The enemy is defeating me! What should I do?

When you made Jesus the Lord of your life, you gave the devil a tremendous defeat. With all the weapons in his arsenal, he was powerless to keep the light of the gospel from entering your life.

Now what’s he going to do? All he has left is to see if he can hide from you just how powerful you’ve become in the spirit realm. He can’t do anything about your eternity, but he will try to make you ineffective on earth.

Don’t get discouraged at temporary setbacks. When the devil tries to bring any kind of destruction, you can be confident the power of God in you can overcome the enemy. First John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” The power of God is available to you to stop Satan’s attack! Make this your confession and agree with it. It’s based on Ephesians 1:17-20: 

“Ask God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

- See more at: http://www.kcm.org/read/questions/the-enemy-defeating-me-what-should-i-do#sthash.K82IJEXK.dpuf

Grow Up! Kenneth Copeland

Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation.

1 Peter 2:2, The Amplified Bible

Have you ever been in a room full of babies? Infants crying. Crawlers hollering for certain toys. Toddlers pushing and whining to get their way. It can be quite a handful, can't it?

When a bunch of spiritual babies get together, it's just about the same way! Of course, there's nothing wrong with being a spiritual baby. All of us start out that way. When we're first born into the kingdom of God, we're much like physical newborns. We're not very strong or well-developed. We blunder around trying to learn how to operate in our new environment. That's how we all have to begin. But God never meant for us to stay that way.

That's why in 1 Peter 2:2 He says we should "desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow...." He intends for us to grow up! He intends for us to feed on His Word, moving from the milk of the Word to the meat of the Word until we grow up into mature sons and daughters.

Begin now finding your nourishment in His Word and enjoy the reward of growing up in Him!

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 4:12-16

- See more at: http://www.kcm.org/read/faith-to-faith/01/23#sthash.Evutq7om.dpuf

ALLOW COMPETITION!

…I run that I man win…

1 Corinthians 9:26

Healthy competition is good.

It allows room for variety of events.

Healthy competition makes room for diversities.

It is also the breeding environment for improvement and excellence.

After all, competition is not devilish if it is engaged healthily.

Without it the system remains dull and creativity becomes nonexistent.  Without it life will loose its excitement.

Creativity allows room for options instead of regimentation of approach to issues.

The moment you’re aware that options and alternatives exist over what you’re doing, you are been compelled to put in your best and to become your best.

Above all, life is a race.  Paul said, I run that I may win. (1 Corinthians. 9:26.) 

And it is clear that you can’t run to win except you carry a competitive mentality. 

In essence, all human beings are born to compete. 

What makes it healthy is the fact that you are not grieved or offended at your neighbour’s advancement.  Rather you focus on how to improve yourself in your God-ordained endeavours. 

So, if you must win then you must compete! 

7 Steps to a Deeper Prayer Life

You have a direct line to God. Did you know that? What an exciting thought! In fact, the easiest way to know what God wants for you is simply to ask Him. You probably already pray daily, but did you know that you can take steps to develop an even deeper prayer life? In doing so, you also find a deeper peace and connection with your heavenly Father? James 4:8 says that we can “come close to God, and God will come close to [us].”

It really is that easy. God desires a close relationship with you, and prayer is the key.

1. Ask in Jesus’ Name

Before Jesus came, the average person couldn’t speak to God anytime he chose. But in coming to Earth and cleansing the sin of mankind, Jesus changed that. In John 16:23, Jesus tells us, “At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.” The Name of Jesus is one of the greatest gifts you have, because it allows you to commune directly with the Father.

2. Believe That You Receive

Sometimes in prayer, you might ask God for something you don’t really believe you deserve. Or maybe you think it is too hard, or too unrealistic. The key to effective prayer is to make sure you really and truly believe that God will provide, despite how impossible it may look. Mark 11:24 says, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

That’s a promise.

3. Forgive

Sin is a true hindrance to effective prayer; it holds you back from God’s blessings because it makes it more difficult for you to hear His voice. Make sure that your heart is clear by taking a moment to reflect on any situations in which you may be holding on to unforgiveness. God wants you to forgive others in the same way that He so graciously forgave you (Mark 11:25).

4. Depend on the Holy Spirit for Help

What if you don’t know what to pray about? Sometimes your situation can be so muddled that it’s hard to know where to start. That’s when it’s important to pray in the spirit. Romans 8:26 says, “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” God knows your situation, so you don’t even have to lay everything out; just trust that the Holy Spirit will let the right words flow through you. In 1 Corinthians 14:14, we’re told, “If I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.”

5. Pray the Prayer of Intercession

In Acts 20:35, Jesus says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This verse generally refers to material things, but it applies to prayer as well. Interceding on behalf of your friends, your family and your community at large will bless them as well as you. 1 Timothy 2:1 says, “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.” To learn more about this powerful kind of prayer, check out the article “Unpacking Intercessory Prayer.”

6. Pray in the Spirit to Build Yourself Up

Because praying in the spirit (i.e., in other tongues) allows you to pray about things you don’t understand, it is a great way to build yourself up in ways you may not know you need. Jude 20 remind us, “You, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.” And 1 Corinthians 14:4 says, “A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally.” Strive to spend a portion of your prayer time praying in the spirit so that you can have the fortitude you need when praying for others.

7. Pray to Interpret

When you pray in the spirit, it builds you up, and you definitely need that. However, 1 Corinthians 14:13 says, “So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.” When you pray in a group setting, it’s best to pray for an interpretation so that others can be blessed as well.

Thankfully, effective prayer is not a complicated thing. Immerse yourself in the Word and pray in the Holy Spirit often. Deepen your connection with God by truly communing with Him. The best relationships you have here on Earth are strengthened by connecting deeply and regularly. Your relationship with God is no different. As you begin to put these seven steps into practice, you’re will enjoy a deeper and more effective prayer life!

© 1997 - 2017 Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. Aka Kenneth Copeland Ministries. All Rights Reserved

Believe the Love Kenneth Copeland

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.

1 John 4:16

One day as I was walking along a highway through a park praying, I asked a simple question, "Lord, what do You want me to tell Your people?" Without a moment's hesitation, these words came ringing through my spirit and my mind:

Tell them how much I love them.

They were so filled with love and compassion that it defies words to express it. For days afterward all I could think of was 1 John 4:16. "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us."

We've read about God's love. We've heard about it. But I don't think many of us have really believed it. If we did, it would totally change everything about us and everything around us.

It's that love that caused Jesus to lay down His life for us and to experience for Himself all the pains and weaknesses we experience. It's that love that says to us, even when we feel so unworthy, Come to Me and get what you need. Don't be shy about it. I've been there. Come boldly to the throne of grace that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Think about it. God is in love with you—so in love, He's given you everything He has! He's given you all the healing, all the wisdom, all the wealth, all the strength you could ever need.

"But what about my terrible past?"

That's what His mercy is for! It's taken care of your past. It's covered every sin and failure you ever had. All you have to do now is believe and receive His love.

What a shame it is that people suffer at the hands of sickness and disease and every other cursed thing just because they can't believe the love God has for them. Don't let that happen to you. Learn to believe the love.

Believe the love God has for you. It's already been released in the blood of Jesus.

Believe the love. It's already been released in Jesus' Name.

Believe the love. It's already been released in His Word.

Meditate that scripture over and over. Say it to yourself again and again all day, "I believe the love Jesus has for me." Once it gets down into your heart, you'll never be the same again.

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 139:1-18

© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications

- See more at: http://www.kcm.org/read/faith-to-faith/01/20#sthash.dtoAykPd.dpuf

How often should I read my Bible?

The answer to how much you should read the Bible is not so much about quantity as priority. We encourage you to make the quality decision to put God’s Word first place and make it the final authority in your life.

Think of it like eating food to strengthen your physical body. You wouldn’t think of depriving your body of food for a whole day. To strengthen yourself for the physical demands of the day, you eat multiple times a day. In the same way, in order to strengthen your spirit for the challenges of the day, you need to read and meditate on God’s Word frequently. 

Read, allowing God’s Word to change what you think and say. As you continue to renew your mind with the Word of God, the next step is to make the words of your mouth line up with God’s Word. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” 

A major purpose for reading the Bible is to learn what it says about any given situation. You can use scripture as a basis for your prayer life. It is God’s will that you live a victorious Christian life overcoming every problem (John 16:33; Romans 8:37; 1 John 4:4).

- See more at: http://www.kcm.org/read/questions/how-often-should-i-read-my-bible#sthash.fBsGv5uP.dpuf

Judge Yourself That You Be Not Judged

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
(1 Cor. 11:31)
Years ago, God told me to talk to one of the most outstanding healing evangelists of that time in America. In his ministry, I saw some of the greatest healings I have ever seen - blind eyes opened and deaf-mute people healed instantly!

God said to me, "You go tell that man that if he doesn't judge himself, he won't live much longer. First, tell him to walk in love toward his fellow man, particularly his fellow ministers. Second, tell him to judge himself on money. And, third, tell him to judge himself on diet."

Well, he didn't judge himself. Within three years time, he was dead. Was it the will of God? No. Yet there were many healings and miracles under this man's ministry. Brother Oral Roberts said to me, "I believe that man was the greatest man of faith. He had more faith than anyone I've ever seen."

I said, "I guarantee that's true. He was a man of faith; he would dare the devil." But the problem was, he started daring God. You can get by with daring the devil, but when you start daring God, you're in trouble. But it didn't have to be that way. It wasn't the highest purpose of God for him to die early.

If you'll judge yourself, you'll not be judged. If you've sinned and done wrong, just say, "That's wrong. I've sinned." If you've missed it, admit you did and ask God for forgiveness. If you'll judge yourself, you won't be judged, and you can walk on in health.

Confession
I will judge myself. I will turn from wrong ways and will follow God's ways. Then I will walk in health and healing.
Source: Health Food Devotions by Kenneth E. Hagin.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications