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Romans 12:2 instructs us to, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (KJV). “Renewing your mind” is an important part of living a successful Christian life. But if you’re new to the Christian life or new to the spirit-filled Christian life, you may be asking “What exactly does it mean?” Let’s look at the idea of renewing your mind–what it is and how to do it.

Why Renew Your Mind with God’s Word?

There are a few principles that will help you better understand the concept of renewing your mind. First, understand that it is God’s perfect will for all men to be saved and to come into the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Peter tells us that God is not willing that any should perish. Not only is it His will for you to be saved, but it is also His will for you to be free so you can know “what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” for you (Romans 12:2, KJV).

Second, you need to know that God reveals His will for mankind through His Word. As you study and put God’s Word into practice, you will come to understand God’s will for your life.

Third, Jesus and God’s Word are one. John 1:1, 14 says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God… So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

The Bible is God’s testimony of what He has already prepared for His children. It is the Father teaching His family how to know His thoughts and live out His ways so that they can enjoy all that the lordship of Jesus offers.

The Bible is more than a history book; it is God speaking to you now. God’s Word is alive. It is the living voice from heaven. You can fearlessly act on the written Word of God–by renewing your mind–just as you would if Jesus called your name and spoke with you personally!

How Do You Renew Your Mind?

Renewing your mind requires faith, and faith is acting on the Word of God. You act on it just as you would act on the word of any honest man. You apply it in order to change the way you think about your life, your work, your relationships–everything.

Through His written Word, God provided the way for you to be changed from the inside out. The Word allows you to know Him and approach your life in a way that pleases Him–and is successful every time. (Read Isaiah 55.)

The renewing of the mind brings your will into agreement with the Father’s will. As you fill your mind with His Word by reading, thinking about, memorizing, praying, speaking out loud, even singing, you begin to think in a way that pleases Him, and His ways become your ways. You become, through His power and wisdom, a master of the circumstances of life. When difficulties or decisions arise, you automatically view them through the eyes of God’s Word. That new perspective changes everything.

The Father desires that His children be free now and live victoriously over the evil caused by Satan. He wants you to live His Word because it is the key to your deliverance and success. So begin renewing your mind now. Get God’s perspective about your marriage, your relationships, your ministry, your career, your business connections, your children, your health, your money and any other area. Renewing your mind on God’s Word will revolutionize your life for the better, and there’s no better time to get started!

Do you want to live a more satisfying, happier and productive life? Your thoughts are key for achieving that goal. In fact, science now confirms what Scripture has proclaimed for years: thoughts matter. Studies now show that while negative thoughts can tear you down both physically and emotionally, positive thoughts stimulate the growth of nerve endings, improve reasoning, concentration and analytical skills.[1]

Of course, this isn’t revolutionary news for Christians. In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul encouraged us to, “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.” So what is most important, excellent and worthy-of-praise? The Word of God.

If you want to get rid of negative thoughts and improve your life–spirit, mind and body–then put these steps into practice:

1. Feed on God’s Word

Just as you feed your physical body with physical food, feed your mind with spiritual food. Begin reading and thinking about the Word of God. Start each morning with a daily dose. Post scriptures that catch your eye on sticky notes around your home, car and workplace. Keep it continually in front of your eyes.

2. Refuse to Dwell on Negative Thoughts

When negative thoughts come to your mind, stop and redirect yourself. Second Corinthians 10:5 refers to it as “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” You have spent years developing your thought life. Getting rid of negative thoughts may take time and training. You will need to break that bad habit of negative thinking with the good habit of positive thinking.

3. Speak Positively

Begin talking about God’s Word and His way of seeing the world. This becomes easier once you put Step 1 and Step 2 into practice. Instead of speaking doom and gloom, speak life. Refuse to let negative circumstances affect your newfound freedom. Find other Christians with whom you can talk about the Word of God. If you don’t have those relationships in your life with friends, family and fellow believers at church, then consider attending a KCM meeting or joining KCM’s online Partner community so that you can meet like-minded believers.

Don’t let negative thoughts and negativity steal even a moment from your life. Begin to put the Word of God into your mind, refuse to dwell on negative thoughts and speak words of life. As you do, you’ll begin to experience a happier, healthier and more robust life all around! 

[1]Source: Happy Brain, Happy Life

Everyone has days when they need more joy to embrace the life God has given them. In fact, some of Paul’s final words of encouragement included the command, “Always be joyful” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).  If you need to give your day a shot of joy, here are five ways to do it.

  1. Add More Joy by Remembering Your Inheritance

Romans 8:17 calls us “joint-heirs with Christ.” Every resource that the Father bestowed on Jesus also belongs to you. So everything you need for your day is available to you. Hebrews 4:16 says that you can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

  1. Add More Joy by Focusing on God’s Priorities

God’s Word encourages you to “seek the kingdom of God” and His way of doing things first (Matthew 6:33) and “set your mind what is above” (Colossians 3:2). Don’t let the concerns of this world consume your mind. Instead, focus on God and His ability to meet every one of your needs.   

  1. Add More Joy by Resisting Conflict

Instead of giving in to conflict by yelling at that bad driver who cut you off on the way to work, joining in on the water cooler gossip about a difficult coworker, or fuming over an inconsiderate neighbor, choose to be a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9). Refuse to be drawn in to petty squabbles or to demand your own way at every turn.

  1. Add More Joy by Remaining Thankful

Ephesians 5:3-4 says, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks” (KJV). If your focus is on being thankful to God for the good things in your life, then the words you speak are going to be more uplifting–and the result is more joy for you.

  1. Add More Joy by Caring for Your Body

The Word refers to your body as the “temple of the Holy Spirit,” and as such, it should be respected. That means you need proper sleep (7-9 hours), nutrition (limit processed food, sodas and caffeine) and exercise (30 minutes, 5 days a week). All of these things affect your mood and a lack of any of them can result in feelings of discouragement and irritability.

If you want to add more joy to your day, then begin to put these things into practice–remember your inheritance, focus on God’s priorities, resist conflict, remain thankful and care for your physical body. Doing so will help to increase your joy, improve your sense of well-being and face your day with a positive outlook, ready to be about your Father’s business!

If you are a born-again Christian, then you know the power of forgiveness because you’ve already received it! Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price so that you could have a relationship with your Heavenly Father. But sometimes receiving forgiveness is easier than extending that forgiveness to others. Here are three life-changing reasons why you should forgive.

#1 Forgive So that You Can be Forgiven

In Luke 6:37 Jesus said, “Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” Pretty clear, isn’t it? The forgiveness you receive from the Lord is dependent on the forgiveness you extend to others. Don’t let unforgiveness prevent you from the freedom you receive through Jesus.

#2 Forgive to Protect Your Spirit and Mind

Ephesians 4:30-31 says, “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”

Unforgiveness works against your spirit. You grieve your spirit when you hold on to bitterness. Unforgiveness affects how you think, the decisions you make and even how you think about and interact with others. You risk becoming cynical about people’s motives or actions and shutting yourself off from potentially nurturing and healthy relationships

#3 Forgive to Protect Your Body

Unforgiveness also works against your body. Medical science has proven that chronic disease and compromised immune systems can be the result of a person’s failure to deal with emotional pain. Any number of physical complications can result from holding on to offenses…all resulting in possible life-shortening illnesses.

Forgiveness is a vital part of the successful Christian life–not only receiving forgiveness, but also offering it. Walking in forgiveness is a benefit for you. It affects your spirit, mind and body. So make the quality decision to forgive anyone who has wronged you–right now! Don’t wait. And if you need help knowing how to do it, read the article, How to Forgive in 3 Easy Steps.

Remember, there’s freedom in forgiveness!

If you’ve been hurt, then the idea of forgiveness may seem impossible. You may be wondering what exactly it means for you as a Christian and how to do it. How do you forgive that person–or persons–who betrayed you? How do you let go of the pain and hurt that you have experienced? Thankfully, forgiveness is easy–it just take three simple steps.

Step 1: To Forgive, Admit There is a Problem

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” If you are holding a grudge against anyone for anything–no matter how seemingly unforgiveable–then acknowledge that there is a problem. Admit that you are hurt or angry. Don’t deny it. Admitting that forgiveness is necessary is the first step toward freedom.

Step 2: To Forgive, Pray and Release the Pain

Mark 11:25 says, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Take your decision to forgive to God. Pray and commit before the Lord to forgive, to let go of the offense.

Step 3: To Forgive, Remain Focused

Matthew 18:21-22 says, “‘Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!'” You may have more opportunities to forgive the person who has hurt you. When past offenses come to your mind, say, “No, in the name of Jesus, I forgive that person. And I thank you, Lord, that I have received forgiveness freely and I give forgiveness freely.”

Forgiveness is not a mystical, unattainable thing. You can do it! You can forgive the person who has hurt you and walk free from the pain and anger that comes with it. And if the person you need to forgive is yourself, then read the article, “How Do I Forgive Myself?“ Live free from the trap of unforgiveness and enjoy the freedom that is yours through Jesus Christ!

by Gloria Copeland

Have you made a mistake for which you are having a hard time forgiving yourself? Have you allowed sin into your life, or have you never gotten completely free from it? Do you find yourself obsessing about the bad decisions you’ve made, wondering how you can fix them and keep from ever doing them again? Do you wonder, How can I possibly forgive myself?

There’s good news!

None of us has to respond to our mistakes in any of these ways. The truth is, no more than you or I could have earned the forgiveness and remission of our sin that Jesus provided at the cross, can we work ourselves out of sin today. Jesus set us free from the power of sin, and He intends for us to stay free!

If you’ve got sin in your life, confess it to the Lord and get rid of it. Stop it! Be willing to receive His forgiveness and forgive yourself.

Neither you nor I can know the number of times in our lives we have uttered the words, “Father, forgive me.” We do know, though, that when we ask for His mercy, we receive it when we say, “Lord, forgive me for that. I repent of it.” We receive His forgiveness by faith because we believe His Word that says, “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

If you’ve sinned and asked the Lord to forgive you, then you must be willing to receive His forgiveness, and to forgive yourself. When you do that, you are free to move on with your life and not get tied down with the guilt that accompanies sin.

If you resist God’s mercy and forgiveness in the face of sin in your life, you restrict yourself from receiving all He has for you. You may find yourself stuck in an illness, or struggling financially, or unable to maintain healthy relationships, all because you resisted God’s willingness to set you completely free from sin!

As you are quick to repent, you stay open to receive God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His will is that the flow of forgiveness and freedom continues on through you to those He brings into your life–from your family, friends and co-workers, to the cashier at the grocery store and those we minister alongside in church. He expects it to flow to everyone.

So if you are struggling to forgive yourself, take this to heart. Jesus paid the price for you to be free from sin. Forgive yourself right now and walk in the freedom Jesus died to give you.

Family visits during the holidays can be a stressful time. As you prepare for an upcoming visit by buying groceries or gifts, cleaning or packing and planning your schedule, take time to prepare your heart and mind by focusing on God’s Word. Here are five scriptures from the New Living Translation on which you can meditate to help you keep your peace, enjoy your time and bless those you love.

  1. Proverbs 3:6: Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
  2. Matthew 5:9: God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
  3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
  4. Philippians 4:7: Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
  5. Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

As you prepare to welcome your family during this holiday season, begin reading, thinking about and praying these scriptures over your time together. If you haven’t yet, read the article, 4 Tips for Keeping Your Cool When Family Visits and trust that the Holy Spirit will comfort and guide you, and help you have a successful holiday season!

The holidays are coming and your family is planning a visit. As much as you love them, the stress of the season can be a little much. How can you keep your cool when family visits? Here are four tips for helping you do just that:

1. When Family Comes to Visit, Trust in the Word
Jesus said, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted” (John 15:7,NLT). Even before your family arrives, begin meditating on scripture. Find scriptures to meditate on, or read 5 Scriptures to Stand on When Family Visits. Let peace, truth and love rule in your heart even before your doorbell rings.

2. When Family Visits, Focus on the Lord
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, NLT). If you want to enjoy God’s protection–and yes, you might need emotional protection from those nearest and dearest to you–commit to focusing on the Lord. Spend time each morning and even right before bed spending time with the Lord. Read His Word and pray, allowing Him to adjust your thoughts and bring you peace.

3. When Family Comes to Visit, Refuse to be Angry
Ephesians 4:26 (NLT) says, “And don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, because anger gives a foothold to the devil. Protect your peace of mind by refusing to succumb to anger or strife. When that family member tries to push your buttons with comments and attitudes, walk away, take a breath and praise God for them.

4. When Family Comes to Visit, Receive God’s Grace
This is the day of grace and mercy, and you can call upon the Lord in every situation. In fact, He wants you to! If you find yourself responding unkindly or letting stress get the best of you, simply slip away for a few minutes, get quiet before the Lord and receive the grace and forgiveness He offers.

Let this family visit be the best one ever. Put these tips into practice. Begin praying about this upcoming visit in faith, believing that God is going to be with you every step of the way! Prepare for the visit by reading and thinking about God’s Word.

Second Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT) says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” Let this be your promise that God will help you keep your cool during this upcoming family visit…and beyond!

Before you can share your faith with others, you need to watch what you say–because it can affect your ability to witness. See yourself the way God sees you today…as someone with a world of possibilities available to them!

God has not given you a spirit of fear! Fear is the #1 reason believers don’t share their faith. In this video, discover what the Bible says about fear and how you can get rid of it so you can share Jesus with boldness.

There are many ways to share Jesus. In this video, Riley shares the approach he uses to tell others the Good News…an approach that he has used to win many to the Lord!

Do you ever wonder what God desires for your life? Do you want to know His perfect will for you? Do you want to know Him better so you can face your life and situations with confidence? Well, here are six things God wants you to know about Him and the way He operates on earth.

  1. God reveals His will through His Word. Romans 12:2 says, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” As you study and put God’s Word into practice, you will come to understand God’s will for your life.
     
  2. Jesus and God’s Word are one. John 1:1, 14 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and The Word was God…. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” As you learn to make Jesus and His Word Lord over your life, you will be successful.
     
  3. God’s perfect will is for all people to be saved and to come into the knowledge of the truth. In 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Peter explains that God doesn’t want anyone to be separated from Him. Thankfully, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He’s provided an antidote to that separation.
     
  4. The Bible is God’s written testimony of what He has already prepared for His children. The Word is God’s way of teaching His family how to operate in His thoughts and His ways so that they can enjoy all that the lordship of Jesus offers.
     
  5. The Bible is more than a history book; it is God speaking to you now. God’s Word is alive. It is the living voice from heaven. You can fearlessly act on the written Word of God, just as you would if Jesus called your name and spoke with you personally (Hebrews 4:12)!
     
  6. Faith is acting on the Word of God. The Father wants you to live out His Word because it brings freedom. Jesus said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).

God desires for you to know Him. He wants a relationship with you through His Son Jesus Christ. To achieve that, He provided His Word. Begin to think about these truths that God desires for every believer to know. As you do, His will for your life will become crystal clear. You won’t be confused about what God desires for you. You’ll be confident in what His Word has told you!

by Kenneth Copeland

Life as a born-again child of God is the most marvelous adventure you could ever imagine. You wouldn’t know it by looking at most Christians, but it is. If we truly knew all that Jesus has done for us and all He has provided through His death and resurrection, we would wake up every morning full of joy and raring to go!

We’d bound out of bed saying, “There’s somebody out there who needs healing today and I can bring it to them. There’s somebody whose life will be changed by my testimony. There’s somebody who needs the joy and the love of The LORD and they’re going to receive it through me!”

If we had a revelation of our inheritance in Jesus, we’d greet every day with a gleam in our eye and charge out the front door with confidence, knowing there is treasure out there waiting for us. There’s a wealth of souls waiting to be won. There are endless opportunities to bless people and minister to them by the power of God that resides within us. There are God-ordained financial fortunes ready and waiting for us so we’ll have all the money we need to do what God puts in our hearts to do.

The scriptural truth is, as blood-washed, Holy Ghost-filled saints of the living God, you and I are a victory going someplace to happen. We are divinely designed to demonstrate the triumphant life of Jesus everywhere we go. We don’t even have to worry about overcoming the devil and all his junk. Jesus already did it. He already defeated him. As long as we walk in faith our victory is inevitable.

Second Corinthians 2:14 says it this way, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

Why, then, don’t more believers live that way?

I can answer that question with one word.

Fear.

Fear has contaminated the faith of far too many of God’s people. Fear has robbed them of their victory and deceived them into accepting defeat at the hands of a conquered foe.

Fear has deprived countless believers of the great adventure of the Christian life.

It has reduced them to living from paycheck to paycheck because they’re afraid if they tried something new they’d fail and lose what little they have. They’re afraid to go out and lay hands on the sick. (After all, what if nothing happens? says the voice of fear. What if the person doesn’t get healed?)

They’re afraid of launching out into the deep waters of life and becoming fishers of men, so they settle for going to work, coming home, watching television and going to bed. It’s the same thing every day…nobody ever gets saved, nobody ever gets filled with the Holy Ghost. They just barely get their bills paid. They fix one thing and something else breaks.

As born-again children of God, we don’t have any business living like that! We should be the most outrageously daring people the earth has ever seen. We ought to be doing the impossible by faith every day. We should be turning the world upside down for Jesus and having the time of our lives!

An Age-Old Promise Fulfilled 

“Oh, Brother Copeland,” you might say, “I’d love to do that. I long to live that way more than anything in the world!”

Then I have good news for you. You can!

Jesus has already done all that is necessary to enable you to do it. He has already conquered fear. He has stripped it of its power over you. He has set you free.

That’s the thing the devil hasn’t wanted us to know. He has wanted us to think we have to struggle along trying to manage our fears. He’s wanted us to believe that we have to “put up with them” and cope with them…and try to overcome them.

But they have already been overcome by Jesus Himself. He has redeemed us from fear. In fact, according to The WORD, that was a primary part of His mission as our Savior. He came not only to save us from sin, sickness, death and hell–He came to save us from fear itself.

We can see that in Luke 1 where Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied about the coming of the Messiah. Notice carefully what he said about Jesus:

Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life (verses 68-75).

Freedom from fear isn’t a new idea. It’s not something we thought up recently because we need an answer for modern-day terrorism. The Bible says the prophets have been talking about it since the world began. Thousands of years ago, God swore to Abraham that through his Seed the power of fear would one day be broken.

When Jesus went to the cross, He fulfilled that promise. He paid the price so we could serve God without fear all the days of our lives. He destroyed fear’s hold on us so we can stand up by faith in Him and be forever free.

Disconnected From Death. Connected to Life

Until Jesus came, the only man who had ever walked the face of the earth totally free from fear was Adam. He was originally created in the very likeness of God and had within him the very attributes of God Himself. The divine nature that is full of love, joy, peace, goodness, meekness, kindness and patience flowed freely in Adam.

But when he sinned all that changed. Spiritual death came and perverted those divine forces. Every one of them turned into the exact opposite of what they had been. Love became hate. Faith became fear. Peace became torment.

Why?

Because by submitting himself to Satan, Adam disconnected himself from the life of God and connected himself instead to the nature of the devil. Satan himself literally became Adam’s god.

Adam didn’t intend for that to happen. He and Eve thought they could just be gods unto themselves. (That’s what the devil told them they could do.) But that was impossible. Although man is created in God’s image, he was not created to be spiritually sovereign. He must have a spiritual overlord. That’s an inescapable fact.

Many people today still don’t realize that. They think, There’s God…and Satan…and then there’s me. But there are just two spiritual families in the earth–God’s and Satan’s. Everyone in the world is under the lordship of one or the other.

But thank God, by saying “Yes” to Jesus and receiving Him as our LORD and Savior, we can change families. We can be delivered from the power of darkness and transferred into the family of God (Colossians 1:13-14).

When we do that, something wonderful happens. We are born again or, as Ephesians 2:10 says, we are “created in Christ Jesus.” We are actually made “a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

Think of it this way. Just as Adam was born again from life to death when he made Satan his lord, we were born again from death to life when we made Jesus our LORD. Just as Adam was separated from God and connected to Satan in his rebirth, we were separated from Satan and reconnected to God in our new birth.

The moment we were separated from Satan, all those things in our spirit that sprang from him died. Hate died. Lust died. Fear died. At that same moment, we were reconnected to God and the divine nature sprang to life within us. The attributes of God–love, joy, peace and all the other fruit of the spirit–began to flow in our spirits like a fountain.

For you to walk in the victory and freedom from fear that belong to you as a believer, it is absolutely essential that you understand this. You are not just an old sinner saved by grace. Your old man died the death of the Cross. The sin nature you inherited from Adam was crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). It is dead and gone! Now you are a child of the living God. You have Jesus’ own nature and life within you.

You don’t have any business wearing those old, religious sin-tags anymore. You don’t have any business talking about what a sorry, no-good sinner you are. If you’ve been born again, you are no such thing. You are a new creation made alive with the life of God Himself!

Check Engine Now!

Where there was once a fountain of fear on the inside of you, there is now a fountain of faith. The devil can’t pump fear into your spirit anymore. He doesn’t have access to it. It’s sealed by the Holy Spirit unto God (Ephesians 1:13).

The only way the devil can get fear into you is by feeding it to your intellect. He must try to get it into your soul (your mind, will and emotions) by talking you into receiving it and acting on it. Even if he is successful in doing that, he’s still at a disadvantage because that fear will never take root in your born-again spirit. It has nothing to hold it in place. So the minute you rise up and start walking in the love of God, that love will wash the fear away.

That’s an amazing thought but it’s absolutely the truth. The WORD of God tells us that love will actually flush fear out of our souls!

I John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear….” The words translated cast out there literally mean “to flush out.” When you begin to exercise the love of God and the tide of love begins to rise, it just doesn’t leave any place for fear to reside. And since faith works by love, the higher the tide of love flows, the stronger your faith becomes. Eventually, you get to the place where all the fear is flushed away!

The problem most believers have had, however, is this. They’ve let fear creep into their lives a little at a time and over the years, they’ve gotten used to it. Fear has become such a normal part of life that they’re blind to it. As a result, they don’t do what’s necessary to flush it out.

What can we do about that? The last part of I John 4:18 gives us the answer. It says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

Whenever we sense any kind of torment in our lives, it’s a signal to us that we have some fear there. If there’s torment…there’s fear. And according to this verse, if there’s fear, it’s a sign we haven’t developed the love of God in that area.

“Yeah, but Brother Copeland.”

Don’t start with the “Yeah buts….” It’s the truth. So instead of arguing about it, put it to work for you. Think about it this way and you’ll see how.

Whenever you sense torment about a situation, it’s like the red “Check Engine” light blinking on the panel of your car.

If you pay attention to that light and do something about it, it will help you.

But if you just keep driving along thinking, I wonder what’s wrong with my engine? you’ll end up in big trouble. After that light has been blinking for about three months, you’ll find yourself stranded on the freeway blaming the automobile manufacturer for a defective car!

Get the Gleam Back in Your Eye

Obviously, it’s not the manufacturer’s fault. They installed that red light to get your attention. You should have done something about it the first time it blinked at you.

The same thing is true about torment. Every time you notice a flutter of anxiety in your mind or a knot of worry in your stomach, it ought to be like a flashing red light to you. The moment you catch yourself thinking a fearful or worried thought, you should stop right then and deal with it.

Don’t just go on and on thinking, Oh, I don’t know where my kids are. I hope they’re not doing drugs. I hope they don’t get out there on the freeway and get themselves killed.

Stop these thoughts immediately. Start talking to yourself and say, “Wait just a minute here. The Scripture says he that fears is not developed in love. So I’m going to stop this fear right now and get over into the love of God before I get myself in trouble. I’m going to purposely disconnect from this fear and connect up with love.”

Then just start worshiping and praising The LORD over His great love for you. Remind yourself of it and receive it by faith. Say, “Jesus, I love You and I know You love me too much to just let bad things overwhelm my life and my family. Heavenly Father, John 17 says You love me just as much as You do Jesus Himself. And I receive that love right now. I know Your love has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost and I thank You for it.”

Don’t do it just once or twice either. Do it every time you begin to sense that torment. The moment it arises, immediately–immediately!–move over into the love of God.

Then start finding ways to manifest that love toward others. Go find somebody to love somewhere. As you do, that love will begin to grow.

Keep that up and the process of flushing fear out of your soul will continue until you reach the place where there’s no fear there at all. You’ll begin to live the fear-free lifestyle Jesus died and rose again to give you. Just as the prophets foretold, being delivered out of the hands of your enemies, you will serve God without fear all the days of your life.

You can get up every morning with a gleam in your eye, ready to bring the saving, healing, delivering power of The LORD Jesus Christ to a lost world that is waiting to receive it.

Your life will truly become the great adventure God intended it to be.

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

Help Your Marriage by Trusting in the Lord

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

Help Your Marriage by Listening to Trusted Counselors

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

Help Your Marriage by Surrounding Yourself with Good Marriages

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

Help Your Marriage by Developing Patience

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

Help Your Marriage by Learning How to Communicate Effectively

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

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

The force of faith that comes from the Word in your heart brings life and health to your flesh. The Word not only brings healing, it keeps you healthy. Above everything that you do, diligently protect and nourish your spirit. Feed your heart with God’s Word and the force of faith will flow out of it and work whenever it is needed.

Faith, like any other force, must be applied in order to gain any benefit from it. As we eat physical food, our bodies turn that food into strength. Then, the strength in the body must be applied, released and activated. The same is true with faith. The spirit man consumes spiritual food–God’s Word–and that spiritual food produces spiritual power–faith. Faith is released two ways: by our words and our actions. Jesus said in John 3:21, “He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” James 2:17 says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead.” One translation says, “Faith without corresponding action will not work.” Start by putting God’s Word into your heart. Believe it. Say it with your mouth and act accordingly. The Word tells us that our God meets our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Begin to talk as though that is true–because it is! It is already ours. We must release our faith in the Word and talk and act like that Word is true. Then we will see the desired results. Today, make a quality decision to read and meditate on the Word of God!

As a Christian, you’re called to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:7) and to walk in confidence (2 Timothy 1:7). But sadly, when some people hear you say, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13), they often won’t like it. They’ll think you’re being arrogant and on an ego trip. But there is a big difference between ego and faith. Let’s look at three differences today.

Ego Is Counterfeit Faith 

Ego is the cheap imitation of faith. It is confidence in yourself as a person. Read what God thinks of that kind of confidence in Proverbs 8:13: “All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”                       

Ego Pleases Man; Faith Pleases God

Confidence in The WORD of God is faith, and it is the only way to please God. Just look at what the author of Hebrews wrote in chapter 11, verse 6: “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Ego Relies on Man’s Knowledge, Faith Taps Into God’s Wisdom

Man’s knowledge is limited and always changing. Only God’s wisdom remains unchanged. First Corinthians 3:19 puts it this way: “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” And Proverbs 3:7-8 instructs, “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”                         

Carnal ego trips are not the same as godly faith. If you want to ensure that you develop in faith, as opposed to ego, begin to saturate yourself with The WORD of God. Read it, meditate on it and speak it. As you continue to rely on The WORD, you won’t develop ego. You’ll develop a steadfast faith that will help you accomplish all God has called you to do!

by Kenneth Copeland

After living the faith life for many years, I’m convinced that the recent awakening of faith is a move of God. God is calling people from all denominations to live a life of power. He is revealing how to live victoriously–day in and day out, in good times and bad. Today, I’m going to share five ways that faith in God’s WORD will change your life. Of course, once you begin living the faith life, you’ll quickly see that faith changes everything in life, but for now, let’s just start with these five.        

1. Faith Will Change Your Life by Opening the Kingdom of God

Some people use faith to get born again, then they lay it down and never use it again. If you do that, you’ll never be able to make spiritual principles work for you.

Every one of Jesus’ apostles operated by faith. Their faith wasn’t some kind of special apostle faith, either. It was the same kind of faith you and I have (2 Peter 1:1).

God didn’t shortchange you and give you an inferior brand of faith just because you were born 2,000 years after the apostles. You, as a born-again believer, have like faith with Peter, James, John, Paul and every other New Testament Christian.

2. Faith Will Change Your Life by Keeping You Safe, Healed and Prosperous

Every aspect of your spiritual life depends on faith in The WORD of God! If you’re not living by faith, the power of God is totally neutralized in your life. He can do no mighty works for you.

You can go to church every Sunday. You can even read your Bible every day. But if The WORD you read and hear preached isn’t mixed with faith, nothing will come of it. That was proven in Jesus’ ministry. He went to Nazareth and preached to the people but “He could there do no mighty work…because of their unbelief” (Mark 6:5-6).

Think about that. Those people had the Healer right there with them, but they couldn’t be healed. They had the Deliverer right there, but they couldn’t be delivered.                       

3. Faith Will Change Your Life by Making You Armed and Dangerous to the Devil

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

All the pieces of the armor of God have one thing in common–The WORD of God. But according to Hebrews 4:2, the Word does not profit you when it’s not mixed with faith. None of these pieces of armor will do you any good without faith.

4. Faith Will Change Your Life by Helping You Grow in the Fruit of the Spirit

You can’t enjoy the fruit of the spirit unless you’re living by faith. Peter knew that. He wrote: “Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone…  Do these things, and you will never fall away” (2 Peter 1:5-7, 10).

Faith is the foundation of a godly life. Without your faith, you don’t have a base on which to build these spiritual forces.           

5. Faith Will Change Your Life by Enabling You to Please God

According to Romans 14:23, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” and what’s more, you can’t please God without it (Hebrews 11:6). That’s about as simple and clear as it can be. You must have faith to please your heavenly father.             

Faith isn’t just a temporary movement that’s sweeping through the world. It will change your life! It’s a permanent way of life for people of God–a way that works in good times and bad, a way that works when nothing else is working. Faith is here to stay!

by Kenneth Copeland

It happens all the time. People get born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Then they go back to living what the world might call a “normal” life. They have no idea of the magnitude of what’s happened to them. They have no idea how to live out their faith in front of their unsaved family and friends.

About all they know is they are saved and speaking in tongues, and they now qualify as Pentecostals or Charismatics. They want to make a difference but they have no clue where to start. If that’s you, there’s good news. You can live out your faith in front of your unsaved family members with power and truth today!     

Live Out Your Faith in Front of Your Unsaved Family by Becoming More God Inside-Minded

No matter how long you’ve walked with The LORD, you can still become even more God inside minded! All of us need to develop our awareness of the fact that God is living in us all the time. Instead of being sin-conscious, we ought to be making much of our righteousness in Him. We should be continually reminding ourselves, I’ve been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. In God’s eyes, I’m right with Him. I walk in His rightness. I can fellowship with Him all day long, all the time.

Live Out Your Faith in Front of Your Unsaved Family by Repenting When You Sin

“But Brother Copeland, what if I miss it and sin?”
Then repent. God has already provided forgiveness for you. Just receive it, spit the sin out of your life and keep growing in your life of faith.

Live Out Your Faith in Front of Your Unsaved Family by Reading With New Eyes

While you’re at it, try reading the Bible with a new perspective. Rather than searching it all the time for what Jesus can do for you, start focusing on what He can do through you, especially for your unsaved family members. Put yourself in Jesus’ place when you read Gospel accounts like the one about the sick woman who got healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. Begin to realize the same power that flowed from Him will flow out of you if you’ll esteem that power with great honor and expect it to manifest.

God has done a supernatural work in your life, so even if your family doesn’t understand your decision to follow Jesus, you can start living out your faith in a powerful way. Your example may be the catalyst God uses to draw them to Him. So don’t let their views keep you from walking in God’s truth and power. Determine to live out your faith loudly, fully and with complete abandon for Him!

by Kenneth Copeland
 

All through history, Satan has tried to sidetrack the Body of Christ and take its attention off of what God is doing in the earth. It’s a diversionary tactic whose sole purpose is to stop the move of God. It’s time for all Christians to stand against the devil and all his mischief and take their rightful place.

In Matthew 24:4-6, Jesus warned us that we would face difficult times. He said: “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled.” How do we keep from falling prey to it? How do we keep from falling into the fear and deception Jesus warned us about? Here are three steps for taking a solid and successful stand against the devil:

1. Stand Against the Devil by Understanding the Score

You must come to the complete and absolute decision that you are the victor. The victory is yours and the battle is The LORD’s. You must settle that within yourself.

Do whatever you have to do to get that into your spirit. Stay in The WORD; take Communion every 30 minutes if necessary; fellowship with The LORD until confidence in Him rises up within you and chases out every thought of failure and defeat.           

2. Stand Against the Devil by Proclaiming Psalm 91

The second thing we need to do to stand against Satan’s traps is to speak out loud about the deliverance of The LORD. Psalm 91 says, “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver [me]….”

Notice that scripture says, I’ll say it and then, in response to what I’ve said, He will deliver me.

That’s not just some super-spiritual idea either. It works. I know one soldier who, during World War II, survived a bombing raid by huddling underneath a bunk bed shouting out Psalm 91. By the time that raid was over, the bombs had destroyed the building he was in and everything in it, except that one little bed sitting right out in the middle of the room.

You can do the same thing that soldier did. Take hold of the 91st Psalm. Say it to yourself so often that you know it by heart.           

3. Stand Against the Devil by Praying for the “Bad” Guys

The third thing that will help you stand against the devil is this: Follow the rules of faith. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 the Holy Spirit instructs us to offer “first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks…for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority.” That means we’re to pray not only for the good guys, but for the “bad” guys too.

If we’re going to successfully fight this fight of faith, we’re going to have to obey God’s guidelines. We can’t jump up and start ranting and raving about that person who is coming up against us.

Instead, do what Proverbs 4:23 says and protect your heart against foolishness like that “with all diligence.” I don’t care how you feel about it. I don’t care if your flesh rears up and gets mad. Put it back down and fight that battle in the heaven lies. Fight it with prayer and The WORD and keep your faith strong by guarding yourself against hate.

No matter how much you try to ignore it…or how despairingly you cry about it, Satan will attack you. But don’t let him succeed in his attack. Instead, settle the victory in your heart. Speak out the delivering power of The LORD and follow the rules of faith. You will surely stand strong again the devil and see the salvation of God!

by Kenneth Copeland

If there was ever a generation that needed to know how to enter into God’s protection and stay there, it’s this generation. Wars and rumors of wars are commonplace news, but we can find peace in the midst of war. Even though our military is deployed to far-off lands, even though terrorist are hitting our cities, we can find peace.

Most people react to the danger in one of two ways. They either get calloused to it and ignore it…or they simply wring their hands and moan, “Dear God, help us.” But neither one of those ways will get us through. Ignoring the problems won’t make them go away and, frankly, neither will our helpless cries of despair.

We have to deal with the dangers around us. Whether it feels good or not. Whether it looks pretty or not. We have a part to play.

Make the Decision to Find Peace in the Midst of War

Jesus Himself knew we were going to have to face times like these. In Matthew 24:6 He said, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled.”

“See that ye be not troubled.” That’s what Jesus said we should do when we go through dangerous times. When we hear of wars and rumors of war, we’re not to let it cripple our faith and throw us into anxiety. We’re to refuse to let that trouble enter into our hearts.           

Avoid the Media to Find Peace in the Midst of War

We’re also to guard against deception. “Take heed,” Jesus said, “that no man deceive you.” These days everyone has something to say about what’s happening. The news media. Politicians. Your next-door neighbor. Everyone! Even though those people don’t intend to deceive you, they’re looking at things through the world’s eyes instead of through the eyes of The WORD of God.

If you’ll let him, Satan will use them to fill your mind with worries. He’ll use the media to bring to you all the terrors of war. To show you every kind of horrible thing you can think of. Why? To stir up hate and fear inside you. To deceive you into abandoning your faith and letting fear fill your heart.

Listen to God to Find Peace in the Midst of War

You can guard against Satan’s strategies by paying attention to what God is saying instead of what the world is saying. By concentrating on Him, looking at things through His eyes.

That means–whether you’re the one who’s in the war zone or the one at home praying for a loved one who’s facing it–you have to lock into God’s WORD and stay there. It doesn’t matter what’s on television. It doesn’t matter what’s in the newspapers. Your future isn’t based on that. Your future will be determined by your faith in God’s WORD.

Be Vigilant to Find Peace in the Midst of War

I’ll tell you right up front, it takes real commitment to keep your attention on that WORD when war is breaking out all around you. The devil designed that violence to distract you from what God is doing in the earth.

God showed me a long time ago that whenever He pours out His best in a mighty display of power, people get healed and saved and delivered and encouraged and set free from the bondages that have held them. We call that outpouring “revival” and when it comes, Satan tries to counter it by pouring out his worst. His worst takes the form of relentless destruction, maiming, crippling disease and death. In its ultimate manifestation, we call that “war.” So each time we see war in the natural, we can be assured that God is doing something glorious in the spirit realm. We just have to stand against the enemy’s attacks.       

Don’t let Satan’s ploys distract you or lead you into fear. Instead, stand strong on The WORD. Make the decision to remain in peace, avoid the media and purpose to focus on what God is doing and saying instead of Satan. You are in a war, a war for your peace. Fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and stand as a testimony of what God can do in and through someone when they stand strong in Him!

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. De-stress Your Life by Protecting Your Mind

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

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

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

5. De-stress Your Life by Cutting the Extras

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

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

If you’re not satisfied with the results you’re getting from your prayers, there’s a word in the Bible that can help you: receive. That one simple word can make your prayers more effective. It can take you from wanting and wishing to knowing–absolutely–that you have the answer to your prayers.

That is how God intends for you to pray. He never meant for His children to spend hours talking to Him about everything in the world and then walk away with nothing to show for it. No, God’s will is for you to “…come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive…“ (Hebrews 4:16). He wants you to follow the instructions Jesus gave in Mark 11:24: “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (KJV).

Look at the word “receive.” In the original Greek, it’s defined as “to take.” So it’s actually scriptural to say, “Whatever you desire when you pray, believe that you take it, and you shall have it.”

The word take puts prayer in a whole new light! It tells us that if you want to get what you pray for, you can’t just say, “Lord, I want this and I want that.” You can’t just hope and pray that God is generally good and He will bless you somehow. You have to reach out by faith, take hold of the thing you’re believing to receive, possess it and make it your own.

So following what Jesus said in Mark 11, here are four steps to getting your prayers answered:           

1. Getting Your Prayers Answered: Have Faith

Everything Jesus purchased for you through His life, death and resurrection–victory over sin, joy, peace, healing or financial abundance–develops in your life by faith. Mark 11:22-23 demonstrates that you must have faith in order receive answers to your prayers. We must have faith in both His ability and His willingness to give us what we ask. To learn more about faith that pleases God, watch this video, “Receive Anything You Need by Faith“.

2. Getting Your Prayers Answered: Speak Faith

Once you’ve established your faith on God and His Word, you’re ready to put your faith into action by speaking. You’re ready to say what you want to come to pass. Jesus told us to speak words of faith over the natural situations in our lives. Remember the fig tree in Mark 11; Jesus spoke to it and it died. In the same way, when you ask God for something, you take it, believing that you have it from the moment you ask.

3. Getting Your Prayers Answered: Refuse Doubt

Once you’ve begun to speak words of faith based on God’s Word, refuse to take the devil’s doubts. Refuse to believe and receive his lies. Think again about what Jesus said and you’ll see why that’s so important. He told us that “whosoever shall say…and shall not doubt in his heart…shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 11:23, KJV). Doubting is dangerous! If the devil can put doubt in your heart, it will soon be in your mouth, and he can steal the blessings of God.

4. Getting Your Prayers Answered: Start Forgiving

According to Jesus, there’s one more thing we must do before your prayer of receiving is complete. “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (Mark 11:25).

As an obedient believer who wants to receive from God, you can’t afford to hold anything against anyone. The reason is simple: Faith doesn’t work in an unforgiving heart, so if you won’t forgive, you can’t believe and receive.           

Instead of hoping and praying, you can start praying and taking (receiving). And that’s not only rewarding…it’s a whole lot of fun! 

“How should I pray for the government?” That’s a questions many Christians ask themselves. Sadly, when it comes to politics, generations of church people in America have said, “We’re just hoping this political party can fix this mess….” or “We’re just hoping and praying such and such a group can fix it.” Well, the politicians–whether Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, part of the Tea Party, Independent or some other affiliation–are not God. They’re only here to govern, and the government cannot create or change anything permanently.

Real change–whether in the political, economic or spiritual realm–only happens when the Church begins to pray and believe God. We’re the ones with real authority, and we’ve been given that authority by the Name of Jesus.

The problem is, we haven’t known what to do with it.

Pray for the Government by Giving Thanks

When it comes to praying for the government, we first need to remember 1 Timothy 2:1-2. In these scriptures, the Apostle Paul explained our responsibility as citizens of heaven and citizens of earth: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

Over the years, the Body of Christ has missed the thanksgiving part of Paul’s instructions in relation to the political process. When the candidates we want to win don’t win, we often quit praying and we definitely don’t give God thanks for the ones who got elected. Oh, we may pray for a handful of elected officials now and then. But how long is it from the time we stop praying until we turn around and start shredding them to pieces in our conversations?

Well, in God’s Book, that doesn’t work.

Pray for the Government Consistently

It doesn’t matter whether the person we vote for gets into office or not. What matters is our obedience to God’s WORD–to pray, make petition and intercession for all men and women, kings and leaders of high authority, and then give thanks to God for them. That doesn’t mean we have to fast and pray 40 days and 40 nights each election year. We can simply begin by spending 10 to 15 minutes each day praying for our authorities.

The point is, intercessions and thanksgiving should consistently be the main focus and effort of our petitions, because real spiritual power lies in consistency–praying in the spirit day after day, standing on the WORD, praising and worshiping God concerning our authorities.

Remember, Christians should know how to pray for the government, and it starts with thanksgiving and consistency. We are the ones with the real authority around here, and our countries are depending on us!

Often people want to experience God’s protection for themselves and their families, but they don’t know where to start. They love the Word and do their best to abide in it, but they are unsure of how to take a stand for their family. Let’s look at three ways you can protect your family through prayer.

#1 Protect Your Family by Making a Declaration

According to Psalm 91:2, to live in God’s secret place of protection we must make this declaration, “We will say of the Lord, He is our refuge and our fortress: our God; in Him will we trust.”

Why is it so important to say such words?

Because that’s how we receive everything God provides for us. We believe in our heart what He says in His Word, and confess it with our mouth. We act on what Jesus taught in Mark 11:23: “Whosoever shall say…and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

#2 Protect Your Family by Making a List of Promises

Psalm 91:2 is only the beginning. The Scriptures are filled with God’s promises to protect His people, and it’s time for you to begin proclaiming them over your family.

Search the Scriptures for other promises for your family. Make a list, print out that list, put it somewhere you’ll see it every day and proclaim those promises.

God’s promises don’t just work for us automatically because they’re in the Bible. They have to be activated by faith-filled words.

#3 Protect Your Family Through Prayer

Every morning pray for yourself and your family members by name and declare that God is your refuge. Say things like, “Thank You, Lord, for our divine protection. Thank You that it’s like a bubble over each one of us. Thank You for being our Shelter and our Shield today. You surround us so that no weapon formed against us will succeed, in Jesus’ Name.”       

You can protect your family through prayer. Don’t just accept that you have to take whatever devilish thing comes your way–sickness, disease, accidents, destruction. No! Jesus died so that you and your family could be safe from the enemy’s strategies. Begin declaring Psalm 91:2, standing on God’s protection promises and praying for each of your family member’s divine protection each day. Begin activating God’s promises today and see the salvation of the Lord!

One of the biggest questions people ask is “How do I hear the Holy Spirit?” They think there must be a magic formula involved–and while there isn’t a 1-2-3 magic formula, there are disciplines that you can implement to put yourself in the place of hearing the Holy Spirit more clearly. Remember, He’s always speaking; it’s just a matter of opening your spiritual ears to hear Him. Let’s look at three ways that you can improve your ability to hear the Holy Spirit.

#1 Hear the Holy Spirit When You Focus on the Word

One of the most effective ways to improve your ability to hear the Holy Spirit is by focusing on God’s Word. In John 15:7, Jesus said, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

How do you know when you have been focusing enough on the Word? The Holy Spirit talks to you through it! He directs your thoughts as you go about your day. He brings the Word to your mind when challenges arise, and helps you know what to do.

You focus on the Word by spending time in it. You can’t just read it casually every now and then. You have to be diligent to read your Bible and reflect on it every day and obey it. Treat it like the priceless treasure it is.

#2 Hear the Holy Spirit When You Listen to God’s People

The Holy Spirit isn’t only speaking to you; He’s speaking to all of God’s people. Sometimes those people have received a message from the Lord for the Church, like when the Lord spoke through the Apostles or when the Lord gives Kenneth Copeland a prophecy. Other times, the Holy Spirit uses those people to share a special message specifically for you. By listening to trusted faith ministers and even Spirit-led friends and family members, you can hear the Holy Spirit’s direction.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should listen to every person, or even every Christian, who believes that God wants them to tell you something. Make sure those people are Spirit-filled, Spirit-led and full of faith. Watch the Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcast, read the Believer’s Voice of Victory magazine, attend a faith-filled church, build friendships with believers in those churches, and join KCM’s faith-filled online community and build relationships there.

#3 Hear the Holy Spirit When You Listen in Prayer

Do you find yourself doing all the talking in your prayer time with the Lord? If you never get quiet enough to listen, how will you ever hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart?

When you pray, spend some time praising God for His goodness and thanking Him for all He has done for you (Psalm 100:4). Then ask Him for what you need (Philippians 4:13). After that, get quiet. Prayer is not a one-way conversation. Make sure you give the Holy Spirit a chance to speak. He may bring a scripture or song to your mind. He may bring a person to mind that needs prayer. Or He may give you direction for your day or even an answer to a prayer request.

Keeping a prayer journal is another great way to identify the Holy Spirit’s voice. Write down what you’ve asked the Lord for and the different ways He has answered those prayers. Write the thoughts He brings to your mind. As you put this into practice, you’ll begin to understand how the Holy Spirit works in and through you. You’ll begin to hear (and read) His answers.

The Holy Spirit is talking. It’s up to you to hear Him clearly. By putting these three keys into practice, you’ll improve your ability to hear the Holy Spirit, and you’ll have the joy of living a Spirit-led life!

by Kenneth Copeland

Are you in trouble and need Jesus to intervene on your behalf? Have you prayed, but can’t seem to hear an answer? Do you feel like screaming, “Help, Jesus, I need You!” Let me tell you something. After Jesus defeated the devil and left the earth, the Bible says He sat down on the right hand of the Father. He sat down expecting all His enemies to be made His footstool (Acts 2:34-35).

Do you understand what that means?

It means Jesus is not pacing around wringing His hands. He’s seated, confident in His victory. So you and I need to start acting that way too. We need to talk and act like Jesus has actually taken authority over the devil and his bunch. We shouldn’t go around crying and acting like He never went to the Cross. We shouldn’t scream and carry on and wait for someone to come get the devil off of us.

No! As far as He’s concerned, it’s done. So we need to learn to act as though it’s done as far as we’re concerned too.

We need to say, “Thank You, LORD! Praise You, Jesus!” and tell the devil, “You take your dirty hands off me and my loved ones. Don’t you realize that Jesus is seated on the right hand of the Father?”

Remember this: You don’t look up at the devil, you look down at him. He’s under your feet!

Is it possible to have that kind of confidence in the midst of the difficulties you may be facing right now? Yes! The WORD of God says so. In Psalm 112, it says that the man who fears The LORD and delights greatly in His commandments “shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.”

That kind of person is locked in. He’s not crying, “Help, Jesus, I Need You!” He’s sure that the victory is his. Once you have that kind of assurance, nothing will be able to move you.

by Gloria Copeland

There are a lot of religious traditions floating around the Church today that are just plain wrong. For years, Christians have believed these lies about all sorts of things. They’ve even gone as far as to lift them up as holy. Well, in this six-part series, Lies Christians Believe about Healing, I’m going to talk about the biggest lies Christians often believe about healing. Understand, it’s not about what I believe; it’s about what the Word of God says.

The Bible says the traditions of men make the Word of God of no effect (Mark 7:13). In the same way that truth sets people free, traditions, or religious lies, keep them bound. These lies stop the Word from working in people’s lives because there is nothing to produce faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Jesus said in Matthew 15, when He was warning the Pharisees about all their unbiblical rules and ideas, “Ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition” (verse 6).

Personally, I want to make sure that I never believe a lie instead of what the Word of God says. I don’t want my heart to get hard and unperceptive so that I can’t see and hear the truth. I want to walk every day in faith so I can be healed and blessed in every way.

I’m sure you do too. So let’s take the time right now to check up on ourselves. Let’s look at some of the most common healing-stealing traditions and make certain we’ve run them completely out of our lives.

Lie #1: God is pleased when you accept sickness gracefully.

I’ve never figured out how people came up with this idea, but somehow (with a lot of help from the devil) they did. They decided that, as Christians, we can glorify God by suffering physical illness or infirmity without complaining.

There could be no greater lie in the world than that!

Only the devil gets glory when our bodies are incapacitated. God gets glory when we have the physical strength and health to be of service to His kingdom and a blessing to others. As Jesus said in John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.”

You can read the New Testament from front to back and you won’t find any record of God getting praise because someone on a sickbed said they were suffering for Jesus. No, He received praise when someone had a testimony to share with the world. In the ministry of Jesus, God got glory when “great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:30-31).

Clearly, it’s healing, not sickness, that glorifies God!

In my next article, I’ll continue this series: Lies Christians Believe about Healing #2. If you are struggling with an illness or know someone who is struggling with an illness, be sure to read it. Identify any religious lies that are holding you back from receiving your healing. Remember, your healing is what glorifies the Lord and makes Him happy, not your illness!

“God Puts Sickness on You to Teach You Something”
by Gloria Copeland

Today, I’m continuing the series, Lies Christians Believe about Healing. This is close to my heart because I have witnessed thousands of people healed in my Healing School meetings. These healings weren’t dependent on me. No, these healings were dependent on what Jesus did 2,000 years ago. All I do–glory to God, what I have the privilege to do–is help open peoples’ eyes to what the Word of God says. That’s what I want to do today. So let’s look at the second religious tradition–or lie–Christians believe about healing. Let’s identify it and get it out of our lives so we can get on with what God has called us to do.

Lie #2: God puts sickness on you to teach you something.

I imagine the whole throne room of God shudders over this religious tradition. It’s totally contrary to the Scriptures. Nowhere in the Bible does God say that we learn truth and grow up in Him by suffering sickness, disease and turmoil. Not once in the New Testament does it say that sickness is the teacher of the Church.

On the contrary, the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Look at those verses again. What do they say corrects us?

God’s Word!

What do they say instructs us, finishes us and makes us perfect (or mature)?

God’s Word!

In addition to His Word, God has also given us the Holy Spirit to be our teacher. That’s why it’s important for us not only to be born again but filled with the Spirit. Jesus said the Holy Spirit is the One who will “teach you all things” (John 14:26). He is the One who will “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

If we want God to teach us something, we don’t have to go out and catch the flu. All we have to do is take time to open our Bibles. We can just read the Word, believe what it says, and let the Holy Spirit show us how to apply it to our lives.

It’s a simple process. Anyone can do it, and I can tell you from years of experience, it’s a lot of fun. I love getting up in the morning and heading for my prayer-and-Bible-reading place first thing. I always get happy looking in the Word and seeing what belongs to me as a believer. It’s a great way to start the day.

If you haven’t already made it a habit to spend daily time in the Word, do it now. It will change your life. You can’t read the Word, believe it and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and stay sick and defeated. God’s Words “are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:22).

What you learn from the Word will bring victory in every area of life!

Make sure to read the next part in this series, Lies Christians Believe about Healing #3. Let the Word of God continue to challenge–and change–your thinking about healing. Then you’ll be on your way to living the victorious Christian life!

“Sometimes Sickness Is a Blessing in Disguise”
by Gloria Copeland

As you can probably guess, I can’t stand man-made traditions that rob people of the truth that Jesus took their sins and infirmities on the cross! They’re based on lies and they’re deadly to faith. The Bible says the traditions of men make the Word of God of no effect (Mark 7:13), so let’s continue with this series, Lies Christians Believe About Healing, so we can identify and eradicate any man-made tradition that is stealing our ability to walk in divine health.

Lie #3: Sometimes sickness is a blessing in disguise.

The only time people believe this tradition is when they’re in church, and they only treat sickness like a blessing when they’re around their religious friends. The rest of the time, they’re trying to get rid of it. They’re going to the doctor, taking medicine and doing anything else they think will cure them.

Why?

Because, as every sound-minded person knows, sickness is never a blessing. It’s always a curse. It’s the work of the devil, and it came into the world as a result of sin. The Bible confirms it. In Deuteronomy 28, God described in detail the curse that came on people who broke His Old Testament laws and said it included “every sickness, and every plague” (verse 61).

But here’s the good news: As New Testament believers we’ve been set free from that curse! Jesus redeemed us from it. When He went to the Cross, He was “made a curse for us” so that the blessing of Abraham might come on us through Him (Galatians 3:13-14).

Isaiah 53:4-5 says it this way: “Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses)…. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

In my next article, I’ll continue this series, Lies Christians Believe about Healing #4. Until then, read Deuteronomy 28 and Galatians 3:13-14 and meditate on Isaiah 53:4-5. Get your thinking straightened out about the fact that illness is not a blessing from the Lord. Jesus died to set you free; don’t let anyone–not a family member, not a brother or sister in the Lord, not your pastor, not any preacher–convince you that His payment brings anything but complete and total freedom!

“Healing Has Passed Away”
by Gloria Copeland

Today, I’m continuing the series, Lies Christians Believe About Healing. If you have missed the other parts of this series, make sure to go back and read them. I’m uncovering the truth in the Word of God that expose the religious traditions–or lies–that Christians believe about healing.

It’s shocking to think that anything can undercut the effectiveness of God’s Word, but this is the truth: Tradition can do it. It can put you in such spiritual apathy that you start acting like the people Jesus talked about in Matthew 13:15. Do you remember how He described them? He said, “For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes–so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.'”

Let’s make sure our hearts aren’t hardened like those people. Let’s continue to expose and eliminate lies about healing from your life.

Lie #4: Healing has passed away.

This tradition was particularly popular among religious folks when I was a kid. They believed that healing had just passed away. They weren’t exactly sure when it happened but, nevertheless, they seemed certain of its demise.

When I started reading the Bible, however, I realized they were mistaken. I found out that God said, “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26). He didn’t say, “I was the Lord who healed you,” or, “I will be the Lord who heals you in heaven someday.” He said, “I am your Healer–right now, today!” “I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).

If those verses hadn’t been enough to convince me that healing couldn’t possibly have passed away, 2 Corinthians 6:2 would have. It says, “Today is the day of salvation.” Salvation means more than just being born again. It means deliverance, preservation, material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension, pardon, preservation, protection, liberty, health, and restoration.

In other words, salvation refers just as much to healing as it does to any other part of redemption. So, if you need healing you can always be confident that today is your day!

Now, let me ask you: Is this what you were taught growing up? Is this what your church teaches right now? If this is not what you are being taught, then I challenge you to find a Word church in your area that will teach you the Word of God and stand with you for your healing. Don’t believe the lie that healing has passed away; don’t settle for anything less than God’s best for your life!

Next, I’ll continue uncovering Lies Christians Believe about Healing #5. We’re not finished bringing to light the religious traditions that will keep you sick and tired. So get ready to learn what the Word of God really says, so you can live in divine health!

“If It’s God’s Will, I’ll Be Healed”
by Gloria Copeland

If you are a born-again believer, then surely you don’t ever want to follow the empty traditions of man instead of the Word of God. The Word doesn’t just bring peace to your mind; it brings wholeness to your entire body. Proverbs 4:21-22 says the Word of God brings “life to those who find [it], and healing to [your] whole body.” Man’s traditions don’t lead to healing and wholeness, only the Word of God does. Today, let’s look at the fifth lie Christians believe about healing, so we can identify it and get it out of our minds.

Lie #5: If it’s God’s will, I’ll be healed.

There’s no question about it, God’s perfect will is for us to be healed. But God won’t make us get healed any more than He’ll make us do anything else. If we want God’s will to be done in our lives, we must cooperate with Him. We must believe His Word and act on it. We must also be on guard against our enemy. His name is Satan and He’s come to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He and his little demons will rob us of everything that belongs to us, including our healing, if we let them.

But, thank God, we don’t have to let them! We have authority over them. Jesus said that in His Name we can cast out devils (Mark 16:17), so when Satan tries to put sickness on us, that’s what we should do. We should say, “Devil, you get your hands off my body right now, in the Name of Jesus. I rebuke you! Sickness is under the curse, and I’ve been redeemed from the curse. I am healed by the stripes of Jesus!”

The Bible says if you resist the devil he will flee from you (James 4:7). But if you don’t, he’ll bug you all the time. Even my grandchildren know that. One time some years ago, back when Courtney (John’s daughter) and Max (Kellie’s son) were preschoolers, they were sitting next to each other in the car. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, Courtney exclaimed, “Shut up, Devil!”

“Why did you say that?” her mother asked. “What happened?”

“The devil just told me to break Max’s leg,” she answered.

Of course, we all laughed about it. But the truth is, Courtney got it right. She knew if she wanted God’s will to be done in her life she had to get rid of the devil.

The same is true for you.

Solidify in your mind that God wants you healed. Don’t believe this lie about healing. Don’t listen to the friends and family and preachers who would try to tell you that your pain and suffering is from anyone but Satan. When symptoms arise, rebuke him. When fear tries to come in, rebuke him. When thoughts come to your mind telling you that illness is from your heavenly father, Rebuke him. Stand up for yourself and for the complete work that Jesus did on the cross. Remember, your health, your quality of life and in fact, your very life, depend on it!

And keep reading as we expose the last of the series, Lies Christians Believe About Healing #6 next.

“It’s Sometimes God’s Will for People to Die Young”
by Gloria Copeland

When I first came in contact with the Word of God, I was what you might call a free spirit. I hadn’t been indoctrinated with a lot of religious tradition. On occasion, when I was growing up, I’d attended a church that was famous for its unbelief, but I didn’t go often enough for it to affect me. So, when I got born again and found out from the Bible that Jesus had provided healing for me, I simply believed and started receiving. I never bought into the lies that many Christians believe about healing.

For them–and possibly for you–it was a different experience. They’ve struggled to receive healing because they’ve been taught unscriptural doctrines that get in their way. Maybe they grew up in a church that preached God isn’t in the healing business anymore. Maybe they spent years hearing good, well-meaning Christians say that healing isn’t always God’s will.

Whatever it was, they’ve bought into the religious lies that say God won’t heal you. Today’s article is the final part of this six-part series, Lies Christians Believe about Healing. Let’s dive in.

Lie #6: It’s sometimes God’s will for people to die young.

Amazingly enough, Christians who fall prey to this tradition actually think it’s scriptural. When they hear about someone who died at an early age, they say things like, “Well, you know the Bible says it’s appointed to every man a time to die. I guess this was just their time to go.”

As spiritual as that might sound, it’s wrong. What the Bible actually says is this: “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27, emphasis mine). Whether we’re young or old when that once comes is up to us. If we believe and obey God’s Word, we can put it off until we’ve lived to a ripe, old age.

If we have the faith for it, we can be like Moses. He lived to be 120, and he wasn’t sick when he left this earth. He still had enough strength to climb Mount Nebo and his eyes were so sharp he could see the Promised Land from there.

How can you be sure that kind of long, strong life is actually God’s will for you?

Because of what He said in Proverbs 3:1-2: “My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.” What a WORD!

Those verses paint a picture of what God wants for all of us. He wants our lives to just get better and better. He wants us to enjoy the fulfillment of the promise in Psalm 91:16: “With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.”

That’s what my friend Dodie Osteen did.

Many years ago, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only a short time to live. Since the doctors had no cure, she went home from the hospital, put together a list of healing scriptures and started going over them twice a day.

At the time, I’m sure there were some people who, because of their religious traditions, expected her to die quickly. But she’d gotten rid of those traditions herself so she surprised them. She kept living…and living…and living.

After a while, the doctors verified it: Every trace of cancer was gone.

Today, Dodie Osteen is probably in her late 70s, and she looks beautiful. She’s healed, happy and going strong. Come to think of it, Dodie is living proof of the wonderful things that happen when you exchange tradition for truth!

In the last six parts of this series, Lies Christians Believe about Healing, I’ve shared, from the Word, about God’s plan for you. It comes down to this: You serve a loving God who through His Son, Jesus, provided a way for you to experience total and complete healing. As a new-covenant child of God, you are not subject to Satan’s ploys, but walking in God’s perfect–and healed–plan for your life takes a decision. God will not force Himself on you. If you want to be a part of His redemptive plan for mankind, you must decide to walk in it. So what are you waiting for? Get into the Word. Read it. Confess it. Let it become so big inside you that you won’t be swayed by symptoms, doctors’ reports or well-meaning loved ones. You are healed! Now walk in it!

by Gloria Copeland

When Ken and I started getting things straightened out 45 years ago, we had more problems than we had any idea how to solve, but we got born again and we got filled with the Spirit. Then, we began to hear God’s Word and act on it–and the Word changed everything in our lives for good! If you are a new Christian, you don’t have to wait until you know God’s Word frontward and backward in order to receive your healing. You can receive your healing now by putting a key spiritual principle to work.

Receive Your Healing by Walking in Love

Romans 13:10 says, “Love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.” As a Christian, love is your law. So if you’re walking in love, you can be sure you’re walking in line with God’s Word. Then begin to fine-tune your walk and your love life. Obey God’s Word in everything. Be quick to obey and make changes.

Right before Jesus went to the cross, He said it this way: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

Of course, you have to be born again to obey that commandment. If you were the same old, sinful creature you used to be, you’d keep on doing the same old things and getting the same old results. But, praise the Lord, that’s not the case! Because Jesus is now the Lord of your life, you’ve been made the righteousness of God. You’re a partaker of His divine nature. You have the ability to obey His Word!

If you’ll do it, if you’ll keep God’s commands, Jesus said He’ll manifest Himself to you and make Himself to be clearly seen by you (John 14:21). That means He’ll show up and do you good. He’ll bless you and heal your body.

Acting on God’s Word, walking in obedience to the command of love, is everything when it comes to living free, living healed and prospering. I’m not saying you have to be perfect. Everyone stumbles from time to time. When you do, just run to God, repent and receive His forgiveness. Then straighten up and get right back up and keep walking in the light of love.

Years ago, a man who’d been struggling with sickness made an absolutely classic statement to Brother Copeland: “I know God heals,” he said, “I just can’t figure out how to get Him to do it!”

If you ever find yourself in that situation, follow the example of the woman in Mark 5. She knew what it was like to have trouble getting healed. Mark 5:25-26 says that she had been sick and broke a long time.

If anyone ever had reason to say, “I can’t figure out how to get God to heal me,” this woman did. But she didn’t take that attitude. Instead, she took a series of steps that connected her with God’s power, and she ended up hearing Jesus say, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole” (verse 34).

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have witnessed the truth of these steps throughout their lives and ministry. Learn from her example, just as they have, so you don’t have to wait any longer for your healing.

Receive Your Healing by Hearing the Word

Mark 5:27 tells us this woman’s first step: She “heard of Jesus.”

She heard that Jesus came to bring peace (Acts 10:36-38), which in Hebrew means “to be whole, with nothing missing, and nothing broken.” She heard that He came to heal all who are suffering from sickness and oppression, which are works of the devil. She heard that He’d been sent by God to do us good–and that includes your healing, too.

Receive Your Healing by Speaking Faith

Next, she spoke words of faith: “She kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health” (Mark 5:28).

This woman spoke the Word in faith. Your faith won’t work without God’s Word. You must keep it in front of your eyes, in your ears and in your heart constantly, otherwise you won’t speak with faith. Instead, you’ll talk like the world.

With every cold or flu that comes to town, the world proclaims, “I’m going to get it. I get it every time.” By contrast, faith says, “Jesus took all my sickness and disease on the cross. I walk in total health. Praise God!”

Receive Your Healing by Acting on It

Once the woman with the issue of blood heard the Word and said it, she went into action! She pressed through the crowd and touched Jesus’ clothes (verse 27). She behaved as if what she believed and said were true. She acted on her faith.

Often Gloria Copeland encourages people to do just this during her Healing Schools. After people have heard the Word and received prayer, she says, “Begin to do what you couldn’t do before: If you couldn’t bend over, then bend over. If you couldn’t lift your arms, lift them. If you couldn’t walk, walk in the Name of Jesus.”

It’s amazing what happens when people obey those instructions. Healings manifest–every time!

Receive Your Healing by Receiving It and Shouting It!

The woman in Mark 5 reached out in faith and received from Jesus the healing she needed. That faith and determination made her touch different from everyone else’s, and she received her healing (verse 30-34).

It’s one thing to reach out to the Lord hoping to get healed. It’s something else to take, by faith, the healing He has already provided!

Don’t wait another minute. Say, “I take my healing now!”

This woman’s example still stands true today. Don’t sit around saying, “I’m so tired of waiting for my healing. Maybe one day God will do it.” No, put these principles to work and soon you’ll have your own healing testimony to share!  

Nerve medicine.  That’s what some old-timers used to call anti-anxiety medication. It came in a little bottle and contained a lot of alcohol. They took it when they were upset (or so they said!). Kids rarely saw them actually drink it, but when things went wrong and tensions mounted, they often heard them say, “Let’s get the nerve medicine!”

The idea of nerve medicine may be funny today, but modern medicine has its own versions–Xanax, Lexapro, Ativan, Cymbalta, Valium or any number of other prescription anti-anxiety medications. If you are currently taking one of these medications or are considering taking one, then let this be a wake-up call to stir your faith.

Understand, this is not a message of condemnation, but one of encouragement. If you’re taking a prescription, continue to follow your doctor’s instructions until God tells you otherwise. But here’s what we want you to know: If you are a born-again believer, you have access to a nerve-calming, health-producing power that doesn’t come in a bottle. Proverbs 3:1-2, 8, (The Amplified Bible) promises “tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death]” when you obey the Lord’s commandments.

You can have peace in your mind and body. You don’t have to endure panic attacks, feelings of depression or sadness, mental and physical exhaustion or worrisome thoughts. You can have peace, regardless of what is going on around you. Consider these steps for implementing God’s peace in your life.

1. Understand That Anxiety Is Under the Curse

A peaceful mind is God’s will for every one of His children (Isaiah 53:4-5, 2 Timothy 1:7). Anxiety, depression and fear are part of the curse. And guess what? Jesus died to free you from the curse. Your freedom has already been purchased, but it’s up to you to receive it.

2. Pray for God to Show You the Root of Anxiety

There can be many roots for your anxiety–physical, emotional or spiritual. It may be because of internal issues like unforgiveness or fear, or it may be the result of external issues like a divorce or job loss. Ask the Lord to reveal the root of your anxiety or direct you to someone who can help you identify that root cause (Matthew 21:22).

3. Confess Your Healing From Anxiety

Once you know the root of your anxiety, make a list of scriptures that deal with your issue (Romans 10:17). Take these scriptures (repeating them multiple times each day) just like you would a prescription. Here are a few scriptures to review: Isaiah 40:29; Psalms 103:4-5, 55:22, 94:19, 139:23-24; Philippians 4:6-7.

4. Seek Wise Counsel for Anxiety

As you pray for direction, ask God to show you if you need to seek outside help. If your faith is ready to stand against the symptoms of anxiety, then by all means do that. If however, the Holy Spirit leads you to seek out a pastor, counselor, doctor, nutritionist, mentor or good friend, then be obedient to His leading. Don’t let guilt about seeking outside help keep you from obeying the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:21-22).  God often uses others to get us from Point A to Point B.

5. Put Action to Your Healing from Anxiety

“Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:17). Begin acting on your healing, even if the symptoms are still present.

  • Obey whatever the Holy Spirit directs you to do–change jobs, sever relationships, move, etc. Obedience is key (Proverbs 3:5-6).
  • Begin taking care of your body through proper exercise, diet and supplements.
  • Get out of doors and experience God’s wondrous work in nature.
  • Volunteer at your church, a soup kitchen, a hotline or some other outreach. As you give your time  and energy to others, God will bless your efforts and adjust your focus (Luke 6:38).
  • Keep a prayer journal. In it note your prayer requests, answered prayers and the blessings God gives. As you become more aware of His blessings around you, you’ll become more grateful in your life.

Jesus paid the price for your complete deliverance–even deliverance from anxiety and anti-anxiety medication. As you put your faith in the Word of God, you’ll begin to enjoy the peaceful life, regardless of what circumstance may come.

by Kenneth Copeland

Many people are looking for the keys to real happiness. When they have a need or a want, they look outside themselves to this world’s system to get that need met. They live from the outside in. They have to go to the boss for a raise, or hope to find a relationship that fulfills them. But as a believer, you were created to live differently. You were created to live from the inside out. If you want the keys to finding real happiness, you must look to Proverbs 4:23, which says to “keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The quality of your life–and true happiness–flows out of your spirit. Let’s look at two keys for finding real happiness.

Find Happiness by Recognizing You are an Heir

Hebrews 1:2 says God has appointed Jesus “heir of all things” and He owns all the resources in heaven and earth. Romans 8:17 says you are one of His “joint-heirs,” which means all those resources belong to you, too. Because the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21), you don’t have to go running around looking here and there to find those resources, either. Everything you need is in you right now.

That doesn’t mean you don’t go to God to ask Him for things. But it does mean that when you go to Him for something, you should understand that all your needs and wants have already been taken care of. It’s not a matter of whether or not you’re going to be able to get them. They already belong to you. They’re already on the inside of you. So all you have to do is obey Hebrews 4:16: “Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Find Happiness by Setting Your Mind on Things Above

If you’re having trouble accessing heaven’s resources, you’re probably trying to live in two kingdoms at once. Maybe you’ve gotten stuck in the world’s way of thinking and you’re trying to live from the outside in. That happens to a lot of believers. Although they’re born again, they’re still operating like they’re in Babylon, trying to meet their own needs.

That doesn’t work. Instead, you must live according to the Bible’s principles. “Seek the kingdom of God” and His way of doing things first (Matthew 6:33) and “set your mind what is above” (Colossians 3:2). In other words, get your mind off this world’s system and get it on God’s kingdom. Start functioning like a citizen of heaven and drawing by faith on the limitless resources that belong to you in Christ Jesus. Start living from the inside out.

Your loved ones who are already in heaven, aren’t worrying about this world’s system. They live with every need fully supplied all the time. They are experiencing true happiness, and even though you’re still on earth, that’s how you’re supposed to be living too. The Body of Christ hasn’t fully done this yet, but we’re headed that way. We’re learning to live more and more from the inside out as citizens of heaven and experience true, God-given happiness!

by Kenneth Copeland

Godly honor. It’s the kind of honor that keeps its word and standard of integrity no matter what. Every day, commitments of honor are required of you in your job–and it’s hard. It’s a choice between God’s honor and man’s. One brings true and sure success…and one brings shallow, temporal success that ends in ultimate failure.

So, how are you doing? Do you have trouble keeping commitments at work? Do people take you at your word? Or have they grown skeptical of your promises? If so, then you need honor–honor that comes from God only.

To Succeed Honorably in Your Job, Love God First

God is faithful to honor you when you act honorably. That’s because you are acting in something that originated in Him! He is honorable. When you operate in Him and out of love for Him, you operate in honor. You also take seriously the responsibility of representing Christ to the unbeliever (1 Peter 2:12).

Man’s definition of honor is quite different. Honor in the world comes from men and is given to men. Everything is done to gain the prestige, power and authority that other men can give. It’s temporal, short-lived and dishonorable in view of what some men will do to get it.      

To Succeed Honorably in Your Job, Choose God’s Way

To be honorable requires an act of the will, an act which triggers and releases all that God has provided for us. It requires a choice between God’s WORD and the subtleties and deceptions of the world. It requires a choice between the spirit and the flesh. It boils down to a choice between standing and falling. If you are honorable, you will stand. If you are dishonorable, you are guaranteed to fall.

To Succeed Honorably in Your Job, Start With God’s WORD

“Brother Copeland,” you may say, “I see the value of honor and I want to walk in it. But where do I begin? How can I ‘find’ this honor that comes from God only?”

Start with God and His WORD. He can make you honorable. He has already honored you with His own life, with what the Bible calls eternal life. He administers this life to our spirit man through the Holy Spirit. As you get into His WORD, and allow it to get on the inside of you, honor will well up in you so full, you’ll have no desire to walk in anything else. You will speak the truth and take your words seriously. You will never distort the truth or speak idle words. You will be able to make commitments and keep them.

To Succeed Honorably in Your Job, Seek God’s Approval Only

Seek honor from God only. Jesus did not play man’s superficial games. Instead He sought God’s honor only (John 5:41-44). The world gives “honor” or medals or titles in order to boost one’s own sense of self-worth. It is saying you’ll do something to please men and make commitments for fear of what men will think. It is a dishonor to God, however, to seek the honor of others rather than that which comes only from The LORD.       

I made a decision over 25 years ago to walk in the honor that comes from God. I made a choice to stand on my word, and His WORD, and to walk in integrity. I made a choice to please Him and not men–at any cost. I made a choice to stand and not fall…and I’m still standing. You can keep standing, too, and succeed honorably in your job. Think about it. Pray about it. Then choose the honor that comes from God. When God honors you, what difference does it make what anyone else thinks? 

Are you excited about what the Lord is doing in your life? Do you live in constant contact with Him and see the Holy Spirit regularly working in your daily life, work and relationships?

Or is your spiritual life boring? Do you love the Lord, read your Bible, attend church and serve in outreaches without any real passion?

Many Christians find themselves in this predicament. They are saved and living free from destructive habits, and they love the Lord. But something is still holding them back from all that God has for them. Quite possibly, there are some very real things keeping them from living a truly successful Christian life. Hebrews 12:1 calls these things “weights.” Let’s look at three weights that could be keeping you from experiencing all God has for you:

Busyness
You probably remember the passage in Luke 10:38-42 where Jesus was visiting friends, the two sisters Mary and Martha. Mary sat enraptured at Jesus’ feet, hanging on every word He said. Her sister Martha, by contrast, was racing around serving everyone and getting more and more frustrated with her sister’s lack of help. She was caught in the trap of busyness. Jesus advised her to follow Mary’s example, put the busyness aside and focus on Him. If your life is so full that you rush through your Bible reading and prayer time, then you’ll be unable to hear what the Lord is saying or see what He is doing.

Distractions
Psalm 19:14 says, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Refuse to let distractions–relationships, commitments, to-do lists, etc.–fill your thoughts to the point that you can’t focus on the Lord and His Holy Spirit.

Routine
The Lord promises to reward faithfulness (Proverbs 28:20; Luke 16:10-12), but there is a difference between faithfulness and mindless routine. If you find yourself going through the motions of reading the Word, attending church, serving and every other good thing, then you will become numb to it. Make the quality decision to focus on the Word when you are reading it. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal its truth to you. Be purposeful as you worship the Lord with your church attendance, your worship, your prayers and your service.

If you want more out of your spiritual life, if you want a spiritual life that is not boring, but vibrant and fulfilling, then you need to get rid of the weights. Get rid of the busyness, distractions, mindless routine and anything else that would hold you back. God doesn’t want you to have a boring spiritual life. He wants you to experience all the wonderful blessings His Son died to give you. They’re anything but boring!

Are you ready to enjoy your life more? Are you tired of living the same old way? If you’re a Christian, you ought to be enjoying life more than ever. After all, Jesus didn’t redeem you so that you could be sad, depressed, sick and broke. He came so you could have “life, and…have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have been living that reality for more than 45 years, and they’ve taught others how to live it, too. Here are five tips for enjoying life more at any age, whether you’re 18 or 81.

Enjoy Life More by Continuing to Grow

As a Christian, you shouldn’t simply maintain the faith you’ve developed in the past. You must keep growing in your relationship with God. You can’t afford to get so busy with the mundane affairs of day-to-day living that you get complacent. That only leaves you vulnerable to discouragement, fear and complacency. Instead, dive deeper into your Bible study. You can do this by joining (or starting) a Bible study with like-minded believers, turning your TV to the Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcast and listening to messages by trusted ministers of the Word (Romans 10:17). Look for ways you can strengthen your faith every day.

Enjoy Life More by Listening to the Holy Spirit

The Lord will speak to you through your Bible study, but He’ll also speak directly to your spirit as you pray and listen. Spend time in prayer every day–not just speaking, but also listening. Obey whatever the Lord leads you to do. If you will listen, the Holy Spirit will direct you throughout your day (Psalm 37:23).           

Enjoy Life More by Reaching Out

As you learn more about the Lord and His Word, your desire to share God’s goodness with others should grow, too. Begin looking for ways you can be a blessing to others. Volunteer your time at a hospital, nursing home, food bank, animal shelter or children’s outreach. In 2012, U.S. News reported that people who volunteer feel more connected and happier. If you’ll pray every day, God will begin to lead you to do things that will bless others.

Enjoy Life More by Speaking Life

Pay attention to your words. Begin speaking words of faith about your life, your body, your family, your marriage, your job and your finances. Instead of speaking negative words that tear yourself and others down, speak the Word over everyone and everything.

When a difficult situation arises, don’t rehash the dreary details, pray about it, find scriptures to stand on for it and proclaim, “My God shall supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Enjoy Life More by Forgiving

As a believer, love is your greatest commandment. If you’re not walking in love, you’re in a dangerous place. If you’ve done anything unloving toward someone, do whatever the Lord shows you to do to make it right. If they’ve done something unloving toward you, forgive them. It doesn’t matter what they did. If you forgive them, you’ll be free of it. If you don’t, that unforgiveness will keep you in bondage.      

God wants you to enjoy your life in Christ, and He’s provided some practical ways for you to begin doing just that–starting with these five tips. Put them into practice today and begin to enjoy your life more…no matter what your age.

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