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When someone delivers a prophetic word from the Lord to the Body of Christ, most everyone is excited and praises God for it–and for good reason. Prophecies bring the Lord’s fresh perspective and Anointing to current events and situations. They give us hope, encouragement and direction–particularly when they include a promise we can’t wait to see come to pass, and especially when the promise has the power to affect our lives personally. 

If you’ve received a prophetic word, or been witness to a prophetic word, and are waiting on it to come to pass, you might be surprised to learn that such words don’t come to pass automatically. In fact, the Word teaches us to be contenders for them. That’s right. Our actions, words and faith play an important role in helping bring words from the Lord to pass. 

If you’re waiting for a Word of the Lord over the Kingdom, the nation or your personal life to manifest, then you need to be contending for it. To help you, here are 3 Ways To Contend for God’s Prophetic Word to see it come to pass. 

1. Keep the Word Before You

“Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7, New Living Translation).

When we’re believing for something, what do we do? We go to the Word and find a scripture to stand on in faith, don’t we? We write it down, and put it in places where we can keep that Word before us. It’s how we encourage our faith and stand in faith for the promise we found. 

In the same way, when we hear a prophetic word, the first thing we should do is write it down. Then, we should place it where we’ll read it daily, such as tucking it in our Bible or writing it in our journal. We can place a copy of it on our mirror or refrigerator or nightstand. The point is, let’s put it wherever we need to so that the Word is kept before us–so we can review it daily, and thank God that it’s coming to pass. 

You can print the 2023 words of the Lord through Kenneth Copeland HERE.

2. Stand on the Word and Declare It

“O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you” (Jeremiah 1:6-7, NLT).

When we pray for healing, whether it happens quickly or takes time, we know to take it by faith, speaking the Word only, and waiting expectantly, don’t we? We know the action steps to stand in faith and contend for what’s ours. In the same way, once we hear a prophetic word, we help it come to pass by following the same action steps. We accept it by faith, hold on to it, and refuse to let it go.

As you review the prophetic word daily, also pray over it in the Holy Spirit. As you do, the Holy Spirit will give you even further direction on how to pray that prophetic word into the present. Whether the word of the Lord is for you personally, a group of people, or an entire nation, you have the power and privilege to use your authority in Christ Jesus to command that prophetic word to come to pass. 

3. Praise God for the Word Coming To Pass

“At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves” (2 Chronicles 20:22, NLT).

No matter what you’re contending for, praise is a mighty weapon that can break any strongholds. So, once you’ve set yourself in agreement with a prophetic word and declared that it’s coming to pass, praise God for it. As you praise Him, you’ll build yourself up in your most holy faith. Plus, you’ll become so confident, no matter what you see going on around you, you’ll be assured that the word of the Lord is coming to pass. Then, nothing will sway your faith. 

As you’ve read these 3 Ways To Contend for God’s Prophetic Word, you can now stand for words of the Lord to come to pass in your life, your nation and in the kingdom of God. That’s a powerful place to be, where your actions are facilitating the words of the Lord and helping to bring His will into this earth, just like it says in Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Related Articles:

Make God’s Word Final Authority in Your Life in 2023
3 Reasons To Grab Hold of Prophecies for 2023

When Kenneth Copeland was a young man, his parents surprised him with a Triumph Thunderbird one Christmas. It was a British-made motorcycle, and for a typical teen who loved anything fast, it was the perfect gift. Kenneth’s family traditionally opened gifts on Christmas Eve, so when it was time to open each other’s gifts, his appeared to be a really big box tucked under the tree. When Kenneth’s dad handed it to him, it was awkward to manage, and as he tells it, he couldn’t help but wonder, What in the world is in this?

When everyone began opening their gifts, he discovered why it was so heavy. It was full of old magazines! But with the magazines came a clue, a note that read, “I’m on the front porch.”

With that, he walked to the front door, opened it and stepped outside onto the front porch. He could barely contain himself as he laid eyes on his beautiful new bike. It was super cold that night, but the cold couldn’t stop a young man in love with motorcycles from taking a ride. 

Can you imagine all the plotting and planning his parents must have done to decide how to give him such a big gift? Maybe your parents did that when you got your first bicycle or car. Or maybe you have been that parent creatively sending your kids on a scavenger hunt to find a gift too big to wrap, and too perfect not to savor.

Maybe you’ve bought your husband or wife the best gift ever this year, and you’re already thinking how you’re going to present it to him or her. Taking that kind of thought is much like what God did when He began devising a plan to give us Jesus. He is the greatest gift of all, isn’t He?

The Greatest Gift of All

From what we read in Scripture, from Genesis to the Gospels, God planned the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ down to the last detail. In the historical accounts and the prophetic books, He kept foreshadowing the promise that was to come. Why would our heavenly Father spend hundreds and hundreds of years unfolding a plan? Why would He put such effort into the presentation of His Son? Why would He plan each detail down to the time in history, such as where He would be born, the family He would be born into, and the provision of safety and material needs? 

He did so because He knew that Jesus would be the greatest gift of all. He knew that Jesus would change everything for everyone. He knew that Jesus’ future sacrifice would allow Him to give even more gifts to His children. What’s more, when we accept the gift of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive not only the forgiveness of our sins, but we also enter into a covenant relationship filled with covenant blessings.

That’s right–when we receive the gift of Christ, we receive so much more than just our salvation. We receive all the blessings that bring freedom outlined throughout the Bible. If the Word of God says something belongs to the believer, then it belongs to the believer. The Word is the final authority in our lives. The promises of God are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Practicing the Six I’s of Faith

How do we appropriate the blessings we see in the Word of God? How do we get them unwrapped and into our lives? How do we see a particular blessing like healing, for instance, manifest in our life? The answer is simple: by faith. When we receive the gift of Jesus–when we enter into a covenant relationship with God and gain access to all His blessings–here’s still one more step we have to take to receive those blessings. We have to learn how to receive them by faith. We have to learn how to put our faith to work–to get it operational–and then practice using our faith consistently. 

Kenneth Copeland often shares the six I’s of faith to help us remember how to put our faith to work. Study them below and start practicing your faith this Christmas. 

  1. I BELIEVE: We believe from our spirit man. That is the part of us connected to the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our spirit. “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly” Proverbs 20:27 (KJV).
  2. I WILL: That’s your will. Your will is your mind or the intellectual part of you. This is where you decide to follow what you believe from God’s Word. “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” Romans 12:2 (KJV).
  3. I TAKE IT: Once you have believed and willed, you take whatever promise you see in the Word of God. “All the promises of God in Him are yea and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV).
  4. I HAVE IT: Once you have taken it, whether you see it in the physical realm or not is of no consequence. The Word of God is the final authority. It is more powerful than anything, so determine in your mind and heart that you have it. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” John 17:17 (KJV).
  5. I PRAISE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR IT: Once you have believed, willed, taken and determined, the promise is yours, so give God glory for the promise and for giving you the revelation that the promise belongs to you. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:20 (KJV).
  6. I FORGIVE IF I HAVE AUGHT AGAINST ANY: Walking in love is the key to remaining open to all the Lord has for us, but we cannot operate in THE BLESSING when we are harboring any unforgiveness in our hearts. So always be forgiving. “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour” Ephesians 5:2 (KJV).

When you begin practicing these 6 I’s of faith this Christmas, you’ll keep unwrapping all that God has given you through the gift of Jesus! As you make ready your gift-giving plans, know that you possess the greatest gift that the world needs. No gift will ever surpass the gift of a relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords. After all, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16 (KJV).

Have you ever received a message or a word from someone right on time? Maybe you were searching for an answer, and someone came along and spoke the answer to you. What a gift! While the Christmas season is a time when we think of giving to our families and attending get-togethers, it’s also a time when many people are searching for answers. They are more tenderhearted and open to hearing about who Jesus became as an adult and why He died on the cross for them. As carriers of Jesus, we can be the ones who share the right word at the right time because we have the Answer–Jesus! While we’re celebrating with our friends and families, we can purposefully pause and share His love with others. Keep reading to discover 4 Ways To Share God’s Love This Christmas and perhaps change someone’s life forever. 
 

1. Honor the Lord in Whatever You Say and Do

“Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” -Colossians 3:17

As you participate in your favorite traditions and activities, remember to honor the Lord with what you say and what you do. As you represent Jesus faithfully and share His love with others, people will notice a difference in you. 
Commit to spend time with Him every morning before each day’s festivities begin. Allow Him to lead and guide you, making each day operate far smoother and much more enjoyably (Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 3:20). 
As you do these things, you might be surprised by what He does for you that day. It could be reconnecting with a family member or an old friend, or maybe a complete stranger. Whatever it looks like, you can be certain God is in the middle of it, and you will be blessed. 

2. Give the Best Gift

“Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]!” -2 Corinthians 9:15 (AMPC)

Imagine you’re walking around holding a very expensive gift. You are looking for someone to give it to, wondering, Who will receive this priceless gift? You’re anticipating great things once they open it. 
That’s what Jesus does every minute of the day as He looks for someone to accept His mighty gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 9:15). As believers, we are carriers of this same gift ourselves, and we are privileged to share His Goodness with others (Matthew 10:8). Wherever you go this holiday, ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to those with whom you’re supposed to share the precious gift of salvation. It is the best gift anyone can receive! 

3. Give to Those in Need

“…be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”-1Tmothy. 6:18 (NLT)

Kenneth Copeland has shared how he’s had some beautiful experiences showing the love of God by giving to others in need during Christmastime. He tells them, “This money is from The LORD Jesus Christ. I serve Him. He is the One who instructed me to help you.” 
Ask the Lord who He would have you help and give to this Christmas. Whether it’s giving gifts to family and friends, or giving money to someone who is in need, ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you through sharing from the abundance of His heart–a smile, a kind word, prayers.

4. Encourage Others

“Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11, AMPC

Have you ever been in a store and the clerk looks like he or she is having a challenging day? Have you ever stood in line with people stressed and complaining, desperate to get to their next stop? We have the power to change the atmosphere for others in situations like these and so many more. As you’re running your own errands and bumping into people, encourage them! Do what you can to make them see the bright side and laugh. 
Encouragement is a powerful tool that can soften distressed and angry hearts simply by speaking out of God’s love. Edifying another person, even just by paying them a compliment, can go a long way in turning someone’s day around (Ephesians 4:29; Philippians 2:3-4). 

As you minister from these 4 Ways To Share God’s Love This Christmas, your acts of kindness and sharing the glorious love of Christ will shine His light onto others. As you focus on Jesus, the true reason for this season, you’ll be sowing seeds for everyone to experience a miraculous Christmas and exciting new year! 
 

Everywhere we turn, the headlines are screaming, “A recession is here! There’s supply chain trouble! Gas and food prices are skyrocketing!”

When the world is speaking doom and gloom, it should be an alarm to your spirit that it is time to begin using your faith and believe for the opposite results in your life. Because you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21), you don’t have to be subject to what’s happening in this world.

Remember, God is your Source–not the world. But you have to take your victory by faith. One of the key fundamentals of faith is to call things that be not as though they were. To help you do this, speak aloud these 15 Scriptures to Claim Your Victory Over Lack. Do not back down, and as Brother Copeland often says, hold your ground with bulldog faith!

To start, put on the whole armor of God with these scriptures:

1. I put on God’s whole armor, that I may be able to resist and stand my ground on the evil day of danger, and having done all to stand, I stand, having girded my waist with truth (Ephesians 6:13-14). 2. I am on guard. I stand firm in the faith. I am courageous. I am strong (1 Corinthians 16:13). 3. God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

4. I am the righteous. Even though trouble may arise, the LORD delivers me from it all (Psalms 34:19).

5. I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence (Psalm 9:1-3 ).

Next, declare how God has marked you with BLESSINGS:

6. THE BLESSING of The LORD, it maketh rich, and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).

7. Now the Lord will rescue me and make me both a symbol and a source of BLESSING. I am not afraid. I am strong (Zechariah 8:13). 8. People see clearly that the Lord is with me. I am THE BLESSED of the Lord (Genesis 26:28-29).

9. God, I thank and enjoy You. Let all people thank and enjoy You. Earth, display your exuberance! You mark me with blessing, O God, my God. You mark me with blessing, O God (Psalm 67:5-7).

10. Praise the LORD! Blessed am I who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. My descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in my house, and my righteousness endures forever (Psalms 112:1-3).

Then, seize your victory: 11. My God supplies all my need according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). 12. Because I am willing and obedient, I shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).

13. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but I seek the Lord and I shall not lack any good thing (Psalms 34:10).

14. I remember the Lord my God, for it is He who gives me the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to my ancestors, as it is today (Deuteronomy 8:18).

15. The Lord will open the heavens to me, the storehouse of his bounty, and send rain on my land in season, and bless all the work of my hands. I will lend to many nations but will borrow from none (Deuteronomy 28:12).

Repeat these scriptures daily to claim your victory over lack. Plant them deep within your spirit. Then, when trouble comes, you won’t respond with fear and panic. Instead, you’ll respond with the Word of God. These scriptures will rise out of you and mount heaven and angels to your defense. You will walk in wealth, not in poverty (Proverbs 10:22). No weapon formed, not even the economy, will come against you!

In 55 years of ministering together, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have often been asked why VICTORY has always been such a dominant theme in everything they’ve done, even from the very beginning…

• The Believer’s Voice of Victory newsletter

• The Believer’s Voice of Victory magazine

• The From Faith to Faith–A Daily Guide to Victory devotional

• The Believer’s Voice of Victory radio broadcast

• The Believer’s Voice of Victory weekly TV broadcast

• The Believer’s Voice of Victory daily TV broadcast

• And now, VICTORY Channel®

The answer goes back to the early days of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, when Brother Copeland went to Hereford, Texas, for three weeks of meetings.

On the first day of those meetings, he was in his hotel room on his knees, praying. He had laid out all his message outlines on the bed and was asking the Lord what he should preach that night.

“It rose up so huge in me,” Brother Copeland recalls, “almost audibly, The LORD said”:

I want you to preach VICTORY–victory in the new birth, victory in the power of the Holy Spirit, victory in righteousness, victory in My WORD, victory over the grave, victory over death.

Victory is your subject.

So, victory it was!

Brother Copeland preached for three weeks straight–and victory is what people began experiencing like never before. They were dramatically introduced to signs and wonders from God in those meetings, and it impacted their lives and community for years to come.

But the people attending those meetings weren’t the only ones whose lives were changed forever.

It was also there, in Hereford, that Brother Copeland remembers God telling him…

Every believer has a voice–and it’s a Voice of Victory–if they will speak in faith.

“When the Lord told me that, I was thinking of it from the standpoint of 1 Corinthians15:57, because I had been reading and meditating on it:

‘Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ’ (NIV).

“And so, I got hung up on victory,” Brother Copeland says. “It began to grow inside me and throughout this ministry. Eventually, it gave birth to all this.”

Today, victory continues to be a dominant theme throughout the ministry of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, simply because victory is a dominant theme throughout Scripture.

No matter where you are in life, no matter what you–or a loved one–may be facing, we can always use little more (OK, a lot more!) victory in our lives. That is God’s heart and a primary intention of His for us while we’re on this earth.

As a believer, you already have a voice of victory–God has said so!

Now, go through this list of 13 scriptures that specifically details for you issues in life where you can expect God’s power to manifest as victory on your behalf. Look them up and read them. Remember, it’s vital you speak these words of victory (out loud), and that you speak them in faith.

“I Have Victory Over…”

• Hindrances–with faith in God, by speaking to them (Mark 11:22-23)

• Trouble–with peace, by resting in Jesus (John 16:33, TPT)

• Defeat–with the power of God, by Jesus’ life (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

• The world–with the new birth, by believing Jesus is God’s Son (1 John 5:4-5)

• Sin–with the righteousness of God, by the blood of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21)

• Shame/Reproach–with God’s presence, by Jesus’ death (Colossians 1:21-22)

• Fear–with God’s love, by faith (1 John 4:16-18) • Sickness–with healing, by Jesus’ stripes (1 Peter 2:24, NKJV)

• Poverty–with prosperity, by the gospel (Luke 4:18)

• Lies of the enemy–with truth, by God’s Word (John 8:31-32, 43-44)

• Demons–with heavenly and earthly authority, by Jesus’ Name (Mark 16:17)

• Hell (separation from God)–with joy, by the presence of God (Psalm 16:9-11)

• Death–with the Holy Spirit, by Jesus’ resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

As you take these scriptures to heart–and give voice to them–know that Kenneth and Gloria, as in the past 55 years of their ministry, agree with the Apostle Paul (on your behalf) in saying…

“Let [us] now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News [we] preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it” (1 Corinthians 15:1).

Stand firm in your victory!

“The effectiveness of your prayer life depends on the degree of confidence you place in the Holy Spirit. He is God’s Power Arm. He’s the One who’s going to guarantee that the work gets done.” -Kenneth Copeland

How’s your prayer life? Do you know what to pray when your back is up against a wall or you’re in a desperate situation? Do you know how to pray for the everyday issues of life?

The Holy Spirit, who lives inside of every born-again believer, is there to help you–regardless of anything you are facing right now. You can be walking through the direst of circumstances, and He’s there waiting to explode onto the scene. He is the breathtaking, dynamic power of God tasked with giving you victory!

But there’s something you need to know…you can’t just sit around, twiddle your thumbs and expect that kind of power to show up. You need to trust that He is within you and purposefully connect with Him in prayer. That’s when you’ll get results.

If you’re ready to plug into your Power Source for supernatural results in your life, here are four ways to harness the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer:

1. Know His Power Is Working When You Pray

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” -Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)

If you’re a born-again believer and facing a seemingly impossible problem, there’s hope. Whether it’s a failing marriage or the diagnosis of a disease, nothing is too big for God in your life because His power is coursing through your spirit. When you harness that power through prayer, your earnest prayers have great power and produce wonderful results (James 5:16)!

As you petition God for the desires of your heart, it’s imperative that you know His power is working in you according to Ephesians 3:20. You have His Word–He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that you ask or think according to that Power. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is working to bring your victory to pass!

2. Meditate the Answer When You Pray

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” -John 15:7 (NKJV)

What have you been thinking about–the problem or the answer? When we become believers, we stop thinking like the world and start thinking according to what the victorious Word of the Lord says. When we renew our minds to God’s truth, we will know His will for us, which is always good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). John 15:7 (NKJV) tells us how to do it–We abide (live and rest) in the Word. So, if you are facing a problem, spend some time abiding in the Word. Find out what it says about your problem. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to a specific scripture. Meditate on that scripture and choose to believe it. Apply it to your situation until your thoughts align with God’s Word.

3. Speak the Desired Outcome When You Pray

“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'” -Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV)

Do you believe you will receive what you ask of God? Or do you feel like your prayers sound great going up, but maybe fall onto a deserted island?

God’s Word promises us that whatever we ask when we pray, we will receive–if we believe and do not doubt. But notice how many times Jesus mentions the word says in Mark 11:22-24. Three times! Prayer naturally involves speaking and communicating our requests to God, but we must say our desired outcome, and this verse promises we will have what we say.

You see, the Holy Spirit is not activated to perform the Word until you speak it. Kenneth Copeland likes to give this example from Genesis 1:1-3: the Holy Spirit was hovering, waiting on God’s Word.

“The simple fact of His presence didn’t accomplish anything. It was when God spoke and said, ‘Let there be light!’ that the Holy Spirit exploded into action,” says Brother Copeland.

When you speak the answer and not the problem (see Point 2 above), the Holy Spirit is activated to perform the Word of God spoken out of your mouth. Throughout Scripture, God calls things that didn’t exist as though they did (Romans 4:16-18), and Jesus says that you should as well. This is a powerful way to harness the power of the Holy Spirit when you pray!

4. Speak In Tongues When You Pray

“But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit.” -Jude 20 (AMPC)

One sure way to harness the power of the Holy Spirit is to pray in tongues. Romans 8:26 says that we don’t know what we should pray for, but the Holy Spirit makes intercessions for us. That means the Spirit of Power that helped create the earth and raise Jesus from the dead starts to intercede for us when we pray in tongues. Praise God!

As you yield to the Holy Spirit in prayer, it builds you up and releases His dynamic and explosive power to go to work on your behalf. You will see issues evaporate and answers revealed.

As Brother Copeland’s mother, Vinita, used to say when others were facing problems, “Hit it in tongues, honey; hit it in tongues!”

When you follow these four steps to harness the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer, you will see God begin to work in your life in powerful ways. Unleash this power in prayer in all areas of your life–your marriage, ministry, finances, health and career. God guarantees your success!

Related Article:

7 Steps To Receive the Holy Spirit

In the past several months, so many of us have been reminded how thin the line is between life and death.

With the onset of COVID-19, even down to recent weeks, celebration of life services for family members and friends have been delayed due to overwhelming numbers of fatalities caused by the virus.

Thankfully, although the line between this life and the next may seem unnervingly narrow, God and His promises for safety and protection, healing and health, life and longevity, are solid and sure, true and reliable. As believers, we don’t have to cross that line until it’s time, and we’re ready.

But when someone you know and someone you love steps over from this world into the rest of eternity…

How do you let go, and not lose control? How do you mourn their absence, and not lose your presence? How do you respectfully and mindfully move on?

Here’s how to conquer grief, let go and not lose control.

Don’t Be Overwhelmed

The Apostle Paul addressed this issue for the believers of his day nearly 2,000 years ago, and the revelation of it still holds true for us today:

“Brothers and sisters, we want you to be quite certain about the truth concerning those who have passed away, so that you won’t be overwhelmed with grief like many others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who died while believing in him…. So encourage one another with these truths” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 18, TPT).

Maybe you or others you know have experienced that feeling of being “overwhelmed” with grief. Certainly, the world has had the opportunity in the past couple years.

Though he was writing to people who were in relationship with God, Paul still had concern for their well-being. He understood that grief can be a killer. If unconfronted, it has the potential of becoming a destructive stronghold in our souls–even producing sickness and disease in our bodies. If left unchecked, it can take out a life just like death does.

Jesus experienced this firsthand.

Just as He was about to begin His journey to the cross, Jesus went to His favorite place to pray. It was there where He got honest with His Father and asked if there was any way around His having to be arrested, tortured, crucified and cast into hell. When it was apparent that the answer was no, He got just as honest with His disciples…

“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).

Grief can lead us down an unhealthy path of vulnerability, a path where our emotions are directing our steps and our destiny, instead of our Holy Spirit-filled, born-again spirits leading us.

Again, Paul’s point: Don’t go down that road. Get control of yourself. Remember you have a future and a hope–in heaven, with God, and with believers who have gone ahead of you (Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Corinthians 5:6-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)!

Celebrate Life

Kenneth Copeland often says, “Don’t feel sorry for anyone who’s gone to heaven.”

From God’s perspective, the death of any of His saints is precious and glorious, something to be celebrated (Psalm 116:15, NKJV). It was that sense of joy that empowered Jesus to press through His grief, avert premature death and fulfill His purpose during the allotted time He had on this earth (Hebrews 12:2).

Certainly, anyone’s death impacts the world, one way or another. And as a being created by God, loved by God, cared for by God–everyone’s life has value. Now that they’re no longer among us, yes, they will be missed, and it’s important to acknowledge that.

However, it’s just as important for those of us who remain to look beyond the grief–just as it was for Jesus–and embrace (by faith) all that God still has for us.

So, while grief is a normal, natural response to a sense of “losing” someone or something, understand that the devil tries to pervert it by turning it into an unhealthy stronghold in our lives.

Don’t let him get away with it. Don’t let him manipulate you through your emotions.

Instead–long before you attend another homegoing service or get around death–pray over yourself, declaring that by Jesus’ blood the devil (as well as death and grief) is defeated (Revelation 12:11).

Then, rebuke the spirit of grief away from your life and your family by using the authority given you in Jesus’ Name (Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:17-18).

Finally, control your thinking. Control your mind by telling it what to think–and you can start by reminding it how Jesus bore all your griefs and carried all your sorrows (Isaiah 53:4; 1 Peter 2:24, NKJV).

Walk through these steps over and over, and you will build up a healthy stronghold of God’s truth about death, giving you the vantage point of how He sees it. As you gain God’s perspective–when the time comes–you will be able to let go of a friend or loved one and maintain control over grief.

Then, you will truly be free to celebrate life!

At Kenneth Copeland Ministries, we’re here for you!

With so much to offer, we don’t want you to miss out on a thing. That’s why we’ve put together this quick help list to put support and encouragement right at your fingertips. From prayer to finding a church home, we’ve made getting help quick and easy. Save this link to your favorites on your web browser for quick reference whenever you need a helping hand. Remember–we’re here for you, and we love you.

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Tips on How to Evangelize

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10 Ways KCM Is Here For You

Vaccine mandates, the infiltration of unbiblical teaching in our schools, and the increase of violence around the country. These alone are enough reason for God’s people to press in and hear from Him about every issue, every day.

Make no mistake–we do not fear–but we also do not neglect to tap into the most powerful source of knowledge that never, ever fails–the wisdom of God. The world offers all kinds of advice and “help” in the form of mainstream media, social media posts and social pressure. But there is no “my truth” and “your truth”; there is only one truth and that is the Word of God.

God has very specific and personalized information for you. It is designed to protect you and promote you, personally, in everything you do.

Now more than ever, we need God’s correction and direction to keep us on the right path and moving from victory to victory. Whether you need to know which job to take, which house to buy, whether to open your business now or later, or even the answer to why something happened in your life, you can have the answers you seek. Here’s how to receive direction from God in any area of your life.

1. Ask God for wisdom.

James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” Could it really be that simple? It is! Remember this, God wants to give you the answers you need. He wants you to succeed in everything–physically, financially, in relationships, in your job–everything. No matter how small your situation may seem, ask God for the answer. And ask in faith. He will answer you. It may not be instantly, but it won’t be long. And it will be exactly what you need to know.

2. Respond quickly and quietly to His correction.

Whenever you ask God for something, the first thing He is going to do is correct you. If you’re missing something, it means there’s something out of alignment that needs a course correction. Don’t shut down; don’t cover your spiritual ears and sing–LISTEN. He’s giving you the keys to the Kingdom. It may be an attitude that needs changing, a person you need to forgive, or a step of obedience you haven’t yet taken. Whatever it is, respond quickly and quietly.

3. Follow His directions like GPS.

When you’re driving someplace you’ve never been, you don’t just get in the car, speak some confessions, and hope to arrive. No! You follow the directions. If you want to get where you’re wanting to go in life, you need to do the same–follow God’s directions like you would follow GPS. Where do you get His directions? In His Word, by His Spirit and from other faith-filled people.

4. Love. Love. Love.

Love never fails. That means if you’re walking in love, you can’t fail. Why aren’t things working out for you? Something in your love walk is missing. You may not think it is–you may not even realize it, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Here’s where the wisdom of God comes in. Instead of asking God again and again for that same thing you desire, take a break. Instead, spend the next two weeks asking God to show you where your love walk needs to improve. Then, do what He says!

When you learn how to receive direction from God, you will be headed straight for that dream, that desire, that goal, that purpose. You’ll be headed straight for the breakthrough and victory you’ve been dreaming of!

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What’s in Store for 2022? The Lord Is Speaking…

The devil appears to have launched a wave of attacks. COVID is trying to ramp up again. Our government has been making some crazy decisions. We are still uncovering election corruption. And on top of all that, there are the personal issues we’ve been facing.

Pastor George Pearsons recently addressed this assault and instructed us to do this: “It is time to get strong in The LORD and stand your ground against the enemy.”

In spite of all that is taking place around us right now, we cannot forget one important truth: WE ARE OVERCOMERS. Ephesians 6:10-14 tells us to be strong in the Lord and stand against the enemy. We’re not wrestling against flesh and blood–we’re fighting the rulers of darkness. And the path to victory is to stand your ground against the enemy no matter how bad things get. Here’s how.

1. Be Strong in the Lord.

In the face of all that is going on, we are to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We must stand up against all the devil’s strategies. We must stand our ground. Hold your ground, soldier, and don’t let the enemy push you back! Advance, and keep on advancing! Charge!

Second Corinthians 1:24 says, “…by faith you stand” (NIV). First Corinthians 16:13 tells us to “be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith.” So, we stand in faith against every attack. We stand strong knowing the Lord is on our side no matter what the circumstances may look like.

2. Stand on God’s Word.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1, Paul said, “I declare unto you the gospel (God’s Word) which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand” (KJV). Whatever is going wrong in our nation or in your life right now, locate a scripture, stand on it, and walk it out to victory. Don’t allow the devil to discourage you. Stand your ground, and don’t let go.

3. Don’t Lose Heart.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right (or, walking by faith), for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.” And in Hebrews 10:23 we read: “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.”

4. Stand in Faith

How do we stand in faith? We get rooted and grounded in the Word. The more rooted we are in God’s Word, the easier it is for us to stand our ground. Success in standing is in direct proportion to how rooted we are in the Word. Remember this: no root, no fruit Colossians 2:6-7

The more rooted we are, the more we are able to resist the enemy. Psalm 112:6-8 gives us a picture of the believer who is rooted in the Word of God. It describes this person as one who can’t be moved, one who isn’t afraid of bad news, and one whose heart is completely fixed on God. It’s tough to be afraid when you’re thinking about the power of Almighty God!

To become firmly rooted, read your Bible daily, come to church, and listen to faith-filled preaching.

When you make the quality decision to stand your ground against the enemy, you’re on your way to becoming more than a conqueror. Say this out loud right now: “I make the quality decision to stand my ground. I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. I stand firm in faith on God’s Word. No matter what is going on around me, I am rooted and grounded in His Word. I refuse to give up or quit. I am not afraid of evil tidings. My heart is established and fixed. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me!”

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The 7 Companions of Faith

Some decisions seem to direct the course of our lives more than others. As believers, we desire to choose the right path–God’s path–with every decision we make. 

But sometimes the right decision does not seem so obvious, leaving us two choices: fear of making a wrong decision or faith in God to guide us in to make the right one.

You never have to be afraid of making the wrong decision. Fear will always lead to the wrong choice, but faith and obedience to God will always end up right because He is a God of mercy and restoration, and His plan is for you to have a good and expected end.

If you’re facing some choices today, and you aren’t sure which road is the right one to take, here are 10 scriptures for when you need to make a decision that will give you confidence that God will speak to you. If you’re tuned in to Him, you will make the right decision. (All scriptures are taken from the NIV.) 

1. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11)

2. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8)

3. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

4. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

5. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” (Proverbs 11:14)

Find out how to know the answer to any situation HERE.

6. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)

7. “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

8. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

9. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

10. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

God wants to give you guidance! He desires that you walk with Him to get the light you need for each step you take in life. He is not the author of confusion. Step forward in confidence with Him!

Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you how to activate your ability to hear God.

 

If you’ve faced a betrayal by a friend, family member, spouse or employer, you’ve likely gone through the full gamut of emotions. And if you’re a follower of Christ, you deeply desire to handle the situation in a way that is pleasing to Him. You can. AND…you can come out with a great promotion on the other side. Take the example of these responses to 3 Bible betrayals as your queue.
 

1. David Was Betrayed by Close Advisors and His Son.

David was no stranger to betrayal. In addition to the continued betrayal of Saul, he was betrayed by many others, including his closest advisor, Ahithophel, and his own son Absalom.

Perhaps it was this betrayal he was referring to in Psalm 55 when he said, “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God” (verses 12-14). But David didn’t stay in mourning, nor did he allow himself to move into bitterness. In verses 16-17, he shares how he overcame the betrayal, “But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice” (English Standard Version).

David always turned to God as his source of healing and justice.

2. Joseph Was Betrayed by His Brothers.

Not only did Joseph’s brothers despise him for being the favored of their father, but they went so far as to betray him by first throwing him into a pit to die, then selling him into slavery. The hurt from a betrayal of family runs deep. Yet, when he saw them again, he was gracious and forgiving, saying:

“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5, New International Version).

3. Jesus Was Betrayed by Judas.

Jesus had chosen Judas, trusted him and walked with him for three years. Yet Judas, knowing Jesus was the Son of God, betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. The pain of this betrayal is expressed in Psalm 41:9, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (ESV). 

As we all know, Jesus did not allow anger or bitterness to creep in. He did not seek revenge or ask God to rain fire down from heaven. He moved on. In fact, of all the times He was betrayed or insulted, He did the same thing and “entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23, NIV).

There are many more examples of the right handling of betrayal in the Bible, even more involving these three! Jesus, David and Joseph handled betrayal in a way that was pleasing to the Lord and each of them received great promotion in their lives. Don’t let a betrayal break you or cause you to crumble. Take it as an opportunity for promotion. The promotions of God are never small!

Watch Kenneth Copeland and Greg Stephens uncover the answers behind the question, “Who was Judas?”

 

There is a time to speak up (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

There is wisdom in knowing when to be silent and when to speak up. Even the U.S. Constitution protects each one of these in the Fifth and First Amendments, respectively. In a world that is ever ready to speak its mind, being quiet often takes more strength than speaking up. But in many instances, not only is silence unethical and unbiblical, but also harmful.

The main hindrance to speaking up is fear or a lack of self-confidence. A wrong spirit is behind both. No matter what your personality, every believer is called to be bold as a lion. Boldness knows when to be silent, but it also doesn’t give way to fearful thoughts when it’s clear that speaking up is the right thing to do.

If you’re wondering when you should speak up versus when you should stay silent (see 8 Times You Should Stay Silent HERE), ask the Lord to reveal to you the areas where you’ve been timid, and ask Him to give you boldness where you need it most. Then, consider these 7 Times You Should Speak Up, and challenge yourself to stand as a pillar of faith in the face of even the most intimidating circumstances.

1. When You Witness Wrongdoing

While everything we say and do should come from the leading of the Holy Spirit, there are instances when staying silent is clearly not morally or ethically right, including when someone is being cheated or harmed. The righteous are bold as a lion. They do not hesitate to do what is right for fear of what man can do to them or any potential consequences. They do what is right no matter what (Isaiah 1:17).

If you struggle with boldness, pray and ask God to give you a boldness to always do what is right in His sight, and speak up when you should.

2. When Righteousness in a Nation Is Threatened.

Some Christians don’t like confrontation. They don’t like the idea of being disliked, and they don’t have the confidence to stand up for biblical values in the public square. So, they stay silent–in the workplace, with friends, on social media. This, however, is not optional in the eyes of God. We have a responsibility to steward the nation we’ve been given and speak for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8).

Further, we have been told that we will face persecution in this world, just as Jesus did, so avoiding it is avoiding our calling (2 Timothy 3:12).

Find more tips on “uncanceling” yourself HERE.

3. When It’s Time To Vote

We are stewards of whatever nation God has placed us in. As we know from the parable of the talents, “doing nothing” is not an acceptable option for a steward. When we come together as believers and vote, we invite God into our nation and preserve peace, prosperity and freedom for future generations. Voting is another form of speaking up for what’s right. Blessings in a nation don’t just happen on their own. They come when people are willing to speak up for what’s right.

4. When You Have a Chance To Share the Gospel

The gospel is a matter of life and death. We have the key to eternal life, and we are responsible for sharing it with the world! It is our Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16). Though evangelism can be intimidating (see our tips HERE), this is a time when you should not–cannot–remain silent. The lost and hurting in the world needs you.

5. When You Need To Correct a Brother or Sister in Christ

Another time when you should speak up is when you see another Christian falling into sin or heading down a wrong path. People don’t generally like to be called out, but what they do with correction is their responsibility–honoring and obeying God’s Word (Hebrews 3:13) is ours. It’s sad when people don’t know how to receive correction, because a rebuke gets us back on the right path, and those who are wise seek correction and receive it with gladness.

James 5:19-20 tells us, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (NKJV). In the case when someone has wronged you directly, Jesus gave us a process in Matthew 18:15-18. If you ever find yourself in the position where you need to correct another Christian, get past your fear of their response and love them enough to bring truth to their hearts.

6. When You Want To Live a Victorious Life

It’s no secret in this circle–words have power. Though you should stay silent when you aren’t prepared to speak the Word of God over your life, you shouldn’t stay there long. Spend time in the Word and listening to faith-filled teachings. Then, speak your desired outcome all day, every day. Let it become a habit in your life. When you experience victory upon victory, you’ll be glad you chose to speak up.

7. When You’re Facing an Emergency Situation

A big, unexpected bill; a health emergency; or a family crisis. Satan is on the scene and he is trying to steal, kill and destroy. What do you do? You certainly shouldn’t stay silent! This is the time to talk back just as Jesus did when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. How did Jesus respond? With the Word of God. The devil has no defense against it. Always have your arsenal of scriptures and promises that you can hurl at the enemy when he comes. He’ll have to turn tail and run as soon as you open your mouth!
Whatever you do, don’t stay silent, and don’t speak words contrary to God’s Word. 

When you keep these seven times you shouldn’t be silent in mind in the coming weeks, be sure you put effort into growing in the area of spiritual boldness. It doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it is necessary for anyone who wants to live a victorious life!

Watch Gloria Copeland and Pastor George Pearsons teach you why you reap what you speak.

 

Related Articles:

8 Times You Should Stay Silent

As powerful as individual prayer can be, there’s something that happens when people come together in a spirit of faith to pray that can only happen in a corporate setting. Not just in an atmosphere where people are reciting a prayer in unison–that’s religious habit–but coming together in one accord to move heaven to earth and impact the world around us as one Body.

The local church has the power to change the atmosphere of its city, nation and world. United prayer in the local church can move mountains and set signs, miracles and wonders in motion.

If you lead prayer in your church, or want to become involved in doing so, the following are 7 Points of Intercession To Pray as a Church. While there are many others, these points will always be needed and are a response to stewarding the land God has given us to watch over.

  1. Pray For Unity in Your Church. This is the place to begin your intercession, and it is critical. That’s because if you don’t have unity in your church, your prayers won’t be unified either. Strife negates the prayer of agreement (James 3:16), so pray for unity in your church so your prayers will be of one accord and release the power of the Holy Ghost.
  2. Pray for Your City. The city where your church is located is spiritually your responsibility–your congregation has been made a steward over it (Joshua 1:3). That’s why it’s so critical that you intercede for your city. And make no mistake, it makes a HUGE difference. There was a church whose members spent time worshipping and ministering on the streets of San Francisco, and police officers informed them that whenever they were there, NO crime occurred–none!
  3. Pray for Your Nation. Your personal peace depends on the peace of your city and nation (Jeremiah 29:7). Did you know that? The laws of the land, whether righteous or unrighteous, are the responsibility of praying, voting believers. We’re called to intercede, repent and humble ourselves before the Lord for our nation, and we must do so corporately as a local body (2 Chronicles 7:14).
  4. Pray for Government Leaders. According to 1 Timothy 2:1-6, we are to pray for ALL leaders, not just the ones we like. Our interceding as a united body can turn the heart of the king toward righteousness, and he or she won’t even know why!
  5. Pray for the Mountains of Influence. Media, education, business, government, arts and entertainment, religion and family. It’s no secret that ungodly voices are shouting from the top of these mountains, and we have a responsibility to intercede for each area of influence and take dominion over them. (Learn more about the 7 Mountains of Influence HERE.)
  6. Pray for Revival. Revival begins when people turn to God. It breaks forth from intercessory prayer, and continues when people repent and no longer tolerate sin in their lives. Revival happens wherever the Word of God prevails. Miracles, signs and wonders happen wherever the Word of God prevails. Hearts and lives are changed wherever the Word of God prevails. The Bible says God works with and confirms His Word with signs following (Mark 16:20). Look in the Word of God, and you will find the life that revival brings. If people pray and dig into the Word of God, which is life to them, revival will come and remain. Revival will become an ongoing way of life.
  7. Pray for Pastors. The devil is out to destroy pastors. And our often critical and unreasonable expectations of them only help his efforts. Pastors who are called to the ministry are in a vulnerable position, and they need our intercession to support and uplift them. We, as the Church, should be holding up their arms in prayer to prevent weariness and to stand against any schemes of the devil. Satan, you can’t have our pastors! Always lift up your pastors in your time of corporate prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

When you use these seven points of intercession as a local church body, you are stepping into the place of authority and dominion ordained by God. There is so much power when we come together in prayer. Let’s rise up and take our place as the Church!

Related Articles:

How To Activate the power of United Prayer in the Local Church

With so much going on in the world today, it’s easy to focus on the negative. With the turn of our government toward ungodly principles, the constant fighting among citizens in society, and the continual hateful rhetoric, many Christians have struggled with discouragement during these difficult times.

Most would agree, if there ever were a time when we needed encouragement–it’s now!

We have two ways to look at the current climate. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble,” so we know that persecution and trials are part of living on the earth. But…God did not leave us without a path to victory in the midst of it all. While there are many helps in staying positive, we’re focusing today on doing as David did during hard times. David encouraged himself in the Lord, and he was deliberate about it. He didn’t wait for his circumstances to change or for someone else to come along and encourage him. The Bible says he encouraged himself (1 Samuel 30:6).

How can you do this?

Here is our plan, based on biblical principles, to help you stay positive in a negative world.

1. Feed On Positive Spiritual Food

You are what you eat. That rings true for both the physical and the spirit man. If you eat junk food, it will show in the way you look, feel and sleep. The same is true of spiritual food. If you feed your spirit man negative news, social media, and secular books and movies more than you do good spiritual food, it will begin to show in your outlook on life and your overall success in your finances, relationships and health. That’s why the Bible tells us to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23-27).

If you want to stay positive in a negative world, the Word of God is your lifeline. More Word equals more faith, more victory and a much more positive outlook! If you reduce your intake of negative information and opinions, and up your intake of the Word of God through reading His Word, listening to faith teachings to and from work, and listening to worship, you’ll encourage yourself in the Lord and find you are more positive every day!

2. Speak Positive Words

The words you speak have power. Whether you know it or not, there is no such thing as meaningless words. When you say something–you’re training yourself to believe it! And you set spiritual law–good or bad–in motion. That’s why the Bible tells us that our words are containers that will release either death or life into our lives (Proverbs 18:21).

You may have gotten into the habit of complaining about the current state of the world. While there is certainly much to pray about and speak up for, set a goal to be mindful of your words for the next 30 days. Watch what you speak about your nation, your family, your health, your job and your finances. Speak positively! And watch your outlook and situation turn around.

See 10 Things You Should Say Every Day HERE.

3. Go On a Negative Word Fast

As long as we’re talking words, in addition to speaking positively, it’s just as important to NOT speak negatively. Admittedly, this can be a difficult task! But it is not impossible, and God is here to help. Begin by determining to refrain from all complaining, criticism and gossip.

Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV) says, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul (and life!) from troubles.” Don’t let your mouth be your destruction (Proverbs 18:7). Instead, make a decision to NOT speak negatively. Try going on a negative word fast for one week and see what happens!

Whatever you do, don’t let your words keep you locked into the negative outlook you so desire to be delivered from.

Find out what damage negative words cause by reading more about The Rice Experiment HERE.

4. Be Selective About the Company You Keep

It’s challenging to stay positive when the conversation around you is continually negative! If you have a friend or family member who is known for being negative, it’s time to limit your interaction with that individual. Be selective about the company you keep. Instead, surround yourself with people who are full of faith, life and a positive outlook! You’ll find yourself moving over to their way of thinking, speaking and believing when you allow them to influence you for good.

5. Keep a Gratitude Journal

It’s tough to focus on the negative things in the world when you cultivate a heart full of gratitude! That’s why the Bible instructs us to intentionally think only on positive things (Philippians 4:8-9).

A gratitude journal is a perfect place to start. Take the time to write down 10 things each morning that you are grateful for. It can be anything–even something as simple as your cup of coffee. Then, spend time thanking God for each of them. You’ll be amazed at how much it will lift your spirit over time. In fact, Dr. Don Colbert prescribes keeping a gratitude journal to many of his patients for physical and emotional healing.

When you put these ways to stay positive in a negative world into practice, you’ll begin to see not only your outlook change, but your circumstances, too! People who are positive simply enjoy life more and live a better life. You can have that, too. And it’s the kind of life God wants for you.

No matter what you’re facing today, there is an answer. It may not seem like it, but it’s true. God has provided the knowledge and direction you need to come out on the other side of this better than you could ever ask or imagine.

Here, we’re sharing How to Access Revelation Knowledge for Any Situation so you can find the answers you need!

  1. Meditate on Specific Scriptures. This may seem obvious, but mental knowledge of God’s Word isn’t enough–even the devil can quote it! Revelation knowledge comes when you’ve spent time meditating on specific scriptures that relate to your situation. When you’ve read a particular verse over and over, it can be easy to gloss over it without stopping to examine it. Pause and allow the Lord to show you a deeper meaning than you’ve ever known. He’ll show you how to apply it directly to your current situation. Revelation knowledge comes from the inside out, not the outside in. As you meditate on His Word, be sure you open your heart and mind for a fresh word, and leave religious tradition or your own preconceived ideas aside.
  2. Pray in the Spirit. We are spirit beings with a soul and a body, but to receive revelation knowledge, we have to tap into the secret place. As Gloria Copeland says, “Praying in the spirit makes you smarter than yourself.” That sums it up! When you don’t have the answer, the Holy Spirit will quicken it to your spirit when you pray in your heavenly language. If you need an answer to a particular problem, up the time you normally spend praying in the spirit and continue on until you hear from Him.
  3. Listen. Kenneth Copeland says, “You haven’t finished praying until you’ve listened.” It’s easy to rattle off our wish list or complaints to the Lord, then go along our merry way. But that isn’t going to get it done. It’s in listening that the Holy Spirit is able to bring witty ideas and fresh revelation to our spirits. There is a man who knew how to listen for revelation in such a way that he went from poverty to becoming a multimillionaire just from the time he spent in his closet listening to the Lord. (Read his story HERE.)
  4. Listen to Teachings. God will often speak to you through His ministers in supernatural ways. Even teachings that are decades old can provide a revelation about your finances, your healing, your relationships or any other area where you need answers. This is another way to mediate on scriptures, like we talked about in the first step. Praise God for the Body of Christ–we can learn through the revelation of others and quicken our own revelation.
  5. Fast. When people like Ezra, Esther, Paul and Barnabas needed answers from God, they turned to the power of fasting. A fast doesn’t change God–it changes you! It is a clearing away of the flesh and an opening of the heart to hear from the Holy Spirit. (Find more about fasting HERE.)

Whatever you’re facing today, there is an answer. Not just any answer, either–a perfect one! God desires to help you achieve the desires of your heart and live victoriously. Revelation knowledge is His way of getting the answers to you. Don’t let it pass you by! Use these five steps and press in until you hear from Him.

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3 Rewards of Fasting

Love is the way to victory. It really is that simple. Without it, there is no hope of obtaining the blessings of the Lord or living the life He intended. So, if you are going to focus on improving any one area of your life–focus on your love walk.

The word of the Lord through Brother Copeland is that 2021 is the Year of the Local Church. To be the Church, we must be people who operate in love. When your pastor teaches on walking in love, tune in! He’s trying to help you achieve victory in your life, which is your greatest testimony to the world.

None of us is perfect in the area of love, and to be sure, it takes continual effort. That’s why it’s important to take a love checkup on a regular basis and tighten things up wherever needed.

To help you, we’re sharing an excerpt from Gloria Copeland’s new book, Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit, which includes a love checkup. Based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, take your time at each stop and be real about where you can improve in each one.

Love endures long and is patient and kind

When you’re walking in love, you don’t get snippy and irritated with people who aren’t acting the way you want them to. You treat them kindly, and instead of getting exasperated with them, you’re longsuffering because love doesn’t wear out. It doesn’t give up on people.

Even if it’s wronged repeatedly, love forgives “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). It overflows with so much mercy that its mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23, KJV). Whatever it takes, love keeps seeking opportunities to do good things for others and to be a blessing to them.

Love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy.

When you’re walking in love, you celebrate with people and share their joy when they receive a blessing or experience success. You don’t resent them for getting the car, the house or the promotion you wanted. If Satan tempts you to do so, you respond like my daughter, Kellie, did one time when she was about 3 years old. Her room was a mess and Ken said to her, “Kellie, you get in there and pick up those toys.” She answered him right back and said, “That’s not my thought!”

That’s how love talks to the devil. When he comes around you with his ugly ideas and attitudes, love rises up in you and rebukes him: “No, Devil. That’s not my thought! I’m not taking that envy. I’m not taking that jealousy. I’m walking in love.”

[Love] is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride).

Love doesn’t puff you up and cause you to act like you’re a big shot. It moves you to lift up other people. Rather than making you want to show off to everyone how wonderful you are, love causes you to focus on those around you. It makes you want them to know how wonderful they are!

[Love] is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love will cause you to be courteous even when other people are behaving rudely toward you. It will empower you to hold your tongue and respond in every situation in a way that reflects the nature of God. When the waiter in the restaurant doesn’t give you the proper attention, for example, love will inspire you to be nice to him anyway. Love will cause you to extend grace to him and bless him with a good tip!

“Love…does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking.”

This characteristic of love can save your marriage. It will stop hurtful arguments before they start. When a disagreement arises between you and your spouse, if you’ll put the other person’s desires before your own instead of insisting on getting your own way, you’ll have peace instead of turmoil in your home.

“But I’m not the one who’s in the wrong at our house,” you might say. “My spouse is the one who needs to change!”

That may be so, but someone has to take the first step. Someone has to stop saying, “I have a right to do this! I have a right to have that!” You be the one who makes the change. Speak words of love instead of selfishness, and you’ll open the door for God to work.

[Love] is not touchy or fretful or resentful.” Sometimes, we have trouble not being fretful when someone hurts our feelings. I’ve had to remind myself a lot over the years that “I am not touchy, fretful or resentful.” Some of my friends have, too.

When you take this love checkup and set out to make improvements in each area, you’ll be well on your way to a better, happier, healthier and more successful life! This year, as we focus on the local church and what God is calling us to do as the Church, make love your aim. Allow the word spoken from the pulpit to develop the love of God within you. Become a person who makes working on your love walk as much a part of your day as eating and sleeping. Make it a habit. You’ll never be the same again!

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If you’re familiar with the four-step process of receiving God’s promises by faith, you know you must:

1. Believe
2. Speak
3. Act
4. Receive

To believe requires developing faith through hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God. Speaking right words is the fruit of faith, but still requires practice and the development of new habits. But once you’ve mastered the first two steps, it can be easy to freeze up on the third step–acting as if what you’re believing for is already done.

Why is this important? Because faith believes before it sees the manifestation. And when you really believe something–you’ll act like it!

Still, knowing how to act like what you’ve prayed and believed for is done can be a challenge. Here, we’re sharing three ways to act as if it’s done to help you get to the fourth and most important step–receiving!

1. Pray the Prayer of Thanksgiving

If you believe you’ve received when you pray, you act as if it’s done by thanking the Lord for it before you see it. When you pray the prayer of thanksgiving, it is an act of faith. 

Kenneth Copeland says, “Praise is the big gun of faith.” 

When the storms of life are thundering around us, if we’ll just stop right in the middle of it all and give thanks, it will keep us standing strong.

Of course, it takes faith to do that. Anybody can give thanks after God moves. No doubt, all the unbelieving folks around Lazarus’ tomb were praising and thanking God after their once-dead friend came walking out in his grave clothes. But Jesus gave thanks beforehand. And if we’re going to see the miraculous power of God in our lives, that’s what we, too, must do.

Don’t wait until things get better or your promise appears to be on the horizon–pray the prayer of thanksgiving even when your situation seems hopeless.

2. Don’t Create a Plan B

Common sense will tell you that you should expect the best but plan for the worst. The problem? That’s not faith! To act as if God’s promise is already yours, you won’t create a Plan B, just in case it doesn’t happen. Why? Because you know it’s yours NOW in the spirit and right around the corner in the natural.

There is no Plan B in the Kingdom. God is not the God of Plan B–He’s the God of victory!

3. Take a Tangible Step of Faith 

You’ve prayed, believed, and are speaking right words. Now what? Take a tangible step of faith toward your particular promise. For example:

  • If you’re believing for a new car, clean out your garage.
  • If you’re believing for a new job, put together a new work wardrobe.
  • If you’re believing to have children, choose boy and girl names or start purchasing clothes and blankets.
  • If you’re believing to sell your home, start packing!

When you take a tangible step of faith, you’re acting as if what you’ve prayed for is already done. And that’s the kind of faith that leads to a manifestation.

When you act as if what you’ve prayed and believed for is done, you’re setting yourself up for a manifestation! Don’t wait until you see natural evidence to act on your promise. Have faith–and act like you know it’s yours!

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by Kenneth Copeland
 

The WORD commands us at least 110 times: Fear not! And throughout The WORD, there are many other references to fear in phrases such as “be thou not afraid.” That tells me, God is serious about us being rid of fear. And in these days, we need to be serious about it, too.

With that in mind, I want to share with you a Bible exercise with three steps to live a fear-free life that I’ve been doing for most of my years as a believer. It’s an exercise that has healed me, prospered me and delivered me…time after time. Now when I say exercise, it’s just as physical as it is spiritual. And by that I mean, get your Bible out because we have work to do.

This exercise is also physical because Psalm 107:2 tells us: “Let the redeemed of The LORD say so….” It doesn’t say, “Let the redeemed of The LORD think so.” It says, “say so!” So, let’s get vocal about this.

1. Start by reading Deuteronomy 28:66-67–OUT LOUD.

“Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.”

You may recognize that this passage is part of the curse recorded by Moses in God’s covenant with Israel. The bottom line of that covenant was, if Israel obeyed God and kept His WORD–the commandments He had written down–every blessing known to man, and then some, would come on them and overtake them. If Israel didn’t keep God’s WORD, however, a long list of curses would plague them–even to the point of death. And in that list was fear.

2. Now read–OUT LOUD–Galatians 3:13.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us….” As a born-again child of God, you have been redeemed from all the curses listed in Deuteronomy 28–including fear–by the Anointed Jesus.

So there’s your “say-it-out-loud” exercise.

3. And once you’ve done it a few times, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in confessions based on The WORD.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in a confession such as: “Father, I thank You that I am redeemed from having the curse of fear in my heart because Christ–the Anointed One and His Anointing–has already redeemed me from the curse of the law of sin and death. I now live under the law of the Spirit of life in the Anointed One, Jesus. I am established in His righteousness, oppression is far from me, and terror does not come near me or my household. With You as my Helper, I do not fear what man can do to me.”

That’s just an example, but it’s how you begin living a fear-free lifestyle!

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Do you seem to have more month than money? Wondering how you’ll save for retirement or get out of debt?

Don’t allow your current circumstances to call the shots. It’s time to take back your power with these 5 Simple Habits to Increase Your Finances.

Habit 1: Review Your Current Budget

How long has it been since you looked into lower rates on your car insurance, homeowner’s insurance or other monthly bills? You can potentially save hundreds of dollars each month by shopping around for the best rates on your cellphone coverage, internet or any other monthly service. 

Review your current budget, and find out where you can make minor changes that won’t change your lifestyle but will save you money. Then, consider what you can cut out altogether. (Think about all those automatic withdrawals dipping into your account every month.)

Finally, for those expenses that don’t seem to have an available lower rate–ask! Sometimes all it takes is asking for a discount to receive one.

Habit 2: Believe for a Big Raise

Have you been stuck in the belief that what you currently earn is your limit? 

The world’s limitations are never God’s limitations. With His help, you can:

  • Leap over any wall–Psalm 18:29 (anything natural standing in your way).
  • See rivers in the desert–Isaiah 43:19 (a way where seems to be no way).
  • Go from slave to ruler–Genesis 41:37-44 (see big promotion)!

Remember: God is THE ONE who gives you the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). That means a “no” from man is never the final answer. 

If you’re going to believe for something–believe big! God isn’t the God of the possible, He is the God of the impossible. It is His will to increase His people.

In the meantime, become an exceptional employee. Go above what is expected, and increase your knowledge and skill set on your own time to become of greater value. Here is the most important thing you can do: Praise and thank God every day for your job and your income. He isn’t in the habit of promoting complainers! Praise paves the way to promotion.

Habit 3: Tithe

Every effort to increase your finances will only go as far as your obedience to God’s Word. God wants to bless you ENORMOUSLY, but tithing is the gateway. There is no shortcut. To honor the Giver of wealth, you must not withhold what is His. Don’t fight it! When you give God 10%, the other 90% will be blessed beyond anything you could ever imagine.

Habit 4: Start Saving

If you’re waiting for perfect circumstances to start saving–you’ll be waiting a long time. What is one of the habits of the rich? They pay themselves first. In other words, after you tithe, the first thing you do (before paying any bills) is to put a percentage into your savings account. Then, you work with what you have. If you need to start small–do so. From there you can work your way up.

You can spend what you make or instantly increase your net worth if you start saving. God will multiply your efforts, but you must give Him something to work with!

Habit 5: Speak the Change

Think of your words like the GPS of your life–you don’t set it to where you’ve been, you set it to where you want to go! Don’t keep the focus of your words on debt, an income that’s lower than you’d like, or mounting bills. 

Instead, focus on where you want to go–debt freedom, a raise and abundance–then speak those words. Say, “I am debt free in Jesus’ Name. I am living in the overflow. I thank You, Lord, for increase. I praise You for my raise.” Speak the change you want to see in your life. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it will come!

Building wealth isn’t as daunting as it may seem. You have a BIG God on your side. When you put these five simple habits to increase your finances to work, God will meet your effort with His supernatural touch. Make this your year for financial increase!

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

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You don’t have to pretend anymore.

Somewhere along the way, an unspoken rule was formed that says you must always have it together. Be perfect. Never feel weary in your faith.

It’s time we break through the facade and discuss the reality of faith under fire, because as long as we secretly hide our struggles, the devil has a hold where he has no place. The truth is: The prophets felt it, the disciples experienced it, and David expressed it in great detail throughout the Psalms.

Feeling out of energy or tired after a long fight of faith is nothing new. Maybe you’re there now. You don’t doubt where the source of your life and victory is, yet you find yourself empty.

But one thing you must NEVER do is stay there.

Sometimes, we’re waiting for others to pull us out of our sinking feeling or even waiting on God. But 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV) says, “David encouraged himself in the Lord.” How did he do it? He stirred himself up and stayed stirred up in God.

Here, we’d like to offer you a quick fix for worn-down faith that will fill your tank, build you back up, and get you back in the game.

  1. Start a Gratitude Journal

    Gratitude is the antidote to discouragement. If you’ve felt pressed on every side, you likely were focused on how to get the pressure off. It’s tough to focus on the good things during hard times, but it’s the only way out. It’s also something Dr. Don Colbert prescribes to many of his patients for physical and emotional healing.

    A gratitude journal is a perfect place to start. Take the time to write down 10 things each morning that you are grateful for. It can be anything. Even something as simple as your cup of coffee. Then, spend time thanking God for each of them. You’ll be amazed at how much it will lift your spirit over time.
     

  2. Stir Up Love Again

    Kenneth Copeland recalls using this fix years ago when he says he felt spiritually dry and empty after a time of trial.

    It’s easy to turn the focus on yourself when times are tough, but that’s also exactly the way to stay stuck in it. However, when you focus on giving the love of God to others, something supernatural takes place within you.

    Stir up love again–start as an act of faith, rather than as a response to your feelings. There is healing power in giving love to others–healing for you! You may not feel like loving your husband, your wife, another family member, a friend or a co-worker. Don’t let that stop you.

    Ask God to show you how you can love those around you and reach out to meet their needs.
     

  3. Take Control With Your Words

    We can take control of our own thought lives entirely by speaking to and immediately casting down wrong thoughts, and speaking the Word of God out loud to counter them.  Tell Satan, “I refuse to think on your junk! I choose to believe God’s Word. I’m going to think on Jesus and the promises in His Word!”

    Take control with your words. The minute a discouraging thought about your situation comes, counter it! Say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I may have been down, but I’m coming back up. I may have lost a battle, but I’m going to win the war. God puts me over. I am more than a conqueror, and the blessings of God are mine!”
     

  4. Try the 5-5-5 Plan

    To give some structure to some of the tips we’ve covered so far, you can try the 5-5-5 plan.

    First thing in the morning, spend 5 minutes praising and thanking God, 5 minutes on positive confessions, and 5 minutes reading the Psalms. Only 15 minutes of your day will transform your life.

    God inhabits the praises of His people, and if you’re worn down, you need Him! Positive confessions keep your thoughts in line with God’s Word, as we discussed in an earlier point. And finally, reading the Psalms will help you find your voice and learn how to praise in the weary and dry places like David did.
     

When you put this quick-fix plan for worn-down faith to work, you’ll be back to living in joy, peace, love and prosperity before you know it. Remember–it may take some time before you see or feel a difference, but know that you are moving ahead in the right direction. Your faith WILL be strong again!

 

Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you why your feelings are lying to you.

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If you’re looking for a home church where you can be rooted and planted according to Psalm 92:13, you probably already know that church shopping can be quite a process. As you prayerfully consider where to plant your family, use this checklist for choosing the right church, and get rooted!

The right church will:

  1. Preach the whole Word of God.

    The full gospel includes healing, deliverance, abundance and victory in every area of life. It does not include God making people sick to teach them something, or endorse poverty in the lives of pastors or believers.
     

  2. Talk about money.

    If you’re looking for a church that doesn’t talk about money, you’re not looking for the right church. There are more than 2,000 scriptures in the Bible about money. If a church doesn’t teach you how to handle money God’s way, it’s avoiding teaching the full Word of God and keeping you from walking into God’s system of wealth. A church should also preach on the tithe. It’s God’s system to get money to you!
     

  3. Speak against abortion and stand firm for traditional marriage.

    A church that avoids standing firm on biblical issues facing our nation is a people-pleasing church, rather than a God-pleasing church. If you don’t ever feel a little uncomfortable in a church, in terms of feeling convicted by the Word, you probably aren’t growing. The Church must teach its people what the Bible says about the issues of our day.
     

  4. Sow into the community.

    If everything stays within the four walls of church, that church is not in the will of God. Jesus said, “Go into all the world” (Mark 16:15). A church needs to be salt and light, and the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost world. You’ll find evidence of a church sowing into the community through serving the hungry, homeless, orphans and widows; and in other ways.
     

  5. Have fruit.

    The right church will have fruit that is easy to spot. Humility in leadership, order among church staff and during services, and an obvious spirit of love among the people are all fruit that will be present in the right church. If there is manipulation, a controlling spirit, gossip or backbiting, it is not the right church for you.
     

  6. Welcome you and provide opportunities to connect.

    The right church will make you feel welcome and offer opportunities for you to connect with leadership and other believers.
     

  7. Foster relationships between members.

    The right church will foster relationships between members through small groups and/or serving ministries within the church.
     

  8. Provide opportunities to serve.

    The right church will provide opportunities for everyone to serve. It will not be a one-man show or cliquish. It won’t block people from serving. That doesn’t mean you should expect to walk up on the platform and sing, but there will be opportunities for you to serve somewhere.
     

  9. Cause you to grow.

    Above all, the right church will cause you to grow spiritually (read: You won’t be the same this time next year.). If you leave thinking about the things you need to change or improve in your life, that’s a good sign. If nothing challenges you to go to a higher level, it may not be the right place for you.
     

  10. Feel right in your spirit.

    When you’re looking for the right church, don’t put on your skeptical, judging glasses–just listen to your spirit. There are no perfect churches and there are no perfect people. Remember–you aren’t perfect either! So, while you want to look for some key things in the natural, let your spirit do the talking when you’re looking for the right church.

Is this checklist for choosing the right church helpful? Remember, these are general guidelines. Choosing the right church is a very important process. Be sure to spend time seeking the Lord for direction because He will tell you exactly where you need to be. Though the right church will bless you, your main purpose should always be to bless the church. Don’t go and be a spectator–look for ways to bless your pastor, serve the church and encourage other believers. Your contribution is needed and required!

Watch Jeremy and Sarah Pearsons teach you how to find your faith family.


 

Looking for a church home? Kenneth Copeland Ministries’ Church Listing can help you easily find a Bible-believing ministry near you. Search our database HERE. 

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David was the expert.

He knew how to do it more than anyone we read about in the Bible.

…and he lived a life of great blessing because of it.

Royal, handsome and a fearless warrior, he never let pride keep him from the overwhelming presence of God that comes to those who DELIGHT in Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. And he lived out Psalm 37:4 to the fullest, which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (ESV).

To delight yourself in something is to get great pleasure from it–and show it!

In 1 Chronicles 16:7-36, David delivered a psalm to the Lord in recognition of great victories he had experienced at the hand of God’s favor. In it, he listed many ways he chose to delight in the Lord.

We can take a cue from David and learn to delight in the Lord as he did. As a lover and seeker of Almighty God, you can learn to delight in the Lord like David and bless Him as He has blessed you. In doing so, you’ll put yourself in position to hear from Him more and receive from Him more.

Taken from David’s Psalm as well as elsewhere in Scripture–here is our list of 21 ways to delight in the Lord.

  1. Write your own personal psalm to Him.
  2. Dance before Him.
  3. Thank Him for the long list of things He’s done for you.
  4. Memorize scripture.
  5. Encourage someone.
  6. Sing to Him.
  7. Love those who are unkind to you.
  8. Find a way to serve a widow or orphan in your community.
  9. Read your Bible every morning.
  10. Listen to Him.
  11. Praise Him every day.
  12. Worship at home and in the car–not just at church.
  13. Listen to teachings to understand Him more.
  14. Try to please Him with every thought and word.
  15. Tell Him you love Him.
  16. Believe His promises.
  17. Love your spouse.
  18. Honor Him with your money (tithe and give).
  19. Put Him first–above family, friends, media.
  20. Guard your heart from social media, news, secular TV and magazines.
  21. Talk about what the Lord has done for you at every opportunity.

When you delight yourself in the Lord, not only will you bless Him and feel closer to Him, but His Word says that then He will give you the desires of your heart. Delighting yourself in the Alpha, Omega, First and Last, Beginning and End is not a one-time experience–it is a lifestyle! One you will never regret.

Watch Gloria and Kellie Copeland teach you how to receive the desires of your heart.

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So, you’ve decided to make a vision board. Good thinking! God’s Word is clear: Where there is no clear vision, people wander astray (Proverbs 29:18). Plus, visualization is something Olympic athletes and award-winning actors have used to achieve success for years. Now, you can do the same in your own life.

Your vision board will help you set goals (we usually think too small!) and see yourself living out your dreams. God never has small plans for His people, and we don’t want to get caught one day in heaven having to watch a movie of what our lives were supposed to look like. (No thank you!)

So, follow this vision board supply checklist to get started, and let’s get dreaming!

  1. Brainstorm your dreams, visions, goals.
     
  2. Write them down in a journal or notebook.
     
  3. Collect pictures, objects and words to represent each goal. (Check out Pinterest for vision board layouts.)
    • You can use words to represent a goal, such as Debt Free, and you can also include inspiring words like Courage or Faith.
       
  4. Hit a craft store, like Hobby Lobby, to gather supplies. The following are some suggestions:
    • A corkboard, pushpin board or poster board as the main frame for your work
    • Magazines to find images or wording to cut out
    • Double-sided tape
    • Glue sticks
    • Pushpins
    • Decorative letters, ribbons or other items (if desired)
    • Scissors
    • Images printed from the internet
    • A picture of yourself within the goals
    • Anything else to help you bring your goals to life.
       
  5. Add embellishments, if you like, to decorate and personalize your board. Make it something you want to look at every day!
     
  6. Hang it where you’ll see it daily. Keep it in a private place, if you like. Some suggestions include:
    • On a desk
    • In a planner
    • On the inside of a cabinet
    • Under a car visor
    • On a wall
    • On a nightstand.

As you create your board, work to keep it neat and simple, rather than allowing it to get cluttered or chaotic. Your goals should bring feelings of excitement and joy, not chaos.

Be sure to take time to review your board every day–particularly when you wake up and before you go to bed. See yourself living out your dreams and goals. Pray over them, speak them out loud, and thank God for helping you accomplish them.

Happy dreaming!

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Looking to implement a new prayer routine in your daily life? Maybe you’re a pray-on-the-go or pray-when-I-can person, and you’re looking to create more of a steady prayer life. Or perhaps you feel like consistency is the key to a breakthrough you’ve been needing.

Either way, if you’ve been looking for a way to up your game in the area of prayer, here are five tips for creating a prayer routine you’ll actually stick with.

1. Be Realistic About Your Prayer Routine

Goals are good–even big ones. But setting unrealistic goals (read: going too far, too fast) can lead to disappointment, and ultimately, the abandoning of the idea altogether. So be realistic about your new prayer routine, and you’ll actually stick with it!

If you wake up at 8:00 each morning, don’t set a goal of waking up at 5:00–at least not right away. Pick something challenging, but doable in the long term. If you’re already pressed for time in the morning, don’t set a goal of an hour. Start with small goals–like 10 minutes, for example–and work your way up to where you’d eventually like to land.

By taking it bit by bit, you’ll increase your chances of making your new prayer routine a lifelong habit.

Get more great prayer tips when you watch VICTORY!

2. Determine a Purpose for Your New Prayer Routine

Once you decide on time, if you don’t have a purpose for your prayer,  you may find yourself speechless, and feeling like your time has been wasted.  This isn’t a plan you’ll stick with!

Of course, you should follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, but it’s best to start with a game plan. For example, your purpose could look something like this:

• Worship, praise and honor the Lord

• Intercede for your nation, your city, your church, your pastors and anyone else that comes to mind

• Make your requests known to God–for yourself and your family.

If you know the first thing you’re going to do is worship and praise the Lord, you won’t struggle to know where to start. You’ll move right into worship and get into a flow that will maximize your time.

3. Decide On a Place for Your New Prayer Routine

Where can you go to pray? Do you like to be outside on a deck or patio? Is your living room the quietest place? Choose a place where you’ll have privacy and quiet, without interruptions from children, a spouse or pets. If you know you’ll have this time all to yourself, you’re more likely to stick with it in the long run.

Be sure to have easy access to your Bible, Scripture book(s), and Communion elements. If you like to sit while you pray, set up a comfortable chair in your place.

4. Choose a Goal for How Long Your New Prayer Routine Will Be

If you’d like to work your way up to an hour each day, begin with 10 or 15 minutes. Set a timer for the amount of time you’d like to pray, so you aren’t constantly distracted by looking at the clock.

Then, after a week or two, bump your time up 10 minutes at a time until you reach your desired goal. But don’t cling too tightly to a specific time frame. You can move heaven and earth in an effective, fervent, faith-driven prayer that lasts 10 minutes, while you can ramble for 60 minutes and not achieve much!

Keeping your time in check will help you stick with your goal, knowing you have a way to stay on schedule for the rest of your day.

5. Don’t Give Up on Your New Prayer Routine

If you don’t manage to get up early each day, or can’t quite hit your goal for time spent praying, don’t give up on your new prayer routine! There will be days you just can’t get yourself up and days when you run out of things to pray about. That’s OK!

Setting a goal is to give you something to reach for, not something to cause you to become legalistic. If you miss it one day, just pick it back up the next. When you’re spending time with the Lord in the right way, He’ll meet you in your prayer time and manifest Himself to you. Then, you’ll come to desire it so much, you won’t feel like it’s a chore.

If you use these five tips to create a new prayer routine, you’ll stick with it! More importantly, it will change the outcome of your day as you begin putting first things first. Prayer is a wonderful time to prepare your heart for the day and to set breakthroughs in motion. So get praying!

Watch Gloria Copeland and Billye Brim teach you how to pray God’s will every time.

You’ve got a situation. Something needs fixing–fast. An illness, a relationship or a financial hardship; or a decision must be made.

Your first thought? What does the internet say…(insert wrong answer buzzer sound here).

Answers, breakthrough and victory can only come one way–living with a God-inside consciousness. That means being continually aware that everything you need is already inside you, where the Holy Spirit resides 24/7.

That doesn’t mean He won’t direct you to go to a doctor, use medicine, or take natural steps in your finances and relationships. It means you’ll always have the right answer and one that the world may never even think to offer.

How can you always have the right answer and get your breakthrough fast? Here is a 3-step plan for living from the inside out in any situation.

1. Seek God’s Counsel to Live From the Inside Out

The Spirit of God is dwelling on the inside of you (Romans 8:9). That means that’s where you’ll find His counsel, too. Begin by setting aside everything you’ve already been told by doctors, financial advisors, counselors, friends and family. Become a clean slate.

Get quiet before the Lord. Sometimes, our prayer time can involve a whole lot of talking on our end, and not much room for Him to speak. Be intentional about quieting your spirit and just receive from Him.

You may not hear Him speak to you at that exact moment, but He has something to tell you. It may take some time to quiet your own thoughts enough to hear what He has to say.

2. Pray in the Spirit to Live From the Inside Out

In the meantime, pray in the spirit. That’s one of the most effective ways to get yourself out of the way, refresh yourself in the Lord, and prepare your heart to hear from Him.

There’s no set amount of time that will bring the answer, but devote as much time as you can to this. When he needs and answer to something pressing, Kenneth Copeland makes it a practice to set aside three days to pray and seek the Lord about nothing but that one issue. He says he always receives his answer in that time.

We know we don’t receive what we ask when we don’t pray with the right motive (James 4:3)and praying in the spirit ensures we pray right on target.

3. Listen to the Inward Witness to Live From the Inside Out

Remember, everything you need is inside you. That’s where the Holy Spirit will speak to you. But, here’s the key: When you listen to the inward witness, you also need to obey what He tells you. Sometimes He’ll tell you to do things that don’t make sense to the natural mind or that oppose “logic,” but you can be sure–He is always right.

If He tells you to see a certain doctor–do it, and don’t delay. If He tells you to ask someone for advice, do so immediately. If He tells you to change jobs, don’t think about all the reasons why you can’t–just do it!

Even more importantly, if He corrects you (and if you’re looking for a breakthrough, you will receive correction), make the change. Stop the habit, change the thoughts, alter the words, forgive the person He tells you to forgive.
 

Once you do what He tells you to do, you’re going to see what you’re looking for. Those desires you’ve had all these years? They’ll manifest quickly. If they don’t, repeat steps one through three until they do.

This is the way to live from the inside out and live the life you’ve been dreaming of. Stop looking to the world for the answers. Everything you need is already inside you!

Watch Jesse Duplantis share why what’s on the inside will change your circumstances.

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Why Your Breakthrough Is Closer Than You Think

Someone has done you wrong. Maybe it was a small offense, but boy, does it rub you the wrong way. Or perhaps it was something the world would deem “unforgivable”–an unthinkable betrayal, an assault–something that cannot be repaired, and you don’t think you can ever manage to keep it from coming to mind.

It’s true–there are many offenses that can leave us feeling so hurt, we don’t know how we could ever possibly forgive. Jesus knew we would feel this way when He said, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them” (Mark 11:25, NIV).

Jesus will never command us to do anything that isn’t possible. And more importantly, He doesn’t command us to do anything that isn’t in our own best interest.

Unforgiveness is a dark prison. It keeps you locked in bitterness, sadness and fear. It blocks you from receiving God’s blessings in your life–from living free.

If you have someone you have been struggling to forgive–you can go free–NOW. Don’t let someone else’s poor choices hinder you any longer. Shake loose from the burden of unforgiveness, and go after your miracles, your manifestations, your blessings and your abundant life!

Begin today with this 3-step plan for total forgiveness.

1. Desire to Forgive

It may not seem like it, but having a desire to forgive is the biggest hurdle you need to clear before you can reach total forgiveness. Most of the time, people feel justified in holding a grudge–they’ve been wronged, after all!

Forgiving someone isn’t a special favor to those who have wronged you. It isn’t justifying what they’ve done, and it doesn’t even indicate a restored relationship. In fact, forgiveness isn’t something that happens between you and another person–it is an actual transaction between you and God.

It is a quiet, personal transformation in your heart, and it gives God room to take care of justice on your behalf.

If you want to hold on to a grudge, you’ll never get where you need to go. You’ve got to desire to forgive. And it begins with a desire to obey God that outweighs any other fleshly desire.

2. Make a decision to forgive.

And it would be unjust for Him to command us to do something we could not do. Therefore, we know it is within our ability to obey His command to forgive–no matter what the circumstances.

Most people don’t realize it, but unforgiveness is actually a form of fear. Quite often, we don’t forgive because we’re afraid of getting hurt again. We’re afraid we will never recover from the damage someone has done to our lives.

That’s why, once you have the desire to forgive, you need to make a decision to forgive.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’ve already made the decision to forgive–time and again–but every time I think of the person or situation, I get angry again.

Here’s the secret: You forgive by faith, not by feelings.

3. Fight to stay in forgiveness.

Once you make the decision to forgive, you will have to fight to stay in forgiveness. The devil will do everything he can to knock you off your stance. He’ll try to get you to rehearse what happened. When he does, say out loud, “No! That’s been forgiven. I resist you, devil. Now, go!

Once you’ve forgiven, speak and act in accordance with that decision. Refuse to say anything negative about anyone who has hurt you. Refuse to rehearse in your mind or with your mouth the hurt they have caused you. Instead, look for opportunities to bless them both in word and in deed.

Don’t be moved by what you feel. Forgiveness isn’t an emotion–it’s an act of your will. And when your will lines up with the will of God, heaven’s choice blessings are yours!

When you use this 3-step plan for total forgiveness, you’ll go free once and for all! That person or group of people who did you wrong will hold no power over you ever again. As you continue to practice these steps in your life, you’ll find you won’t have trouble forgiving anyone ever again. That’s when you’ll see breakthrough in every area of your life!

Watch Gloria Copeland teach how forgiveness opens the door for you to live in total freedom.

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How to Receive a Miracle: 10 Faith Actions You Can Take Today

You need something, don’t you? Healing, a miracle in your finances, a relationship repaired, or maybe wisdom and direction? Each of us face needs or desires daily, and thankfully, God has already made provision for those things. All we have to do is receive them by faith!

Sounds simple, right?

Yes and no. All you need is faith, but mountain-moving faith doesn’t just happen automatically. No, your faith must be developed. Once you build your faith, it will become easier to maintain. What’s the key to doing this? LOVE.

Not what you were expecting to hear, right?

Most people want to say a simple prayer, read their Bibles long enough, or attend a powerful meeting and–poof!–mountain-moving faith. You probably know by now–it doesn’t work that way. Faith works by love. That’s what Galatians 5:6 says. And God is Love, so it’s really no surprise.

So, if you want to get moving toward victory and keep your faith running at full throttle, start with these top three ways to jump-start your faith.

1. Jump-Start Your Faith by Believing God Loves You

Now, before you say, “Oh, I know God loves me,” stop and think. Most Christians would say that, but they don’t really believe it. They just mentally agree with John 3:16. To believe in God’s love is to have faith in His love to forgive every sin, heal every sickness and disease, deliver you from every trying situation, and provide for every material need in your life.

That’s a little more than we normally think of, isn’t it?

Believing that God loves you enough to do all these things is not a matter of the head, but of the heart. In fact, it’s a spiritual revelation. If you want to jump-start your faith and receive those things you thought of at the beginning of this article, you’ve got to have a revelation of God’s love for YOU.

How?

The renewing of the mind, which means meditating on the Word of God–specifically on scriptures that have to do with the love of God. Learn to believe God loves you and understand the depth of that love. He sacrificed His own Son to redeem you. It doesn’t get any more powerful than that.

Finally, ask God to help you to get the revelation of His love. You are a unique person with a unique way of thinking–God knows that because He created you that way! He is the One who can help you learn to believe.

Kenneth Copeland says, “You’ll never perfect the love of God in your life to any degree without faith in His love.”
 

2. Jump-Start Your Faith by Receiving His Love for You

Now, knowing about God’s love for you is one thing, but receiving it is something entirely different. Many Christians believe that God loves them but fail to fully receive it because they feel unworthy. They think about their past, their sins, their background and their current mistakes, until all of a sudden, they can’t think about anything but their lack of worthiness to receive the countless amazing things God is offering.

The problem?

This way of thinking is self-focused.

Anytime you take your eyes off Jesus and what He’s done for you–you’re in trouble. Don’t exalt yourself and your own life mistakes–exalt the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is worthy of praise, glory and honor. He is worthy of having the gift He sacrificed to give you received with thanksgiving.

Receiving His love for you will jump-start your faith so fast! When you genuinely receive His love, you’ll receive everything that comes with it, which is–well, everything.
 

3. Jump-Start Your Faith by Giving Love to Others

If you haven’t believed and received God’s love, how are you supposed to give it away? And if you aren’t giving it away, you’re in disobedience to His Word. And if you’re in disobedience, you aren’t in position to receive. Vicious cycle, isn’t it?

The winning game plan is to press in, and refuse to quit until you believe and receive God’s love. Then, make giving His love away your aim. Once you’re filled with God’s love, you’ll find it comes more naturally all the time.

Try this: Speak 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 out loud, only replace the words love and it with the word I. Then come back, and we’ll talk about why.

Feel any different? You should. Now, let’s shout out verse 8 again: “I NEVER FAIL!” But, wait! We have to add the phrase “as long as I believe the love and walk in it.”

You can jump-start your faith when you begin to walk in love toward others. Write the verses you just spoke on a 3-by-5-inch card, and place it in your Bible where you’ll see it every day. Make confessing this a part of your daily routine. When you do, you WILL be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and you WILL jump-start your faith.

Find out the 10 People God Says You Must Honor HERE.

When you put these three ways to jump-start your faith into practice, buckle your seatbelt–you’re about to move at a very rapid pace toward victory. It will come so quickly and so abundantly, “you won’t have enough room to take it in”! (Malachi 3:10). Can you handle that?

Watch Kenneth Copeland talk more about believing and accepting God’s love.

If you’re a tither, lender to the poor, an investor in the gospel, and sower of praise offerings, there’s good news for you–you have a heavenly account full and ready for your use! Once you realize that you have these deposits in your heavenly account, you need to learn how to make withdrawals.

And you do this by faith.

Faith puts spiritual law into operation, and the results are manifested here on the earth. This is how you were saved. Salvation is not waiting for you in heaven. It was provided for you and laid up in heaven; but when you believed the Word about salvation and acted on it, it was manifested here on earth in your life. This same principle is true in the area of finances. When a man makes deposits with God, he has a right to call upon these deposits and make withdrawals.

Here is Kenneth Copeland’s guide to making withdrawals from your heavenly account.

  1. Decide on the amount you need. Be careful not to cheat yourself. God is not a skinflint. He is a giver. He is a lover. God is Love. For God so loved the world that He gave. Determine the amount you need and then be single-minded. A double-minded man can’t receive anything from the Lord. (See James 1:7-8.)
  2. Get in agreement according to Matthew 18:19. This is very important. The best and most powerful situation on earth is a husband and wife who can agree together in these areas. If this isn’t possible in your particular case, then get together with another believer and have him join with you.
  3. Lay hold on it by faith. Use the principles set out in Mark 11:23-24. Believe it in your heart, and confess it with your mouth.
  4. Bind the devil and his forces in the Name of Jesus. You have the authority in Jesus’ Name to order satan out of your financial affairs. This is your responsibility. Don’t ask God to do it. You do it in Jesus’ Name. Mark 16:17, James 4:7 and Ephesians 6 tell you to resist the devil. It is important for the husband and father to do this. It is his responsibility as the spiritual head of the home.
  5. Loose the forces of heaven. Hebrews 1:14 refers to the angels as ministering spirits “sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation” (KJV). The Bible also says that angels hearken to the Word of God (see Psalm 103:20), so when you use the Word in the Name of Jesus, they are obligated to follow your command.
  6. Praise God for the answer. Praise keeps the door of abundance wide open. The channel between you and God is clear so that you can receive from Him.

Here is an example of prayer based on these six steps:

“Father, in the Name of Jesus, we ask you for $_______. We have this money in our heavenly account, and we are withdrawing this amount now. We believe we receive $________. As in Mark 11:23-24, we believe it in our hearts and confess now that it is ours in the Name of Jesus. We agree that we have $______ according to Matthew 18:19. From this day forward, we roll the care of this over on You and thank You for it. Devil, in the Name of Jesus, we take authority over you; we bind your operation now and render you helpless. Ministering spirits, we charge you to go forth and cause this amount to come to us according to Hebrews 1:14. Father, we praise Your Name for meeting all our needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus and for multiplying our seed for sowing in the Name of Jesus.”

Follow this simple 6-step process to make spiritually backed withdrawals from your heavenly account. You do this like anything else–by faith! You’ve got what it takes to walk in supernatural giving and abundant return. It’s time to go to the bank!

Watch Kenneth Copeland and Jesse Duplantis teach you how to take on the responsibility of receiving.

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4 Ways to Make Deposits Into Your Heavenly Account

As a Christian, you have access to THE BLESSING, God’s provision and favor. According to Deuteronomy 28, “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God” (verse 1-2).

The Word of God promises that you will experience THE BLESSING when you obey Him. Study these four principles, so you can experience THE BLESSING of God:

1. Experience THE BLESSING of God by Trusting Him

Recognize that God’s way is better than yours. Resist the desire to take matters into your own hands and instead trust Him for questions or problems you have. Remember Romans 15:13, which says, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (New Living Translation). You will begin to experience THE BLESSING of God when you trust Him.

2. Experience THE BLESSING of God by Obeying

Deuteronomy 28 makes it clear that obedience to God’s Word is paramount to experiencing THE BLESSING of God. Make the choice to read, study and apply the Word to your life, and let it come alive to you.

3. Experience THE BLESSING of God by Recognizing Your Worth

Jesus paid the ultimate price to make salvation available to you and every other person. God ordained Jesus’ death as payment for every sin out of love. First John 4:10 says, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Reflect on that verse. God loves you. Your value comes from Him, and He considers you precious. When you recognize your worth in God’s eyes, you will experience THE BLESSING of God.

4. Experience THE BLESSING of God by Ridding Yourself of Fear

Fear will keep you paralyzed, unable to make Spirit-led decisions or respond in God-ordained ways. Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Fear is never of God, and if you are walking in fear, you will not experience THE BLESSING of God in its fullness.

Today is the perfect day to begin experiencing THE BLESSING of God. Put these principles into practice and never look back. There is a more fulfilling Christian life waiting for you!

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5 Ways to Let THE BLESSING Do the Work

10 Scriptures About the Power of THE BLESSING

The promises of God belong to you. Every minute of every day, as a child of God, you’re entitled to believe for them and to take possession of them. Maybe you know this, and with great joy, you move forward to take possession–only to find the enemy’s fiery darts flying toward you at every turn. You have your helmet of salvation on, as well as your belt of truth, your breastplate of righteousness, and your shoes of peace. You’re holding your shield of faith in one hand and your sword of the Spirit in the other. You’re armed and ready.

Then, the battle begins. You fight for days, weeks and even years, and the missiles keep coming. You fight until it feels like there’s nothing left. Your helmet has fallen to the side, your breastplate is barely hanging on, and you feel like there’s nothing else you can possibly do to win this battle. What do you do? God sums it up in two words, “Stand firm” (Ephesians 6:14, NIV).

You think to yourself, Am I supposed to just stand here? Well, let’s see what standing firm looks like. To stand means “to not move” or “to maintain an upright position.” Even so, this instruction from God to stand firm is not a passive position but rather an active one. He didn’t say, “Do nothing.” He said, “Stand firm.” 

God isn’t telling you to be idle. Actually, as you’re standing firm in faith, that’s the time your faith is the most active because it’s the place where you let God take over. It’s the place when your human strength ends, and the power of God excels. 

Here are three things to do while you’re standing firm in faith, so you can experience the victory God has promised.

1. Stand Firm in Faith by Praising

When you’ve done all, and you’re standing firm in your faith, there is one thing you can do that will renew your strength and activate power in your life–praise. You see, praise isn’t the caboose that follows what happens–it’s the engine that gets you there. Praise will turn your situation around. That’s why Kenneth Copeland says, “Praise is the big gun of faith.”

Remember when Paul and Silas were locked up in the bowels of a prison? Things looked pretty grim. Most people would be begging and pleading with God to get them out, or considering all the ways they had served Him and wondering how they could possibly deserve what was happening.

Instead, Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25, NIV). The result? “All the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose” (verse 26). All the doors flew open. Every chain came loose–All because of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Kenneth Hagin once shared a testimony of a missionary who had contracted smallpox before there was a vaccine. When she prayed, the Lord gave her a vision of an old-fashioned balance scale. One side was labeled “Prayer,” which was stacked up high, while the other was labeled “Praise” and had only a small stack. The scale was out of balance.

The Lord spoke to her and said, “When your praises equal your prayers, you will be healed.” She spent two days doing nothing but praising God. She didn’t ask for anything–she simply praised Him. At the end of those two days, she was completely healed. That’s the power of praise!

Don’t wait to offer praise to God until you’ve claimed the victory, but praise Him while you’re standing firm in faith for the victory. Praise Him for who He is and what He’s done in your life. Praise Him that you’re saved, delivered, healed and headed for heaven. Praise Him as your Creator, Restorer, Friend, Counselor, Comforter and Strong Tower. He is worthy of all our praise! Then, watch as your strength is renewed as you stand in faith.

2. Stand Firm in Faith by Praying for Others

When you’re standing in faith for a promise of God for yourself–whether it be healing, finances or a family situation–it’s easy to focus on nothing but your own situation. However, when you’ve done all, and are standing firm in faith, it is a perfect time to turn your heart toward others. 

In fact, there are many testimonies of people in need of a miracle who prayed for a miracle for someone else, only to turn and find that they received what they were standing in faith to receive. That’s why James 5:16 says that, as Christians, we should “pray for each other” so that we may be healed.

Intercession is the highest expression of love. When you’re praying for others, you’re loving them. Walking in love keeps you in alignment with God’s Word and in position to receive a miracle.

3. Stand Firm in Faith by Being Patient

Have you ever seen a quitter win? No one has. Every victory in the Bible had a time between the promise and the victory. Some were very long periods of time with natural evidence that contradicted the promise all along the way. What’s the common thread in every Bible victory? They all knew the secret: Patience takes faith to the finish line.

Kenneth Copeland says, “Patience undergirds faith and gives it endurance to persevere until the answer comes.” That’s why Hebrews 10:36 says you need patience to receive the promise.

That’s why almost everywhere you find faith mentioned in the Bible, you also find patience. Faith and patience are the power twins. Together, they will produce every time. But you’re going to have to press through while you’re standing firm in faith.

Pressing through to the end–that’s going to take Bible patience, which is different than the world’s kind of patience. To the world, patience is just “dealing with something” or “grinning and bearing it.” Bible patience, however, will go after something as long as it takes. 

Patience will guard you from your own feelings and from watching the clock. Let patience have her perfect work. 

When you put into action these three things to do while you’re standing firm in faith–by praising God, praying for others and activating Bible patience–you will be in an active stance of victory. Keep standing firm in faith, fully dressed in the armor of God, and before you know it, your victory will be in your hands!

 

Watch Gloria Copeland and Pastor George Pearsons as they teach you how to stand for your miracle.

 

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How to Use Your Spiritual Authority in Any Situation
 

You are a thinking being. As soon as you wake up in the morning, you think. All day long, you are thinking and processing information. The last thing you do at night is think. Even in your sleep–your brain is sorting out your thinking! Because we think so much, it can be tempting to believe that our thoughts aren’t very important–certainly not powerful enough to change the course of our lives or alter the physical state of our bodies. But nothing could be further from the truth!

God desires His people to lead emotionally happy and physically healthy lifestyles and to experience victory in every area. And He has instructed us time and again to control our thought lives to achieve it.  For most of us, this can feel like an overwhelming task. The brain is constantly working, the mind is constantly thinking, and those billions of thoughts need taming!

Dr. Caroline Leaf, a world-renowned neuroscientist, has shared with Kenneth Copeland Ministries the results of 30 years of clinical research that prove our thoughts can either limit us to what we believe we can do or release us to experience abilities well beyond our expectations. She says, “When we choose a mindset that extends our abilities rather than placing limits on ourselves, we will experience greater intellectual satisfaction, emotional control and physical health.” 

Begin your journey of mind renewal by the Word of God, and switch on your brain to victory. By being obedient to God’s instructions, you are empowered to have strength; and direct your memory, your words and your brain toward His thoughts. 

Here are three ways to change your thinking and become empowered to receive all God has for you! 

1. Make a Choice

Think you’re a victim of your own thoughts? Think again! You are not able to control the events and circumstances of life or what other people think and choose, but you do have the power to choose what you believe and your reactions to the events and circumstances of life. We have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). So, according to science and Scripture, we are able to think and choose well. And we have the Holy Spirit to help us! Even when we choose poorly, faith in Jesus and an effort to rewire our minds for healthy thoughts will change our lives!

Every day, we have a choice–to believe or not believe the lies of the devil. He is trying everything he can to rewire our brains for destruction, defeat, shame, guilt and sheer misery. Every time we allow him to do this, there is a negative effect on us spirit, soul and body.

On the other hand, every time you choose God’s way, you make the right decisions. This causes your brain to send life-giving signals throughout your body. Your brain is designed to hear and obey God. So, when you choose God’s way, His energy that comes directly from the throne of grace fills your mind and body (Hebrews 4:16). Choosing God brings health, life, longevity, healing and change.

2.Take Every Thought Captive

When you practice being more in tune with what you’re thinking about, you’ll begin to notice how often your thoughts are toxic. So, at the first sign of a toxic thought (negative, critical, complaining, angry, unforgiving, or filled with self-pity), STOP. Imagine yourself grabbing that thought (taking it captive) and throwing it right out of your brain. 

You’ll probably have to do this quite often in the beginning! You might miss a few here and there, but remember–you have a choice in what you think. Choose life-giving thoughts, choose to think about whatever is pure, lovely and of a good report. What you’re thinking might be correct–but is it helpful and edifying? If not, it doesn’t belong in your mind, releasing toxic chemicals to your brain.

Don’t ever let any thought run rampant through your mind; capture every thought, check for the lie, reject the lie, and embrace the truth!

3. Replace Toxic Thoughts With God’s Thoughts

“His thoughts are higher than our thoughts,” and He has given us direction for how we are to think. To replace toxic thoughts (negativity, unforgiveness, anger, depression) with God’s thoughts, we have to change the attitude of our minds from “I can’t,” to “I can through Christ” (Philippians 4:13). Change your mind by practicing thoughts of love and victory. Direct your attention to the way God thinks, and your brain will change course to agree with what God intends. When you think like God thinks, you will activate every zone of your brain, and you will change the physical structure and function of the brain.

So, for example, if you’re thinking negative or critical thoughts about your spouse, take that thought captive and throw it out! Then, switch to God’s way of thinking. Praise and thank God for your spouse–even list all of his or her positive attributes. Choose to think loving and kind thoughts about your spouse–repenting for any wrong attitudes you might have. Yes, you might be right in what you’re thinking–but are you honoring God’s Word by loving your wife or respecting your husband?

The same is true if you begin thinking negatively about your health or finances. Stop right there! Don’t let the enemy trick you into receiving defeat. Replace those thoughts with thoughts of victory. Speak Scripture that reveals what God says about your situation. Your mind has to follow your words. So, think truth!

When you take these three steps to change your thinking, it won’t be long before you create a new habit and begin to see a change in how you think, speak, feel and respond. Don’t let yourself be a victim of your own thoughts. Take back your power–take back your thoughts!

Watch as Kenneth Copeland and Dr. Caroline Leaf discuss how you can make the decision to change your thinking. 

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Tithing isn’t just an act of giving–it’s an act of worship! You’re likely a cheerful giver, but maybe without thinking about it, you’ve allowed tithing to become a religious ritual–write the check, put it in the bucket, end of story. But the process of offering your tithe before the Lord is a sacred act of honor. 

Under the Old Covenant, the people were to take their tithe–the firstfruits of their increase–to the priest declaring, “With this gift I acknowledge to the Lord your God that I have entered the land he swore to our ancestors he would give us” (Deuteronomy 26:3). Then the priest would place the tithe in a basket and present it on the altar before God as the people declared aloud their redemption before the Lord (verses 5-10, 13-15).

Today Jesus receives our tithes as we present them rejoicing in our deliverance from the kingdom of darkness and our entrance into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). He receives our tithes, presents them to the Father and blesses us (read Hebrews 7). 

The place to which we bring the tithe is, according to Malachi 3:10, the storehouse, or the place where we are receiving our spiritual food–where a pastor, evangelist, apostle or other ministry is in operation.

If you’re ready to take your tithing to the next level, present your tithe to Jesus by speaking this confession in faith:

I confess this day to You, Lord God, that I have come into the inheritance which You swore to give me. I was a sinner held in bondage and in darkness by satan. But I called upon the Name of Jesus, and You heard my cry and delivered me from the power and authority of darkness. You lifted me out of my affliction and oppression. You took me in, forgave me and translated me into the kingdom of Your dear Son. You made me Yours through the shed blood of Jesus and gave me authority over the evil one.

Jesus, as my Lord and High Priest, I bring the firstfruits of my income, which You have given me. I expect You to set it before the Father and worship Him with it. I rejoice in all the good which You have given to me and my household. I have listened to the voice of the Lord my God and have done according to all that You have commanded me.

Now look down from heaven, Your holy habitation, and bless me, Your son and servant, according to Your riches in glory. Bless my job and the work of my hands as You have promised in Your Word.

I declare THE BLESSING is pouring out, and there’s not enough room to receive it! God, You have rebuked the devourer for my sake. The work of my hands will not be destroyed and come to nothing. Today, I am experiencing God’s supernatural increase, and I walk in it by faith. I worship You, Lord, and I call it done, in Jesus’ Name.

When you take the time to stop and honor the Lord with your tithe–offering it to Him with prayer, thanksgiving and honor–you will see a powerful change in both your relationship with the Lord and your faith for finances. Don’t let the devil rob you of the blessing that comes from tithing. The windows of heaven are open over you in Jesus’ Name!

Kenneth Copeland teaches you why the tithe is the blessing connection!

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Spirit, mind and body–those are the three areas that comprise you. If any one area is neglected, then you suffer. You won’t be as spiritually, physically or emotionally strong as you should be. That’s why it’s important to nourish each and every area of your life. You need to nourish your spiritual body with the Word of God and prayer. You need to nourish your physical body with good, clean food and physical exercise. But how do you nourish your soul–your mind, will and emotions? Here are seven ways to nourish your soul.

1. Cultivate Strong, Positive Friendships

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

If you need help finding friends who will encourage you and speak positively to, with and about you, then visit a small group at your local church. Join a Christian networking group in your field. Join a local sports team. Start a prayer meeting for those at your stage in life–singles, young married couples, moms, dads, professionals, grandparents, etc. If you need help finding those groups, visit KCM’s Partner Community.

2. Pray and Meditate

“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.” -Psalm 145:5

While prayer and meditation on the Word of God will affect your spiritual life, they will also affect your emotional well-being, too. Research has shown that meditation, in general, improves the brain’s ability to process, make decisions and improve attentiveness.[1] Instead of a New Age approach to meditation, use an approach that focuses on God’s Word. Choose one scripture or passage, and pray, asking God to reveal the depths of that passage to you. Then get quiet and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.

3. Practice Thankfulness

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 
-Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Make a decision to be thankful for the good things in your life–your health, your family, your job, your friendships and more. If this proves difficult, then begin to keep a list on your phone or tablet. Take it with you wherever you go, and when you encounter something for which you can thank the Lord, add it to the list. 

4. Avoid Gossip and Negativity

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” -Ephesians 4:29

When water-cooler talk, social media comments, or conversations with friends and family turn negative, gently guide the conversation back to happier ground. If that doesn’t work, then excuse yourself from the conversation. Eventually, those around you will learn that you won’t tolerate negativity. This isn’t just about being a good witness; it’s about preserving your state of mind. Focusing on negativity and gossip will only tear you down, and leave you discouraged and angry about things and people outside of your control.

5. Enjoy Positive Entertainment

“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

Let the movies, music, books and TV shows you watch lift you up, not tear you down. Instead of watching something that causes you to ponder depravity, fear and the darker side of human nature, enjoy media that promotes joy and godliness.

6. Learn a New Hobby

“May the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!” -Psalm 90:17

What is something you have wanted to learn? Play the guitar, take the perfect photo, knit a cable sweater, speak Portuguese, cook Asian fusion cuisine, master the use of power tools? Learning new hobbies gets you out of your everyday life, introduces you to new ideas and people, and allows you accomplish a goal. Science also shows that hobbies will help combat depression, anger and stress.[1]

7. Get Outdoors

“Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.”-Psalm 69:34 (AMPC)

God has given His people a remarkable gift–nature. He filled it with wonders, beauty and the ability to rejuvenate. So, take a walk or a hike in a park. Enjoy a sunset on your back porch. Watch the sunrise over the ocean. Go fishing on a lake. Have a snowball fight with your kids or build a snowman. Go camping. Garden. Research concurs that being outdoors helps you feel happier, improves your ability to concentrate, promotes healing in your body, and encourages fitness.[2]

John 14:27 says, “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.” Your soul–made up of your mind, will and emotions–matters to the Lord. He desires for your heart and your mind to be at peace. Implement these seven ways to nourish your soul, and enjoy increased peace, joy and emotional well-being!

[1] Source: The Conversation. “The Science Behind Why Hobbies can Improve our Mental Health,” 2/11/21.

[2] Source: www.health.harvard.edu, “Spending Tie Outdoors is Good For You, From the Harvard Health Letter,” July 2010.

As Christians, we should always be looking to honor God. How can we seek to honor God this Thanksgiving Day? One way is by giving Him thanks for all we have. As we approach our Thanksgiving holiday, below are some more tips that will help you honor God during this special time of celebration in our nation.

1. Forgive Anyone and Everyone. Holidays, including Thanksgiving, can often stir up old hurts and past disagreements. But God has called you to forgive anyone and everyone who has ever done you wrong–it’s for your benefit! Honor Him this Thanksgiving by obeying Him (Ephesians 4:32).

2. Spend Time Praising Him. God is worthy of our praise! But did you know praise and thanksgiving release spiritual power? Some of the greatest miracles in the Bible occurred in response to praise and worship. Take some time to simply praise Him–without making any requests (Psalm 34).

Learn more about the power of your praise in this video from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland:

3. Give His Love Away. The greatest way to honor God is by obeying His commandment to love others. Make giving part of your Thanksgiving this year by donating goods to a local food bank or volunteering at a soup kitchen. Be willing and available to help those in need (John 13:34).

4. Stay Out of Strife. If you want to honor God at Thanksgiving, and let the world see what faith in God can do–you’ll stay out of strife this Thanksgiving. Family can sometimes put us to the test, but the love of God is greater! So, determine to be at peace with others during this holiday season (Proverbs 10:12)!

5. Meditate on His Word. Do a keyword search in the Bible for verses pertaining to praise and thanksgiving. Spend time meditating on His Word and renewing your mind. Include a list of verses about being thankful to God at your Thanksgiving dinner (Psalm 119:15-16). Click here for a list of 17 Scriptures for Thanksgiving Day.

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“You are the salt of the earth…. You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14, NIV). In these verses, Jesus isn’t talking just to Christians collectively; He’s talking to each of us individually. He’s calling you personally to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (verse 16).

Have you ever wondered how you can really be “salt and light” in the world? A big part of that call is to live a life that is separated from the world–something that looks much different than how everyone else lives. But the “good deeds” He is referring to include the way we serve others in our community, as well.

Maybe you have a genuine desire to be salt and light, but don’t know where to start. Here is something you must remember: You don’t have to be on television to make a difference. You don’t have to be a billionaire to change the world. You don’t have to be famous to change a life. You just need a heart that follows Jesus because a heart after His is one that loves others with great fervor.

Here are 16 ways you become an involved citizen and make a difference in your community, your nation and your world.

  • Feed the Hungry. Get involved with a local food bank, serve at a soup kitchen, or start an outreach at your home church. Jesus always started by meeting needs before He taught the people about God.
     
  • Adopt a Child. There are so many children in foster care without homes or godly guidance. Prayerfully consider opening your home to a child and being the hands and feet of Jesus in their world.
     
  • Build a Bridge. Invite someone who doesn’t look like you into your home for a meal. When we take time to break bread with those who are from other races, cultures or backgrounds, we build a bridge to unity so greatly needed in this nation.
     
  • Join a Pro-Life Prayer Walk. Contact your state pro-life coalition to learn more about short-term or long-term volunteer work, including prayer walking outside abortion clinics.
     
  • Become a Pro–Life Sidewalk Counselor. Thousands of babies are saved each year from abortion due to precious volunteers who learn to offer compassionate counseling right outside abortion clinics.
     
  • Volunteer at a Pregnancy Resource Center. Contact your local center to learn more about short- or long-term volunteer opportunities. Saving babies is a rewarding way to serve!
     
  • Register to vote. The Christian vote is changing the tide of the nation, but we must unite together to see lasting change. Stand up and be counted! Follow the Word of God into the voting booth, and bring biblical values back to our nation.
     
  • Consider Running for Office. We need more godly, Bible-believing Christians in public office who will stand for biblical values in every area of government. Will you be one of these who serves? Consider running for the school board, city council, mayor or any other local office. We need people like you!
     
  • Attend School Board or City Council Meetings. If you don’t feel God leading you to run for office, you can have an impact simply by attending these meetings and speaking up! Many important decisions that affect life in your community and schools are made here. These are usually open to the public.
     
  • Donate Your Services. There are many local ministries, pro-life organizations, grassroots Christian political groups and others who could benefit from your professional expertise. Consider donating your services, either short-term or long-term.
     
  • Prayer Walk in Your Community. The power of prayer can break strongholds, provide Psalm 91 protection, and loose the Holy Spirit over schools, government offices and neighborhoods. Find a place that needs it most, and prayer walk in your community.
     
  • Be Active at Your Child’s School. Shine a light in your children’s schools by volunteering your time and taking the opportunity to show the love of God to teachers, administrators, students and other parents. Be a voice about curriculum choices and religious freedoms, as well.
     
  • Bless Your Children’s Teachers. Take the opportunity to stand out among other parents. Send a note of thanks, a gift card or a token of appreciation to those who are educating your children. Consider providing breakfast for the teaching staff as a special thank-you for all they do.
     
  • Bless the Military and First Responders. If you see members of the military, police or fire department, take any and every opportunity to bless them. Thank them for their service or buy their meal at a restaurant. Show them the love of Christ.
     
  • Bless Your Food Server. Churchgoers have earned the reputation of being ruder and less generous than other restaurant patrons. This should not be! When you are in a restaurant, be friendly and polite. Don’t just leave a gospel tract–leave a big tip!
     
  • Pray Fervently. Above all, the power of prayer for your community, city, state and nation are the first line of defense. Consider joining an intercessory prayer group or start one yourself. Pray for those who are lost and for a great awakening in this nation!

When you make these 16 ways to become an involved Christian citizen a regular part of your life, you will answer the call of Jesus to be salt and light. Not only that, you will bless yourself in the process (Acts 20:35)! So, roll up your sleeves and take Jesus to the world!

Watch Kenneth Copeland and Bill Winston on the BVOV broadcast as they share how loving one another can open up the door of prosperity in your life.

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Do you need a miracle? Maybe you’re at the end of yourself in your finances with no way out. Or, perhaps, you’ve tried every doctor, medicine, supplement and diet you can get your hands on, and you’re still sick and needing healing in your body. What about your family? Is that where you need a miracle–with your marriage or your kids?

A miracle is something that is impossible with man. It is a manifestation of God’s power that makes it possible. Whatever your need today–God is in the miracle business, and He has a miracle in mind for YOU. He loves you. He doesn’t want you sick, broke or without something you desire in your life. He’s always ready to do a miracle. Always.

So, why don’t miracles just happen? Faith is what opens the flow of signs, miracles and wonders. Real faith has an expectancy. So, as faith rises, the flow of the Holy Spirit gets stronger, and miracles will flow more and more. But when people stop expecting, they dry up. That’s why we don’t see as many miracles in the Church–people aren’t expecting to see them.

But miracles are the realm we were made for. When people say, “That’s going to take a miracle”–that’s our realm. That’s God’s natural operation.

It isn’t that God sometimes decides to do miracles and sometimes He doesn’t. No. He is always ready to do a miracle. Sometimes people are perceptive, and sometimes they’re not. Sometimes the faith is flowing, and sometimes it’s not.

If you need a miracle in your life, it’s waiting for you. You don’t have to turn the Holy Spirit off and on–He’s always in you, and He’s always on! There is a constant, unlimited, unceasing flow from the throne of God. At the 2018 Southwest Believers’ Convention, Keith Moore shared these three steps to a miracle:

1. You must hear from God.

This is the most important step, and one that many people try to skip. Then, they wonder why they don’t see a manifestation in their lives. This cannot be overstated: You cannot rush past this step–you must hear from God.

That’s why you can tarry and tarry, and not receive your miracle. When you seek Him about your situation, and if you’re really in faith, you’ll hear from Him. He is faithful.

You can hear from Him through the Word of God or by the Spirit of God speaking to your spirit. But you have to come believing. When you need healing, you can know that it is God’s will for you because it is in the Word of God. Jesus paid a lot for you to be healed. Think about it. He didn’t have to go to the whipping post to go to the Cross. But He did so that “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, NKJV).

Keith Moore said this, “Every time the scourge hit Him, something spiritual happened because every disease and malady was laid on Him. He was hit with the cause and source of that disease. He took it all. That’s why you don’t even have to get the right diagnosis before you can be healed because you already know He personally took the source of every disease.”

So, healing is in the Word of God, and you can know that it is His will to perform a healing miracle in your body, but you still need to hear personally from Him about your specific situation.

Whether it is revelation from the Word of God or a direct speaking to your spirit, wait until you hear from Him. This is the critical first step to receiving your miracle.

There is no substitute to hearing from Him personally.

2. Do whatever God told you to do when you heard from Him.

When you hear from the Lord, He will give you an instruction–something He wants you to do to receive your miracle. That is always how God has worked.

Think about the timing of when miracles manifested in the Bible. Jesus gave instructions and when they were acted upon, the miracle occurred. When Jesus healed the man with leprosy, He said, “Stretch out your hand” (Matthew 12:13, NKJV). When did the miracle happen exactly? When the man stretched out his hand. “Go, wash in the pool” (John 9:7). “Fill the jars with water” (John 2:7). “Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:8). Instruction always preceded a miracle.

In his teaching, Keith Moore explains why instruction always preceded a miracle. He said, “God in His graciousness has allowed us to be a partner in the working of miracles.”

But you have to be listening, seeking and expecting to hear from Him. Then, act on what He says. You won’t see a miracle if you’re lying on the couch and making confessions if He told you to get up! If He says straighten your leg, do it. If He tells you to run across the room, do it. If He tells you to sow a seed, do it. Whatever He told you to do when you heard from Him, the next step is to act on it.

Now, don’t try to work something up in your mind to do. If you haven’t heard from Him yet, wait! You will. Then, when you hear from Him, do it!

3. He does it.

You don’t even have to do anything in this step except receive! When you do your part–the first two steps–God does His part–the manifestation.

Every miracle comes by the same process, whether it be healing, finances or relationships. God still manifests the working of miracles today. He never changes. Men get cold, stop believing and lose access to the miracles. But as soon as people start believing, miracles come again.

The key with every step is expecting. Are you expecting miracles? Build your faith in the Word of God, start expecting, then follow these three steps to a miracle and prepare to see a manifestation!

Article Source: Keith Moore, 2018 Southwest Believers’ Convention.

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The tithe is holy and sacred before the Lord. As a tither, your heart in coming to present your tithe is of the greatest importance. If you’ve been tithing as a religious routine, out of compulsion and without faith–that’s just bucket plunking. That’s not tithing. One who gives cheerfully and with honor and respect is a true tither in the eyes of God.  

Years ago, the Lord instructed Kenneth and Gloria Copeland to spend time tithing, rather than just separating the money and dropping it into a bucket. So, they began to go before the Lord with their tithe in hand, getting on their knees, laying hands on it, and taking Communion over it. 

Taking Communion over your tithe turns what could be a religious act into one of worship and reverence. It treats the tithe as holy, and ensures your heart is right before God.

The Lord’s Supper is much more than just a religious tradition–it symbolizes everything Jesus did for us at Calvary. When you partake of the cup (representing the blood), you are remembering that Jesus delivered you from sin. When you eat the bread (representing His body), you are acknowledging the physical and spiritual torment Jesus endured to deliver you from temptation, addiction, worry, care, fear, poverty, lack and every part of the curse. It is an act of worship, faith and love.

You don’t have to wait until you go to church to receive Communion. You can receive it anytime and anywhere. In fact, if you haven’t made a practice of taking Communion on a regular basis, it’s time to start! The Communion table is the healing table, the deliverance table and the confession table. It’s the powerhouse of God.

Every time we take Communion, it drives our roots even deeper into our faith in what the covenant of God means to us, and what the body and blood of Jesus has paid for us. We use our faith to take Communion, and we do so with determined purpose. 

You can present your tithe to the Lord by honoring Him and taking Communion by following these steps:

  1. Purchase a Communion set for your own personal use. There are even individual, prefilled cup and wafer sets with a long shelf life available for easy use or transport.
  2. You can take Communion alone, or with a family member or friend.
  3. You can take Communion any time. Taking Communion is appropriating the blood of Jesus over your life, thanking Him for ALL He has done. It isn’t a religious ceremony, so you don’t have to wait for a minister to serve it to you.
  4. Examine yourself before you take Communion. Before we partake, the Bible tells us to examine our hearts (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). Ask God for forgiveness in areas where you’ve missed the mark (strife, unforgiveness, jealousy, envy, hatred, covetousness, fear, worry, unbelief, etc.). Also, be sure you are not receiving Communion just as a religious exercise, rather than accepting everything Jesus’ sacrifice provided. Don’t receive it halfway; that will keep you from receiving everything provided by Jesus’ sacrifice.
  5. Come to the Lord with your tithe in hand. If you tithe by text-to-give or automatic withdrawal, that’s fine–but take some type of receipt to the Lord and spend time presenting it to Him.
  6. Present Him the tithe by saying, “Lord, I bring this to You and lay it before You. I thank You for feeding me, blessing me and ministering to me. I receive THE BLESSING of Abraham as a joint heir with Jesus.” 
  7. Then, bow before Him. Get on your knees and spend some time being quiet and listening. And every moment, the tithe you hold in your hand will get more precious. 
  8. Partake of the bread, which symbolizes the physical and spiritual torment Jesus bore to redeem us from all areas of the curse. 
  9. Partake of the cup and make this confession: 

Father, I give You thanks for all You have provided for me through the New Covenant in Christ Jesus. I partake of those promises now! I am redeemed from the curse of lack. I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath. I present my tithe to You as an act of obedience and worship. I thank You for the promises You make to the tither. Thank You for rebuking the devourer for my sake. Thank You for opening up the windows of heaven and pouring out blessings I can’t contain. Thank You that all the works of my hand prosper. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Watch this video from Kenneth Copeland as he teaches more about taking Communion.

When you learn how to take Communion over your tithe, get ready for THE BLESSING to be unleashed! Place yourself before God and receive Communion as the children of Israel did–ready to worship Him with your tithe; and receive the blessings, rights and protection that goes with it. Take the time to put yourself before God over the Communion table. It will be time well-spent.

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Do you want to live more boldly in your faith? Do you want to see the power and miracles that can only come from spiritual boldness? Most of us do!

But boldness doesn’t just come naturally when you are born again or even filled with the Holy Spirit. Like faith, it is developed through revelation of who you are in Christ and the promises in His Word. Just like the early Christians, we must pray for boldness (Acts 4:29-31).

One thing you cannot tolerate if you want to operate in biblical boldness is fear. Spiritual timidity or fear is caused by a lack of understanding–of the promises of God and of who you are in Christ. Plus, fear is the opposite of faith. If you’ve been living in spiritual timidity, you’ve been letting the devil do your thinking. But his day is done. It’s your time now.

Pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit; pray for boldness. You don’t have to feel bold to act on your faith. You start by stepping out and deciding to be bold. When you are led by the Spirit, He will provide a measure of boldness to sustain you in that moment.

If you’ve been fearful, indifferent or timid–take heart. You can stir up the boldness within you, and live and walk in the spirit in your everyday life. Start by praying for boldness, renewing your mind in the Word of God, and considering this checklist for living a spiritually bold life. 

At Home

  • You are bold when you approach God in prayer, you are bold enough to speak in tongues, and you are bold enough to claim the promises of God without doubting, begging or pleading.
  • You take authority over any sickness that tries to come into your home or on the physical bodies of any family member, immediately and with confidence. You set the tone for faith and spiritual authority.
  • You take authority over any and all wrong spirits in your home. You drive the devil out with dogged determination, and you don’t wait for extreme situations to do so. He has no chance in your home with your spiritual tenacity!
  • You monitor the types of movies, television shows, books, magazines and video games that are viewed in your home, and you don’t hesitate to turn off anything that is not pleasing to the Lord.
  • You don’t succumb to pressure from other family members to compromise your beliefs. Even against ridicule and criticism, you stand firm in your faith and in obeying the Word of God in its entirety.
  • You don’t permit strife, bad language or ungodly behavior in your home, and you are careful not to allow visitors into your home who refuse to honor the atmosphere you’ve set there.
  • You don’t receive bad reports about your home, family, health or finances. Instead, you are quick to respond with the Word of God in faith.

At Work

  • When someone asks you if you’re a Christian, you unapologetically say, “Yes!”
  • When watercooler talk turns to politics, you don’t pretend to believe anything but what the Word of God says. You’re loving and respectful, but you don’t hesitate to say, “I believe God’s plan for marriage and family is what is true and right.”
  • You aren’t afraid or embarrassed to pray over your lunch. You refuse to deny Jesus in public (Matthew 10:33), and you’re unashamed to thank the One who provided your food for you.
  • You aren’t afraid to let employers know that you don’t work on Sunday, as you reserve that day for church attendance and honoring the Lord by resting.

At School

  • You look for opportunities, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, to share your faith with others and lead them to the Lord.
  • You aren’t afraid to speak up firmly, but respectfully, in the classroom to share the truth when a teacher or professor speaks against creationism or the standards in the Bible.
  • You refuse to be bullied into accepting or submitting to the beliefs of others that do not align with the Word of God.
  • At the leading of the Holy Spirit, you are willing to offer to pray for those who need encouragement or comfort. 
  • You utilize your parental rights to speak up when your child’s school curriculum is outside what is biblically acceptable.
  • You defend your right or your child’s right to: have a Bible in school, pray at school (or any school function), and operate in his or her religious freedoms.

At Church

  • When faced with someone at church who speaks against the Word of God, or is speaking negative confessions, you are kind and wise in your response, but you are quick to speak the Word of God and speak a positive confession and a good report over the situation.
  • You don’t participate in gossip or any type of negative speech or behavior, even if it means walking away from a conversation.
  • You are led by the Holy Spirit and speak a word from the Lord in season, even if it seems awkward or embarrassing.
  • You follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit when He leads you to minister to others, even if it is uncomfortable or doesn’t seem to make sense to your natural mind.
  • You take authority and intercede for those in the church who are struggling and come boldly to the throne of grace on their behalf, even right there in the moment with them.

When you take this checklist for living a spiritually bold life and put it into practice, you will begin to master the spiritual boldness that puts your faith in action and keeps all things under your feet. You are a spiritual giant! You may not feel like it now, but keep on fighting the good fight of faith, keep feeding on the Word of God, keep acting on your faith. Be bold in the Name of the Lord! Nothing can stop a believer who is willing to be bold for the Lord.

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There is a spiritual battle taking place in our schools. The devil has set his sights on our children and, among other attacks on our education system, school shootings have been in the headlines at an increasing rate. 

The temptation may be to become fearful or discouraged, but God has instructed us how to respond in Ephesians 6:12: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” 

The world focuses on the natural cause of violence and attacks, but as Christians, we know there is a spiritual force behind those who carry out wickedness. That’s why we, the Church, are called to be the watchmen on the walls for our communities. We are called to use our authority to prevent attacks on our schools, neighborhoods, homes, businesses and churches. 

What can we do?

If your child attends a local school, you can take authority over that school and begin encircling the school with angels, Psalm 91 protection and the blood of Jesus. If you do not have children in school, ask the Lord to lead you regarding a school He would have you stand for in prayer for protection against violence.

You can pray from your home, you can prayer walk the school, and if possible, or you can park nearby and pray. Your spiritual authority and intercession will make a difference.

Here is a prayer of protection against school shootings you can pray in faith.

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You for the gift of education. I thank You that our children have the privilege and right to develop their minds and grow in knowledge for the good and strength of the Kingdom on this earth and to do so safely. 

Lord, we know it is NEVER Your will that bullying, violence or shootings take place in a school or anywhere else. We recognize and acknowledge the work of the enemy and come to You in obedience to Your Word to take authority over the forces of evil that would make any attempt against our children while they are in school.

I thank You that Your Word promises divine protection for my children, and I declare that no evil will come near my children or their schools in the Name of Jesus. I curse any evil plots at the root right now in Jesus’ Name. I declare that no weapon formed against our schools will prosper. Every evil plan that is in the dark will be brought into the light and halted. I bind Satan and his demons in the Name of Jesus and command them to flee from our schools in Jesus’ Name.

I thank You that Your angels surround my children, taking charge over them and protecting them from danger of any kind. 

I speak life, truth, safety and protection over every child at this school. I plead the blood of Jesus over my children and their schools–every building they walk into, and every vehicle they ride in. I declare that no evil will come near them.  

I thank You, Father, that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER. I rebuke the spirit of fear in Jesus’ Name and loose a spirit of power over this school. I thank You and praise You for Your goodness, Your mercy and Your grace. Thank You that as I have applied the blood of Jesus on the doorposts of this school, nothing shall be able to harm it.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

When you pray this prayer in faith–not doubting–you can have peace that your children are under a covering of protection that cannot be touched by the enemy. Continue in the good fight of faith. Keep praying and interceding for our schools. Let the enemy know one thing is sure–he can’t have our children. Remind him that he has no authority–we have the authority through the blood and the Name above all names–the Name of Jesus. Glory to God!

Related Articles: 

How to Use Your Spiritual Authority in Any Situation

How Can You Be Sure Your Children Are Safe?

7 Strategies to Build a Psalm 91 House

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