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Author: KCM

There aren’t many things that can cause more stress and anxiety than financial pressure. It can be an all-consuming worry during the day and keep you up all night. 

Whatever your situation today–whether it’s mounting debt, the loss of a job or unexpected expenses–God wants to deliver you and restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). 

But you must remember, every victory is sealed with your mouth.

If you’ve been speaking against your finances or the economy in any way–STOP. Give your financial situation a complete 180 by speaking these powerhouse confessions about finances during tough times.

I declare in the Name of Jesus…

  • My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory.
  • It is the will of Jehovah Jireh–my Provider–that I prosper.
  • Wealth and riches are in my house.
  • I refuse to worry about my rent, mortgage payment, car payment, food or bills because I know God takes care of the birds, and I am more important to Him than they are.
  • No matter what happens in this world, my finances are blessed. No matter what the economy does, my finances are blessed. No matter what happens at my workplace, my finances are blessed.
  • As a tither, I know that God rebukes the devourer from stealing from me.
  • I am led by the Spirit in my finances.
  • I refuse to take Satan’s bait and fear about any area of my finances. I stand in faith and keep the door closed to his plans.
  • I walk in abundance, prosperity and supernatural overflow.
  • I have the mind of Christ, and money-making ideas are coming to me.
  • I don’t settle for less than God’s best in my life.
  • I don’t settle for the world’s expectations in my finances.
  • I reach beyond what I think is possible and allow room for God to do exceedingly abundantly above what I could ever imagine in my finances.
  • The news or world events don’t move my faith an inch when it comes to God’s power working in my finances. 
  • Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I do not want for anything. 
  • I am free from emotions or the opinions of others regarding my finances.
  • I refuse to be shaken by bad news or negative world events.
  • What the enemy has meant for evil in my finances, God will turn for my good.
  • God will make a way where there seems to be no way.
  • I speak to the mountain of debt and command it to move in Jesus’ Name!
  • I speak to my bills and command them to be paid in Jesus’ Name!
  • God is my Deliverer, my Protector, my Fortress and my Strong Tower.
  • I am increasing and being promoted.
  • I am living in the overflow.
  • I am a victor!
  • I am more than a conqueror!

When you line up your words with God’s Word regarding your finances, expect to see some dramatic changes! You’ll start to see bills reduced, raises, promotions and money coming from places you weren’t expecting. You’ll begin to see debt freedom and most importantly–PEACE. Today and every day, God wants to meet all your needs. Start speaking the all-consuming power of God’s Word over your finances today!

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 28:2; Isaiah 43:19; Malachi 3:10-11; Mark 11:23-24; Luke 12:7; John 14:27; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16; Philippians 4:19

Watch this powerful KCM Partner testimony of a journey to financial prosperity.

Related Articles:

How to Protect Your Finances During COVID-19

Standing Strong in Faith Against COVID-19

You can be the giver and recipient of the most highly sought-after power source of all time when you find the answer to the age-old question, “What is true love?”

READING TIME: 4 MINUTES

There’s a lot of talk about love this time of year, as Valentine’s Day approaches. Kids pack up small notes and candies to share with classmates, couples go out to fancy dinners, and men rush to buy roses for their special someone.

Love is something we all want DEEPLY, and the pursuit of it can often take us down the wrong road or leave us feeling empty inside. So, how can we know for sure what true love is?

True love is the motive and fuel behind the word of the Lord through Kenneth Copeland for 2020, the year of new visions, manifest power and great change. You can be the giver and recipient of the most highly sought-after power source of all time when you find the answer to the age-old question, “What is true love?”

1. How True Love Feels

The emotions we often call love can come and go quickly, but TRUE LOVE (the kind that lasts a lifetime) must be developed and cultivated. True love is far more than a feeling–it’s a choice–which is good, because sometimes people you love can make you feel like this:

Sure, you can feel warm, fuzzy feelings when you’re around someone, but when those feelings fade or the other person isn’t quite what you hoped they’d be, that’s when true love–the choice–kicks in. In John 13:34, Jesus commanded us to “love each other.” He wasn’t commanding us to have a feeling. He was commanding us to make the right CHOICE.

True love considers the needs of another before themselves. That’s an outright insult to the flesh, and that’s why true love takes work! Just think of how sacrificial God’s love is toward us.

Agape love–the God kind of love–is the most powerful love on earth. And it is UNCONDITIONAL. It has nothing to do with how someone treats you. It has to do with the love coming out of you. As a receiver of God’s agape love, you can be a giver of agape love.

In other words, when you’re willing to meet the needs of another, even when they aren’t meeting yours–by George, you’ve got it!

(Try our Foolproof Method for Finding the Right Husband or Wife HERE)

Feelings are fickle. Make a DECISION to love. Then you’ll know it’s true.

2. How True Love Acts

Most often, when people think of love, they think of hugging, kissing and holding hands. But love goes far beyond acts of physical affection. And true love isn’t exclusive to an intimate relationship between a man and a woman–love is central to parenting, friendships, extended family (yes, it’s true) and ministry.

Aside from physical affection, some people think true love acts just how you want them to all the time. Not so! True love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-13, which tells us how true love acts:

  • It forgives
  • It sees the best in people
  • It has patience
  • It is kind to others
  • It is not rude or inconsiderate
  • It doesn’t tell people what they want to hear; it tells them what they need to hear
  • It isn’t quick to get angry or offended
  • It is not touchy, fretful or resentful
  • It obeys God

Now, if someone slips in one of these areas now and again, it doesn’t mean they don’t genuinely love you–it means they are imperfect people who need forgiveness. But true love (developed through a relationship with Christ) will work to behave in these ways toward others.

On the other hand, if you’ve been going down this list checking it against someone in your life and thinking, Mm-hmm. I knew it, you’ve missed the point. If you are a giver of true love, you won’t think of how others should treat you, but instead, you’ll focus on how well you can love others. Of course, this is not to say that you should allow someone to treat you any way they like. It is important to have boundaries in any relationship–romantic or not–and an abusive relationship is not one you should tolerate.

(Wondering how to find the right spouse? See our tips HERE.)

3. How True Love Looks

See the source image

In spite of many cartoon portrayals, true love doesn’t have hearts dancing over its recipient, and it doesn’t send people floating on clouds. That’s the trouble with society today–it’s looking for a Goodyear Blimp flying overhead as a sign of true love. That’s not how true love looks.

True love is lasting, persevering. It isn’t intense feelings all the time, but consistent devotion and dedication. It NEVER FAILS.

Of how love looks, Kenneth Copeland says, “You don’t just turn on and off the look of love. You have to practice love. And you don’t wait until somebody is ugly to you before you practice the love of God. You practice the love of God by first loving Him, and then when somebody does do something less than sweet to you, you’ll already be loving God, so loving them is just an offshoot.”

4. How True Love Shows Power

If you’ve been looking for one perfect, true love in your life, there’s only one place to find it–in Christ Jesus.

Even though you can never be perfect, He will always love YOU perfectly. If you ever want to know what true love feels like, acts like and looks like–look to the Cross. The love of God is full of life-changing power.

Just look at how true love shows power:

You see, there is only one true love. If you’re a believer in Jesus, you already have it. God doesn’t have love; He is Love! No other love on earth can compete with the love He has for you.

The earth can’t take it and steal it away. Mean people can’t overcome it. True love works because it is powerful, and it never fails. It is so powerful that it can love regardless of whether it is loved back.

That’s powerful love.

Agape–unconditional love–is powerful. It makes you the master of every situation. When you’re walking in it, no weapon formed against you will prosper. No one even has the ability to hurt your feelings because you are not ruled by emotions but by God’s love. You are loving as He loves. That’s manifest power right there!

Gloria Copeland says, “This love is revolutionary. If we fully understood the power of living God’s love, we’d always see success.”

Now that you know what true love really is, you can tap into this ultimate power in 2020 and see God manifest His power through you when you walk in it more and more. If you’ve always wanted to be a recipient of true love, begin by being a giver first. You’ll be amazed at what comes back to you.

Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you how love changes everything.

Do you have the traits of a person God can trust with wealth? Find out the seven traits He’s looking for!

Fact: Lottery winners are more likely to declare bankruptcy within three to five years than the average American.

Fact: After only two years of retirement, 78% of NFL players are either broke or struggling financially.

Fact: Within five years of retirement, 60% of NBA players are broke.

The lesson? Financial success means a lot more than just having money. Gloria Copeland says, “One thing about wealth–it can come quickly, and it can go quickly.”

These once-rich people lost everything because they didn’t know how to handle wealth. And there’s only one right way to manage financial abundance–God’s way.

God has created a process of empowerment called THE BLESSING, and it is designed to make us prosper in all things and to make us rich. Despite what some Christians say, rich is not a curse word–it’s a BLESSING word. Poverty is under the curse, and we’ve been redeemed from the curse.

God’s will for you is prosperity in every area of your life–and that includes wealth. But knowing the great dangers of money without godly stewardship, He doesn’t give it to anyone and everyone. You have to be a candidate for increase.

Can God trust you with wealth? Here are seven traits He’s looking for.

1. You See Yourself as a Steward, Not an Owner

“Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” -Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV)

Most Christians sound something like this:

“It’s my money. I worked for it.”

They receive their paychecks and feel entitled–they earned them, after all. The problem with this way of thinking is that it doesn’t recognize the true Giver of wealth. Everything we have that enables us to gain wealth comes from God–our talents, abilities, opportunities and favor. When God blesses you with money–any amount of money–He is entrusting it to you, but it still belongs to Him.

The first step to becoming a candidate for increase–someone God can trust with wealth–is to see yourself as a steward, not an owner of the money you have. As you acknowledge that the Lord is the One who gives you the power to become rich, you keep yourself in a posture of humility and allow God to direct your decisions. It keeps you free from toiling, free from worry and free from temptations. It will keep you prospering!

The first step to becoming a candidate for increase–someone God can trust with wealth–is to see yourself as a steward, not an owner of the money you have. As you acknowledge that the Lord is the One who gives you the power to become rich, you keep yourself in a posture of humility and allow God to direct your decisions. It keeps you free from toiling, free from worry and free from temptations. It will keep you prospering!

Watch Kenneth Copeland and learn how the anointing will make you rich!

2. You Are Godly Rich, Not Worldly Rich

“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value.” -Proverbs 10:2 (NIV)

Once you see yourself as a steward, you’ll need to be one who behaves in a godly way when it comes to wealth. There is a worldly way to be rich and a godly way to be rich. Do you know the difference?

Isaiah 32:7-8 defines the character traits of each.

The Worldly Rich vs. The Godly Rich

  • Use fraudulent methods to gain wealth vs. Honest and generous
  • Self-focused vs. God- and others-focused

  • Motivated to increase for the sake of acquiring vs. Motivated to increase for the sake of distributing

  • Use people to get things vs. Use things to love people

The Bible is clear–whether wealth is good or bad depends on who has the money. If not handled in a godly manner, money is dangerous. But there is nothing wrong with having enough money to live debt free, live blessed, support your church, spread the gospel and minister to the poor. That’s THE BLESSING!

Above all, Gloria Copeland shares the real difference: “There is a one-word difference between the godly rich and the worldly rich–peace.”

3. You Protect Your Wealth Through Tithing

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.” -Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

If you see yourself as a steward and behave as a godly wealthy individual, tithing is a no-brainer for you. In fact, you don’t see tithing as giving away your money, you know you protect your wealth through tithing, and wouldn’t dream of withholding it.

Tithing is chock full of spiritual blessing, but when it comes to being someone God can trust with money, it accomplishes several things:

  1. It is an exercise that keeps your focus in the right place–on God.

  2. It keeps you in obedience to God and protects you from the devourer (Malachi 3:11).

  3. It keeps you from thinking too highly of yourself.

  4. It keeps you in a spirit of expectancy with God–knowing you will receive a return.

Discover your 3 Tithers’ Rights HERE.

This heart attitude is essential because, as Gloria Copeland says, “If you’re too tight to tithe, you’re too tight to let THE BLESSING in.”

Think about the aperture of a camera. Adjusted by the lens, it opens and closes to different degrees to determine how much light can reach the film or image sensor. If a photographer doesn’t open the aperture enough, the light can’t get in to take the picture. Simply put–little opening, little light, big opening, big light.

Tithing is the lens into our financial blessing. It opens the flow for blessing to come back to you. Proverbs 11:24 says it this way: “One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor” (CSB).

You may have noticed that those who hang onto money the tightest seem to be the ones who always need it the most. On the other hand, learning to give freely to the Lord is the gem of tithing and a great enlightenment of mercy. It gets you out of poverty and over into God’s system of blessing.

4. You’re Known for Your Generosity

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” -2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey says, “The wallet is a great window into the soul.” In other words, the way we use our money is a good indicator of the condition of our hearts toward God. When you’re known for your generosity, you have a critical trait God is looking for in those He can trust with wealth.

God can trust a generous heart with wealth. He knows those who freely give can have money without money having them. But a hoarder will not receive a blessing because there is no seed to bless–no crop to reap.

If you’re not one who gives generously, it’s not too late! As the steward of God’s money, ask Him regularly, “God, what do You want me to do with Your money?” Then, let Him lead you.

Be generous with people who work for you. Be generous in your giving to your church, ministries or charities. Be a generous tipper! Christians should be the biggest tippers out there. Bless people. Don’t hold so tightly to your money. Be one whom God can trust to give more and more wealth.

David Green, founder and CEO of retail giant Hobby Lobby, tells a story in his book, Giving It All Away…And Getting It Back Again, about the power of living generously.

There’s a phrase common in some Christian circles that goes, “You can’t out-give God.” I tossed that phrase around myself more than once. Then…God seemed to say to me, “Well, you haven’t really tried, have you?”

David Green decided to increase his giving dramatically. His company significantly increased right after that. That pattern continued over and over until he reached a point that he was giving far beyond anything he could ever imagine. The more the company has grown, the more they’ve given, and then they keep increasing. “We truly cannot seem to get ahead of Him,” David says.

God can trust those who have generous hearts with great wealth. Can He trust you?

Supernatural Wealth Transfer MP3 DISC
The Supernatural Wealth Transfer MP3 Series by Gloria Copeland and George Pearsons will position you to receive all God has laid up for His children in these exciting days of His Kingdom! Request this special offer Oct. 20 through Oct. 26 for only $6.

5. You Put God First, Even in Abundance

“Seek first the kingdom of God.” -Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

People with deep needs will often pursue God fervently; but oftentimes when Christians grow in wealth, their hearts grow cold and they forget God. They’ll pass the poverty test, but fail the prosperity test.

That happens when people fail to keep God’s Word first place in their lives. To be a person God can trust with wealth, you will be a person who puts God first place, even in abundance.

Watch Gloria Copeland and George Pearsons teach you how staying steady on the Word will open the door to supernatural wealth.

If you’re believing God for wealth, or already have it, Gloria Copeland has some advice for you: “When all your needs are met, remember where you got it. Remember that it was God who gave you the power to get wealth. One thing about wealth–it can come quickly, and it can go quickly.”

If you’re believing God for wealth, or already have it, Gloria Copeland has some advice for you: “When all your needs are met, remember where you got it. Remember that it was God who gave you the power to get wealth. One thing about wealth–it can come quickly, and it can go quickly.”

6. You Don’t Put Your Trust in Your Wealth

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to…put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” -1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)

When you put God first, you’re also putting your trust in Him. When you’re trusting God, you don’t put your trust in your wealth. You don’t worry about how you’ll pay your bills or if you’ll have enough to pay for your child’s college tuition. You don’t feel pressure to claw your way to the top at your workplace, and you certainly don’t save twisty ties in a big jar “just in case.”

Matthew 19:24 says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (ESV). Notice this verse says it is difficult, but not impossible. In response to the disciples’ concern over this, Jesus assures them, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (verse 26, ESV).

Why is it impossible with man alone?

One reason is that it is so tempting to trust in money. It seems to have the answer to everything we need and want. Yet, some of the most unhappy people on earth are the wealthiest. True happiness, peace, joy and love come from God alone.

Abundance is the cherry on top, not the foundation of real security.

When you’re following God–obeying Him in all your ways, seeking Him with all your heart, and trusting Him with your life–money will just be an added bonus, but you’ll hold it loosely.

When you trust in riches, you’ll be up all night wondering what you’re going to do about one financial situation or another. You’ll be worried about paying bills. When you trust in God, Gloria Copeland sums it up well when she says, “Faith sleeps at night.”

Are you really making God your Source? Find out HERE.

7. You Are Not Even the Slightest Bit Prideful About Your Wealth

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant.” -1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)

As much as trusting in riches is a threat to your spiritual well-being and financial security, pride is an even greater threat. And…you don’t have to be rolling in money for pride about it to set in. You can be proud of a small purchase, a house, a car or a gift you’ve given.

Pride in any area of life is a BIG DANGER to your spiritual health. It not only blocks healing and puts you in a position to experience a fall, it keeps you from being a candidate for wealth or even from keeping the wealth you have.

With wealth comes the temptation to think you are superior to others. When pride creeps in, those with wealth can use their money to control others. There have even been wealthy church congregants who have tried to control a pastor’s decision with their money! That’s pride, and it’s not God’s system.

If you are one God can trust with wealth, you are not even the slightest bit prideful about your wealth. You walk in humility–setting yourself aside to meet the needs of others.

When money comes into a person’s life, if they don’t maintain a place of humility, then that money will start to control them, and they will not be led by the Spirit.

Can God trust you with wealth? These seven traits He’s looking for will help you know. If you’re not quite there, don’t be discouraged! Not one person on the earth does not have to work continually at each of these. You can become a candidate for increase. YOU can be the one God can trust with wealth!

[i] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/25/heres-why-lottery-winners-go-broke.html

[ii] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-athletes-go-broke-and_b_6812864

Related Articles:

3 Ways to Activate the Spirit of Increase

Do you admire families with a legacy of faith? You can have your own! Here’s everything you need to know to make it happen.

READING TIME: 8 MINUTES

What if you could leave an inheritance to your family worth more than money–one that would allow not only your children, but the lives of everyone you touch, to defeat sickness and disease, continually increase financially, and enjoy supernatural success in relationships? That would be a legacy of mountain-moving, demon-defeating, immovable, unbeatable faith.

Billy Graham said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is a legacy of character and faith.”

You can live your own legacy of faith–the kind you admire in others from afar–and pass it on to your children and grandchildren, just like Billy Graham did. The only prerequisite is that you must be a born-again child of God. Your past, your family, your education or financial status–even your present–are of no consequence. Your future determines your legacy, and your future begins today.

You don’t have to wait until you graduate to heaven to leave a legacy. You can begin by living it now. Here is everything you need to know about living your own legacy of faith.

1. Start From Scratch If You Need To

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts.” -Psalm 145:5

Kenneth Copeland’s grandson Jeremy Pearsons says, “The life you live is the legacy you leave.”

If you didn’t grow up in a family of faith, living your own legacy of faith might seem like an overwhelming task. Fear not! A legacy isn’t for a select few–it’s for everyone. It isn’t just for those raised in Christian homes, people who have attended Bible college or the ministers on TV. It is for every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you were raised in a broken home, one with abuse or one without any faith, you can start from scratch if you need to. Some of the most powerful faith families began with one person who was willing to break out of their past and create a new future by choosing to live their own legacy of faith.

It’s never too late to begin living a legacy of faith. You can live a life that exemplifies faith before the next generation and change the legacy of your family. That’s a powerful truth!

2. Be Willing to Leave Your Current Legacy

“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household…. I will make your name great.” -Genesis 12:1-2 (NIV)

To live your own legacy of faith, there is something important to keep in mind. There are two kinds of legacies: the one you keep and the one you leave. If you were raised in a family of faith, it’s important to learn your place in that legacy. Your parents may be pastors or have their own ministry, or perhaps you come from a long line of Christian authors or evangelists. Whatever the case may be, do not assume that their legacy is also yours to live out. 

To have your own legacy of faith, you’ve got to tune in to what the Lord is saying to YOU. He created you as an individual, and He has a plan for your life that is uniquely tailored to your callings and giftings. Indeed, He may desire to use you within the context of your current family legacy, but it’s vital that you hear from Him directly.

Wondering if you’re hearing from Him? Learn 4 Ways to Know if You’re Hearing God’s Voice HERE.

If He is calling you away from the legacy in which you were raised, be like Abraham and heed the call–even if you don’t know where you’re going. Many Christians allow uncertainty and fear to block them from hearing and obeying the call of God to their own legacy.

On the other side of things, maybe you need to leave a legacy of poverty, sickness, negativity or abuse. It takes courage to break free, remove yourself from those relationships, and create a new legacy, but Jesus has come to set you free from every curse! You can do everything through Christ, who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).

Whatever you do–have courage and be willing to hear. Fear is an enemy to living a legacy of faith. It keeps people locked in the same place. That’s the definition of prison–an area with walls that limit how far someone can go. Don’t allow yourself to be locked in a prison by the expectations of others or fear of the unknown. Step out into the future God has for you.

3. Get Your Own God

“O God, you are my God.” -Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

Part of living a legacy of faith is developing a relationship with God that is all your own, not based on the experiences of others. If you were raised in a household of faith, don’t live on the faith of your parents or grandparents–get your own God!

What does it mean to get your own God? It means you have your own testimony, your own experiences with Him, and your own miracles.

Your family, your pastors and the ministers you watch on television cannot be the source of your faith. What you learn from them will be nothing more than head knowledge if you do not have your own relationship with the Lord. Let the faith of others supplement and strengthen what you already have, but don’t make it all you have.

When you have your own God, you will:

  • Spend daily time with Him in your own way.
  • Hear from Him regularly and respond to His instructions.
  • Always have a new testimony of His goodness to you.
  • Trust Him and stand in faith without always needing someone else to pray for you.

There has to come a time in your life where you get your own God–not your mother’s God, your grandfather’s God, or your pastor’s God. As Sarah Pearsons says, “You have to have your own story with God.” That’s your legacy.

4. Find Your Faith Family

“Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” -Psalm 92:13 (NKJV)

Part of getting your own God is finding your faith family–the place where the Lord wants you rooted and planted. Many believers don’t seem to realize the importance of finding a faith family. They’re missing out on one of the avenues God uses to bless them and speak to them.  

Here’s why finding a church home is important: Christianity is not a religion; it’s a family with a Father. A church isn’t supposed to be an organization–it’s supposed to be a family.

Psalm 68:6 says, “God sets the solitary in families” (NKJV). He has ordained that each one of us would have a family to belong to. You may not even have one biological family member in your life, but His plan is to set you in a family–a family of faith.

That’s why the Church is called the House of the Lord. “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house” Psalm 84:4 (NKJV). “But the rebellious dwell in a dry land” (Psalm 68:6, NKJV). It’s dry, lonely and boring to not be part of a family. Yet a lot of people choose that because they’ve been hurt or offended in a family or a church family.

Being part of a church family isn’t just about what you can get–it’s about what you can give. No one is without “church hurts.” But isolation is selfish and damaging to both you and the Body of Christ.

Are you part of the KCM family? Join us today! Kenneth and Gloria Copeland pray over their Partners every day, making sure you are never alone.

Put yourself in a family of faith. Build relationships with other believers without fear and a guarded spirit. It’s an integral part of having your own legacy of faith.

Looking for a church home? Check out our Partner churches here.

5. Build Your Whole Life on the Word of God

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” -Matthew 7:24 (ESV)

To live a legacy of faith, you have to be willing to build your whole life on the Word of God.

That means you work overtime to make sure everything you believe, say and do is in line with the Word, even if it means looking different from everyone else (we should!) or facing persecution.

It means speaking health when everyone else is speaking sickness, and speaking protection when others speak danger. It means speaking prosperity when the news is speaking economic downturn. It’s remaining steadfast in your marriage, even when Christians all around you turn to divorce. It’s staying out of debt when the world says you can’t live without it.

When you build your whole life on the Word of God, you’re living a legacy of faith that will be noticeable to your family and all those around you. They will be touched by the way you live–even inspired. The world already knows how to fail–they’re looking for people to show them how to be victorious.

6. Share Your Glory Story

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” -Psalm 145:4 (NKJV)

When you’re victorious in this life through Christ Jesus, you can have your own legacy of faith by sharing your glory story with the next generation–especially your children and grandchildren. Deuteronomy 11:19 tells us how to share our glory story. We are to talk about the goodness of God and what He has done for us all the time. When we’re out and about, when we’re home, when we wake up and when we go to bed.

Put away the electronics and the cellphones, and find those quiet moments to tell your glory story. You may never know the impact of the things you share–they are seeds planted and watered over time. And they will yield a harvest in your family.

Need more ideas about sharing your glory story and living out your faith before your family? Find them HERE.

7. Just Keep Walking

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord.” -Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)

As you share your glory story from victories past, you can live your own legacy of faith by working toward your next glory story and living it out before the next generation. Show them how to use faith to get where your heart desires to go.

For more on living from glory to glory, find Jeremy and Sarah Pearsons’ new devotional, From Glory to Glory HERE.

If you feel like it’s taking a long time for the visions in your heart to come to pass, this is your moment to live out a legacy of faith before your children. Let them see how you respond in faith.

Jeremy and Sarah Pearsons once asked Gloria Copeland, Jeremy’s grandmother, “How do we get from where we are to where we want to be?”

Gloria said something so simple, but so profound. She said, “Just keep walking.” They wanted a big explanation full of all her secrets. But all they needed to hear was “Just keep walking” in this life of faith.

What does that mean?

It means just keep living by faith. Keep obeying God. Move when He tells you to move, stay when He tells you to stay, and sow when He tells you to sow. Each of these things moves you one step forward in your walk of faith.

The walk of faith can seem long at times! That’s because it’s a process–a lifestyle. But if you keep walking, you’re guaranteed to arrive at your destination.

Watch Kenneth and Gloria Copeland teach you how to build a foundation of faith for your family.

8. Don’t Give Up

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” -Galatians 6:9

Don’t give up. This is part of your glory story–living your own legacy of faith. It’s easy to give up–but there’s no legacy in that. When you show your children and grandchildren that you don’t give up when things get tough or when your miracle doesn’t come instantaneously–that’s living a legacy of faith. It’s an inheritance that is worth more than any amount of money.

So often, Christians quit right before they see their miracle. Even if you feel weary and faint, it doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. Choose to stay the course. You will reap if you don’t faint. You can have a setback and still remain in the fight. The only thing you can’t afford to lose is heart because once you’ve lost heart–you’re out.

Don’t ever let yourself say, “Unless I see a change, I’m quitting.” Start saying, “I’m believing to see the goodness of the Lord in my marriage, my job, my health.” That’s your legacy.

Watch Kenneth Copeland and Keith Moore teach you how to have faith for your family.

These keys are everything you need to know about living your own legacy of faith! As you put this into practice, you will live a legacy of faith that will change the course of generation after generation to come. It starts with you. You can have the legacy you’ve always dreamed of–all because of your precious decision to pursue God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength!

 

Have you heard? The family that lives out their faith together sees victory together! Even if you weren’t raised in an atmosphere of faith, you can create one for your children, your grandchildren and your entire family when you set out to create an atmosphere that puts God first place and pursues Him every day in every way.

Create your own legacy of faith and make faith a family affair with these four fun and easy tips!

1. Make Faith a Family Affair by Using the Power of Repetition

Faith comes by hearing and hearing and speaking and speaking the Word of God. Repetition builds faith! You can use the power of repetition in your family to make faith a family affair.

Children, especially, enjoy repetition. It feels safe, secure and predictable. The familiar, like a well-loved, warm blanket, is comforting. The same is true with traditions and routines in your family. You can make faith a routine using the power of repetition:

  • Establish a family scripture verse that embodies what you stand for. Matthew 6:33 is one example. Create a routine in which you say this verse aloud as a family at a particular time each day–maybe around the dinner table or when going to bed. If using Matthew 6:33, for example, you could say, “The Jones family seeks first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. As we do, everything we need and desire will be given to us.”
  • Speak a blessing of protection over the family each morning using the same words and scripture. Psalm 91 is a great one.
  • Jeremy and Sarah Pearsons gather with their two children each evening as they get ready to go to bed and say the same thing together: “By Your grace, by the leadership of Your Holy Spirit, we will always be in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing with the right people.”

Use the power of repetition in your own family and make faith a family affair!

2. Make Faith a Family Affair by Making It Fun to Learn About the Bible

It’s easy to keep your quiet time to yourself in your own corner, but if you want to make faith a family affair, it’s time to get everyone involved and make learning about the Bible fun! To get started, try a few of these ideas:

  • Encourage each family member to spend their own time in the Word each day in preparation for family activities.
  • When kids are getting bored and a bit on the wild side, grab a bowl of chocolate chips or M&Ms from the cupboard and ask if they want to play The Chocolate Chip Game or The M&M Game. (Note: They’ll say yes!) Then, start asking questions about the Bible. Each correct answer earns one piece of candy (or any other treat you choose).

Hint: Stay within their age range. (Unpacking Revelation or discussing the stoning of Stephen is probably not for kids 12 and under!) Stick with things they likely know, and then throw in a few to challenge them so they’ll be motivated to do some digging on their own before the next game.

  • Question ideas for ages 2-4: Who made the world? Who made you? Who is God’s Son? Where will we go to see Jesus?
  • Question ideas for ages 5-7: Name three books in the Bible. Name as many of Jesus’ disciples as you can. How old was Moses when he died? Who defeated Goliath?
  • Question ideas for ages 8-12: Who wrote most of the books in the New Testament? Who are some of the prophets in the Bible?
  • As they grow in this activity, you can plan to host a Family Bible Challenge. Assign kids of any age (up to teens!) one or two small challenges and one significant challenge in Bible knowledge. Allow them a week or so to prepare and set a date for the big day.

Make it an event! Include snacks, music and prizes. For each small challenge, they may receive a trinket of some sort (think Hot Wheels™, scented erasers, bouncy balls or nail polish). Then, for the greater challenge, you can offer a more significant prize (gift-wrap the item to make it more intriguing).

  • Challenges can include short memory verses or the reading of a long passage of Scripture before the challenge, followed by discussion questions.
  • More substantial challenges can include memorizing longer passages of scripture, like Psalm 91 (With help, kids as young as 3 have accomplished this feat!)

These are just a few samples of what you can do. There are so many ways to make the Bible fun. Look for ways that fit you and your family, and make faith a family affair!

3. Make Faith a Family Affair by Talking About God’s Goodness All the Time

Make the decision today to never let a day with your family go by without talking about the goodness of God. It can be a short mention of His goodness or sharing a powerful miracle God did for you recently. Make a point of talking about His goodness when you wake up, when you’re out and about, and when you’re hanging around the house.

At dinnertime, go around the dinner table and ask each person share one thing they’re praying for and one answer to prayer or miracle they’ve seen God work in their lives recently.

4. Make Faith a Family Affair by Praying Together

You make faith a family affair when you make it a point to pray together. Many people are shy about praying in front of others. You can change that!

You can model powerful prayer in front of your family and demonstrate how to use spiritual warfare in any situation. Be bold in your prayers, and show them that prayer and faith are nothing to be ashamed of.

Gather your family around for a time of prayer together. Ask for each family member’s input about what should be prayed over at that moment. Maybe your family will pray for your nation, your community, the schools or the neighborhood. Perhaps there is someone you know who is facing a trial, and your family can join together to intercede.

As the Holy Spirit leads, you can even prophesy over one another and lay hands on each other. Let it be a sweet time of ministry in your home as you make faith a family affair. You can use these four fun and easy tips to make faith a family affair and build your own legacy of faith. But don’t stop there! Keep looking for new ways to bring faith to the center of your home and life, and let your light shine in your family and your community.

Watch Gloria Copeland and Billye Brim share with you a prayer you can pray every day for the protection and provision of your family.

Related Articles:

Everything You Need to Know About Living a Legacy of Faith

Wondering if you’re in the perfect will of God? Find out how you can be in position to receive all He has for you with these 24 ways to stay in the will of God.

If you don’t get arrested, you’re living all right, right? That’s what many people living in the world’s system think! Without the Word of God, they really have no basis for right living. Gloria Copeland says, “I don’t care if you’re a housewife or if you’re sitting on the Supreme Court, you need something to be a foundation in your life, and there is no other foundation except obeying the Word of God.”

God’s Word is His will for you.

In 1987, Gloria Copeland received a revelation from the Lord while ministering in South Africa. As she was reading Romans 12, she began to see a perfect outline for living in the will of God. As she studied, she found 24 things that will keep you in the will of God. Of this chapter, Gloria says, “It exhorts us, instructs us, corrects us and inspires us.” It is a guide for Christian living and a standard of behavior that is pleasing to God.

If you want to see a change in your life, there first must be a change in you. Let the Word of God–these truths from Romans 12–convict you, minister to you and change you. Here are 24 ways to stay in the will of God.

1. Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” -Romans 12:1

When you’re born again, you are no longer a slave to sin. You can choose to be, but you don’t have to be. That’s what becoming a living sacrifice means. It involves being willing to give up activities, friends or habits that don’t match God’s best for your life–walking away from anything that is not pleasing to the Lord. It means making a daily decision to obey God’s Word and do what He says, rather than what the world says.

2. Do Not Be Conformed to This World

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world.” -Romans 12:2

Do people know you’re a Christian? Even more, do they know you live differently than they do? If you’re watching the same media, handling marriage troubles the same way, gossiping, deep in debt, and just as sick as they are–what’s the difference? If you’re cranky, sad, frustrated and stressed–why would they want what you have?

If you want to live in God’s perfect will, you’ll guard your heart, obey God’s laws even when it’s tough, and let the Holy Spirit fill you until no one around you can help but ask what it is that gives you peace, joy and hope.

3. Renew Your Mind

“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” -Romans 12:2

That word transformed is the same word used in Matthew 17, where it says: Jesus was transfigured. When He was transfigured, the glory of God inside Him–in His spirit–shone forth through His flesh and clothing. This is how He was transfigured. When you renew your mind by mediating on the Word of God and letting it get down in your spirit, it changes you in that same way. You become transfigured. The Word of God separates you from the things of the world and sin, and it changes the way you choose to live.

For more tips, see The 7 Habits of Strong Christians here.

4. Don’t Think So Highly of Yourself

“Don’t think you are better than you really are.” -Romans 12:3

How can you recognize if you think you’re better than other people? If you’re quick to judge or quick to criticize–those are the main symptoms of a proud heart.

Thinking that everything you do is right and that everyone should do it just like you is thinking too highly of yourself. That means if you judge others in their parenting, or for what they choose to eat or drink, or what types of media they consume–you have a proud spirit. Make those decisions for yourself, but don’t assume to decide that others should do exactly the same.

Watch as Kenneth Copeland teaches you how to merge your will with God’s.

5. Use Your Gifts by Faith

“God has given us different gifts.” -Romans 12:6

Each of us has different gifts! And no one person can do it all–we all need each other equally. So, appreciate the gifts of others, and don’t be jealous. One person’s success does not equal your failure. Helping others succeed in their calling and building others up is one of the most fulfilling things you can do.

Find your place in God’s house, and don’t despise what you perceive to be the “lowly” acts of service. They will qualify you for greater places of responsibility if you serve with faithfulness and humility.

6. Don’t Be a Hypocrite

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” -Romans 12:9

Are you the kind of person who acts like someone’s friend, but turns around and gossips about him or tears him down? That’s love with hypocrisy–it’s phony, or what we call two-faced–and it is displeasing to the Lord. To obey God and walk in love toward others, you aren’t just nice to people to their faces, you’re loving and kind toward them even when they aren’t around.

7. Hate What Is Evil

“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” -Romans 12:9 (NIV)

Don’t make excuses for abortion, homosexuality, divorce or any other sin. While we love people, we are instructed to hate those things God says are evil and cling (hold tightly) to what is good (righteous, godly). We do this in our conversations, in our choice of media, and in the voting booth, even if it means we are shunned or villainized for our beliefs.

8. Honor Others Above Yourself

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” -Romans 12:10

We live in a “me first” society. Everyone seems to be clawing for the first place in line, the best seat in the movie theater, and compliments from the boss. But that self-centered attitude is not in line with the will of God for your life. Make it a point to honor others above yourself. In doing so, you’ll find yourself blessed beyond measure and in line for the greatest honor there is–that which comes from God.

9. Don’t Be Lazy

“Never be lazy, but work hard….” -Romans 12:11

Physical diligence at work is the path to a great reward, but this is speaking of spiritual diligence. To love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength takes zeal! To love others is work, and to seek God with all your heart requires daily diligence. Don’t be lazy! There is great reward for those who work hard in spiritual things.

10. Be Fervent in Spirit

“Keep your spiritual fervor.” -Romans 12:11 (NIV)

The Greek word for fervent means “boiling.” Your spirit can be boiling over with a passion for the things of God. Refuse to be indifferent about the lost around you or the wickedness in your nation. Take a fervent stand, and let your passion for God and His ways be the most powerful part of who you are.

11. Rejoice in Hope

“Be joyful in hope….” -Romans 12:12 (NIV)

No matter what is going on your life–you always have hope. Jesus came to give you that hope, and He is the answer to every problem you face. That’s a reason to rejoice! There is great power toward breaking loose when you choose to rejoice in the Lord always–again, rejoice!

12. Be Patient in Tribulation

“…patient in tribulation….” -Romans 12:12 (KJV)

Kenneth Copeland often says that “faith and patience are the power twins.” You can’t have one without the other. If you want to see a manifestation of God’s promises in your life, patience is the vehicle that will take you to the finish line.

13. Be Fervent in Prayer

“…continuing steadfastly in prayer….” -Romans 12:12 (NKJV)

When you’ve prayed and prayed about a situation and haven’t seen a change, it’s easy to want to give up. But don’t! Continue steadfastly in prayer. There’s a reason we’re told to do so over and over.

14. Give to Other Christians

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.” -Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Be on the lookout for believers who need what you have available to share. Whether it’s money, babysitting, lawn care, a ride somewhere, or just a word of encouragement–determine that you won’t let a brother or sister in the Lord go without what they need if you can help it.

15. Bless Those Who Persecute You

“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.” -Romans 12:14

Being kind to people who have hurt us is one of the most challenging decisions we have to make as believers. Don’t wait to feel like it! Make a decision. If they need help–help them. If they are sick–take them soup. Say only kind words to them, and pray for them.

16. Stand by Others

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” -Romans 12:15 (NKJV)

When someone is going through a difficult season, resist the urge to ask, “What can I do?” The answer will almost always come back, “Nothing.” Instead, simply look for ways to be a help. Buy them groceries, bring them a meal, take their kids to the zoo, hire them a housekeeper, or mow their lawn. Be intentional in showing empathy (not pity). That is how to weep with those who weep.

On the other hand, rejoice when those around you have reason to do the same! You may find yourself in a difficult place in your own life and celebrating may be a stretch, but don’t let that stop you from giving others the support they so dearly need.

17. Pursue Unity With Christians

“Live in harmony with each other.” -Romans 12:16

Small doctrinal differences should not divide us from one another. Make unity, not legalism or criticism, your aim. Grace and love are what lead people in the right direction–not guilt and condemnation.

18. Do Not Be Arrogant

“Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” -Romans 12:16 (NIV)

Don’t get stuck in your own clique! Spend time with those who are of different backgrounds, races, ages, positions and economic statuses. You’ll find having a variety of people in your life will bless you more than you could have ever imagined.

19. Don’t Think You Know It All

“Do not be wise in your own opinion.” -Romans 12:16 (NKJV)

No one is ever 100% right! The truths of the Bible require revelation and Holy Spirit anointing. Consider that you may not see a matter in every way God intended. Some things are clear and indisputable, but for those that aren’t, have enough humility to know that you don’t know it all.

20. Don’t Get Back at People

“Never pay back evil with more evil.” -Romans 12:17

What does it mean to repay evil for evil? When someone lashes out with harsh words, you lash back. When someone steals an opportunity, you seek to undercut them in another way. When someone does you wrong–don’t respond by lashing back. Obey God and you’ll see favor surround you like a shield.

21. Behave Honorably

“Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.” -Romans 12:17

Everything described in Romans 12 is how to behave honorably. Humility; showing others kindness and respect, empathy, encouragement; and refusing to lash out at those who mistreat us. That is honorable living.

22. Live in Peace With Everyone

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” -Romans 12:18 (NIV)

You can’t choose how others treat you, but you can certainly choose how you respond. Make sure your words and actions foster peace above all else.

23. Do Not Avenge Yourself

“Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord.” -Romans 12:19

What should we do instead? Verse 20 tell us, “Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Find A 6-Step Guide to Responding to Your Enemies here.

24. Overcome Evil With Good

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” -Romans 12:21

There is freedom in doing what’s right, and when you choose to respond kindly when someone does evil, you’ll keep your power of position and be in the will of God–the safest, most prosperous place to be.

When you practice these 24 ways to stay in the will of God from Romans 12, you will stay in the will of God and be in position to receive every good and perfect gift. Don’t be discouraged if you have quite a few to work on (we all do!); just set your heart on things above, let God correct you, and rejoice in your progress. Then, watch as doors that have been jammed shut swing right open.

Are you the parent of a rebellious child? There is hope. Find out how you can stand for a rebellious or prodigal child and finally see the miracle you’ve been praying for.

No one ever said parenting was easy. When you first bring your babies home from the hospital, there is so much hope and possibility for who they will become and what kind of lives they’ll lead. It doesn’t take long to realize that raising great kids is not automatic–it’s a lot of work! And you’ll have to contend for them every step of the way.

Whether their children are young or grown, many parents face the unexpected situation of dealing with a rebellious child or even a prodigal. The disappointment is stinging and the road often lonely. It can be difficult to even know where to start. First, we’ll begin with the basics.

What is rebellion?

A stubborn or rebellious spirit is one that rejects truth, challenges authority, and refuses to take personal responsibility for attitudes or actions. Further, a rebellious spirit is one that often, but not always, begins to turn away from God. Rick Renner explains that the word witchcraft comes from the Greek word pharmakeia, which refers to “the flesh’s attempts to avoid being confronted and changed.”

It’s important to understand that not all rebellious children are necessarily prodigals. Nonetheless, even the smallest hint of rebellion in the home must be dealt with immediately. Rolling the eyes, becoming angry when asked to take out the trash, or balking at the household rules will all open the door to a greater severity of rebellion down the line.

Perhaps your situation is much worse–stealing, lying, violence, drugs or alcohol abuse. Maybe your child is so far away from God, you can’t even see the possibility of his or her return. Know this: There is hope for your child. You are not powerless. You can see the miracle you’ve been praying for with these seven ways to stand for rebellious children.

1. Put Feelings Aside

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” -Romans 8:14 (KJV)

You’re hurt. You’re disappointed, shocked–even angry. You blame them. You blame yourself. You don’t know where to turn or what to do. When a child is rebellious, it is frustrating. When they’re extremely rebellious, it can feel downright devastating.

Here’s where you have to be careful. The devil preys on feelings–any feelings. You don’t even have to swing the door wide open–all he needs you to do is crack it open just a tiny bit–and he’s in. He’ll have you doubting your ability to parent, questioning the moment-by-moment well-being of your child, and plummeting into deep despair. The game plan? Don’t even give him the chance.

Put all feelings aside and focus on the TRUTH. Don’t be led by thoughts or emotions–be led by the Spirit in everything you say and do regarding your child.

Find 4 Ways to Be Led by the Spirit here.

2. Give Them Room

“‘Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future,’ says the Lord. ‘Your children will come again to their own land.'” -Jeremiah 31:16-17

Mothers and fathers, take God’s Word for it. Receive Jeremiah 31:16-17 for yourself. Stop weeping for your children and start believing the Word. That’s the only thing that will bring them around. If necessary, go to your kids and ask their forgiveness for neglecting them.

Many times, rebellious children feel lost, insecure and angry, and are trying to discover their true identity. Give them room. The closer you push in, the more they will tend to back away from you. That doesn’t mean you stop being involved in their lives; it means you focus on encouraging and blessing them, rather than criticizing, condemning or pushing them to have a relationship with God.

Continue to set proper boundaries in your home or with their behavior toward you, depending on their ages. And don’t stop there. Take every opportunity to minister love to your children. Whenever they come around you, express your love in some way.

But overall, be led by the Spirit and give them the room they need to “come back to you from the distant land of the enemy.”

Watch Gloria Copeland and Billye Brim teach you how to stand for this generation.

3. Learn to Intercede

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” -James 5:16 (NKJV)

One of the most powerful and effective things you can do for a rebellious child is to pray for them. But you can’t just pray the sad, pleading prayers of a parent who wants reconciliation. No. You must learn to intercede. That’s where you put your own feelings aside and focus on God’s will for your child. Because God is the only One who truly knows what is going on in your son or daughter’s heart, praying in the spirit will be very effective as well.

There are many testimonies of rebellious or prodigal children making supernatural turnarounds solely due to the power of a praying parent. Just because you don’t see immediate results, don’t discount the power and influence you have in your prayer closet. Press in, keep on seeking, keep on knocking, keep on asking. The effective (based on the Word), fervent (continual, never-ceasing), prayer of a righteous mother or father will bring great results.

When you pray, declare the Word over them, prophesy over their lives, and praise God for the victory. You may not see it yet, but His Word says you have it!

Find A Prayer for Rebellious Children here.

4. Take Authority

“Behold, I give you the authority…over all the power of the enemy.” -Luke 10:19 (NKJV)

If your children are still living at home, the key is to address any sign of rebellion quickly. If you let simple backtalk slide one day, a rolling of the eyes the next, and then a refusal to complete chores or requests, it becomes a slippery slope toward greater and greater rebellion in your home. If you have young children, it begins now. Don’t wait and assume they’ll grow out of it–they won’t!

Even if your children are older, or grown and gone–it’s never too late to take your spiritual authority as their parent. We overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, so now is the time to bind and restrict the enemy in your family.

According to Galatians 3:13, Jesus already broke the power of the curse; then in Luke 10:19, He gave us all power and authority. That means we have the right to order Satan out of our children’s lives and to take authority over the spirit of rebellion. Begin by walking your home and declaring, “Thank God, my children are not going to hell. Thank God, they are taught of the Lord and great is their peace!” Instead of walking the floor worrying, walk the floor praising God for the solution!

Learn more about How to Use Your Spiritual Authority in Any Situation here.

You can even anoint their possessions with oil in the Name of the Lord Jesus and speak life over your children. Anoint their pillowcases, their doorframes, their cars. Whatever you do, stand and believe for your children, and kick Satan out of your family!

5. Set an Example

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” -1 John 3:18 (ESV)

One reason some children are rebellious is that they haven’t seen the right example set at home. If you have lived with a spirit of rebellion yourself, that is the first thing you need to address.

Do you speak against your boss, the police, the government or the president? What are you modeling? And what spiritual door have you opened as a result?

Of respect in the home, Kenneth Hagin’s wife, Oretha, had this to say: “If a husband and wife don’t show love to each other, how can they expect their children to show love to others? And children need affection, too. It’s a sad thing for children to be raised in a home where no love and affection are shown.”

Spend time allowing the Lord to uncover any area of rebellion in your own heart. Clean up that area of your spiritual life, and close the door on the devil in this area once and for all.

Learn 7 Strategies for Building a Psalm 91 House here.

6. Release Your Child to God

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” -Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

One of the most difficult things to do as a parent is to release your children to God. Even when they aren’t in a state of rebellion or out of relationship with those who love them, there is always the temptation to keep them tightly within our grasp. We are called to guide, protect, discipline and set boundaries, but we are not called to worry. In fact, we’ve explicitly been told not to!

Continue to stand and believe for your children, but don’t try to force the matter. No matter what, refuse to worry. Release your child into God’s loving arms, and trust that His promises are sure.

7. Never Give Up

“Having done all…stand.” -Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)

Maybe it’s been years, even decades. Maybe you haven’t seen or even spoken to your child for longer than you can remember. All hope seems lost. At times, you’ve even wondered, Should I just move on with my life and forget about this?

Remember the words of David, when he said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14, NKJV).

Things may not change overnight, but you can be like Abraham and call things that be not as though they were. Say, “I’m not moved by what I see, hear or feel. I’m moved by what I believe, and I believe what God says!” Second Peter 2:9 says that God knows how to deliver. He knows how to do it, so give Him the opportunity. It doesn’t matter where your children are–right there in the room with you or a thousand miles away–grab hold of the Word and never give up. Sooner or later, the Word will grab hold of them!

Watch Gloria Copeland teach you the best way to pray for your children.

Begin putting these seven ways to stand for rebellious children into practice, and rest in the peace of God concerning your children. Love always believes the best. Believe your child is returning to the Lord, in Jesus’ Name. Those who have run from the Church will be the first in the doors. Reconciliations are on the horizon in the Name of Jesus. Your prayers for your child will be answered!

There is a battle for our children. The enemy is after them, and some have fallen prey to his schemes. It can start small and subtle, or it can come on fiercely and quickly. The spirit of rebellion is one way the enemy seeps in almost undetected, causing hurt, confusion and often serious damage. While some instances of rebellion are more serious than others, the truth remains the same–your children need your prayers. 

Whether your children are young and still at home or adults you haven’t seen in years, one thing is true–they need you. No matter how difficult the situation may seem, never give up on your children. Now is the time to take up your armor and fight the good fight of faith. Begin today with this prayer for rebellious children.

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I praise You and thank You that You are a good God. Thank You that You love me, and that You love my son/daughter. Father, I thank You for giving me the honor and privilege of being _____’s parent. You knew him/her before he/she was born. You knit my child together in the womb, and You had great plans for his/her life before it had even begun.

Lord, You know the trials that I have faced in watching my child go against Your Word, making poor and damaging choices. I ask today that You heal my heart and renew my strength to stand for my child in Jesus’ Name.

Your Word says You will pour out Your Spirit upon my offspring and Your blessing upon my descendants. So, I declare by faith that my child hears the voice of Your Spirit and the voice of strangers my child will not follow. 

Father, right now, I repent of any rebellion in my own life, and I ask You to forgive me and show me any areas where rebellion exists, so that I can root it out of my life forever with Your supernatural help. 

I know that the spirit of rebellion is a demonic spirit and has no right and no place in my child. So, by the authority You have given me, through Christ Jesus, I command every wrong spirit, including the spirit of rebellion, to leave my child right now in the Name of Jesus’. No weapon formed against ______ will prosper, I send angels to take charge over my child, I plead the blood of Jesus over _____, and I declare Psalm 91 protection over him/her. I break every stronghold right now in Jesus’ Name. 

You cannot have my child, satan! I resist you! Now go!

Lord, I know it is Your will for _______ to come into the family of God, to love You, serve You, and find peace, joy and happiness all the days of his/her life. I thank You for lifting the veil from my child’s eyes, for convicting __________, that his/her faith will not fail him/her, and bringing him/her to a broad place. 

I thank You and praise You that he/she will come home from the distant land of the enemy and return to You.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Pray this prayer for rebellious children, and keep on believing for your child, dear parent. Keep praying and keep standing. Expect to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He is your strength, your strong tower, your hope. Though your child may seem far away, he or she needs you more than you may ever know. 

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 28; Jeremiah 31:16-17; Psalm 18:16-19; Luke 22:32; John 10:27

Watch Gloria Copeland and Billye Brim teach you how to stop the enemy from working in your family.

Related Articles:

7 Ways to Stand for Rebellious Children

Are healing, finances or restoration on your Christmas list this year? Use these basics of faith to unwrap your dreams this Christmas!

 

Have you ever opened a wrapped package and inside was another, smaller package, and then another and another, until you finally found a gift in the last box? If so, why did you keep unwrapping when the first box held nothing but another box?

 

The answer is: You had faith. You had faith that if you kept at it, you would finally unwrap the real present.

 

This is the kind of faith God is looking for in His people. The kind of faith that knows with certainty that whatever it’s believing for will happen.

 

In the middle of the hustle and bustle this Christmas, you likely have some things on your list that you need in your life:

 

  • Healing in your body
  • Financial increase
  • A restored relationship
  • Deliverance from depression

 

Maybe you’ve even thought to yourself, I’ll have to wait until after Christmas to press in to God for those things. But God is a NOW God, and He never wants you to put your faith on pause–He wants you to have life and live it abundantly! You can get everything done for Christmas and still receive everything you need from God when you learn how to use these three basics of faith this Christmas.

 

Faith Basic No. 1: Believe the Word

When life is extra busy is not the time to cut back on time in the Word. In fact, it’s just the opposite! During the Christmas season, you’ll find your days are much more peaceful and productive when you give God’s Word first place each day.

 

Then, when you’re hearing others talk about catching the flu, being up to their eyeballs in credit card debt for Christmas, and fighting with family members–tune out! Don’t receive that as truth in your life–go over and above it to the Word of God. That’s your final authority.

 

Believe the Word of God above all else, and you’ll always have success.

Faith Basic No. 2: Speak the Word

Words were created primarily for power release. Words created this planet. That’s why what you say and what you don’t say is important. This is a basic principle of faith!

 

It isn’t enough to renew your mind in the Word of God if you aren’t going to use it for anything. When a child learns his or her ABCs, the purpose isn’t just knowing them, but putting them to use–turning them into spoken words. The same is true with faith. It won’t do you any good to just know the truth of God’s Word–you’ve got to put it to work by speaking it out!

 

Your words allow one of Satan’s main inroads to your life. If you keep your words in line with the Word of God, Satan is locked out. But if you start cursing yourself in your health, finances, marriage, children–suddenly he’s in and he has big plans to carry out what you’ve spoken.

 

Speak the Word only! Then you can expect to see it come to pass in your life this Christmas.

 

Find a more in-depth study of The ABCs of Faith here.

 

Faith Basic No. 3: Act on the Word

James 2:20 says, “Faith without works is dead” (NKJV). So, what does it mean to act on the Word of God?

 

First, it means whatever you see in the Bible–you do it. No matter what. You don’t try to do it. You do it because the Bible commands you to do it.

 

Second, it means making a move before you see a manifestation in the natural. That might be moving a part of your body you couldn’t move before or putting feet to your faith by paying even one dollar toward getting out of debt.

 

When you put these three basics of faith to work this Christmas, you’ll unwrap the best gift–the gift of faith! Take your healing, take your increase, and take newfound peace and joy, and make this the best Christmas and new year ever!

 

Watch as Kenneth Copeland shares how the fundamentals of faith always work!

 

 

 

 

Do you want to become a faith champion? Start by practicing the fundamentals! Learn the ABCs of faith that will catapult you to victory.

When you watch the Super Bowl or the World Series, you may be admiring the impressive skill of the players and the thrill of competition. But, have you ever thought about what you’re really witnessing?

The winners–the champions–in any sport are simply this–masters of the fundamentals. If you think about it, the game is the same no matter who is playing, whether it’s a Little League game played by 10-year-olds, or the World Series played by professionals in a grand stadium. So, how did the professionals become the best? How did they become champions? Practice, practice and more practice. Then, just when they thought they’d arrived, they practiced some more.

What did they practice? The fundamentals–the basics–of their sport.

This pattern of focusing on the basics–the ABCs–has been a hallmark of the most successful coaches and athletes in every sport. They know one important factor of reaching your goal–focusing on the fundamentals is what determines your results.

That’s how a child first learns to read. You wouldn’t sit down with a child who is first learning to read, hand him a novel, and say, “Read.” No–you start with the beginning–the basics. You start with the ABCs. To become proficient, a child must first learn to identify those letters that will make up words and sentences. It takes time!

That’s the way it is with faith. To become proficient in operating in great faith–to become a champion–you first have to master the fundamentals. As you do this, your healing will come faster, your financial breakthroughs will be quicker and easier, and your time between “amen” and “there it is” will narrow more and more.

You can become a champion of faith when you work to master these ABCs of faith.

A. Believe the Word of God

“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” -Mark 11:24 (NIV)

Whatever the situation–whatever the challenge–FAITH will bring you the victory. And practice will produce the perfect law of liberty in every area of your life! The first, and most important, of the basics of faith is to believe the Word of God. You’ve heard it said again and again that faith begins where the will of God is known.

And faith always comes. There is no such thing as faith that won’t come–just like there’s no such thing as water that won’t boil.  But it isn’t enough to just know the Word of God–you need to believe the Word of God. That means, whenever a challenge arises, the first place you go for answers is the Word of God. It can be tempting to just believe what the world says–the doctor says, “There’s no cure for this,” your employer says, “You aren’t qualified for a promotion,” your family says, “All teenagers rebel.”

But faith never stops at the world’s conclusions–it goes over and above them–to the Word of God. That’s your final authority. What others say may be fact, but it isn’t truth! The only truth is in God’s Word. So, believe the Word of God above all else, and you’ll always have success.

How do you get to the place where you believe God’s Word over everything else?

You spend time in the Word every day. You read and meditate on His Word again and again and again. You keep filling your fuel tank until it is so overflowing, you can’t help but operate in faith every day of your life.

What need do you have in your life today? Is it healing? Study the scriptures about healing–meditate on them, confess them every day, speak them out loud, read them over and over, listen to faith-filled teaching about healing. It is this repetition and consistency in your study of the Word on the matter of healing that will finally get it down in your spirit.

Find a list of Healing Scriptures to Speak Daily here.

Kenneth E. Hagin once shared a story about a woman and her daughter who both had polio and couldn’t walk. They required round-the-clock care for their most basic needs. They, along with the woman’s husband, came to a series of healing meetings Brother Hagin was holding. During one of the meetings, the little girl jumped up and ran around the room–completely healed. But her mother stayed in the wheelchair. Why? She still had a mind filled with religious tradition that was keeping her from receiving, while her little girl came without anything but the faith of a child.

When the woman went home, she spent hours every day for months listening to the teachings from those healing meetings. Finally, when her mind was renewed, the truth of healing got down on the inside of her spirit, and she was completely healed! It took her longer because she had more renewing to do!

If that’s where you are today–in healing or anything else–this is a fundamental of faith. You’ve got to believe the Word of God, and you do this with a determination to get your mind renewed.

At the same time, what you’re believing for must be based on the Word of God–it can’t just be whatever you wish you had. Baseless faith is just making something up. Keith Moore once said, “You could just believe it in your heart and say it with your mouth, ‘Brother Keith Moore is going to come mow my yard.’  But don’t you get the idea I’m going to come mow your yard.  I don’t mow yards.”

That’s why you need to have a good knowledge of the Word of God–it will give basis for your faith. This life of victory is no place for the spiritually lazy–it takes work! But it’s worth every bit of investment.

Find 25 Faith Essentials Every Christian Needs to Know here.

B. Speak the Word of God

“He will have whatever he says.” -Mark 11:23 (NKJV)

Words are a powerful force. You can speak them so freely, it may seem hard to believe. But words are not primarily for communication.  Words are primarily for power release. Words created this planet. That’s why what you say and what you don’t say is important.

Learn more about Words: The Start Button to Everything You’re Believing For here.

Jesus modeled this for us when He came across a fig tree that wasn’t bearing fruit. And He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” (Mark 11:14).

Eight words. And the moment He spoke, the tree was done. Then, He just turned and left. He didn’t wait to see if it worked–He just spoke to the tree and left. The next morning, he wasn’t looking to see if it worked. He was passing by and the disciples pointed out to Him that the tree had withered up from the roots. That’s the force of faith-filled words–they dominate the laws of sin and death.

There is power in your words as a born-again believer. That’s why it isn’t enough to renew your mind in the Word of God if you aren’t going to use it for anything. When a child learns his or her ABCs, the purpose isn’t just knowing them, but putting them to use–turning them into spoken words. The same is true with faith. It won’t do you any good to just know the truth of God’s Word–you’ve got to put it to work!

A word of caution: Your words are one of Satan’s main inroads to your life. If you keep your words in line with the Word of God, Satan is locked out. But if you start cursing yourself in your health, finances, marriage, children–suddenly he’s in and he has big plans to carry out what you’ve spoken.

For example, a renewed mind isn’t going to go around declaring sickness, disease, poverty, lack, strife and unrest. That’s a mind tainted by the world! A renewed mind knows better because it has had revelation of the Word of God.

Learn more about mastering the ABCs of Faith in this teaching from Kenneth Copeland.

 C. Act on the Word of God

“But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” -James 1:22 (NKJV)

Are you all talk when it comes to faith? You might say all the right things and believe all the right things, but when the rubber meets the road, as they say, what is it that you do?

James 2:14 says, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (NKJV). That means it’s no good–useless. The reality is, if you aren’t acting on your faith, it isn’t real Bible faith at all.  But faith in action…now you’re talking about an unstoppable, undefeatable force.

What does it mean to act on the Word of God?

First, it means altering your lifestyle to fit the Word instead of trying to alter the Word to fit your lifestyle. It means whatever you see in the Bible–you endeavor to do it. No matter what. You don’t make excuses, you don’t try to change what it actually says to suit your own fleshly desires. You just do it by faith. You don’t try to do it.  You don’t hope to do it.  You do it because the Bible commands you to do it.

Second, it means making a move before you see a manifestation in the natural. It means expecting what God has said to come to pass. That means if you believe you receive your healing, you do what you couldn’t before–begin to move part of your body you weren’t able to before, get out of bed and take a step. If you are believing to get out of debt, put feet to your faith and pay even one dollar toward what you owe.

When you act on the Word, faith begins to grow, Satan’s dominion begins to wane, and circumstances begin to yield.  When faith increases, it begins to change your attitude and outlook.

Find 3 Things to Do When You Feel Stuck here.

As you act on the Word, you can expect results if you are in obedience to it. If you are acting on the Word where the promises are concerned, without first acting on the Word where the commandment is concerned, then the promises will not come to pass. So, be sure you are in obedience!

Find The Ifs Between You and Your Promise here.

Take a step of faith today and put it into action! If you act on the Word of salvation, then you’ll get saved.  If you act on the word of healing, then you’ll get healed.  If you act on the laws of prosperity, God will begin to prosper you.  If you act on the Word concerning the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, you’ll receive it.  If you act on the Word concerning the gifts of the Spirit, they’ll show up, or manifest, in your midst.

Acting on the Word brings the manifestation of the promises of God straight into the midst of your life.

Putting It Together

What happens when you work to master the ABCs of faith? There are so many examples in the Bible of the basics of faith coming together to yield a manifestation. But, if we just look at the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:24-34, you can see all three of these ABCs in motion:

A. She believed the Word–she believed what she had heard about Jesus. She had been shut in her home and not allowed to leave, so she had time to meditate on what she was hearing.

B. She spoke words of faith, and said, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” But she didn’t say it just once. That won’t get it. One translation says, “She kept saying.” Why? Because if she didn’t keep saying it, unbelief may have come in. She could have said, “I can’t do this. Look at me! I’m bleeding! I can’t go out there. I’m too weak. No, I can’t do it. They could stone me for it if I do.” That’s why she had to keep saying it and avoid saying anything contrary.

C. She put it into action. She went out in bold faith, reached out and touched Jesus Christ. And healing power, or as one Bible version says, “virtue,” came straight from Him to her faith, and she was made completely whole–healed.

D. She forgave. The ABCs of faith will only work in a loving, forgiving atmosphere. Imagine this woman. The Bible says she had gone to doctors who had treated her and taken all of her money. Not only was she not better–she was worse! She would have had to forgive those doctors for the damage they had done to her to move forward in faith and receive her healing (Mark 11:25). If you have any unforgiveness, you’ve got to get rid of it. It will keep your faith from operating.

When you practice and master the ABCs of faith–the fundamentals–you are well on your way to becoming a champion of faith! Believe, speak and act on your faith. Remember to always forgive those who have wronged you. Now, get to practicing the ABCs of faith–your victory is waiting for you!

When you need healing–you need faith! To activate and grow your faith for healing, the Word of God is a powerful tool in getting the truth down inside your spirit. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God–over and over and over.

The following scriptures, from the King James Version of the Bible (unless otherwise noted), have helped Kenneth and Gloria Copeland get healed and stay healed, again and again. Read them continually to keep your faith for healing high. Most of them originated from a list made by Dodie Osteen, who was healed of terminal liver cancer many years ago. She took them daily like medicine until every symptom was gone, and she still takes them every day to maintain divine health.

“To be spoken by mouth three times a day until faith comes, then once a day to maintain faith. If circumstances grow worse, double the dosage. There are no harmful side effects.” – Charles Capps

Exodus 15:26 

If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

Exodus 23:25-26 

And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

Deuteronomy 7:14-15 

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

1 Kings 8:56 

Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

Psalm 91:9-10, 14-16 

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Psalm 103:1-5 

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 107:17, 19-21 

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 118:17 

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

Proverbs 4:20-24 

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 53:4-5 

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Jeremiah 1:12 

Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Jeremiah 17:14 

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

Jeremiah 30:17 

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.

Joel 3:10 

Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Nahum 1:9 

What do ye imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

Matthew 8:2-3 

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:16-17 

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Matthew 15:30-31 

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 18:18-19 

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 21:21-22 

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 9:23 

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mark 10:27 

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Mark 11:22-24 

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 16:14-18 

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Luke 6:19 

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

Luke 9:2 

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 13:16 

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Acts 5:16 

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 10:38 

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Romans 4:16-21 

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 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. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Romans 8:2, 11 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

2 Corinthians 4:18 

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Galatians 3:13-14, 29 

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Ephesians 6:10-17 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Philippians 2:13 (AMPC)  

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

Philippians 4:6-9 (AMPC)  

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 10:23 

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).

Hebrews 10:35-36 

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Hebrews 11:11 

Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 13:8 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 5:14-16 

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Peter 2:24 

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 John 3:21-22 

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 5:14-15 

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

3 John 2 

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Revelation 12:11 

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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Do you want to know the secret to a happy marriage? It’s found right there in the Word of God. First Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged (New Living Translation).”

 

In this Ministry Minute video, Gloria Copeland and KCM team member Tonya tell us more about living the love walk with your spouse every day. It is a key to enjoying a happy marriage!

 

 

The Amplified Bible translates 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 this way: “Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].”

 

How often do spouses do the opposite of this verse? How often are they touchy, fretful and resentful as they interact with one another? How often do they allow little irritations to cloud their relationships? And how much better would their marriages be if they put these scriptures into practice? They would probably have the happy marriages they desire.

 

Do you have an idea for a Ministry Minute teaching? Leave it in the comments below. Don’t miss a video from Kenneth Copeland Ministries! Subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

 

Are you wondering how to get your prayers answered? Learn how to pray the prayer of petition and see the answer every time!

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” -1 John 5:14-15, NKJV

Are you facing a need in your life today? Maybe something in your body needs healing or there is a financial burden that has felt like a heavy weight on your shoulders. Or perhaps your marriage is struggling, and you need a breakthrough to get back what the devil has stolen. Whatever your need, God has provided the answer in His Word. You’ve likely already been praying about the situation you’re facing, but you may feel like something is missing in your petition.

Some Christians believe that prayers should be easy to say and easy to receive an answer to without them having any responsibility in the process. The truth is–Jesus provided everything we need, but He didn’t do everything for us. That’s where free will comes in. He provided reconciliation, Redemption, and victory over sin and all the works of the devil, but we have to make the decision to receive those things by faith.

How can you do this?

The key to having your prayers answered is this: Make sure you pray according to the will of God. The word petition from 1 John 5:15 is extremely important. It’s defined as “a formal written request addressed to a sovereign superior for a particular right or grace.” Here’s how to pray the prayer of petition that’s in line with the will of God, a petition that is certain to be granted:

1. Go to the written Word of God.

Find scriptures that apply to your situation, and make those the foundation for your petition. Be specific. Take your time. Study and meditate on those promises pertaining to your need.

2. Consult with the Holy Spirit.

Get in communication with the Holy Spirit, and let Him help you develop your petition in detail. Listen for correction or instruction, and follow His leading as you seek His blessings. An important part of doing this is praying in the spirit (Romans 8:26-27).

3. Write your petition.

Writing your petition to the Lord as a formal request, using His Word, is a powerful tool (Habakkuk 2:2).

The following is an example of a petition for healing:

Be it known this day, ________, at ________(a.m./p.m.), that I receive healing from _______________in my body. No sickness or disease of any kind has a place in my body. So, Father, in the Name of Jesus, I come boldly to the throne of grace and present Your Word.

According to John 16:23, Jesus said You will grant whatever I ask in His Name. In Mark 11:24, You said whatever I ask in prayer, believing I will receive it, will be given to me.

I declare, according to Isaiah 53:5; Psalm 103:2-5; Psalm 91:9-10, 14-16; and 1 Peter 2:24; that Jesus took all my sickness and disease today, tomorrow and forever. I am healed by the blood of the Lamb, and I am protected from all plagues and sickness. I am redeemed from the curse of the law, which includes sickness and disease of any kind (Galatians 3:13).

I bind Satan and all his forces according to Matthew 18:18, and declare they will not hinder me from receiving this promise. I loose my ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14) and charge them to go forth and cause ______________to come into my hands.

I believe in my heart and declare with my mouth that I AM HEALED. I thank You and praise You for healing me of ___________, and I thank You for making me whole.

I believe I receive today. I will not waver or doubt at Your promise, but will stand firm. I praise You and thank You that I am not waiting for this to manifest–I take it right now and hold it in my spiritual hands.

Signature _______________________________ Date________________

4. Pray the prayer of petition.

With God’s promises in front of you, pray the answer through the prayer of petition. Petition Him with these promises from His Word. When you do, you are praying with precision, rather than around and around in circles. You won’t have to guess if your prayers are effective–they’re based on the Word of God!

5. Have confidence.

God always backs His Word. You can be confident that God will answer your prayer because it’s based on the promises He has spoken directly to you. Part of being confident is refusing to think or speak anything to the contrary. When you walk away from your prayer, your countenance should be different than when you first came to the Lord because you know that what you have asked will come to pass.

6. Praise God for the answer.

Psalm 8:2 and Matthew 21:16 say that praise stills the enemy and the avenger. Thanking God is faith in action. It says, “I believe before I see.” That’s the God kind of faith. This clears the channel between you and God, so you can receive from Him!

When you use these six steps to pray the prayer of petition, you will hit the bulls-eye in prayer every time. You won’t have to shoot prayers out into the open, wondering if you’ve accomplished your aim–you’ll know you have! Remember–it isn’t always instantaneous, so let patience have its perfect work, and keep standing in faith. Now, go forth, petition God based on His Word, expect your answer to come!

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There are things every Christian should know, no matter what their background in the Body of Christ. While our backgrounds, gifts and personalities overflow like the variety of life found in a coral reef or a quiet meadow there are basics of Christianity that unite us, from the oldest believer to the youngest. A firm grasp of these powerful truths protects the believer from being tempted by sin or swayed by errant teaching. Is this all you need to know about Christianity? Of course not! But here are 10 things every Christian should know:

  1. God Is Good

Can you imagine serving a god who is not good? One who is selfish, mean, cruel or evil? We don’t serve a God who is selfish, vindictive or cruel. God at His core is good, and every thought and action He thinks or does is good. All of His plans are good and He desires good for His creation–including you! Jeremiah 29:11, TLB, says that God has plans for us that are good and not evil.

  1. God Exists in Three Persons

The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, but it has been adopted to mean that God is One, and at the same time, God is three separate persons who operate in perfect unity. The first person of the Trinity is God Almighty. He has several Names in Hebrew that indicate He is the Supreme One. He has no beginning and no end; that is, He is eternal. He has all wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

The second person in the Godhead is Jesus. He was with God Almighty during Creation. His Name is The Word, because He embodies all that God is. God, The Word, came to dwell with man, and removed the barrier of sin that separated God from man. Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again victoriously to ascend to heaven and live forever with His heavenly Father.

The third member of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. In John 14, Jesus told His disciples that He was going back to the heavenly Father. In verses 16-17, He said He would send a “helper,” who is the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for helper can be translated, Comforter, Advocate, Encourager, Counselor, Intercessor and Strengthener. He has everything, including all the wisdom, knowledge and understanding, that God Almighty has.

The Holy Spirit teaches you things every Christian should know

  1. God Forgives

Each man and woman, as a result of Adam’s disobedience, was separated from God by sin, unable to reach God on his or her own. It was a barrier between the Creator and His creation. First John 3:5 says, “…Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.” The sin barrier was removed when Jesus died, was buried and rose again to new life. Jesus paid the price for sin for all people. Colossians 2:13-14 says that “God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” God has forgiven you!

  1. God Has a Plan for Us

From Genesis to Revelation, it’s apparent that God has a plan for each believer. Each life is woven together to form His grand masterpiece. Developing a deeper relationship with God through Bible study, prayer and fellowship with other believers allows us to see His heart and His desires more clearly. Too often, believers get hung up in finding the one “right” path for life, but it’s more about developing a relationship with God. The plans He has for us can take many shapes, but as long as we walk close to Him and obey Him every day, we will be right where we need to be.

Listen to a series of teachings about God’s good plan for your life here.

  1. God Speaks to Us

When we were born again, we invited God to be our Father, Jesus to be our Lord, and the Holy Spirit to dwell in our spirits. They want to communicate with us. Learning to hear the voice of God takes time and practice. It requires getting quiet and listening for His voice to speak to your spirit, and learning to cut away the influences that try to drown out His voice. But He is always near, and always ready to fill our hearts and minds with His love.

  1. Our Words Matter

Because we belong to Christ and have the Holy Spirit living in us, our words hold great weight and power. Our thoughts and words should be closely monitored to see if they lead us and those around us closer to God. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Are your words full of life or death?

Things Every Christian should know: Words have power

  1. Jesus Is Coming Again

Christians all over the world anticipate the coming of the Lord with excitement. Jesus referred to this event in Matthew 24:31: “And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world–from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.” Our heavenly home awaits us, full of the presence of the Lord, empty of any sin, pain or sorrow. Jesus also said in Matthew 24:36 that no one knows when He will return except His Father in heaven. But we are to be ready and watchful, for it could be at any time.

  1. Our Faith

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Walking out our faith in everyday life is the evidence that we believe God and His Word more than we believe our circumstances, past experiences or anything else. Faith is grown by continually exercising it.

  1. Holy Spirit

When you were saved, you were born again spiritually, as the Holy Spirit re-created your spirit and came to live in you. You were “made alive.” But the Holy Spirit’s job didn’t stop there. He put God’s nature into your spirit; and desires to transform you into an effective witness and bring you to maturity in the things of God. Jesus also commanded His disciples to preach in power. The Holy Spirit within you will do the miraculous works that Jesus did while He was on the earth.

  1. Heirs and Partners With Jesus

When you were born again, you become a child of God, a partner with Jesus, and a part of the Body of Christ. “You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs” (Romans 8:15-17). We are heirs with Jesus. If we are heirs with Jesus, then we can live our lives full of confidence in the victory He has won for us.

Let these 10 things every Christian should know minister to you. Begin studying them in the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you better understand them, so you can then share them with the world. They may not encompass all you need to know about Christianity, but they are the basics of Christianity…the truths that unite us as believers!

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

The idea of treating others the way we want to be treated sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? And yet, nowhere in life is this more tested than in marriage. To the person we’ve entered into covenant with, the idea of loving, honoring and cherishing them with our words as well as our actions sometimes becomes challenging.

We struggle to control our tongues, and instead, we can succumb to the temptation to lash out when difficulties arise or life becomes hectic. One sharp response leads to another and then another. Before long, we’ve developed a habit that brings only anger, pain and sadness. If you want to improve your marriage so it reflects a more loving and kind communication style, then here are seven tips to get you started.

 

1. Respond in Love, Not Anger

The enemy loves to stir up strife, and one of the best ways to do that is to entice you to give in to anger. Proverbs 14:29 wisely tells us, “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Foolishness has no place in our marriages. That’s not to say that we can’t address issues that need addressing or speak our minds. In fact, it’s dangerous to the health of our marriages if we don’t, but when we address issues, we should do so in love, not in anger. Our goal should never be to punish or cause pain, but rather, to bridge our differences and bring about godly understanding.

 

2. Believe the Best

As spouses, we play unique roles in the life of our mates–as encouragers, truth-tellers and prayer warriors, just to name a few. Our spouses need us in their corner. They need us to believe that they are doing their best at work and at home. Their best may fall short of perfection, but everyone’s does, even our own. Instead of expecting the worst, anticipating their shortcomings, or worse, throwing their shortcomings up in their face, we can stand in faith believing that they are doing all they can to be the best possible spouses and parents. It’s one more way we can live out the Golden Rule.

 

3. Forgive… Completely

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). Marriage will absolutely give us chances to practice walking in forgiveness. If we have truly forgiven our spouses of their shortcomings and mistakes, then we won’t return to former wounds when we have an argument. No, if we forgive, then we will put the incident in the past and refuse to dwell on it. And when that incident comes to our minds, instead of dwelling on it or giving the enemy a foothold in our marriage, we can proclaim, “I have forgiven that, and I refuse to dwell on it. I plead the blood of Jesus over that memory and that offense, and I make the quality decision by faith to put it behind me.”

4. Speak Kindly to Your Spouse

As believers, we know there is power in the words we speak. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that the words we speak “can bring death or life” (Proverbs 18:21). In relation to our spouses, our words can either build them up so that they can effectively accomplish God’s plan for their lives, or our words can tear them down. We must recognize that we wield an immense power in their lives. Therefore, we should speak kindly when we talk to them and refuse to give into flippant, hurtful, accusatory or even sarcastic words.

 

5. Speak Kindly About Your Spouse

Just as important as it is for us to speak kindly to our spouses, it’s equally important to speak kindly about them. How we speak about them will affect how we and others perceive them. If we want others to love and respect our spouses as much as we do, we must commit to speaking kindly and respectfully about them.

 

6. Communicate Openly and Honestly

Good communication is key in marriage, but it doesn’t always come naturally. If you need help learning how to communicate effectively–with kindness, openness and honesty–then you should find a marriage seminar through your local church, meet with a Spirit-led counselor to help you learn, or find a respected mentor to encourage you.

 

7. Disagree Honorably

Disagreements will happen in marriage. It’s simply part of two people living together for any length of time. However, those disagreements don’t have to become abusive or destructive. No, we can disagree honorably and openly by addressing our points of view without succumbing to destructive accusations. We can eliminate words like always and never from our communication. For instance, we can avoid saying things like, “You never spend time with my family,” “You never stick to our budget,” “You’re always late,” or “You’re always critical of the kids!” A good Spirit-led counselor can assist us in learning how to disagree honorably, thus strengthening our marriages instead of weakening them.

 

Good communication in marriage is a practiced art. It doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it can take years to master. As you work to improve, put these seven tips into practice in your marriage. And if you find that you need the additional help of a respected mentor or counselor, you can look to your local church for recommendations. If you have yet to find a strong faith-based church, visit KCM’s Partner Churches page for listings. May our marriages–like everything else in our lives–bring glory and honor to the Lord!

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” -Hebrews 11:6, NKJV

Are you looking for something more today? More faith? More love? More revelation and wisdom? More patience and kindness? Or how about healing? Deliverance? Financial freedom? A relationship? Promotion? We’re all looking for something, and if you’re not…you should be!

When we’re looking for something more in life, something better than our current condition, we should look to God, His Word and His promises. God always has something more planned for us than whatever our current situation is, whether it’s good or bad. If you’re looking for something more in any part of your life, no matter what it is, God is the place to start.

According to Ephesians 3:20, MEV, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine in our lives, but we often limit Him because we don’t think He will do that for us. God is not a respecter of persons, and what He will do for one person, He will do for another (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11). We should be diligently seeking God, endeavoring to do what He asks, and stepping out in faith to walk in the plans and good works for which He created us.

Take a look at these six key times to seek God in your life:

1. Seek God When You’re Lost.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” -Isaiah 55:6-7, NASB

 

Are you feeling lost and don’t know what to do? Do you desire a better life? Are you looking for answers? Have you made so many mistakes, you’re not sure what to do next? Are you ready to stop living your own way, and start living God’s way?

 

If the answer is yes, then it’s time for you to seek God, maybe for the first time in your life. Or maybe you need to recommit your life to God and start living for Him again. Either way, God sent Jesus to die on the cross so that you could be forgiven of your sins and have an authentic relationship with Him. He is waiting for you with open arms!

 

Romans 10:9, ESV, says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

 

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

 

Once you make Jesus the Lord of your life, a miracle happens, and you become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Begin reading your Bible, and seeking God with your whole heart. He will begin giving you answers to your life, and you will never be the same!

 

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2. Seek God When You Need Healing and Deliverance.

“He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.” -1 Peter 2:24

 

Do you desire better health? Do you need deliverance from disease, addiction or depression? If you said yes to any of these, there is good news! Jesus came to destroy all the works of the devil and to bring healing to our whole being–spirit, soul and body.

 

First Peter 2:24 says that He personally carried our sins on the cross, so that we could live for what is right. It also says that by His wounds we were healed. If you were healed, then you are healed! Jesus bore your sin, sickness, disease and sorrow on the cross more than 2,000 years ago–it’s already done! Jesus’ last words on the cross were, “It is finished.”

 

What does this mean? You have the power to live a healed life now because of the work Jesus did on the cross. Your salvation, your healing, your freedom from addiction and depression…they have already been provided for. Jesus did it all, and there is nothing more to do except to receive it all by faith.

 

Meditate upon 1 Peter 2:24 and seek God concerning your healing and deliverance. God has many promises in His Word concerning this topic. Search them out. Believe God, and don’t let go of what Christ died to give you!


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  1. Seek God When You’re in Need of Things.

“Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” -Matthew 6:31-33, NKJV

You may be looking for improved finances, material possessions or everyday needs, such as food, furniture, clothing, housing, etc. Perhaps you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, trying to figure out how you’re going to feed and clothe your family.

Jesus offers us a key to receiving these things in Matthew 6:31-33. First, He says not to worry, and then He says above all else to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us.

What’s that mean? It means we shouldn’t seek the things, but instead we should seek out God’s ways of doing things. Seek His kingdom first. When you do that, you’re on your way to “things” being added to you.

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4. Seek God When You’re Planning Your Future.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.'” -Jeremiah 29:11-13

Trying to decide what to do with your life? Who to marry? Where to live and work? What vacation to take? Let God help you! He has an amazing plan for your life. When He knit you together in your mother’s womb, He was thinking about all the things He was creating you for (Psalm 139:13).

 

You were created on purpose, for a purpose. In fact, the Bible says that every day of your life was recorded in God’s book in heaven. Here’s what Psalm 139:16 says:

 

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

God has already planned a good life for you, but you have a responsibility to find out what it is. Jeremiah 29:11-13 gives a clue as to how. It says that you should pray and look for God with your whole heart. He promises that you will find Him, and then, He will reveal His purpose and plans to your heart.

 

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5. Seek God for Your Heart’s Desire.

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” -Psalm 37:4

Do you have desire or dream in your heart? Maybe it’s to have a Christian spouse or to have children. Perhaps, you’re looking to start the career of your dreams. Or maybe you long for restored relationships, salvation for a loved one, or a deeper revelation from God. Perhaps, you’re passionate about doing greater works and exploits for the Lord.

 

Whatever it is, God wants to give you the godly desires of your heart. When you’re in right relationship with God and seeking Him, God will literally put desires that are pleasing to Him in your heart, so that you will be compelled to fulfill the plans and purposes He has for you.

 

When you delight yourself in the Lord, He promises to fulfill all the desires of your heart. How do you delight in the Lord? You willingly seek His face. You read His Word and obey His commands out of love for Him.

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6. Seek God When Nothing Seems to Be Happening.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” -Matthew 7:7-8

 

Have you heard the phrase, “Keep on keepin’ on”? Well, this is what Jesus was saying in Mathew 7:7-8. You will find what you’re looking for if you are persistent, and if you don’t give up on God’s Word. Remember, all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ Jesus with a resounding “Yes!” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

 

Even when the promise doesn’t appear right away, stay strong in your faith by seeking God and putting His Word in your eyes and ears. Determine to not give up on anything God has promised you.

 

Galatians 6:9 puts it this way, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

 

Ask God. Seek God. Knock on God’s door. He’s ready to help you, answer you, and give to you. He’s not holding back. You won’t ever regret it because He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)!

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These six are common times to seek God, but the truth is, we should be seeking God about everything and above everything else in life–all day, every day. Have you discovered some things you should seek God for? When you make Him top priority in every area of your life, He is faithful to honor you, lead you, and give you the desires of your heart.

 

Take Your Faith to the Next Level at SWBC17!

Are you ready to take your faith to the next level? If you’re serious about seeking God and you’re looking for more in life–financial freedom, healing, deliverance, change, revelation, faith, etc.– we want to invite you to join us for the 2017 Southwest Believers’ Convention, July 30-Aug. 5, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas.

This dynamic, seven-day event is a place where you can seek God with your whole heart and receive revelation and miracles. You will be enveloped in an electric atmosphere of faith, surrounded by more than 10,000 like-minded believers, and charged by faith in the preached Word of God.

This is the kind of meeting that will change your life! We’re expecting greater and grander outpourings from the Holy Spirit than we’ve ever seen before that will bring miracles, healings, deliverances and more. You won’t want to miss this faith spectacular for the whole family!

This is a FREE event, and we invite you to learn more and register today at www.kcm.org/southwest.

Still not convinced you should come? Check out our article, 5 Reasons You Should Attend the 2017 Southwest Believers’ Convention.

 

How is your stress-ometer? Feeling cool, calm and collected? Or are you hitting the red zone that signals that you are overloaded? If that’s you, then one of the best strategies you can employ to defeat stress is meditating on the Word of God.

How do you do meditate on the Word successfully? It’s easy. Simply find a scripture that pertains to your situation. If one doesn’t come to mind, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He may bring one to mind, or He may draw your attention to one as you read the Word during your daily Bible reading and study time. Once you have one, spend time reading it in context and in the original text. Think about the verse and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal its meaning to you. This isn’t a quick process. It may take days and even weeks for the Lord to minister the scripture’s meaning and revelation to you. You may also want to write the verse down and/or post it where you can see it–your computer, tablet or smartphone home screens; your bathroom mirror; your car dashboard; your refrigerator door; or your desk/locker at work. Over time, the Holy Spirit will begin to minister to you about that Word.

If you still struggle to find a verse with which to battle stress, here are five to get you started:

  1. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” -Philippians 4:8
  2. “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:19
  3. “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” -Proverbs 3:6
  4. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11
  5. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10

Receive the help you need to defeat stress as you let God’s Word calm you, encourage you and equip you for all He calls you to do!

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” -1 Peter 5:8

 

6 Ways to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage

In the beginning, God created a marriage. Not a government. Not a school. Not a committee. A marriage. This intimate relationship is the foundation on which God chose to build all other human relationships. God performed the first marriage, and from one marriage came the world’s inhabitants. But as with all the holy and precious things God creates, the enemy is quick to level crushing attacks against it, and your marriage is no different.

 

Even if your marriage is near perfect, it’s important that you go out of your way to protect this most sacred of relationships, which is only second to your relationship with God Himself. First Peter 5:8 says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Indeed, the enemy relishes any opportunity to devour marriage, as it is the foundation of all human relationships. So, how can you “stay alert” in regard to your marriage? Here are six practical truths that can help divorce-proof your marriage.

 

  1. Remove Divorce From Your Language

“Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.” -2 Timothy 2:16

 

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” -Proverbs 18:21

 

The Bible reminds us constantly that our words hold great power, and just like with anything else, the power of life or death for your marriage is in your tongue. Don’t even joke about divorce, don’t use it as a threat, and certainly don’t entertain divorce as a “Plan B” or an escape route. While it may seem inconsequential, when you speak words about the death of your marriage, which is divorce, you give the ‘divorce weed’ a chance to take root in your marriage. Rip it from your vocabulary like you would a weed growing in your garden.

 

  1. Remember That Marriage Is Not Intended to Complete You

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” -Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

 

“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, ‘Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”‘” -John 7:37-39

 

Constantly expecting a marriage relationship to make you whole puts undue burdens and unrealistic expectations on you and your partner. Only God fully completes us and satisfies us. Take a step back and examine your desires and expectations for your spouse. Are you expecting your spouse to fulfill a role that only God can fill? If so, it’s time to adjust those expectations to line up with God’s Word. Begin by looking to God, and only Him, to fill the dry and parched places of your heart with the Living Water of His Spirit.

Fruit of the Spirit Love CD
Fruit of the Spirit Love CD

  1. Believe the Best About Each Other

“She bears up under everything; believes the best in all; there is no limit to her hope, and never will she fall.” -1 Corinthians 13:7 (ISV)


Many marriage battles are fought in the mind before they ever manifest in tangible words and actions. Errant thoughts shoot into the mind like flaming arrows, and if they aren’t dealt with immediately, they can cause mass destruction. Thoughts like, Did he really just say that? Doesn’t he know how much that irritates me? That’s just like her to do that. A guy can’t catch a break.

 

Sound familiar? In most circumstances, your spouse isn’t out to “get you.” Always assuming the worst about your spouse over a misunderstanding is a tiring way to live, and the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:7 that love “believes the best in all.” If you married your spouse in good conscience that this was indeed who God had for you, why would you assume the worst about him or her? Your spouse, just like you, isn’t always going to be perfect, a fact that isn’t going to change this side of heaven.

 

Our lives follow our words (and thoughts!), so what if our first reaction over a misunderstanding with our spouse is to tell ourselves, “Well, this wasn’t what I was expecting to happen, but I trust their heart toward me”? How might our relationships improve? Further communication and resolution may still need to happen, but how much healthier will our attitudes be toward our spouses? And how much more prepared will we be the next time the enemy launches an attack against us if we always believe the best?

  1. Tackle Tough Conversations

“The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice.” -Psalm 37:30 (NKJV)

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” -Proverbs 27:17

 

While it is important to believe the best about each other, tough topics like purity, children, money, failures and weaknesses can’t be avoided. To be an adult is to have the courage and grace to hold those tough conversations. But here’s the benefit: Small conversations in the present build bridges for future problem-solving. Such talks build trust, encourage openness and strengthen the bonds between husband and wife. If you and your spouse rarely circle back to these topics, or if you never even had the conversations to begin with, then it will be much tougher to address them when problems do arise.

 

  1. Pray for Each Other

“Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” -James 5:16 (AMPC)

 

Building a solid prayer life has its challenges. But there is one person you should remember to pray for every day–your spouse. Shower your spouse in prayer. Prayer accomplishes exponentially more than you can see or imagine. Prayer has the power to align your will with God’s, to change your attitude toward your spouse, and to defend against the enemy’s attacks. Whether in a calm season or a stormy season, set a hedge of prayer around your marriage. “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Philippians 1:3).

  1. Set Appropriate Boundaries

“Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” -Hebrews 13:4

 

Did you think that boundaries are only for dating couples? Think again! Whether it’s technology, money, time or friends, every couple has areas that threaten to weaken the marriage. Because of the time invested in holding those tough conversations, you should know which areas are struggles for you and your spouse. Own up to those areas, and place some life-giving boundaries in your marriage. Boundaries used in the right way don’t restrict life, but open it up for more love and freedom.

 

Put these six steps in place to help you stay alert to the attacks of the enemy, and you’re on your way to divorce-proofing your marriage. A marriage takes constant care to carry it through all of the seasons of life. If you find yourself in a joyous season in your marriage, may this encouragement further strengthen and deepen your roots. But if you find yourself walking through a dark season, do not give up! With God anything is possible! Read our article, 4 Faith Truths That Can Save Your Marriage. Surround yourself with the Word of God, with prayer and with those who will stand in faith with you. Your marriage is worth it!

We care about your marriage. If you’d like someone to pray with you, call us at +1-817-852-6000.

No matter how difficult your marriage may be right now, God can turn it around! Maybe financial troubles have taken their toll. Maybe moral boundaries have been crossed. Maybe poor communication has left you feeling abandoned. Whatever the reason and no matter how difficult, your marriage can be saved. Begin putting the faith principles of trusting God and His Word to work. As you do, remember these four truths about faith as they apply to your marriage.

Faith Truth No. 1: Nothing Intimidates God 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT). It’s just as easy for God to heal your marriage as it is for Him to heal a headache. Don’t give in to a feeling of hopelessness concerning your marriage. Remember that nothing is too big for your heavenly Father, and He will show you what to do.

Faith Truth No. 2: The Word of God Is True
“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection” (Proverbs 30:5, NLT). You can trust God’s Word, whether natural circumstances seem to agree or not. Begin to stand on that Word by finding promises in the Word for your marriage and then meditating on those scriptures day and night.

Faith Truth No. 3: Build Your Faith by Reading and Studying the Word of God
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17, KJV). If you want faith to stand for your marriage, then begin studying, reading and confessing what the Bible says. Don’t rely on what others tell you. Get into the Word for yourself, and take a stand for your marriage.

Faith Truth No. 4: You Have the Faith You Need to Stand for Your Marriage
“…God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3, KJV). Since that scripture was written to born-again people, you can be assured that if you’ve made Jesus the Lord of your life, you have the faith in you to stand for whatever you need, including your marriage. Whatever your situation may be, you can take a stand in faith.

Your marriage is not beyond help. Remember these four faith truths as you begin standing for your marriage. And if you need someone to agree with you in prayer, call one of our KCM Prayer Ministers at 1-817-852-6000 or visit kcm.org/prayer. We’re here to agree with you in prayer as you stand for the healing of your marriage!

Got a minute? In this Ministry Minute video teaching, Kenneth Copeland explains how to reduce stress when problems come by focusing on the answer and not the problem. …all in about a minute!

We all face problems, which can cause stress if not handled correctly. Satan will try to plug scenarios in your mind that will cause you to worry and stress, which only works to bring the things you’re worrying about to pass. Stop allowing the enemy to have your innermost counsel and thought life! Instead, allow God to counsel you through that problem, and invite the power of God to help. Then, sit back, rejoice and watch Him work everything together for your good. Kenneth Copeland explains more about how this simple stress relief strategy will relieve stress and help solve your toughest problems in this Ministry Minute teaching.

Don’t miss quick, helpful video teachings like this from Kenneth Copeland Ministries! Subscribe to our YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/copelandministries.

Got a question you’d like us to answer in about a minute? Comment below with your suggestions.

 

There is freedom in forgiveness, and you want that freedom for your child. But where do you start? How can you teach them to let go of the pain and embrace the freedom of forgiveness? Here are three points to help you do just that:

1.God Reached Out to Us First

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” -Romans 5:6-8

God began the process of reconciliation first. We didn’t even know we needed forgiveness; that’s how lost we were in our sin. In the same way, we are called to forgive whether the person asks for it or not.

2.God Looks Past the Ugly

“He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” -Psalm 103:10-12

Remember, God is perfect. There is no sin in Him–not even one. Not an evil thought. Not a careless comment. Not a bad habit. So when He forgave us, He looked past all of that and more. When He instructs us to forgive, He is asking us to follow His example by looking past the ugly.

3.God Requires Forgiveness

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” -Mark 11:24-25

Forgiveness brings blessing. It allows you to remain in the flow of God’s love, and it is a requirement for having a relationship with Him.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it is necessary. By teaching the importance of it to your child, you are putting him or her on a path to a richer and more fulfilling life without the controlling effects of offense and bitterness. Don’t wait; begin teaching your child these principles today!

Let’s look at Mark 11:23-24, which says, “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

These very familiar verses have to do with praying in faith, or praying to get results. Here are three steps to take if you want to have your prayers answered:

1. Go to The WORD When You Need to Get Your Prayer Answered

Find out what The WORD says about the problem, and then pray according to that WORD.  First John 5:14-15, KJV, says that when we ask anything according to His will, we know He hears us and we know we have the petitions we desired of Him. When you pray according to God’s WORD, which is His will, then you know that your prayer is answered.

2. Use Jesus’ Name When You Need to Get Your Prayer Answered

Jesus said, “At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name” (John 16:23). When you use the Name of Jesus in prayer, you get the ear of God. Peter wrote that the eyes of God are over the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers. You don’t have to pray until you get God’s attention. He is listening for your prayer. You have His attention all the time.

3. Include Praise and Thanksgiving When You Need to Get Your Prayer Answered

Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Thanksgiving and praise is an integral part of the prayer. When you believe that God will answer your prayer, then you begin to praise Him for the answer. You thank God that it is done for you.

When you are faced with a problem–a problem that requires an answer from your heavenly Father–put these steps into practice during your prayer time. Know what The WORD says about your situation, pray in the Name of Jesus, and worship The LORD for what He has done and will do. By believing God in that situation, and acting on The WORD, you are applying faith to it. And in time, your answer will come!

The currency of this world is fear. Why? Because fear entices. Fear motivates. Fear sells. Unfortunately, this mindset has permeated the parenting world as well. As parents, we face a dizzying array of questions. Does your child refuse to eat salad? Be afraid! He will end up with diabetes! Does your child have red-rimmed eyes? Be afraid! She is probably on drugs! These fears of what is or is not happening, or what may or may not happen, can steal our joy and confidence as parents.

 

But aren’t you glad that as Christians, we do not have to think, act and fear like the rest of the world? God is Love personified, and Love casts out fear. In fact, 2 Timothy 1:7, KJV, assures us that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” If we really believe God’s love for us and are committed to following His ways in all that we do, we can’t give fear any place in our lives — parenting included.

 

It’s true –Your children’s minds, bodies and spirits are under attack by the enemy, but if you’re worrying about this more than anything else, you’re more than likely not putting total confidence in God’s Word, His love and His promises. Learn how to parent with confidence by being diligent to pray over these three areas and modeling right behavior for your children in love, and by doing so, you will combat the fear that so often threatens your peace as a parent.

 

  1. Mind

The media your children consume (i.e., books, movies, television shows and games) is one of the biggest influencers they encounter outside of parental input. Instead of being fearful of what they read, watch and see when they’re out and about, make sure you feed their minds good media at home. Clarify what is and what isn’t allowed for them to watch, and talk to them about the messages contained in the media. Philippians 4:8 provides great guidelines: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

 

Pre-screen books, movies and games. Make sure you’re comfortable with the things they read, watch and play, and discuss the media and their messages openly. If your children consume a steady diet of appropriate media at home while learning to think wisely about it (with an unshakable Christian worldview), it’s less of a problem when they encounter inappropriate or ungodly material elsewhere.

 

  1. Body

The struggle to keep your children’s bodies safe is one every parent faces. You can combat that anxiety with the Word. Philippians 4:6 encourages us. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” This applies to both the small things, and the important things.

 

For young children, do your best to provide a safe environment with safe equipment and due diligence by being aware of where they go and with whom they interact. Talk to them about making smart decisions as they play with their friends. (No jumping off roofs, please, or pulling a crazy stunt on a skateboard.) Then, ask the Holy Spirit to comfort you and give you the wisdom you need. Trust that He will do just that.

 

For older children, it’s vital to facilitate age-appropriate conversations about things like alcohol/drug usage, wholesome lifestyle practices, sexual activity and maintaining a healthy body image. If you remain calm and matter of fact when talking to your kids about these subjects, and talk about them often, they’ll feel more comfortable approaching you when they encounter a difficult or uncomfortable situation.

 

  1. Spirit

And finally, the most important area of development: your children’s spirits. One good way to combat fear in this area is to encourage godly friendships for your children. Make sure the kids they’re spending the most time with are children who share your family’s values, so they will help build up one another’s spirits.

 

You may also battle fear over your children’s salvation. So many parents fall into the trap of trying to “save” their children. You can, and should, stand in faith for each of your children’s salvation as well as “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6, KJV), but, ultimately, you are not responsible for their decisions to follow the Lord. Salvation is a gift from God, and from Him alone. As a brother or sister in the Lord, you are called to model godly behavior by training and walking in love with them. Encourage them to spend time with God and read the Word. Teach them to use the Word to combat the things they face and how to make decisions based on it, but realize that your children’s relationships with God are ultimately up to them.

 

Focusing on these three efforts by praying and being a righteous role model will help you parent with confidence and not fear. No doubt, parenting is a solemn and awesome responsibility. And as Christians, we’re called to fulfill that responsibility with faith, hope and love; never fear. If anxiety starts to creep into your spirit about your children, pray, speak the Word and remind yourself that God is for them (Romans 8:31), not against them. He is always working in your favor, and your children are even more precious to Him than they are to you. What a comforting thought! Your heavenly Father loves your children even more than you do! Trust Him, and let the knowledge of His love bring you peace today.

 

Need a little more help to stop worrying about your children? Here are 10 scriptural confessions that will bring peace.

Have you heard about the importance of praying in faith? Have you wondered what that means and how to do it but don’t know where to begin? You may be a new Christian, or you may be a Christian who is desiring a deeper, Spirit-led life in the Lord. Regardless of where you are in your spiritual life, the prayer of faith is an important part of your journey. If you want to have your prayers answered, then you need to learn about the prayer of faith–what it is and how to do it.

Take a look at this passage where Jesus explains the prayer of faith and gives insight into how to do it:

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” -Mark 11:22-25

Why Is the Prayer of Faith Important?

The prayer of faith is important because it is the key to having your prayers answered. You can’t effect Spirit-led change in your life and in the lives of those around you without faith. On the other hand, with faith, Jesus says, “you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” Faith finds out what the Word has to say, prays in accordance with that Word and believes regardless of outside circumstances. This kind of prayer depends on and trusts in the Word of God alone. It requires no other confirmation or affirmation.

How to Pray the Prayer of Faith

If you want to practice the prayer of faith, you must do these four things:

  1. Say It

Notice in the above passage, Jesus says that if you “say to this mountain.” The prayer of faith requires that you speak and proclaim what you want.

  1. Believe It

It’s not enough to say what you want, if you really don’t believe it’s going to happen. If you believe that you are (fill in the blank), then you must believe it. This is true for healing, wholeness, prosperity or anything else. If you need help building your faith so that you can believe, begin studying God’s Word and listening to ministers (like Kenneth and Gloria Copeland) who will build you up and teach you about the principles of faith.

  1. Receive It

It doesn’t matter whether or not your prayer is answered right away or if you must stand for it. By faith, see yourself receiving it. If you are standing in faith for your healing, then see (in your mind and heart) that you are whole and healed. If you are standing in faith for a godly spouse, then see (in your mind and heart) that you are married to a godly spouse. This is not some New Age exercise; this is trusting God’s Word and His truth, and becoming convinced of His Word and truth even before your answer comes. It is saying, “God’s Word says it; therefore, I believe it. And that settles it.”

  1. Act on It

James 2:17 tells us that we must act on our faith: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to act on your faith regarding what you are praying for. Perhaps He’ll lead you to give a special offering, which may be your money, your time, one of your talents or even an existing possession. The point is to be obedient in whatever the Lord directs you to do.

Right now, commit to begin praying the prayer of faith. And if you need even more help understanding how to pray effectively and in accordance with the Word, then check out How to Get Your Prayers Answered: Your 10-Day Spiritual Action Plan. This dynamic package will teach you more about the importance of faith and the prayer of faith, and as well, other types of Spirit-led prayers. Let this be the beginning of a fulfilling prayer life, one that will affect you, your family and quite possibly the world!

As Christian parents, we can become tempted to let worry and fear shake the trust we have in God. Whether it’s the evening news, social media rants or even the comments of a well-meaning neighbor, the enemy will use whatever he can to bring fear and doubt into our lives–especially regarding our young children. That’s why it’s so important to guard our thoughts and the words we speak and to pray protection over our children. We serve a mighty God who has given us His Word and the ability to speak health and safety over our children. Here are four verses to speak and pray over our children daily.
 

1. God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT).

This verse reminds us and our children that they can face any situation with courage, because God is on their side. This is also a great verse to keep in mind when we find ourselves becoming fearful about the everyday dangers our children may face out in the world.

2. You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory (Psalm 32:7, NLT)

As we speak this over our children, we can remember that even if trouble rises up all around them, they can rest in the presence and safety of God. We can teach our children to call on His Name in times of trouble, and He will respond.

3. No weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Isaiah 54:17, NLT)

We can claim this verse over our children to protect them from physical harm as well as emotional harm, such as the unkind words that children so often use against one another.

4. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe (Psalm 4:8, NLT)

Bedtime is a great time for this verse, both for real and imagined dangers. Children sometimes need extra reassurance against things that appear scary in the dark.

We can trust that God will bring His Word to pass. We can speak and pray protection over our children with these verses as we infuse our homes with protection, peace and grace.

Most families get together on special holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a special time for families to have everyone together at the same time.

If you’re like most people, you have family members who have not given their lives to Jesus, or maybe you are the only one in your family who is a believer.

Your family members may be opposed to hearing the gospel, and they will repeatedly tell you they don’t want to hear it.

How do you stand in faith and minister to your relatives who repeatedly tell you they don’t want to hear it, and the only thing you can count on is a fight? Watch this video from KCM’s Mnister of Evangelism Riley Stephenson for some helpful tips to minister to your family this holiday season.

 

If you’re a parent, you know this fight is real. Children are undoubtedly a blessing from God, and we are tasked with teaching them about God, Jesus and how to live by God’s principles. We are entrusted with their education and well-being, both physically and spiritually. Unfortunately, as the gap between godly and worldly values widens, raising godly children can seem like an increasingly difficult challenge.

What can you do to safeguard your children in a world whose priorities are way out of line with God’s Word? How can you protect them from the enemy who wants to use this world’s system to steal, kill and destroy their future? How do you teach them to choose God’s way and not the way of the world?

Here are a few tips to help you raise godly children in an ungodly world.

 

Safeguard Their Minds

We live in a media-centric society, and there’s virtually no way around that. So what can we do to protect immature minds from being inundated by messages that might stunt their spiritual development?

 

  • Monitor Social Media

Social media sites don’t necessarily need to be blocked. However, it’s important that we be aware of the increasingly violent and vulgar things children are exposed to on social media. To help, look to see if sites have parental controls to prevent exposing children to unsuitable topics and images. At the very least, we must monitor who our children are interacting with online and what they are viewing by reviewing their account history.

 

  • Monitor Movies and Video Games

The Bible is very clear about filling our minds with good things. Philippians 4:8 tells us, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

We have to carefully monitor the movies and video games our children see. Before you decide on the suitability of a movie or game based on its rating, consider checking out the extensive ratings at commonsensemedia.org. They give you a suggested age range for specific movies and games, as well as a detailed rundown of content, including language, violence and sex scenes.

Protect Their Spirits

Protecting your child’s spirit starts in the home. The stronger your children’s home base is, the easier it is for them to feel confident in their own values and beliefs. You’re probably familiar with Proverbs 22:6. This scripture is a basic principle of child development that can be every parent’s best resource. “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

 

  • Morning Devotion

Start your day with God’s Word. Find a devotional that is age appropriate for your child, and read it together at breakfast. Speak positive words over the day and determine to approach every situation in faith.

  • Night Devotion

Most of us have a ritual of nightly prayers with our children, to thank God for the day and to have a restful night. But consider making this a reflection of the morning’s devotion as well. Review your child’s day with them. Ask them if they encountered any negative situations with friends or teachers, and how they handled it. If they feel it didn’t go well, discuss together a better way to handle those situations in the future.

  • Role-Playing

Sometimes it helps to work through a situation before actually encountering it. If you’re going to give a presentation at work, for example, you might rehearse in the mirror the night before. A similar approach is very helpful for kids. Ask your children what kind of negative scenarios they think they may encounter at school, in the neighborhood, or at church. For example, they might tell you about another child encouraging them to do something they know is wrong. Role-play with them. Be the other child, and allow your child to rehearse how they would respond in a situation like that.

Keep Them Busy

Sometimes the best way to limit the influences of a world system that permeates everything our children see and hear is to simply keep them busy. This doesn’t mean overscheduling them and shuttling them from one lesson or activity to another, but it does mean making sure they have more to occupy their time than just media and texting.

 

  • Sports

Physical activity is great for your child’s health, and a natural antidepressant. There are usually a large number of city-sponsored sports organizations. You may even want to check in your city to see if there are any Christian-based sports leagues like Upward.

  • Family activities

When you’re all at home, are you each in a separate room, doing your own thing? Consider scheduling a regular family game night. When you’re all playing a game together, it’s a good time to talk casually about subjects that might seem too intimidating for direct, face-to-face conversation.

  • Family meals

Many of us are understandably busy with the hustle and bustle of life, but studies show that children who have dinner with their parents at least three times per week develop stronger relationships with them. If having dinner together that often seems like an impossible task, start with one or two nights per week and build from there. Every little bit counts.

 

Raising godly children may seem like a monumental task, but remember, you have help from the best parent around–God! Keep His Word in front of your eyes, and confess it with your mouth daily. Stand in faith believing that He has equipped you with everything you need to help nurture them into mature, godly, responsible adults who will build and further the kingdom of God.

 

by Gloria Copeland

Every believer experiences moments when he or she simply doesn’t know what to pray. Even if you believe wholeheartedly that you do know what to pray, what if you get it wrong? The good news is that you don’t have to worry, because God has given every born-again believer a gift to help them pray the perfect will of God every time! It’s the gift of praying in the spirit, or speaking in tongues.
Praying in the spirit is a gift that every believer should desire. However, if you are a new Christian or new to the Spirit-led life, you may not understand why it’s so important or how to go about doing it.

Why Pray in Tongues

First, it’s important to understand why it’s so important. Romans 8:26-27 explains:

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

First Corinthians 14:2 goes on to say:

For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.

Does this mean you should forego praying in your natural language? No; the Apostle Paul addressed this when he encouraged the believers in Corinth to pray both ways–with understanding (natural language) and in tongues (spiritual language) (verse 15). It’s the perfect combination!

How to Pray in Tongues

Once you understand why praying in tongues is important, it’s time to understand how to do it. First, understand that receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues doesn’t require a big, formal ritual. You also don’t have to beg for this gift to be given to you. If you are a born-again believer, you simply have to ask.

Luke 11:9-10 says, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues only requires a desire and a willingness. It begins with a prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have done in my life. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me. I have accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior. I thank You for Your Word and I trust that You will provide everything that Your Word promises.

Right now, Father, I ask for Your Holy Spirit to fill me to overflowing. I want every good thing that You have promised, and that includes the ability to speak in tongues.

Your Word says that if I ask, I will receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and that’s what I want. This is a good thing, and I know that You want to give Your children every good thing.

I trust You, I praise You, and I fully expect to receive my spiritual prayer language. Amen.

Now begin praising the Lord. Open your mouth right now and begin praising and worshiping Him. You may even want to sing praises. As phrases and sounds begin to come to your mind, speak them out. Don’t hesitate. This is the beginning of your prayer language.

Once you receive the gift of tongues, commit to using it daily. Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you and pray through you. It’s the beginning of a new and deeper phase of your Christian walk. Enjoy it!

 

God desires a deep relationship with you. Just like any relationship, the intimacy is based upon communication. Prayer is your communication channel with God, and it is key to an intimate relationship with Him. No matter where you are, or what time of day, it is your privilege to talk with your Father, God. In this video, Riley shares what the Bible has to say about prayer and how you can pray effectively.

 

By Gloria Copeland

God has a destiny for you to fulfill. He has specific things for you to do–people to encourage, the Gospel to share and divine purposes to achieve. He doesn’t want you stuck in a dead-end job or not enjoying the job He’s given you. If this is you, then it’s time to apply the principles of faith to your job.

The steps to applying faith to your job are same as they are for anything else. Here are five steps to get you started.

1. Submit Your Life to the Lord

If you haven’t yet submitted your life to the Lord and His plan for you, then do so now. You need to be part of the covenant He has made available through Jesus. It’s easy enough to do. Pray, “Lord, I give you my life–all of it. I know that I am lost without you. I believe Jesus is the son of God and I accept Him as my personal Lord and savior. Please forgive all my sin and accept me into your family. In the name of Jesus, Amen.” (Romans 6)

2. Begin Reading the Word in Faith with Your Job in Mind

Make Bible study and quiet time a daily discipline. If you need help getting started, here’s some tips. Set aside a designated time for your Bible study. It can be anytime in your day–morning, noon or night–whenever works best for you. Just make sure you set a time when you are alert. If you are not a morning person, then don’t schedule it as a 5:30 a.m. wake up call. If you are exhausted at the end of your day, don’t schedule your time in the Word right before bed at night. The only requirement is that you are in a frame of mind to learn from the Word and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Treat this time like you would any important appointment. Protect it and schedule other appointments around it. Through dedication and practice, you will develop a natural desire to do it.

3. Pray Over Your Job

Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself and His plan for your life. If the job you have is truly dead end, then pray in faith for your new position. If, instead, it just needs a Holy Ghost boost, then pray for the Lord to give you favor with your boss (or clients) and renew your passion for your job. (Philippians 4:6)

4. Join a Word-based Church

Find a church in your area that can teach you how to live a faith-filled life based on the Word of God. Visit KCM’s list of Partner churches to find one near you. (Matthew 18:20)

5. Develop a Support Group of Spirit-filled Friends

In addition to your church, visit KCM’s Partner Community to develop friendships with like-minded believers who can stand with you and encourage you as you stand for a new or improved job. (Proverbs 27:17)

6. Speak Words of Faith Over Your Job

Determine not to complain or speak words of doubt (the opposite of faith) over your job or job search. Instead, remain thankful that God is in control, that He is taking care of you and that His Holy Spirit is working on your behalf. (Ephesians 4:29)

7. Remain Patient until Your Job Situation is Resolved

Commit to remain in faith over your job. Continue to study the Word, pray for resolution and thank God for a good outcome. Whether your job improves or a new job comes your way, continue to thank God for His blessing and grace in your life. (Galatians 6:9)

God desires to use you to promote His kingdom, to be an ambassador for Him wherever you go. Put these steps into practice and watch as the Lord shows Himself faithful to you!

The idea of trusting Jesus with your finances may be a new one. If so, the Word is the first stop in finding out what it really means to trust Jesus and surrender your financial decisions to Him and His ways. Here are six scriptures from the New Living Translation to get you started:

1. You Can Trust Jesus with All Areas of Your Life–Including Finances

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5).

2. God Will Take Care of You and Your Finances

So don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:31-33).

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).

3. When You Trust and Obey Him with Your Finances

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed [Deuteronomy 28:1-6 (Read the entire chapter.)].

And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you (Galatians 3:29).

4. A Promise to Stand on for Your Prosperity

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

Jesus wants to be as involved with your financial life as He is with your spiritual. Let these scriptures be a starting point for deeper study into God’s Word. As you discover God’s heart and love for you, may you trust Him with every area of life–even your finances.

by Gloria Copeland

What you are doing today with your time and your resources will determine where you will be this time next year. It will determine whether or not you are prospering in your finances, in your family, in your health.

After 35 years of walking with God on a daily basis and putting Him first place in my life, I have found what it takes to experience continual growth and increase, and you can too.

To put it simply, if you do what I do, you can have what I have: life and peace–God’s prosperous life.

But this is where many people are falling short in their expectation for a prosperous life. To experience the prosperous life, we have definite responsibilities that are laid out in Scripture.

After all these years, Ken and I can say that our prosperity (which is another way to say blessing) is due to applying all of God’s principles on a continual basis and putting His Word first. Those are the things that bring increase. There is no shortcut.

This is not a lazy man’s gospel. You don’t become prosperous by being lazy, sleeping late, not reading your Bible, not going to church, not tithing. Proverbs 13:4 in The Amplified Bible says, “The appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied.” Proverbs 28:20 declares, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings….” Over and over, the Bible talks about faithfulness and diligence as key factors in prosperity.

The number one law of receiving is simply this: obey God’s Word and don’t quit. Below are four habits you can begin today to help you receive all God has for you.

#1 – Be Faithful…Regardless

Faithfulness and faith are translated from the same word which means “to be trusted, firmly persuaded, assurance, a conviction based on hearing.” Faithfulness includes being loyal and constant in the performance of duties. Faith is being faithful to God and His Word regardless of circumstances, obstacles or people.

Be faithful to do what God has told you to do–when it’s easy and when it’s hard. Be faithful even when you don’t feel like it. In the natural it’s easy to get discouraged and quit. In the natural it’s hard to walk by faith. But believers are not supposed to walk in the natural. Turn the situation over to God and He will empower you. You’re not some little mickey-mouse wimp just trying to get by. You are born of God.

You can’t be a quitter or a coward. God repeatedly charged Joshua to be very courageous. He said, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:7).

You need courage to stand in the face of problems and hang on to the Word until things change. That’s what it takes to prosper.

You give God something to work with when you’re faithful and you stand. A faithful servant is in position to be blessed and promoted (Matthew 25:21).

But when lack is staring you in the face, it’s easy to become weak-kneed. Maybe you have tithed and sown, but you can’t tell anything is happening. Even so, you can’t quit. Why? Because you’re a believer. And what do believers do? They believe–they walk by faith and not by sight.

Many times Ken and I have been faced with situations that looked impossible, and we were tempted to give up. But we didn’t quit. If we had let go of our faith, we would have missed God. In all those times, there was no source for us to depend on but God. And no matter how bad things looked, He never failed us. Psalm 31:23 says the Lord preserves the faithful, and that certainly has been true in our lives.

When things seemed the bleakest, we always got something from the Word of God that went off in our hearts and pushed us over the top. Maybe we heard a sermon or found a scripture that became a revelation to us. We discovered that when revelation of the Word goes off on the inside, it’s done on the outside.

#2 – Expect Miracles

There have been times when we desperately needed $100 or even $20 in the early days. But there have also been times when we had to have millions of dollars. A few years ago we fell behind $6 million on our television bill.

As I was driving to the office one day with the pressure of that hanging over my head, the Lord reminded me of some things. Oral Roberts had attended our Ministers’ Conference and brought his new book Still Doing the Impossible. Brother Roberts has had tremendous healings and miracles, but he also has had mighty financial miracles. In one chapter of his book he talks about “How I Learned to Look to God as My Source.” Another chapter is “How God Taught Me to Expect a Miracle.”

That day the Lord put those two thoughts together inside me: God is my source so I expect miracles. As soon as that realization hit me, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “That’s right. God is my source–I don’t have to look to the natural anymore! The natural realm does not determine my future! Thank you, Oral Roberts, for reminding me.”

Now suddenly all things were possible to me. I wasn’t under the weight of those bills anymore. The revelation that God is my source took me up and over the circumstances. Now I was expecting miracles. Now it was settled. I was looking to God to meet my need. My eyes were no longer on the problems. Now my eyes were on the “Big One” Himself.

I tell you, I got set free! After that, I would not consider being concerned about it. If a concerned thought tried to rise up, I would turn my attention to this: God is my source and I’m expecting a miracle! Within a very short time everything turned around and the television bill was paid.

The same thing can happen for you. When you get under pressure, hang on to the fact that God is your source. Don’t look at your paycheck, your bank account or what people are willing to do for you. Those things aren’t your source. Do what I do every day now. Make it a habit to say in your prayers, “Lord, You are my source and I expect miracles today.” Start living in a state of expectancy. When you’re expecting miracles, you won’t quit.

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# 3 – Be Diligent

Diligence is another key to your prosperity. It means “steady application to business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; perseverance.” It takes constant effort to walk in God’s prosperity. Proverbs 10:4 says, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Diligence will cause you to increase.

Realize that being a child of God doesn’t excuse you from being diligent. To increase yourself, be diligent in both natural and spiritual things. It comes back to the law of sowing and reaping. You can go to church every Sunday and listen to the Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcast every day, but if you don’t do what you hear preached, you won’t live in victory. The Word has to be diligently applied in your own life for it to do you any good.

Be diligent in your job, whatever it is. It may not be the job you would like to have, but it’s the job you have today. So give it your best and God will promote you. Proverbs 12:24 says, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule….” Diligent people get ahead. Just look at Proverbs 22:29: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings….”

God expects us to work and not be lazy.

But what does the Word say we should be diligently seeking first? According to Matthew 6:31-33, we’re not to be seeking the things unbelievers do.

Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides (The Amplified Bible).

God’s desire is to see you prosper as your soul prospers (3 John 2). Your soul will prosper when you go after God and His Word with every fiber of your being. That’s what’s really valuable.

Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness… (Isaiah 55:1-2, The Amplified Bible).

This is talking about the Word of God. God’s priceless wisdom can’t be bought with money. To get it, you have to spend time and fill your heart full of the Word. When you eat the good spiritual food of the Word, it will make your faith strong. When you diligently hearken to God’s Word like this scripture says, it makes your soul prosperous, and a prosperous soul is destined for blessing.

#4 – Give A Tithe of Your Time

In 1982, Kenneth Hagin gave a prophecy that changed my life. I believe the peace and prosperity my family and I walk in today has everything to do with that prophecy and the decision I made as a result of it. It has so impacted our lives that I would like to share it with you. Here’s what it said:

And the year of 1982 will be a year of exploration in the realm of the spirit. Yea, men and women too, shall move into the spirit world. Into an area that they have not been before. And so they shall see and they shall know, and they shall minister. And great shall be the results thereof. And many hearts shall be blessed.

Some shall turn away and shake their head in dismay! And shall say, “Aw!, the very idea of that.” But you see those who are earthly will grow more earthly. And those who are spiritual will grow more spiritual still. And those who are heavenly minded will grow more heavenly minded still. And those who walk with God, for God is a Spirit, will walk in the realm of the spirit, will commune in the realm of the spirit, will see in the realm of the spirit, will minister in the realm of the spirit. And great shall be the results thereof…

Some have walked out only far enough to get their feet wet. They said, “Isn’t this wonderful?” And like children wading in the water they said, “This is it! This is the ultimate! This is the finality!”

But, “Oh!” saith the Lord of Hosts, “That is barely the beginning. You’ve only touched the realm of the Spirit. Wade on out! Wade on out into the realm of the water of the Spirit, until it is not only knee deep, and loin deep, until there is no way that you could possibly touch the bottom. But swim on out and enjoy the fulness of that which I have for thee,” saith the Lord of hosts.

But these things will not always come easy. For you see the flesh will hold you back. That’s the reason that the Word of God teaches you to crucify the flesh. And the mind will hold you back and hold you into the realm of things seen. And hold you into the realm of the physical senses.

That’s the reason the Bible tells you to “Get your mind renewed.” And then you will move into the realm of the spirit. And then there shall be great manifestations that your heart has longed for. And the church has prayed for. And the intercessors have interceded for. And the manifestation and demonstration of the Spirit of God shall come into manifestation and into demonstration. And it shall be as common, everyday, and just as real as everyday natural things are. For you see the realm of the spirit is the natural realm for the Christian who is born of the Spirit…

But you see you cannot walk in the natural all the time. Oh yes it’s necessary that you walk in the natural to a certain extent. Because your body is natural. And your body has natural functions and you must live in that realm.

But yet right on the other hand let your spirit, let your spirit have the privilege of communicating with the Father of spirits. And let your spirit move out beyond the natural. Don’t take up all your time with natural things. Some of those things are legitimate and it’s all right to take a certain period of time there, but see to it that you give heed unto your spirit. And you give your spirit opportunity to feed upon the Word of God. And you give your spirit opportunity to commune with the Father above. And build yourself up on your most holy faith.

It doesn’t take a lot of time just an hour or two out of twenty four. Just pay a tithe of your time unto Me, saith the Lord, and all will be well. Your life will be changed. It will be empowered. And you’ll be a mighty force for God.

Others will just look at thee and say, “He and she are just simply not a good example as a Christian.” Because, you see there is so much carnality. There is so much of the flesh. There is so much of the natural. But, yea, they’ll see the power of the Spirit. They’ll feel the love of God flowing out from you. They’ll feel the rivers of the Spirit of life flowing out from you. And it’ll bring life. And it’ll bring blessing unto your own life. And healing unto your own body. And you’ll be able to minister it unto those around about you and you’ll be glad, you’ll be glad. And you’ll have cause for rejoicing, saith the Lord of hosts.

So let him that hath an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying unto the Church and move on. For this is the year. Yea, this is the year.

When I heard that prophecy, it got down into my spirit. God said that just by giving a tithe of my time, all would be well in my life. At the time, I was concerned about my son, John, so I thought that was really saying a lot. Of course, I loved the Lord and I already spent time in prayer. But I made the decision to get up an hour earlier and pray in the spirit an hour each day because I needed all to be well.

When I started doing this it was wintertime. It was cold and dark and my flesh would have rather stayed in bed. But I got up and prayed anyway. My whole life changed as a result. Over the years, all became well with my family. Today I still spend that time in prayer every day.

You can change your circumstances the same way I did because God is no respecter of persons. Start today by being faithful to diligently seek God and His Word and put Him first place in your life every day. This time next year things can be different for you. If you faithfully give God an hour or two a day, He will be faithful to manifest Himself in your life. So don’t quit. Don’t give up. Double up!

 

I can’t go in there dressed like this–what will people think?

I can’t stand up in front of all those people and speak–what if I make a fool of myself?

When was the last time the “spotlight” got uncomfortably close to you and you just couldn’t go through with what you were supposed to do because you felt self-conscious, inadequate or just simply afraid?

Maybe you held back because of the color of your skin. Maybe you held back because of your lack of education or lack of confidence.

Whatever the reason, know this: What the world refers to as self-consciousness, the Bible calls fear.

That’s right, being embarrassed–or being self-conscious–is just a form of selfishness that is fear-based.

Now what should we do with any kind of fear?

Resist it.

God’s Heart-Sighted Vision

Romans 9:33 assures us that “whosoever believeth on [Jesus] shall not be ashamed.” Jesus already bore all our shame and reproach. Therefore we have nothing to be embarrassed about.

Besides, 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

Think about it. Have you ever had the sense that God was looking at you in displeasure because you were not dressed right?

Certainly not.

Did you ever get the feeling that God had given up on you because you were born into the wrong family, or on the wrong side of town?

Absolutely not!

God never treats us as though we are third-class citizens.

No, God always looks on the heart of man. He always looks at the heart of the matter. Your clothes, your abilities, your past–your anything–do not affect God’s love for you. Your appearance or performance has no bearing on His love.

Consequently those “outward appearances” that are limited to this natural realm should have no bearing on you. Here’s what I mean.

A few years ago one of our teenage granddaughters had to attend a formal occasion at her school. And, oh, was she ever dressed up. She had her formal gown, her high-heel shoes and everything. She was beautiful.

Well, earlier that day before she went to this function, she and her mother, our daughter Kellie, stopped off at a store to take care of an errand.

When they drove into the parking lot, Kellie said, “Now, sweetheart, if this bothers you to go in the store all dressed up like this in the middle of the afternoon, you can just wait for me in the car while I run in.”

“Why, Mama,” she said, “what difference does it make to me if I’m the best-dressed person in the store?”

And out of that car she came without giving it another thought. And why not? She wasn’t embarrassed.

Here was a teenage, high-school girl–who was about to “stand out” in the crowd in a very obvious way–yet she wasn’t a bit self-conscious or upset about the situation.

Why?

She had no fear in her. She had been raised to recognize all fear and immediately resist it, giving it no place.

The Resist-Desist Maneuver

Perhaps the most important truth to remember about fear is that Satan is fear himself.

What’s more, Satan does everything he can to keep fear involved in our lives because that’s the only entrance he has into us. Fear is the only way he has of getting a foothold in our lives. It is the connector to darkness.

But what does James 4:7 promise us where the devil is concerned?

If we resist him, he will flee from us.

The reason fear–the devil–is quick to bow down and back out when the Name of Jesus and the blood of the Lamb are thrown in his face is found in Hebrews 2:14-15: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, [Jesus] 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; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

In other words, Jesus took on human flesh that He might destroy Satan–who previously had the power of death–and thereby deliver us from the fear of death which is actually the root of all fear.

Second Timothy 1:10 tells us that Jesus once and for all abolished death. So, with death out of the way, we have absolutely no need to be afraid. By Jesus going to the cross and plundering all of hell, we can now live totally free from every fear…the fear of flying, the fear of heights, the fear of going hungry, the fear of public speaking, the fear of “what people might think.” All of it!

But, again, that’s only part of the work. It’s up to us to enforce our deliverance by resisting the devil–fear–in every situation. It’s up to us to flush out all fear from our lives by truly receiving the fact that God loves us, which is explained in 1 John 4:16-18:

We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The key to flushing out all fear is not just “knowing” that God loves you, but also “believing” that He loves you.

You see, the more you meditate on the Word of God concerning love, the more the truth of that love fills you. And the more love fills you, fear has no place to go but out. We don’t “deal with fear” or “cope with it.” We eradicate it.

Resist fear–resist the devil–then begin developing the love of God in every area of your life.

Remember, hurt feelings, self-consciousness and embarrassment are all just forms of fear. And, really, it’s nothing more than others finding out that you are not perfect.

But we already knew that, right?

Keep in mind that what really matters is that burning, white-hot love God has for you, the love that causes Him to do everything He does…just for you.

The next time you start feeling a little self-conscious or embarrassed, remember the love. Get your mind off yourself and over on God’s thoughts, His thoughts of love for you.

 

 

People often get discouraged when praying for the salvation of loved ones and begin to wonder if their prayers ever really help. Well, guess what? Yes! Your prayers can be a powerful force in the lives of your unsaved relatives and friends if you know how to pray for them according to the wisdom and Word of God.

The problem is that most Christians don’t know how to pray with skill. They just throw prayers in every direction and hope something comes of it. That’s especially true when it comes to praying for the lost. It’s not uncommon to see believers praying for friends or loved ones to get saved for 20, 30 or even 40 years without results.

What exactly are these people praying? It usually boils down to something like this: “Oh, God, please save my brother. He needs to be saved.” (Don’t you think God knows he needs saving?) Then they might go a step further and start rehearsing their brother’s sins: “Lord, he got drunk again last night and we had to bail him out of jail again. If You don’t save him, he’s going to drive us all crazy!”

That may sound funny–the example is a little extreme to make a point–but many of us have prayed prayers that sounded something like that.

What we haven’t understood is this: There’s nothing wrong with your unsaved loved one (or any other unsaved person) except the devil. No human being who truly understood the salvation Jesus has offered to us would reject that salvation of his own free will. No one!

Why, then, are so many people still unsaved? II Corinthians 4:4 tells us it is because “the god of this world [the devil] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Once you realize it’s the devil (not your loved one) who’s the real problem, your first prayer step becomes clear. You must get the devil out of your loved one’s way.

As Jesus said, “How can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?” (Matthew 12:29). You can’t! So bind him.

Say, “You spirit operating in the life of my loved one, blinding              to the gospel to keep              out of the kingdom of God, I bind you now. I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. I carry His authority and righteousness, and in His Name I command you to desist in your maneuvers. I spoil your house according to the Word of God and I enter into it to deliver my loved one from your hands.”

Now, you may not be able to cast that devil entirely out of the situation, because your loved one may invite him back in faster than you can cast him out. But you can bind that spirit and keep it bound. It may keep you busy for a while, but you can do it.

You’ll find your next prayer step in Matthew 9:37-38. There, Jesus was looking out at the multitudes who needed ministry and He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

It’s the Word of God that brings faith for salvation: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). So you need to see to it that the Word gets into your loved one’s heart.

“How?” you say, “My loved one won’t listen to me!”

Probably not, but God knows who your loved one will listen to, and He’ll send that person halfway around the world to talk to your loved one if necessary.

So pray to the Lord of the harvest: “Father, I’m asking You to send laborers across             ‘s path, laborers who are equipped with the Word of God about salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, healing and deliverance. Send laborers who can communicate effectively with              so Your Word can reach his/her heart.”

Once you’ve prayed for your loved one like that, from then on, put your faith in action by treating your loved one like he’s/she’s saved. Don’t treat your loved one like he’s/she’s not good. On the contrary, every time you see your loved one, say, “Praise God! Isn’t it good to know Jesus?” Then just stand back and watch how things change. You’ll be amazed.

It’s happened many times. And it can happen that way for you and your loved one. So don’t give up. Get smart! Start praying according to the Word and praying by faith…and you will see the salvation of the Lord!

Here is a sample prayer for your unsaved loved ones. As you speak God’s Word, remember that it will not return to Him void. It will prosper in the thing whereto it is sent (Isaiah 55:11):

“Father, I come before You in prayer and in faith, believing. Your Word says You desire all men to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth, so I bring ________ before You this day.

“I break the power of Satan from his assignments and activities in             ‘s life in the Name of Jesus. Now, while Satan is bound, I ask that You send forth the perfect laborers to share the good news of the gospel in such a way that              will listen and understand it. As the truth is ministered, I believe              will open his/her eyes to the gospel, come out of the snare of the devil and make Jesus Lord.

“Father, I ask that You fill              with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. As I intercede in his/her behalf, I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is activated, and from this moment on, I shall praise and thank You for             ‘s salvation. I am confident that You are alert and active, watching over Your Word to perform it. It will not return to You void. It will accomplish that which You please and prosper in the thing whereto it was sent.

“Therefore, my confession of faith is: ‘God has begun a good work in             ‘s life and He will perform it and bring it to full completion until the day of Jesus Christ, in Jesus’ Name.'”

Scripture References from The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition: II Peter 3:9; Matthew 18:18, 9:37-38; II Timothy 2:26; Jeremiah 1:12; Isaiah 55:11; Philippians 1:6.

I’ll pay careful attention to my work, for then I will have the satisfaction of a job well done. I won’t compare myself to anyone else, for I am responsible for my own conduct. God has given me a wise mind and spirit attuned to His will, fully pleasing to Him. Then I know I’ll be fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Him. Therefore, I’ll not be anxious about my job.

I’ll be diligent to present myself approved to the Lord, a worker who does not need to be ashamed. I’ll be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work, throwing myself into my work. He takes care of me! Amen!

Scripture References: Galatians 6:4; Colossians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Timothy 2:15, 21

Lord, let Your Holy Spirit be poured out from heaven upon our family. Then the wilderness will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops. I pray justice will rule in the wilderness and righteousness in the fertile field and this righteousness will bring peace in our family. I pray it will bring quietness and confidence forever. I pray my family will live in safety, quietly at home, and they will be at rest with one another.

You say if we ask for wisdom, You will give it to us generously, so I ask that You give us wisdom from above–wisdom which is first of all pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds, shows no favoritism and is always sincere. I pray we will be peacemakers in our family and we will plant seeds of peace with one another and reap a harvest of righteousness. In Jesus’ Name.

Scripture References: Isaiah 32:15-18; James 1:5; James 3:17-18

Wouldn’t it be great if our faith always produced instantly visible results? Wouldn’t it be fun if we could pray once for a great marriage and… snap, it happened? Instead of heated arguments, cold silences, constant frustration and enduring anger, our marriages were loving, kind, peaceful, joyful and mutually fulfilling? But that’s not always the case. If you’re struggling in your marriage, begin putting these principles to work today.           

Help Your Marriage by Trusting in the Lord

Psalm 111:10 says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.” As you begin to repair and rebuild your marriage, commit to follow God’s ways. Understand that His ways are best and the only way to a fulfilling marriage. To discover His ways, begin studying your Bible. Constantly think about how its truths pertain to you and your marriage.

Help Your Marriage by Listening to Trusted Counselors

Proverbs 11:14 says, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” To rebuild a marriage to be healthy and nourishing, you may need to learn a thing or two. Begin seeking out council from trusted marriage teachers like Creflo Dollar and Jimmy Evans (or Marriage Today). Read books like His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Williard F. Harley, Jr., The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman or Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets to Sexual Intimacy in Marriage by Kevin Leman.

Help Your Marriage by Surrounding Yourself with Good Marriages

Proverbs 18:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” A recent study found that when you surround yourself with divorced friends, you are as much as 147% more likely to get divorced yourself. Instead of complaining about your spouse to a divorced friend or family member, connect with Spirit-led believers who will stand with you and encourage you in your marriage. Look for couples who have strong, loving marriages and befriend them. Don’t know any? Call KCM’s prayer line (1-817-852-6000) for prayer or search KCM’s Partner Community to find some.

Help Your Marriage by Developing Patience

Hebrews 12:1 says that we should “run with patience the race that is set before us.” Patience is a fruit of the spirit we all received when we were born again (Galatians 5:22). It’s the spiritual force that keeps us in the race until we cross the finish line. Patience empowers you to hold on to your marriage no matter how long it takes to come to pass. It keeps you standing in faith until your marriage is “perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4, New King James Version).

Help Your Marriage by Learning How to Communicate Effectively

Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Learn how to communicate effectively without angry attacks, shouting matches or accusations. Begin to put the Golden Rule into effect and treat your spouse the way you want to be treated–with respect and kindness. If you need help learning how to do that, check out Covenant Marriage: Building Communication and Intimacy by Gary Chapman.

God wants to help your marriage become strong, healthy and loving. He loves you and wants your marriage to honor Him and be mutually nourishing to you and your spouse. Begin putting these steps into practice as you study His Word and pray, believing for the Holy Spirit to guide you every step of the way!

Father God, I lift my children before You today. Guard their hearts and minds and watch over them with special care. Give me wisdom on how to raise them both through my example and my actions. I commit to love them in prayer and love them in all I do. I want to raise faith warriors for You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Love your children through your actions–and example–today. Choose to get involved and raise them in faith, not fear!

Work pressures. Family commitments. Church outreaches. Your children’s extracurricular activities. All of these things are well and good. They may even be God-ordained, but if you find yourself feeling the effects of too many commitments, then it’s time to de-stress your life. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Don’t let stress keep you from having an abundant life. Implement these five steps and get your life moving in the right direction!

1. De-stress Your Life by Making Time for The WORD

Sounds counterproductive, doesn’t it? You believe you don’t have enough time to accomplish everything on your to-do list, but in reality, the only way to truly de-stress your life is to get God’s perspective on it.

Just like gas in a car, The WORD fuels your life. Without it, you’ll coast along for a while, but eventually, you’ll run out of gas. Life will begin to feel overwhelming. So spend time in The WORD daily. Let it correct you as you meditate on it and act as though it is true–because it is!

2. De-stress Your Life by Recognizing the Work of the Enemy

There will always be unexpected developments in your day–a last-minute meeting at work, snacks that you promised (but forgot!) to bring to your grandson’s Little League game, a clothes dryer that suddenly quits. That’s life. But there are other times when the devil deliberately attacks you. As you spend time in The WORD, you’ll be able to recognize those attacks for what they are. When he attacks, resist him and he will flee (James 4:7).

3. De-stress Your Life by Protecting Your Mind

There are stressors all around you–the media professing doom and gloom, movies and television shows proclaiming ungodly values, even family members who have embraced secular psychology. With all of that unbelief swirling around you, you must make the quality decision to protect your mind and heart (Proverbs 4:20-23). That means turning off the television, connecting with strong, godly friends and protecting your Bible study time.

4. De-stress Your Life by Caring for Your Physical Body

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20). If you have let exercise slide because you are too busy to do it, then you open the door to attacks from the enemy. Care for your body by meditating on healing scriptures, feeding it healthy food and exercising each day.           

5. De-stress Your Life by Cutting the Extras

Most likely, if you are battling constant stress, then there are too many things vying for your attention. You must determine which things in your life God has given you to do and which things you have added on your own. Press into God for help in determining what it is that He has directed you to do, then do that first. Everything else is subject to being cut from your schedule.           

Jesus died so that you could live an overcoming life. In John 14:27, He said, “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Don’t let stress steal your peace and joy. Commit to making time for The WORD, recognizing the enemy’s attacks, protecting your mind, caring for your body and cutting the extra things that demand your attention. As you press into The LORD for what you should do each and every day, He will help you de-stress and enjoy your life!

Father, in the Name of Jesus, it is written in Your WORD that love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given to us. Because You are in us, we acknowledge that love reigns supreme.

We believe that love is displayed in full expression, enfolding and knitting us together in truth, making us perfect for every good work to do Your will, and working in us that which is well-pleasing in Your sight.

We desire to live and conduct ourselves and our marriage honorably and becomingly. We esteem it as precious, worthy and of great price. We commit ourselves to live in mutual harmony and accord with one another, delighting in each other, being of the same mind and united in spirit.

Father, we believe and say that we are gentle, compassionate, courteous, tenderhearted and humble-minded. We seek peace and it keeps our hearts in quietness and assurance. Because we follow after love and dwell in peace, our prayers are not hindered in any way in the Name of Jesus. We are heirs together of the grace of life.

We purpose together to live in agreement, to live in harmony, to live in peace, to live in power toward each other and toward all men. We confess that our marriage grows stronger day by day in the bond of unity because it is founded on Your WORD and rooted and grounded in Your love. Father, we thank You for the performance of it in Jesus’ Name. ​

Scripture References from The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition: Romans 5:5; Philippians 1:9; Colossians 3:14, 1:10; Philippians 2:2, 13; Ephesians 4:32; Isaiah 32:17; Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 3:17-18; Jeremiah 1:12

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