

In James 1:17 we learn that every good and perfect gift comes from God. In addition, John 10:10 teaches us that it is the devil who comes to kill, steal from and destroy us. The devil uses sickness to steal our joy and happiness, rob us of our time and money, and in some cases even take our life. God is Light and darkness cannot exist in his presence. Sickness comes from darkness and therefore it cannot be of God and cannot be given by God. (I John 1:5).

Unfortunately, many people have a distorted view of God and think that He punishes us with sickness or uses sickness to teach us something. Yes, God can make all things work out for good which means He can take a bad situation and make something good come from it. However, here's the key point. GOD DID NOT CAUSE THE SICKNESS. He simply can't do it. This is why it's so important to understand who God really is.

A great picture of God's character is revealed in Psalm 103:1-8. We learn that God is a healer, a redeemer, and a provider. He is slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness. Does that sound like a Father who brings sickness upon his children? Once you come to know Him intimately as a loving Father who watchfully and faithfully protects and provides for you, you can begin to trust that He will do what He said. And, He said that He is the God that heals you. No exceptions. No exclusions. You just need to have faith and be willing to receive it by grace. It's really that simple!

Healing 101

When we were saved our spirits were immediately brought back into relationship with God. However, our minds need to go through a process of renewal. (Romans 12:2) We need to re-train our minds to think like God. For example, we have learned to say "I'll believe it when I see it" but God teaches us that we will receive what we believe. We have to believe first, then we'll see it. (Mark 11:23-24) The way we renew our minds is by studying and meditating on the Word of God.

There are three foundational principles that we need to learn as we begin to align our thinking with God.

1. God is not making me sick.

2. It is not God's will for me to be sick.

3. I can do something about my situation.

Jesus is evidence that sickness does not come from God. In John 5:19 and John 14:9 Jesus tell us that if we've seen Him, we've seen the Father. He can only do His Father's works. His life on this earth demonstrated how we are supposed to live. He demonstrated that it is God's will that people would be healed, delivered and set free. (Luke 5:13) He went around doing good and healing ALL who were harassed by the devil. (Acts 10:38, Matthew 9:35) He didn't heal a select few. He didn't heal those who were good. He didn't heal those who never sinned. It was God's will that He heal ALL people. And in Acts 10:34 we see that God is a respecter of no person which means if it was His will to heal them, it's His will to heal us too.

One reason we know that sickness is not from God is that Revelation 21:4 and Revelation 22:2-5 teach us that there is no sickness in heaven. Another reason is that I John 3:8 says that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. If God gave sickness, Jesus would be destroying the works of God. However, the Bible says a house divided would fall therefore Jesus couldn't be destroying sickness while God was trying to put it on people. So, if God doesn't give sickness, how do we get it?

There are various reasons why people get sick. Unforgiveness, the love of money, bad diets, and ignoring natural laws can all put us in a position to get sick. God gave us a free will so that we would be free to choose to love him. That same free will allows us to make decisions in other areas as well. If we decide to stay up late, allow ourselves to get stressed out, choose to eat junk foods all day and never exercise, we weaken our immune system and open the door for sickness and disease.

There is also a spiritual side to sickness as well. The devil is always looking for a way to attack us. (I Peter 5:8) When we do things that weaken our immune system, it gives the devil a weak spot in our amour that he can break through. However, we have been given authority over the devil and all the works of the devil such as sickness. (Luke 10:19) We are told to resist the devil and he must flee from you. (James 4:7) You don’t have to be a victim. We don’t deny that the symptoms exist but we do deny their right to be in your body.

Concentrate on the Word of God and learn about Gods character and His will for your healing. Don't focus on the situation. The fact may be that you have a terminal illness. However, the Truth in the situation is that God is bigger than any sickness or disease. Jesus died on the cross and conquered death and the grave so that we wouldn't have to die from sickness anymore. Focus on how God's healing power is flowing through every cell in your body making you healthy and whole. Picture God’s healing power pushing out every virus and infection. Envision God's healing power restoring life to every organ in your body. (Romans 8:11)

God said you are healed so you are healed. That settles it. It doesn’t matter what the doctors say. It doesn’t matter what the situation looks like right now. Those are temporary facts. We know God’s Word is the Truth in the situation and His Word never fails (Isaiah 55:11). God didn’t tell us to believe it when we saw it. He told us to believe first and then we would have it (Mark 11:24). This means we are to walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7). In the end, that is what we will see manifested in our lives if we waver not and hold true to our belief and our confession (Hebrews 10:23 and Galatians 6:9).

Every time you pray, study the Bible and confess the Word, you are planting seeds in your heart. If you protect that seed, it will grow and become revelation knowledge. That revelation knowledge becomes faith that allows you to believe that God will do what He promised. Use that faith to reach up and receive what God is handing to you. You aren’t healed because of what you have or have not done. It’s because of Who you know and what He did. Allow God to reach down to you through what Jesus did on the cross and simply receive His grace by faith.

Healing Verses

Exodus 15:26, Job 4:4, Psalm 103:1-6, Psalm 107:19-20, Proverbs 3:5-8, Proverbs 4:20-22, Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 53:4-5, Isaiah 58:11, Jeremiah 30:17, Nahum 1:9, Matthew 8:1-3, Matthew 8:16, Mattew 9:21, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 10:1, 7-8, Matthew 12:22-32, Matthew 28:18, Mark 3:14, Mark 6:17-19, Mark 11:23-24, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 5:13, Luke 9:1-2, Luke 9:11, Luke 10:1-19, Luke 13:10-13, John 5:19, John 10:10, John 14:9, Acts 10:34, Acts 10:38, Romans 8:11, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Ephesians 6:11-18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:7, James 1:16-17, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:7-8, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 5:15, 3 John 2, Revelation 21:4, Revelation 22:2-5

Prosperity

Did you know that you don't have to wait to get to heaven to enjoy prosperity? Yes, it's true. 3 John 1:2 shows that God wants you to be prosperous right this very minute.

But what is prosperity? Prosperity is more than just wealth. It's a lifestyle that includes divine health, peace, joy, protection, provision and happiness. The term shalom is used throughout the Bible and means nothing missing, nothing broken. It is complete wholeness for your spirit, soul and body. This is true Biblical prosperity.

I'm sure everyone would agree that it wouldn't be a very enjoyable life if you were a millionaire but were dying of a terminal illness. That's why Biblical prosperity is more than just financial abundance. It's a way of life that reflects the hand of God on everything around you. The "fruit" or result of having the hand of God on your life will be wealth, divine health, peace, joy, etc. We often refer to those fruits as blessings. That's with a little "b". But, the root to the fruit is The Blessing (singular with a capital "B") which comes from the zoe life of God living inside us. (Please refer to the section on God's Redemption Plan for more details on the zoe life of God.)

God's Blessing is an empowerment and annointing that will cause success in every area. It's an equipping and an enablement. It's God's "super" on top of your "natural" that allows you to do supernatural things. We were originally expected to function under God's Blessing at all times. However, the Blessing was blocked when the curse was released in the Garden. The good news is that God loved us so much that He wove an intricate plan through Jesus' death, burial and resurrection that brings us back into a place of no more limits. A life that functions under the Blessing.

The purpose of the Blessing on our lives is that we are supposed to be a blessing to others. The Blessing will bring supernatural restoration, progress, favor and change in status. Proverbs 10:22 tells us that the Blessing of the Lord makes rich and He adds no sorrow with it. The Amplified Bible goes on to say that toiling does not increase as a result. This means that working harder or working more hours isn't what makes you rich. It's God's Blessing on your life that makes you rich. You see God never expected us to have to work for our provisions. The Garden had all of the provisions that were ever needed. Our labor is supposed to be in learning and standing on Gods Word and resting on the assurance that He will provide all that we need. (Hebrews 4:3-11) And, because all of our needs are met, we can focus on the assignment that God gives us.

The problem is that once Adam and Eve lost relationship with God, they lost their source of provision. Now they had to work and toil for what they needed. Not only did that require great effort, it also took them away from completing their God given assignment. Anyone who has not committed his or her life to Jesus still has to function under this same system of toil. But, those who are in Christ can now function under God's system. His way of doing things is that we have faith in Him and He provides our needs. His way of doing things is that of sowing and reaping. His way of doing things is believing and receiving. His way of doing things is speaking to the mountains in our lives and telling them to move.

Unfortunately, many Christians are still functioning under the old system. They are so focused on working to make money to meet their needs, they don't have time (or energy left) to labor to stand on God's Word and rest in Him. Their focus is on provision and not on their assignment. When we take our eyes off of God as our source and try to do it on our own, we are going to struggle and fail. This failure and frustration leads people to work harder and harder, again trying to do it on their own. They fall deeper and deeper into debt and fall farther and farther away from God who is the only One who can rescue them.

As Christians we need to step out from under the world's system and learn how to function in God's system. Please note that it isn't a get rich quick scheme. It's going to take dedication, commitment, patience and a lot of work. You are going to need to spend time getting to know who God is and what He has done for you. You are going to need to learn what God's promises are and why you have a legal right to them. You are going to need to spend time studying and meditating on God's Word so that you build your faith and get revelation knowledge. You are going to need to spend time talking with God to get His direction and wisdom. You are going to need to start confessing with your mouth what God says about you and your situation. You are going to need to start sowing seeds so that you can see a harvest. You are going to need to spend time praising and thanking God that He has provided a way for you even when it looks like there is no way.

I'm sure this sounds like a lot of work. However, the benefits far outweigh anything the world's system can offer. In the world you get back basically whatever you put in. You swap your time for money. There's no getting ahead. In God's system, you sow and He multiplies it back to you. You walk away with more than what you started with. That means more love, more joy, more peace, more happiness, more contentment, more time, more health, more money, more of every good thing. Because that's why Jesus came to earth. He came to give us the keys to the good life. Not just any life but a life that is in abundance, to the full, until it overflows! (John 10:10)

If you aren't enjoy this type of life, make a commitment to start doing all of the steps I listed above. Below are verses and supporting notes that will also help in your faith building journey.

Prosperity Verses

Psalm 23:1, Psalm 112:1-3, Proverbs 3:10, Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 10:22, Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 62:7, Malachi 3:10-11, John 10:10, Romans 3:16, Romans 5:16-17, Romans 8:15-17, II Corinthians 8:9, II Corinthians 9:6-11, Galatians 3:1-29, Galatians 4:1-6, Galtians 6:7-8, Ephesians 1:12-21, Ephesians 2:10, Hebrews 4:3-11, I Peter 5:7

Footnote: Please note that I am not implying that you should quit your job to focus all of your efforts on God. Someday, when your faith is strong enough, God may ask you to quit your job and trust Him to provide completely for you. However, you have to crawl before you can walk and walk before you can run. Start exercising your faith muscles on little things like believing for a pair of shoes or a good parking spot. It may seem trivial but it's good exercise. Soon your faith muscles will be strong enough to believe for a new car or maybe a vacation. Eventually you will be able to believe that God will provide a new house or maybe extra income that will allow you to quit your regular job. Remember, God does not intend for us to sit around. If He blesses you with money so that you can quit your job, get out there and start being a blessing to someone else. Teach them what you've learned and help them to start functioning in God's system. Start volunteering in your church or community and share what God has given you. More blessed is it to give than it is to receive for God loves a cheerful giver. (II Corinthians 9:6-8)

Peace

Fear tolerated is faith contaminated. Soak that in for a minute. That's a powerful statement that I heard Kenneth Copeland say and it resonates in me. Fear will contaminate and interfere with our ability to walk in faith. Why is that? Because fear is having faith in something other than God.

Fear comes in many costumes and one is often worry. We worry about how we are going to pay the mortgage this month. We worry about which job to take. We worry about our familys safety. We worry about a bad doctor’s report. Worry is a thought focused on something other than what God promised. It can even be considered wasted time because it's thinking spent on something that may never even happen.

II Corinthians 10:5 tells us that we are to take captive every thought and bring it into obedience of Christ. We are supposed to push away every argument, theory or reasoning that would try to exalt itself over God. We are to instead think of things which are pure, honorable, just, lovely and of good report, praise and virtuous. (Philippians 4:8) We are to replace thoughts of worry and fear with thoughts that line up with God because we have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16)

Another key component to peace is love. I John 4:15-18 tells us that there is absolutely no fear in love because love casts out all fear. The Amplified Bible goes on to say that it "expels every trace of terror." How powerful is that? The fact is that fear cannot exist when love is present. That's why it's so important to get revelation knowledge that God is love and that He has shed abroad His love in hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) When we live completely absorbed in Gods love, there is no room for fear. Fear and worry are not from God. He gave us peace.

II Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

If you struggle with fear and worry, spend time studying the below verses and ask God to reveal to your spirit a deeper understanding of His love for you and the power of His love. This will bring peace that passes all understanding.

Psalm 18:30, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:4-5, Psalm 94:12-13, Psalm 138:8, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:21, 27, John 16:33, Romans 5:5, Romans 8:37, I Corinthians 2:16, I Corinthians 13:13, II Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:6-8, Hebrews 13:5-6, Colossians 3:15, II Timothy 1:7, I Peter 5:7, I John 2:4-5, I John 4:7-19

What Is My Responsibility?

When we talk about our responsibility, it would be easy to think that these are items we must achieve before we can receive anything from God. This is not how God's kingdom works. Everything that God has for us is given by grace and we receive it simply by faith. That's all. There are no other requirements or strings attached. However, we do have a responsibility to keep the soil of our hearts ready to receive God's Word and our ears need to be tuned in so that we can hear the Holy Spirit tell us where to go. When we turn from sin, meditate on God's Word, prayerfully seek God, and thank Him for all He's done, it creates an environment that God can work in. It opens the door for God to continually move in our lives and positions us to receive.

Following are the basic steps that we can take to make sure our hearts are open and ready to receive what God wants to teach us.

1. Read the Bible.

We have a wonderful covenant with God in which we are joint heirs with Christ. However, you won't be able to live in the fullness of that covenant if you don’t know what it contains. Study the Bible to learn what God has promised for those who have committed their lives to him. Once we know God's character and nature, we will have confidence that He loves us unconditionally and will never leave us. We will have confidence to stand on His Word because He will be faithful to see it through. The Bible will also teach us how God planned for us to live and what promises belong to us in Christ.

2. Ask for wisdom.

Wisdom is the ability to use God given knowledge. The Bible is full of knowledge about God, His principles, and His Kingdom (God's way of doing things). This knowledge is so important that God has hidden golden nuggets in His Word so that the devil can't steal the promise from us. In order to learn these truths you need the Holy Spirit to help you see them. We call this revelation knowledge. It's when the words on the page speak to our hearts and come alive. It's that feeling that we know that we know that God's Word is true.

Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 and 16:7 and calls the Holy Spirit our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, and Standby. In John 16:13-14, Jesus tells us what the Holy Spirit will do.

"But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you."

One of the things the Holy Spirit was sent to do was to teach us about God. James 1:5 tells us that if we ask for wisdom, God will give it to us through the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what God wants you to learn about each verse. Ask Him to remove the blinders from your eyes so that you can know and understand the Truth and have revelation knowledge.

Ephesians 1:7-9

"In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence) making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose), [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intentions) which He has previously purposed and set forth in Him."

Ephesians 1:17-18

"[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones) and [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength..."

3. Meditate on the Word.

Meditate on the Scriptures until they come alive to you. Take one Scripture and read it over and over. Mull on it. Think about what each word means. Think about the power in the words. Think about why those particular words were used. Think about what this means to you as a believer. After a while, the verse will become more than just words on a page. They will become Truth. The Truth that is bigger than any situation or any problem.

4. Change Your Thinking.

Begin to see yourself as the Word describes you. The Word says that you are healed therefore picture yourself doing what you cannot do right now. The Word says cast your cares on God because He cares for you. Picture every situation and concern in your life in God's lap and out of your hands. Romans 8:28 says that God makes all things work out for good for those who love Him. Picture every situation in your life coming out great. If you can believe it, you can receive it!

5. Pray, Listen and Believe.

Bring your requests and petition before the Lord in prayer for He is faithful to hear and answer them. Please note that prayer doesn't have to be formal and cold. God is your Father so talk to Him just like you would your earthly father. Tell Him how much you love Him. Tell Him how much you appreciate what He's done for you. Tell Him your heart's desire. Then, listen. Yes, just sit quietly and listen. Any good relationship requires two way communication. In order to hear from God, you will need to quiet yourself to hear His voice. Practice being in His presence. The more time you spend with Him, the more you'll know His voice and will be able to go where He leads you.

James 5:16

"...The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working)."

Hebrews 11:6

"But without faith is is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of thos who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]."

Mark 11:24

"For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]."

6. Speak the Word.

This means to confess or say what the God says about you and your situations. Proverbs 18:21 says life and death are in the power of the tongue and we will eat the fruit of what we say. God's system works under the concept of seedtime and harvest. Our words are like seeds and they will produce a harvest. It's up to us to decide what kind of harvest we want.

If we speak words that line up with God, we will see good things happen. If we speak words that line up with the devil, we will see bad things happen. The choice is ours.

Another critical item to note is that God didn't to say talk about your mountain or the situation in your life. Jesus said to speak to the mountain or the problem and it would have to leave.

Mark 11:22-23

"And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly], Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him."

Often times we spend more time telling God about our mountain and not enough time telling the mountain about our God. The Truth in the Word of God is bigger and more powerful than any situation or problem. Ephesians 1:21 tells us that the Name of Jesus is above all other names on the earth and we have been given the authority to use His name. This means His name is more powerful than debt, cancer, fear, depression, hopelessness or anything else with a name. We need to speak to the problem in the Name of Jesus and command it to move.

7. Use your authority.

Contrary to popular belief, God is not in control of the earth. He gave that control over to man when He created Adam and Eve. (Genesis 1:26, 28) Unfortunately, they gave the control to Satan but Jesus died to purchase that freedom and authority back for us. In Ephesians 1:17-22, we learn that the Name of Jesus is higher than any name on this earth. And, we have been given the authority to use His Name to defeat all the works of the enemy. (Luke 10:17-19) It's up to us to use the power that we have been given in the Name of Jesus and speak to those things which are from the enemy and tell them to leave. Sickness, debt, and fear are all from the enemy and in the Name of Jesus they MUST flee. (James 4:7) Note that we aren't fighting against man but against principalities, powers and rulers of darkness of this world. We are to put on the armor of God and stand firm against these attacks. (Ephesians 6:10-18) God has done everything He's going to do and a part of that was to give us the tools to fight. Take advantage of what Jesus did for you on the cross and step out in the Name of Jesus and begin to take authority over the situations in your life today.

8. Praise and thank God.

The time between "amen" and "there it is" is supposed to be filled with praise. We praise and thank God that He has heard our prayers and that we know He is faithful and just to watch over His Word to perform it. We rest confidently and patiently in God and eagerly watch for the manifestation of our prayers!