In the beginning

God
... and also at the end

Strengt h for Today

By Frances Hunter
Charles and Francis Hunter are gifted writers who have gone on to be with Jesus, the One they loved so much.

Joan Hunter is their daughter, and she can be reached at http:// oanhunter.org !ublished originally by HUNTER BOOKS

" #cripture $uotations are ta%en from: &he 'uthori(ed )ing James *ersion +)J*,. &he -ew )ing James *ersion +-)J*,, ". /0/, ./12, ./13, 1983 by &homas -elson, 4nc., -ashville, &- unless otherwise noted +-)J*,

&he 5iving 6ible, !araphrased +&56, &he 'mplified 6ible, 78panded 7dition +'9!,, "./10 by the :ondewan Corporation and the 5oc%man Foundation. &he -ew 4nternational *ersion +-4*, by the -ew ;or% 6ible #ociety 4nternational, !ublished by &he :ondervan Corporation, <rand =apids, 9ichigan >/?2@, A.#.'.

Table of Contents
Foreword Who God Is Who God Is Who God Is Who God Is An Un hanging God "eing #bedient Who God Is %raise Who God Is %ersisten e Who &o' Are (trength For Fear Who God Is For Wa)ering Faith *ealing Who God Is Finan es +i)ing ,*is- Wa.

1 2 3 4 5 ! $ 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1! 1$ 18

8 13 20 24 28 33 41 49 80 88 93 9$ 103 110 11! 125 12$

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Foreword
I/ no other words were written than those /o'r. ,In the beginning G#0...- it o'ld ha)e been eno'gh. God alone and *e alone is s'//i ient /or all the needs an. h'1an has e)er had2 is ha)ing right now2 or e)er will ha)e. *e alone is the all s'//i ient one /or e)er. h'1an being on this earth2 and /or e)er. h'1an 3roble1. *e an al1 the 1ost te13est'o's2 raging2 )iolent stor1 that e)er e4isted 5 and with the sa1e hand he an al1 a tin. bab.6s /ears.

Problems which seem to be an impossible enigma can be swiftly wiped off the slate of life with the breath of God.

%eo3le whose )er. li)es indi ate there is no /or e in hea)en or hell big eno'gh to hange the1 /ind the1sel)es 7neeling at the /eet o/ God. I on e heard a 1an sa. a/ter the

li/t8o// o/ a ro 7et2 ,(o1e da. all the tools o/ 1an will lie still at the /eet o/ God2 and God will ha)e *is wa.9- *ow right he is9 "e a'se in the beginning God... and at the end... God9 :he al1ight. God who r'les this 'ni)erse is s3ea7ing onstantl.2 soothing2 al1ing2 answering2 onsoling and also warning2 a'tioning2 ad1onishing and hastising at the sa1e ti1e. :he 3roble1 1ost o/ 's 'n/ort'natel. ha)e is that we are not listening to what God is sa.ing2 or i/ we are listening2 we do not li7e what *e is sa.ing to 's2 so we don6t a t'all. hear *is lo)e song to 's. And it is a lo)e song2 regardless o/ what *e sa.s2 be a'se *is lo)e /or 's is so great that e)en in hastising 's2 it is /or o'r own good and /or o'r own blessing2 e)en tho'gh o'r arnal e.es 1ight not see it that wa. at the 3arti 'lar ti1e it ha33ens. As God s3o7e to 1e to write a boo7 on erning *is 3re io's 3ro1ises2 *e said2 ,0o not on entrate on single )erses /or di//erent sit'ations2 b't on entrate on one single thing thro'gho't the boo72 and that is to en o'rage 3eo3le to /ind o't who I a12

because once people discover who I really am, and what I can do, their own problems will disappear if they look to Me.

:hat is the reason /or this boo7. It doesn6t 1a7e an. di//eren e what 7ind o/ 3roble1s .o' ha)e2 loo7 /or God2 and not the answer to the 3roble1. In dis o)ering the 1a;est.2 3ower and glor. o/ God2 .o' will /ind re)ealed to .o' the answer that .o' want in the si13lest /or1 3ossible. :he stories and s ri3t'res in this boo7 will all be /a1iliar to .o'2 b't I ha)e li/ted the1 o't as hoi e 1orsels to satis/. .o'r h'ngr. heart. As I went thro'gh the "ible sele ting these /a)orite stories2 the. s3o7e to 1. heart in an 'n's'al and di//erent wa. than e)er be/ore and I ho3e the. will to .o'2 too. Whene)er .o'r 3roble1 balloons o't o/ 3ro3ortion and .o'r wa. gets too hard2 sele t a stor.2 1editate on it and see i/ .o'r answer isn6t re)ealed to .o' thro'gh it. Frances Hunter

Read every story to discover the limitless authority of God and apply it to your own life

Who God Is

!hen you feel the devil is chasing you, and there is no way out.., no way you can win, no way for you to turn, read every single word carefully...
J7HO*'H -OB 4-#&=AC&7C 9oses, D&ell the people to turn toward !ihaEhiroth between 9igdol and the sea, opposite 6aal(ephon, and to camp there along the shore. For !haraoh will thin%, F&hose 4sraelites are trapped now, between the desert and the seaGH 'nd once again 4 will harden !haraohHs heart and he will chase after you. 4 have planned this to gain great honor and glory over !haraoh and all his armies, and the 7gyptians shall %now that 4 am the 5ord.I #o they camped where they were told. 11

Bhen word reached the %ing of 7gypt that the 4sraelis were not planning to return to 7gypt after three days, but to %eep on going, !haraoh and his staff became bold again. DBhat is this we have done, letting all these slaves get awayJI they as%ed. #o !haraoh led the chase in his chariot, followed by the pic% of 7gyptHs chariot corpsK@22 chariots in allKand other chariots driven by 7gyptian officers. He pursued the people of 4srael, for they had ta%en much of the wealth of 7gypt with them. !haraohHs entire cavalryKhorses, chariots, and charioteersKwas used in the chaseL and the 7gyptian army overtoo% the people of 4srael as they were camped beside the shore near !ihaEhiroth, across from 6aalE(ephon.

"oes your situation look worse than this#

's the 7gyptian army approached, the people of 4srael saw them far in the distance, speeding after them, and they were terribly frightened. and cried out to the 5ord to help them. 12

'nd they turned against 9oses, whining, DHave you brought us out here to die in the desert because there were not enough graves for us in 7gyptJ Bhy did you ma%e us leave 7gyptJ 4snHt this what we told you, while we were slaves, to leave us aloneJ Be said it would be better to be slaves to the 7gyptians than dead in the wilderness.I 6ut 9oses told the people, DConHt be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch, and you will see the wonderful way the 5ord will rescue you today. &he 7gyptians you are loo%ing atKyou will never see them again. &he 5ord will fight for you, and you wonHt need to lift a fingerGI &hen the 5ord said to 9oses, DMuit praying and get the people movingG Forward, marchG Ase your rodKhold it out over the water, and the sea will open up a path before you, and all the people of 4srael shall wal% through on dry groundG 4 will harden the hearts of the 7gyptians and they will go in after you and you will see the honor 4 will get in defeating !haraoh and all his armies, chariots, and horsemen. 'nd all 7gypt shall %now that 4 am Jehovah.I &hen the 'ngel of <od, who was leading the people of 4srael, moved the cloud around behind them, and it stood between the people of 4srael and the 7gyptians. 'nd 13

that night, as it changed to a pillar of fire, it gave dar%ness to the 7gyptians but light to the people of 4sraelG #o the 7gyptians couldnHt find the 4sraelisG 9eanwhile, 9oses stretched his rod over the sea, and the 5ord opened up a path through the sea, with walls of water on each sideL and a strong east wind blew all that night, drying the sea bottom. #o the people of 4srael wal%ed through the sea on dry groundG &hen the 7gyptians followed them between the walls of water along the bottom of the seaKall of !haraohHs horses, chariots, and horsemen. 6ut in the early morning Jehovah loo%ed down from the cloud of fire upon the array of the 7gyptians, and began to harass them. &heir chariot wheels began coming off, so that their chariots scraped along the dry ground. D5etHs get out of here,I the 7gyptians yelled. DJehovah is fighting for them and against us.I

$ven your enemies will reali%e &ehovah is fighting for you

14

Bhen all the 4sraelites were on the other side, the 5ord said to 9oses, D#tretch out your hand again over the sea, so that the waters will come bac% over the 7gyptians and their chariots and horsemen.I 9oses did, and the sea returned to normal beneath the morning light. &he 7gyptians tried to flee, but the 5ord drowned them in the sea. &he water covered the path and the chariots and horsemen. 'nd of all the army of !haraoh that chased after 4srael through the sea, not one remained alive. &he people of 4srael had wal%ed through on dry land, and the waters had been walled up on either side of them. &hus Jehovah saved 4srael that day from the 7gyptiansL and the people of 4srael saw the 7gyptians dead, washed up on the seashore. Bhen the people of 4srael saw the mighty miracle the 5ord had done for them against the 7gyptians, they were afraid and revered the 5ord, and believed in him and in his servant 9oses <=4od's 14>10831 :+"?.

God gave them a way out 'and (e)ll do it for you

15

Who God Is

!hen you)re in a *hot* spot, your hands are tied, and there)s no way to e+it.
-ebuchadne((ar the %ing made an image of gold, whose height was si8ty cubits and its width si8 cubits. He set it up in the plain of Cura, in the province of 6abylon. 'nd )ing -ebuchadne((ar sent word to gather together the satraps, the adminE istrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the udges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which )ing -ebuchadne((ar had set up. #o the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the udges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that )ing 1!

-ebuchadne((ar had set upL and they stood before the image that -ebuchadne((ar had set up. &hen a herald cried aloud: D&o you it is commanded, 2 peoples, nations, and languages, Dthat at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all %inds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that )ing -ebuchadne((ar has set upL

*and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
#o at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all %inds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which )ing -ebuchadne((ar had set up. &herefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 1$

&hey spo%e and said to )ing -ebuchadne((ar, D2 %ing, live foreverG D;ou, 0 %ing, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all %inds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold imageL Dand whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. D&here are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of 6abylon: #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE -egoL these men, 2 %ing, have not paid due regard to you. &hey do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.I &hen -ebuchadne((ar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bed-ego. #o they brought these men before the %ing. -ebuchadne((ar spo%e, saying to them, D4s it true, #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE -ego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which 4 have set upJ D-ow if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all %inds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which 4 have made, goodG 6ut if you 18

do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 'nd who is the god who will deliver you from my handsJI #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE-e go answered and said to the %ing, D2 -ebuchadne((ar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. D4f that is the case,

our God whom we serve is able o deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us from your hand, 0 king.
D6ut if not, let it be %nown to you, 2 %ing, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.I &hen -ebuchadne((ar was full of fury, and the e8pression on his face changed toward #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE-e go. &herefore he spo%e and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 19

'nd he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE-e go, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. &hen these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. &herefore, because the %ingHs command was urgent, and the furnace e8ceedingly hot, the flame of the fire %illed those men who too% up #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE -e go.

It)s always the hottest ,ust before the Great -ire $+tinguisher acts
'nd these three men, #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE-e go, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. &hen )ing -ebuchadne((ar was astonishedL and he rose in haste and spo%e, saying to his counselors, DCid we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fireJI &hey answered and said to the %ing, D&rue, O %ing.I 20

D5oo%GI he answered, D4 see four men loose, wal%ing in the midst of the fireL and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is li%e the #on of <od.I &hen -ebuchadne((ar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spo%e, saying, D#hadrach, 9eschach, and 'bedE-ego, servants of the 9ost High <od, come out, and come here.I &hen #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE-ego came from the midst of the fire. 'nd the satraps, administrators, governors, and the %ingHs counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no powerL the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. -ebuchadne((ar spo%e, saying, D6lessed be the <od of #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE-ego, who sent His 'ngel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the %ingHs word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god e8cept their own <odG D&herefore 4 ma%e a decree that any people, nation, or language which spea%s anything amiss against the <od of #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bed-ego shall be 21

cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heapL because there is no other <od who can deliver li%e this.I &hen the %ing promoted #hadrach, 9eshach, and 'bedE-ego in the province of 6abylon. <0aniel 3>1830 @ABC?

Remember....ur God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning furnace...

22

3 Who God Is
!hen you are facing a time in your life and you doubt. the reality of God and unbelief comes in and you feel you are not even sure there is a God...
Bho else has held the oceans in his hands and measured off the heavens with his rulerJ Bho else %nows the weight of all the earth and weighs the mountains and the hillsJ Bho can advise the #pirit of the 5ord or be his teacher or give him counselJ Has he ever needed anyoneHs adviceJ Cid he need instruction as to what is right and bestJ -o, for all the peoples of the world are nothing in comparison with himKthey are but a drop in the buc%et, dust on the scales. He pic%s up the islands as though they had no weight at all. 'll of 5ebanonHs 23

forests do not contain sufficient fuel to consume a sacrifice large enough to honor him, nor are all its animals enough to offer to our <od. 'll the nations are as nothing to himL in his eyes they are less than nothingK mere emptiness and froth.

(ow can we describe God#

Bith what can we compare himJ Bith an idolJ 'n idol, made from a mold, overlaid with gold, and with silver chains around its nec%J &he man too poor to buy e8pensive goods li%e that will find a tree free from rot and hire a man to carve a face on it, and thatHs his godKa god that cannot even moveG 're you so ignorantJ 're you so deaf to the words of <od,Kthe words he gave before the worlds beganJ Have you never heard nor understoodJ 4t is <od who sits above the circle of the earth. +&he people below must seem to him li%e grasshoppersG, He is the one who stretches out the heavens li%e a curtain and ma%es his tent from them. 24

He dooms the great men of the world and brings them all to naught. &hey hardly get started, barely ta%e root, when he blows on them and their wor% withers and the wind carries them off li%e straw. DBith whom will you compare meJ Bho is my e$ualJI as%s the Holy One. 5oo% up into the heavensG Bho created all these starsJ 's a shepherd leads his sheep, calling each by its pet name, and counts them to see that none are lost or strayed, so <od does with stars and planetsG 2 Jacob, 2 4srael, how can you say that the 5ord doesnHt see your troubles and isnHt being fairJ ConHt you yet understandJ ConHt you %now by now that the everlasting <od, the Creator of the farthest parts of the earth, never grows faint or wearyJ -o one can fathom the depths of his under standing. He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the wea%. 7ven the youths shall be e8hausted, and the young men will all give up. 6ut they that wait upon the 5ord shall renew their strength. &hey shall mount up with wings li%e eaglesL they shall run and not be wearyL they shall wal% and not faint. <Isaiah 40>12830 :+"? 25

/ever give up 0 1ictory is on the way

54#&7- 4- #457-C7 before me, 2 lands beyond the sea. 6ring your strongest arguments. Come now and spea%. &he court is ready for your case. Bho has stirred up this one from the east, whom victory meets at every stepJ Bho, indeed, but the 5ordJ <od has given him victory over many nations and permitted him to trample %ings underfoot and to put entire armies to the sword. He chases them away and goes on safely, though the paths he treads are new. Who has done such mighty deeds, directing the affairs of generations of man%ind as they march byJ

It is I, the 2ord, the -irst and 2ast3 I alone am he.

<Isaiah 4l>184 :+"?

2!

Who God Is

If you are doubting 4od)s ability to take care of a situation, and you 5uestion (is power...
'nd 9oses said to )orah, D&omorrow, you and all your company be present before the 5ordKyou and they, as well as 'aron. D7ach of you ta%e his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer before the 5O=C, two hundred and fifty censersL you also, and 'aron, each of you with his censer.I #o every man too% his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of meeting with 9oses and 'aron. 'nd )orah gathered all the congerE gation against them at the door of the 2$

tabernacle of meeting. &hen the glory of the 5O=C appeared to all the congregation.

28

'nd the 5O=C spo%e to 9oses and 'aron, saying, D#eparate yourselves from among this congregation, that 4 may consume them in a moment.I &hen they fell on their faces, and said, D2 <od, the <od of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and ;ou be angry with all the congregationJI #o the 5O=C spo%e to 9oses, saying, D#pea% to the congregation, saying, F<et away from the tents of )orah, Cathan, and 'bram.I &hen 9oses rose and went to Cathan and 'biram, and the elders of 4srael followed him. 'nd he spo%e to the congregation, saying, DCepart now from the tents of these wic%ed menG &ouch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.I #o they got away from around the tents of )orah, Cathan, and 'biramL and Cathan and 'biram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children. &hen 9oses said: D6y this you shall %now that the 5O=C has sent me to do all these wor% ,for l have not done them of my own will. 29

*If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the 2.R" has not sent me.
D6ut if the 5O=C creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have re ected the 5O=C.I &hen it came to pass, as he finished spea%ing all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with )orah, with all their goods. #o they and all those with them went down alive into the pitL the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the congregation.

30

&hen all 4srael who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, D5est the earth swallow us up alsoGI 'nd a fire came out from the 5O=C and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.
<@'1bers 1!>1!835 @ABC?

If God can open up the earth and swallow up evil men, women and children along with their tents, and all their possessions, and leave (is children untouched, nothing is impossible with God

31

! "n #nchang$ng God

If you ever 5uestion God)s ability to know who you are, and how to get out of your problems read this...
C'=4A# C4*4C7C &H7 %ingdom into .32 provinces, each under a governor. &he governors were accountable to three presidents. +Caniel was one of them, so that the %ing could administer the %ingdom efficiently. Caniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governors, for he had great ability, and the %ing began to thin% of placing him over the entire empire as his administrative officer. 32

&his made the other presidents and governors very ealous, and they began searching for some fault in the way Caniel was handling his affairs so that they could complain to the %ing about him. 6ut they couldnHt find anything to critici(eG He was faithful and honest, and made no mista%es. #o they concluded, DOur only chance is his religionGI &hey decided to go to the %ing and say, D)ing Carius, live foreverG Be presidents, governors, counselors and deputies have unanimously decided that you should ma%e a law, irrevocable under any circumstance, that for the ne8t thirty days anyone who as%s a favor of <od or manKe8cept from you, ;our 9a estyKshall be thrown to the lions. ;our 9a esty, we re$uest your signature on this lawL sign it so that it cannot be canceled or changedL it will be a Flaw of the 9edes and !ersiansH that cannot be revo%ed.I #o )ing Carius signed the law. 6ut though Caniel %new about it, he went home and %nelt down as usual in his upstairs bedroom, with its windows open toward Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day, ust as he always had, giving than%s to his <od. 33

(e would not compromise his beliefs

&hen the men thronged to CanielHs house and found him praying there, as%ing favors of his <od. &hey rushed bac% to the %ing and reminded him about his law. DHavenHt you signed a decree,I they said, Dthat permits no petitions to any <od or manKe8cept youKfor thirty daysJ 'nd anyone disobeying will be thrown to the lionsJI D;es,I the %ing replied, Dit is Fa law of the 9edes and !ersians,H that cannot be altered or revo%ed.I &hen they told the %ing, D&hat fellow Caniel, one of the Jewish captives, is paying no attention to you or your law. He is as%ing favors of his <od three times a day.I Hearing this, the %ing was very angry with himself for signing the law, and determined to save Caniel. He spent the rest of the day trying to thin% of some way to get Caniel out of this predicament. 4n the evening the men came again to the %ing and said, D;our 9a esty, there is nothing you can do. ;ou signed the law and it cannot be changed.I 34

#o at last the %ing gave the order for CanielHs arrest, and he was ta%en to the den of lions. &he %ing said to him,

*May your God, whom you worship continually, deliver you.

'nd then they threw him in. ' stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the denL and the %ing sealed it with his own signet ring, and that of his government, so that no one could rescue Caniel from the lions. &hen the %ing returned to his palace and went to bed without dinner. He refused his usual entertainment and didnHt sleep all night. *ery early the ne8t morning he hurried out to the lionsH den, and called out in anguish, D2 Caniel, servant of the 5iving <od, was your <od, whom you worship continually, able to deliver you from the lionsJI &hen he heard a voiceG D;our 9a esty, live foreverGI 4t was CanielG D9y <od has sent his angel,I he said, Dto shut the lionsH mouths so that they canHt touch meL for 4 am 35

innocent before <od, nor, sir, have 4 wronged you.I &he %ing was beside himself with oy and ordered that Caniel be lifted from the den. 'nd not a scratch was found on him, because

he believed in his God.

&hen the %ing issued a command to bring the men who had accused Caniel, and throw them into the den along with their children and wives, and the lions leaped upon them and tore them apart before they even hit the bottom of the den. 'fterward )ing Carius wrote this message addressed to everyone in his empire: D<reetingsG 4 decree that everyone shall tremble and fear before the <od of Caniel in every part of my %ingdom. For his <od is the living, unchanging <od whose %ingdom shall never be destroyed and whose power shall never end. He delivers his people, preserving them from harmL he does great miracles in heaven and earthL it is he who delivered Caniel from the power of the lions.I

3!

#o Caniel prospered in the reign of Carius, and in the reign of Cyrus the !ersian. <0aniel !>1828 :+"?

God)s ability can override man)s laws

3$

% Be$ng &bed$ent
!hen you 5uestion God)s ability, discover it, and then are 5uestioning whether or not to obey (im, this will answer your 5uestions.
BH7- '6='9 B'# ninetyEnine years old, <od appeared to him and told him, D4 am the 'lmightyL obey me and live as you should. 4 will prepare a contract between us, guaranteeing to ma%e you into a mighty nation. 4n fact you shall be the father of not only one nation, but a multitude of nationsGI 'bram fell face downward in the dust as <od tal%ed with him. 38

DBhatHs more,I <od told him, D4 am changing your name. 4t is no longer F'bramH +F78alted FatherH,, but F'brahamH +FFather of -ationsH,Kfor that is what you will be. 4 have declared it. 4 will give you millions of descendants who will form many nationsG )ings shall be among your descendantsG

6nd I will continue this agreement.. between us generation after generation, forever, for it shall be between me and your children a well.
4t is a contract that 4 shall be your <od and the <od of your posterity. 'nd 4 will give all this land of Canaan to you and them, forever. 'nd 4 will be your <od. <Genesis 1$>188 :+"? &hen <od added, D=egarding #arai your wifeK her name is no longer F#araiH but F#arahH +F!rincessH,. 'nd 4 will bless her 39

and give you a son from herG ;es, 4 will bless her richly, and ma%e her the mother of nationsG 9any %ings shall be among your posterity.I &hen 'braham threw himself down in worship before the 5ord, but inside he was laughing in disbeliefG D9e, be a fatherJI he said in amusement. D9eK .22 years oldJ 'nd #arah, to have a baby at /2JI 'nd 'braham said to <od, D;es, do bless 4shmael.I D-o,I <od replied, Dthat isnHt what 4 said. #arah shall bear you a sonL and you are to name him 4saac +F5aughterH,, and 4 will sign my covenant with him forever, and with his descendants. 's for 4shmael, all right, 4 will bless him also, ust as you have as%ed me to. 4 will cause him to multiply and become a great nation. &welve princes shall be among his posterity. 6ut my contract is with 4saac, who will be born to you and #arah ne8t year at about this time.I <Genesis 1$>15821 :+"? DBhere is #arah, your wifeJI they as%ed him. D4n the tent,I 'braham replied. &hen the 5ord said, D-e8t year 4 will give you and #arah a sonGI +#arah was listening from the tent door behind him., 40

-ow 'braham and #arah were both very old, and #arah was long since past the time when she could have a baby. #o #arah laughed silently. D' woman my age have a babyJI she scoffed to herself. D'nd with a husband as old as mineJI &hen <od said to 'braham, DBhy did #arah laughJ Bhy did she say FCan an old woman li%e me have a babyJH

Is 6nything to hard for God#

-e8t year, ust as 4 told you, 4 will certainly see to it that #arah has a son.I 6ut #arah denied it. D4 didnHt laugh,I she lied, for she was afraid. &hen the men stood up from their meal and started on toward #odomL and 'braham went with them part of the way. D#hould 4 hide my plan from 'brahamJI <od as%ed. DFor 'braham shall become a mighty nation, and he will be a source of blessing for all the nations of the earth. 'nd 4 have pic%ed him out to have godly descendants and a godly householdK 41

men who are ust and goodKso that 4 can do for him all 4 have promised. <Genesis 18>9819 :+"? &H7- <OC C4C as he had promised, and #arah became pregnant and gave 'braham a baby son in his old age, at the time <od had saidL and 'braham named him 4saac +meaning D5aughterGI,. 7ight days after he was born, 'braham circumcised him, as <od re$uired. +'braham was .22 years old at that time., 'nd #arah declared, D<od has brought me laughterG 'll who hear about this shall re oice with me. For who would have dreamed that 4 would ever have a babyJ ;et 4 have given 'braham a child in his old ageGI <Genesis 21 >18$ :+"? 5'&7= O-, <OC tested 'brahamHs faith and obedience. D'brahamGI <od called. D;es, 5ordJI he replied. D&a%e with you your only sonKyes, 4saac whom you love so muchKand go to the land of 9oriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which 4Hll point out to youGI

42

"on)t 5uestion God

&he ne8t morning 'braham got up early, chopped wood for afire upon the altar, saddled his don%ey, and too% with him his son 4saac and two young men who were his servants, and started off to the place where <od had told him to go. On the third day of the ourney 'braham saw the place in the distance. D#tay here with the don%ey,I 'braham told the young men, Dand the lad and 4 will travel yonder and worship, and then come right bac%.I 'braham placed the wood for the burnt offering upon 4saacHs shoulders, while he himself carried the %nife and the flint for stri%ing a fire. #o the two of them went on together. DFather,I 4saac as%ed, Dwe have the wood and the flint to ma%e the fire, but where is the lamb for the sacrificeJI D<od will see to it, my son,I 'braham replied. 'nd they went on. Bhen they arrived at the place where <od had told 'braham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood in order, ready for the fire, and then tied 4saac and laid him on the altar over the wood. 'nd 'braham 43

too% the %nife and lifted it up to plunge it into his son, to slay him. 't that moment the 'ngel of <od shouted to him from heaven, D'brahamG 'brahamGI D;es, 5ordGI he answered. D5ay down the %nifeL donHt hurt the lad in any way,I the 'ngel said, Dfor 4 %now that <od is first in your lifeKyou have not withheld even your beloved son from me.I &hen 'braham noticed a ram caught by its horns in a bush. #o he too% the ram and sacrificed it, instead of his son, as a burnt offering on the altar. 'braham named the place DJehovah providesIKand it still goes by that name to this day.

!atch the blessings of obedience

&hen the 'ngel of <od called again to 'braham from heaven. D4, the 5ord, have sworn by myself that because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son from me, 4 will bless you with incredible blessings and multiply your descendants into countless thousands and millions, li%e the stars above you in the s%y, 44

and li%e the sands along the seashore. &hese descendants of yours will con$uer their enemies, and be a blessing to all the nations of the earthKall because you have obeyed me.I <Genesis 22>1818 :+"?

God put 6braham to the test and when he failed not, look at what God did for him 7he same is true for you 0 God)s command may not seem logical to you at the time, but obedience brings rewards

45

'

Who God Is

If you)ve ever decided that 4hristianity isn)t working for you, and you)re looking into another religion, read this
-ow it came to pass after many days that the word of the 5O=C came to 7li ah, in the third year, saying, D<o, present yourself to 'hab, and 4 will send rain on the earth. #o 7li ah went to present himself to 'habL and there was a severe famine in #amaria. 'nd 'hab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. +-ow Obadiah feared the 5O=C greatly. For so it was, while Je(ebel massacred the prophets of the 5O=C, that Obadiah had 4!

ta%en one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water., 'nd 'hab had said to Obadiah, D<o into the land to all the springs of water and to all the broo%sL perhaps we may find grass to %eep the horses and mules alive, so that we will not have to %ill any livestoc%.I #o they divided the land between them to e8plore itL 'hab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. -ow as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly 7li ah met himL and he recogni(ed him, and fell on his face, and said, D4s that you, my lord 7li ahJI 'nd he answered him, D4t is 4. <o, tell your master, F7li ah is here.I &hen he said, DHow have 4 sinned, that you are delivering your servant into the hand of 'hab, to %ill meJ D's the 5O=C your <od lives, there is no nation or %ingdom where my master has not sent someone to hunt for youL and when they said, FHe is not here,H he too% an oath from the %ingdom or nation that they could not find you. D'nd now you say, F<o, tell your master, D7li ah is hereIG D'nd it shall come to pass, as soon as 4 am gone from you, that the #pirit of the 4$

5O=C will carry you to a place 4 do not %nowL so when 4 go and tell 'hab, and he cannot find you, he will %ill me. 6ut 4 your servant have feared the 5O=C from my youth. DBas it not reported to my lord what 4 did when Je(ebel %illed the prophets of the 5O=C, how 4 hid one hundred men of the 5O=CHs prophets, fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and waterJ D'nd now you say, F<o, tell your master, D7li ah is hereGI and he will %ill me.I &hen 7li ah said, D's the 5O=C of hosts lives, before whom 4 stand, 4 will surely present myself to him today.I #o Obadiah went to meet 'hab, and told himL and 'hab went to meet 7li ah. &hen it happened, when 'hab saw 7li ah, that 'hab said to him, D4s that you, 2 troubler of 4sraelJI 'nd he answered, D4 have not troubled 4srael, but you and your fatherHs house have, in that you have forsa%en the commandments of the 5O=C, and you have followed the 6aals. D-ow therefore, send and gather all 4srael to me on 9ount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of 6aal, and the 48

four hundred prophets of 'sherah, who eat at Je(ebelHs table.I #o 'hab sent for all the children of 4srael, and gathered the prophets together on 9ount Carmel. 'nd 7li ah came to all the people, and said, DHow long will you falter between two opinionsJ

If the 2.R" is God, follow (im3 but if 8aal, then follow him.
6ut the people answered him not a word. &hen 7li ah said to the people, D4 alone am left a prophet of the 5O=CL but 6aalHs prophets are four hundred and fifty men. D&herefore let them give us two bullsL and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under itL and 4 will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood but put no fire under it. &hen you call on the name of your gods, and 4 will call on the name of the 5O=CL and the <od who answers by fire, He is <od.I #o all the people answered and said, D4t is well spo%en.I 49

-ow 7li ah said to the prophets of 6aal, DChoose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are manyL and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.I #o they too% the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of 6aal from morning even till noon, saying, D2 6aal, hear usGI 6ut there was no voiceL no one answered. 'nd they leaped about the altar which they had made. 'nd so it was, at noon, that 7li ah moc%ed them and said, DCry aloud, for he is a godL either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a ourney, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awa%ened.I #o they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with %nives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 'nd it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. 6ut there was no voiceL no one answered, no one paid attention.

6fter their -ailure, watch what -aith did

50

&hen 7li ah said to all the people, DCome near to me.I #o all the people came near to him. 'nd he repaired the altar of the 5ord that was bro%en down. 'nd 7li ah too% twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the 5O=C had come, saying, D4srael shall be your name.I &hen with the stones he built an altar in the name of the 5O=CL and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 'nd he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, DFill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.I &hen he said, DCo it a second time,I and they did it a second timeL and he said, DCo it a third time,I and they did it a third time. #o the water ran all around the altarL and he also filled the trench with water. 'nd it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that 7li ah the prophet came near and said, D5O=C <OC of 'braham, 4ssac, and 4srael, let it be %nown this day that ;ou are <od in 4srael, and that 4 am ;our servant, and that 4 have done all these things at ;our word. 51

DHear me, 2 5O=C, hear me, that this people may %now that ;ou are the 5O=C <od, and that ;ou have turned their hearts bac% to ;ou again.I &hen the fire of the 5O=C fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it lic%ed up the water that was in the trench.

God never fails, regardless of the challenge

-ow when all the people saw it, they fell on their facesL and they said, D&he 5O=C, He is <odG &he 5O=C, He is <odGI 'nd 7li ah said to them, D#ei(e the prophets of 6aalG Co not let one of them escapeGI #o they sei(ed themL and 7li ah brought them down to the 6roo% )ishon and e8ecuted them there. &hen 7li ah said to 'hab, D<o up, eat and drin%L for there is the sound of abundance of rain.I #o 'hab went up to eat and drin%. 'nd 7li ah went up to the top of CarmelL then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face 52

between his %nees, and said to his servant, D<o up now, loo% toward the sea.I #o he went up and loo%ed, and said, D&here is nothing.I 'nd seven times he said, D<o again.I &hen it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, D&here is a cloud, as small as a manHs hand, rising out of the seaGI #o he said, D<o up, say to 'hab, F!repare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.I -ow it happened in the meantime that the s%y became blac% with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. #o 'hab rode away and went to Je(reel. &hen the hand of the 5O=C came upon 7li ahL and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of 'hab to the entrance of Je(reel. < Aings 18>184! @ABC?

7he world may say there is no God, but the smallest opportunity may be your biggest miracle
53

(ra$se

Bhen he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 'nd, behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, 5ord, if thou wilt, thou canst ma%e me clean. <Datthew 8>122 ABC? +e3ros. was no eas. disease to tolerate in "ible ti1es. +e3ers were o13letel. o't ast /ro1 so iet.. =)er.one ran /ro1 the1 s rea1ing in terror. :here was ne)er a 're2 ne)er a ho3e o/ ret'rning to /a1il.2 /riends or lo)ed ones. +e3ers were tor1ented e)en when the. were tr.ing to /ind tidbits o/ /ood2 garbage le/t b. others. Ehildren threw stones2 ad'lts 'rsed the1. :his a//li ted 3erson too7 a great han e entering the nor1al world in sear h o/ a 're /or this dread disease. &et2 noti e what this 1an did when he /o'nd Bes's. *e /ell down and worshi3ed *i1. *e 3raised Bes's be/ore e)er as7ing or e43e ting Bes's to do an.thing else in ret'rn. Few Ehristians toda. realiFe what 3ower there is in ;'st 3raising God. :he "ible is 54

/'ll o/ 3raise s ri3t'res thro'gho't the #ld and @ew :esta1ents. Great things ha33ened when the 3eo3le 3raised God. =ne1ies were s attered. %eo3le were healed. "attles were won. Great boo7s ha)e been written on 3raise and how )ital it is to the belie)er. It is tr'l. li/e to o'r so'ls to 3raise God. Isaiah 43>21 sa.s we were a t'all. reated b. God to 3raise *i1. &ears ago so1eone said so1ething that reall. s3o7e to 1e. :he. said2

*Praise is the plow that makes the furrow in our hearts to prepare it to receive from God.
:hat6s wh. we alwa.s ha)e glorio's 3raise and worshi3 be/ore o'r healing ser)i es. When we get o'r 1inds o// o'r 3roble1s and onto Bes's2 we an re ei)e /ro1 God. As long as we dwell on o'r 3roble1s and illnesses2 we ha)en6t t'rned on the light swit h to God6s 3ower. We ha)e blo 7ed the /low o/ the (3irit. We ha)e da11ed '3 the ri)ers o/ li)ing water that want to /low o't o/ o'r inner1ost being. 55

0'ring a *ealing =43losion in "ogota. Eolo1bia se)eral .ears ago2 'nbelie)able 1ira les o 'rred d'ring one o/ the 1ost glorio's 3raise and worshi3 ser)i es we e)er heard. %eo3le were healed. :he. were deli)ered and set /ree while God6s 3eo3le sang and worshi3ed *i1. Den2 wo1en and hildren a1e o't o/ wheel hairs and were wal7ing aro'nd that large arena 3raising God. An older gentle1an re ei)ed his sight and wandered all o)er in total a1aFe1ent as he 3raised God /or his glorio's healing.
<Gead the whole stor. in 4 ConHt Follow #igns 'nd Bonders, &hey Follow 9e,.

7here is nothing in the whole world which will bring ,oy, rest peace, hope, e+pectation, faith, healing and love more rapidly than to begin offering up praise unto God.
5!

(in e the ene1. an6t stand to listen to 's 3raise God2 we will dri)e hi1 right o't the door. (ing .o'r /a)orite 3raise song. In /a t2 .o' will re ogniFe 1an. s ri3t're )erses as e4a tl. that 5 one o/ .o'r /a)orite 3raise songs. :he %sal1s are s' h great e4a13les o/ than7s 'nto God that h'ndreds o/ )erses ha)e been set to 1'si and are 'sed a ross the world dail. to 3raise and worshi3 o'r Father. B'st start 3raising and than7ing God /or all the great and 1ight. things *e has done in the 3ast. %raise an be o13ared to sa.ing ,:han7 &o'- 5we 3raise so1eone /or what the. ha)e done. %raise is )er. i13ortant to God. *e tal7s abo't 3raise a33ro4i1atel. 500 ti1es within the ( ri3t'res 5 one o/ the 1ost /reH'entl. 1entioned s'b;e ts in the "ible. I/ God 1entioned 3raise that 1an. ti1es2 we an be s're that it is a )er. i13ortant 3art o/ being a Ehristian. # asionall.2 when a real disaster s'rro'nds 's2 we an barel. 1'ster a tho'ght o/ 3raise let alone start s3ea7ing or singing an. /orth. At those ti1es when we need that e4tra boost2 the easiest wa. to 3raise God is to read 3raises /ro1 the %sal1s. When .o'r need /or strength is in ti1es o/ distress. 'nrest2 'nha33iness2 do'bt or 5$

1iser.2 read these )erses o/ 3raise 'nto God. "etter .et2 read these )erses o't lo'd so .o'r 1ind 'nderstands the12 .o'r li3s sa. the1 and .o'r ears hear the1.

2et your spirit absorb every blessed word as you glean God)s 9trength from each verse.
Feel *is 3ower start to /low thro'gh .o'. +et .o'r /aith arise /ro1 .o'r inner1ost being. +et the 3raise /'rrow .o'r heart o/ stone into a heart o/ /lesh and allow God6s healing 3ower to s'rro'nd .o' in 'tter lo)e. I/ .o' need God6s 3ower right now to do a wor7 within .o'2 whether healing2 3ea e2 lo)e2 ;o.2 read these s ri3t'res and let *is lo)e /low o't o/ the words right into .o'r heart. When .o' ha)e /inished the )erses here2 go on and do .o'r own st'd. o/ all the )erses in .o'r "ible on 3raise and its 3ower. &o'r /aith will e43lode as .o' gain the re)elation o/ the wea3on .o' ha)e in ;'st 3raising God. 58

For you bless the godly man, 2 5ordL you protect him with your shield of love. <%sal1 5>12 :+"? %raise *i1 right now /or the /a t that *e does bless the godl. 1an. And who is a godl. 1anI :he 1an who /ollows God9 :hat6s .o' and 1e. %raise *i1 /or the /a t that *e 3rote ts 's at all ti1es with *is shield o/ lo)e so that we an ward o// the blows that o1e /ro1 the de)il. Oh, how grateful and than%ful 4 am to the 5ord because he is so good. 4 will sing praise to the name of the 5ord who is above all lords. <%sal1 $>1$ :+"? Whene)er I sit down to re o'nt the blessings that God has gi)en 1e2 I o)er/low with ;o. be a'se I a1 so grate/'l and a33re iati)e o/ the /a t that *e is so good2 in s3ite o/ what 1ight be o'r h'1an /ailings. *ow an .o' 7ee3 /ro1 singing 3raises to God when *e has done so 1' h. Write down the things *e has done and sing abo't the1 dail.9 4 will praise ;ou, 2 5ord, with my whole heartL 4 will show forth +recount and tell aloud, all ;our marvelous wor%s and wonderful deedsG 4 will re oice in ;ou and 59

be in high spiritsL 4 will sing praise to ;our name, 2 9ost HighG <%sal1 9>122 AD%? 0on6t 3raise God with ;'st a 3ortion o/ .o'r heart2 or hal/heartedl.. :ell o't lo'd with all o/ .o'r heart what *e has done /or .o' and be in high s3irits as .o' re;oi e and sing 3raises to *is na1e9 It will start .o'r da. o// right. Oh, sing out your praises to the <od who lives in Jerusalem. &ell the world about his unforgettable deeds. +%sal1 9>11 :+"? :he world doesn6t belie)e that nothing is i13ossible with God. :he. need to 7now abo't the wonder/'l and wondro's things *e has done in o'r li)es. And how are the. going to 7now 'nless we tell the1I :ell e)er.one .o' see what Bes's has done /or .o'9 %raise *i1. Go on with a list o/ good things *e has done in .o'r /a1il.6s li)es and then go on to .o'r /riends6 li)es. :han7 *i12 sing *is 3raise /or e)er. ite1 on that list9 0e lare *is doings aro'nd the world9 6ut 4 have trusted, leaned on and been confident in ;our mercy and lovingE %indnessL my heart shall re oice and be in high spirits in ;our salvation. 4 will sing to !0

the 5ord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. <%sal1 13>52! AD%? "e a'se o/ o'r willingness to tr'st2 lean on and be on/ident in the lo)e and 1er . o/ God2 we an re;oi e and o'r hearts will be in high s3irits be a'se o/ o'r sal)ation. Aee3 singing and ontin'e to than7 *i1 be a'se *e has dealt so bo'nti/'ll. with 's. &herefore will 4 give than%s and e8tol ;ou, 2 5ord, among the nations, and sing praises to ;our name. <%sal1 18>49> Go1ans 15>9 AD%? What a 3ri)ilege to be at 3ea e and 7now we belong to *i1. We an ertainl. elebrate with others /ro1 nations aro'nd the world to honor and worshi3 as we sing *is 3raise. God 'nderstands o'r 3raises no 1atter what lang'age we 'tter. 4 will declare ;our name to 9y brethrenL 4n the midst of the congregation 4 will praise ;ou. <%sal1 22>22 @ABC? 0e lare 1eans to assert 3ositi)el.J to state in an 'n1ista7able 1anner and that is what we sho'ld do with *is na1e. We sho'ld let the world 7now in no 'n ertain !1

ter1s what it 1eans to 's to belong to *i1. 0a)id was boldl. sharing God6s 3raises with others aro'nd *i1 and we sho'ld do the sa1e9 4 will bless the 5O=C at all timesL His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 9y soul shall ma%e its boast in the 5O=CL &he humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the 5O=C with me, 'nd let us e8alt His name together. <%sal1 34>183 @ABC? +et6s thin7 on those wonder/'l s ri3t'res9 *is Word tells 's to bless hi1 at A++ ti1es2 not ;'st a 3art o/ the ti1e2 b't onsistentl. at all ti1es and let *is 3raises ontin'all. and witho't interr'3tion /ill o'r 1o'th. +et 's boast abo't *i1 and what *e has done in o'r li/e and let6s get other 3eo3le to do the sa1e thing with 's. 'nd He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our <od. 9any shall see and fear +revere and worship, and put their trust and confident reliance in the 5ord. 6lessed +happy, fortunate, to be envied, is the man who ma%es the 5ord his refuge and trust, and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods. 9any, 2 5ord my <od, are the wonderful wor%s which ;ou !2

have done, and ;our thoughts toward usL no one can compare with ;ouG 4f 4 should declare and spea% of them, they are too many to be numbered. <%sal1 40>385 AD%? God6s 3eo3le are en)ied b. the world when we tr'st in the +ord. :he world has nothing the. an t'rn to. be a'se there is reall. nothing else worthwhile2 and those who /ollow /alse gods are ne)er ha33.2 blessed or to be en)ied. :here is nothing or no one in all the world who an o13are with God. @o wonder we ha)e so 1' h /or whi h to 3raise *i1. God has 3la ed eternit. in the heart o/ e)er. 1an2 and nothing will e)er satis/. e4 e3t *i19 +et6s 3raise *i1 be a'se we ha)e /o'nd *i19 4 will give ;ou than%s in the great assemblyL 4 will praise ;ou among a mighty throng. <%sal1 35>18 AD%? We 1'st gi)e than7s to God e)er.where we go. :his )erse doesn6t sa. to 3raise God ;'st a1ong the sa)ed2 the belie)ers2 b't God is telling 's that we 1'st 3raise *i1 e)en in the 1idst o/ 'nbelie)ers9 In the gro er. store9 At s hool9 In the air3ort9 %raise *is hol. na1e e)er.where6 (a.2 ,%raise God9right where .o' are reading this boo7. In !3

/a t2 be bold2 sho't ,*allel';ah9 %raise God95et those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for oy and be glad and say continually, 5et the 5ord be magnified, Bho ta%es pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. 'nd my tongue shall tal% of ;our righteousness, rightness and ustice, and Nmy reasons forO ;our praise all the day long. <%sal1 35>2$228 AD%? We alread. sho'ted2 ,%raise God9- 0o it again with real ;o.9 Dagni/. *is hol. na1e9 0id .o' at h what /ollowedI Bho ta%es pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. We need to 3ro lai1 to the world that God is tr'l. still on the throne and *e is the sa1e .esterda.2 toda. and /ore)er. *e ta7es 3leas're 5 %+=A(UG= 5 %+=A(UG= in the 3ros3erit. o/ *is ser)ant. We are *is ser)ants and we /a)or *is goals. *is a'ses and ta7e 3leas're in *is righteo'sness9 We sho't /or ;o. and 3raise *i19 :here/ore2 *e will ta7e 3leas're in 's9 %raise *i1 all the da. long. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our <od. -ow many will hear of !4

the glorious things he did for me, and stand in awe before the 5ord, and put their trust in him. <%sal1 40>3 TLB) God ga)e 1e a glorio's new song in 1. 1o'th. I was a wild sinner be/ore I got sa)ed. I dran72 I s1o7ed2 I was the li/e o/ e)er. 3art. be a'se I 7new 1ore dirt. ;o7es than an.one else. When I got sa)ed2 I told God2 ,I6ll 1a7e a deal with .o'2 I6ll gi)e .o' all o/ 1e i/ &o' will gi)e 1e all o/ &o'.- I reall. got the best end o/ that deal2 *allel';ah9 God tr'l. hanged 1. li/e9 Instantl.2 I loo7ed at sin and it 1ade 1e si 72 so I ran the o33osite dire tion9 D. da'ghter2 Boan2 got sa)ed ;'st a /ew wee7s later. When I as7ed her what on)in ed her to a e3t Bes's2 she said2 ,I saw what a drasti hange *e 1ade in .o'r li/e.@o one an den. that God ga)e 1e a new song to sing2 new desires in 1. heart2 and a new lo)e /or *i1. I tell e)er.one I see abo't Bes's be a'se I tr'st *i1 and rel. on *i1 e)er. da. o/ 1. li/e. 9y heart is fi8ed, 2 <odL my heart is steadfast and confidentG 4 will sing and ma%e melody. 'wa%e, my glory +my inner self,L awa%e, harp and lyreG 4 will awa%e !5

right early N4 will awa%e the dawnOG 4 will praise and give than%s to ;ou, 2 5ord, among the peoplesL 4 will sing praises to ;ou among the nations. For ;our mercy and lovingE%indness are great, reaching to the heavens, and ;our truth and faithfulness to the clouds. 6e e8alted, 2 <od, above the heavensL let ;our glory be over all the earth. <%sal1 5$>$811 AD%? +ets 3raise *i1 be a'se o'r hearts are /i4ed and i11o)able and lo 7ed into *i1. 0a)id rose '3 earl. in the 1orning to 3raise God and we sho'ld do the sa1e thing. I/ we than7 *i1 /or what *e has done and what *e is going to do /or 's2 we will ha)e a better da.. Dira les will o)erta7e 's2 and blessings will o)er o1e 's9 &O ;OA belongs silence +the submissive wonder of reverence which bursts forth into praise, and praise is due and fitting to ;ou, 2 <od, in :ionL and to ;ou shall the vow be performed. <%sal1 !5>1 AD%? *a)e .o' e)er been so a33re iati)e /or so1ething that so1eone has done /or .o' that .o' were nearl. s3ee hlessI Is there an. wonder that 1an. r. in the 1ere !!

3resen e o/ GodI :o e43erien e *i1 in re)eren e and awe and wonder brings /orth 3raise in e)er.one. %raise literall. b'rsts /orth s3ontaneo'sl.. Who sho'ld be 3raised 1ore than God who alwa.s 7ee3s *is 3ro1ise to ta7e are o/ *is hildren9 #4-< &O &H7 5ord, all the earthG #ing of his glorious nameG &ell the world how wonderful he is. How aweEinspiring are your deeds, 2 <odG How great your powerG -o wonder your enemies surrenderG 'll the earth shall worship you and sing of your glories. Come, see the glorious things <od has done. Bhat marvelous miracles happen to his peopleG He made a dry road through the sea for them. &hey went across on foot. Bhat e8citement and oy there was that dayG <%sal1 !!>18! :+"? God does ha)e a sense o/ h'1or. "e a'se *e lets all o/ 's sing9 *e doesn6t gi)e 's r'les o/ har1on. and 3er/e t 3it h. *e a e3ts o'r ;o. in an. /or1 o/ noise we want to 1a7e as a /or1 o/ than7s to *i1. Glor.9 (ing /orth with all .o'r heart. God onl. hears the 3raise2 not the har1on. or tone H'alit.9 !$

*e wants 's to ser)e hi1 gladl. and ;o./'ll.. *e 3lainl. sa.s we o1e into *is 3resen e with singing9 (ing9 Da7e a ;o./'l noise9 Ge;oi e while .o' wor7 /or *i19 %raise *i1 and o1e into *is 3resen e right where .o' are right now9 5et the peoples praise ;ou, Nturn away from their idolsO and give than%s to ;ou, 2 <odL let all the peoples praise and give than%s to ;ou. 2 let the nations be glad and sing for oy, for ;ou will udge the peoples fairly and guide, lead, or drive the nations upon earth. #elah +pause, and calmly thin% of thatOG 5et the peoples praise ;ou, Nturn away from their idols, and give than%s to ;ou, 2 <odL let all the peoples praise and give than%s to ;ouG <%sal1 !$>385 AD%? It6s ti1e /or all o/ 's to t'rn awa. /ro1 idols <things whi h we want to do o'rsel)es2 instead o/ what God wants 's to do?2 and begin to gi)e 3raise and than7s to God. When we do this. God showers *is blessings '3on 's. 0a)id had /o'nd /air ;'dg1ent in God6s hands and 7new that God wo'ld treat e)er.one with that sa1e 1er . and wisdo1. 0a)id wanted to share that o)erwhel1ing ;o. with e)er.one. !8

6ut let the NuncompromisinglyO rightE eous be gladL let them be in high spirits and glory before <od, yes, let them N ubilantlyO re oiceG #ing to <od, sing praises to His name, cast up a highway for Him Bho rides through the desertsKHis name is the 5ordK be in high spirits and glory before HimG <%sal1 !8>324 AD%? *ow an we hel3 b't do an.thing b't 3raise God be a'se we are 'n o18 3ro1isingl. righteo's we will be in high s3irits all the ti1e and we will ;'bilantl. re;oi e. (ing2 tal72 dan e2 wal72 li/t .o'r hands2 sing 3raises to *is na1e and be /'ll o/ *i1 at all ti1es. +et 's all2 at all ti1es2 be in high s3irits and glor. be/ore *i1. For ;ou are my hopeL 2 5ord <od, ;ou are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. Apon ;ou have 4 leaned and relied from birthL ;ou are He Bho too% me from my motherHs womb and ;ou have been my benefactor from that day. 9y praise is continually of ;ou. 4 am as a wonder and surprise to many, but ;ou are my strong refuge. <%sal1 $1 > 58$ AD%?

!9

Dan an /ail2 an6t heI #nl. God sho'ld be tr'sted 100K o/ the ti1e. *e ne)er hanges. *e ta7es 's /ro1 birth and loo7s a/ter 's. *e g'ides 's and lo)es 's in s3ite o/ o'r short o1ings and 3roble1s. I wo'ld sa. I a1 ,as a wonder and s'r3rise to 1an..- Dan. 3eo3le /ro1 1. 3ast wo'ld ne)er re ogniFe 1e toda.. :he. wo'ld ha)e a hard ti1e belie)ing what God has done to 1e sin e I got sa)ed. *allel';ah9 God is 1. re/'ge. And I lo)e e)er. da. with *i19 4 will also praise ;ou with the harp, even ;our truth and faithfulness, 2 my <odL unto ;ou will 4 sing praises with the lyre, 2 Holy One of 4srael. 9y lips shall shout for oy when 4 sing praises to ;ou, and my inner being, which ;ou have redeemed. <%sal1 $1>22.23 AD%? %la. the har39 (ing with the l.re9 And sho't /or ;o.9 I an6t i1agine 0a)id 3raising God H'ietl. in a orner o/ his 7ingdo1 with his head bowed in silen e. *e sho'ted9 *e dan ed9 *is inner1ost being sho'ted9 (o sho'ld o'rs9 *a)e .o' e)er been so ha33. that the ;o. ;'st b'rsts /orth /ro1 within .o' witho't ontain1entI #/ o'rse .o' ha)e. We all ha)e d'ring o'r li/eti1e. $0

0a)id6s inner1ost being sho'ted God6s 3raises as well as his li3s. I1agine the o13lete ;o. that o)ertoo7 0a)id when he tho'ght o/ God6s goodness2 *is 3ower2 *is lo)e. Ean .o' re1e1ber that /irst /eeling o/ total ;o. when .o' 7new that .o' 7new that .o' 7new that Bes's sa)ed .o' and now li)ed within .o'I 0o .o' re all the o)er/lowing ;o. when God /irst healed .o' or a lo)ed oneI Deditate on what that e43erien e was li7e the )er. /irst ti1e .o' tr'l. /elt God6s lo)e and 3resen e. @ow sho't /or ;o.9 HOB B7 &H'-) you, 5ordG ;our mighty miracle give proof that you care. <%sal1 $5>1 :+"? 0'ring the 3ast .ears2 we ha)e all heard the lies that God is no longer on the throne2 that *e is dead. *ow an an.one belie)e God is not wor7ing in the world toda. when 1ira les o 'r on a dail. basis all aro'nd 'sI God 'ses 1ira les 5 instantaneo's healings to de lare *is 3ower and to gi)e 3roo/ that *e is still ali)e and ares /or 's. When we tell others abo't *is good deeds2 it brings *i1 loser than e)er2 so than7 *i1 and 3raise *i1 right now9 $1

&hen we ;our people, the sheep of ;our pasture, will give you than%s for everL we will show forth and publish ;our praise from generation to generation. <%sal1 $9>13 AD%? (ho'ld we than7 God on e /or what he has doneI @o2 than7 *i1 /ore)er2 /ore)er2 /ore)er9 *e dire ts 's to write down what *e has done /or 's and publish *is 3raises /or generations. (in e we 3'blish boo7s and 1aterials2 Eharles and I are )er. /a1iliar with what the word 3'blish 1eans. *owe)er2 1ost 3eo3le thin7 3'blish si13l. 1eans 3'tting boo7s together. +isten to what the :hesa'r's sa.s> D!ublish: to distributeL get outL advertiseL announceL broadcastL circulateL declareL disperseL proclaimL promulgate.I %ro1'lgateI I loo7ed that one '3 also. D!romulgate: to multiply, to generate, to create, to spawn, to parent.I Isn6t that interestingI We aren6t onl. to show 3raise to God b't we are to distrib'te and ad)ertise2 broad ast and 3ro lai12 1'lti3l. and generate2 reate and 3arent $2

3raise /ro1 generation to generation. When 3raise arises in o'r hearts2 we aren6t to sel/ishl. en;o. it. We are to s3read it2 broad ast it /or .ears and .ears to o1e. %raise is /or sharing with others. When .o' share .o'r testi1on.2 .o' are sharing *is 3raises2 .o' are s3reading *is ho3e2 .o' are reating *is 3ower and 1'lti3l.ing *is strength within another belie)er. Another word /or 3'blish is witnessing9 (hare *is Word9 (hare *is 1ira les9 :he 1ira les o/ God will s3ea7 to the 'nbelie)er and the. will realiFe what the. are sear hing /or is Bes's9 4& 4# a good and delightful thing to give than%s to the 5ord, to sing praises Nwith musical accompanimentO to ;our name, 2 9ost High, &o show forth ;our lovingE %indness in the morning and ;our faithfulness by night, <%sal1 92>122 AD%? I/ we all got o't o/ bed in the 1orning with 3raises 'nto God /or *is lo)e and than7ed *i1 /or *is /aith/'lness in 7ee3ing 's sa/e all d'ring o'r slee3ing ho'rs2 wo'ldn6t o'r da. be easierI God gi)es 's dire tion in the /irst wa7ing ho'rs when o'r 1inds are 'n lo'ded with the l'tter o/ the da.. +oo7 /orward to God6s alar1 lo 7 $3

e)er. 1orning2 to *is dire tion. &o' will /ind delight in gi)ing than7s to the +ord whate)er ti1e o/ da. it is when .o' ha)e *is dire tion /ro1 the /irst wa7ing ho'r 'ntil the last o/ the da.. We loo7ed at %sal1 100>122 a /ew 3ages ago. +oo7 now at %sal1 100>4 ABC> 7nter into his gates with than%sgiving, and into his courts with praise: be than%ful unto him, and bless his name. =ntering *is gates with than7sgi)ing on the wa. to h'r h 3re3ares o'r hearts to hear God6s 1essage. :he gates don6t ha)e to 1ean the entran e o/ the 3ar7ing lot to the h'r h. :he ,gates- an be the ar doors as e)er.one enters the )ehi le2 the. an be the 3ra.er at the brea7/ast table2 or 3erha3s the. an be the 1o1ent .o' wa7e '3 in the earl. 1orning. :he ,gates- re3resent the ti1e .o' ha)e hosen to 3re3are .o'rsel/ to re ei)e /ro1 God. When .o' are 3re3ared o1ing thro'gh the ,gates-2 then .o' an enter into *is o'rts with 3raise. *is o'rts are one ste3 loser to *is 3resen e2 *is throne roo1. When .o' are 3raising *i12 than7ing *i1 /or *is good wor7s and blessing *is na1e2 all the 3roble1s o/ li)ing see1 to /loat $4

awa.. :he 3ress'res o/ the world s'ddenl. be o1e 'ni13ortant as .o' be o1e s'rro'nded b. *is being2 *is ;o.2 *is /aith/'lness2 *is 1er .2 *is 3er/e t lo)e. When o'r hearts are /'rrowed b. 3raise be/ore we e)en enter the b'ilding2 we are in a 3osition to re ei)e /ro1 God9 %raise is i13ortant to God9 %raise and worshi3 is i13ortant to the belie)er9 =nter *is gates with than7sgi)ing in .o'r heart9 =nter *is o'rts with 3raise9 "less *is na1e9 "as7 in *is 3resen e within *is throne roo1 and re ei)e *is strength9 :here are so1e 3ortions o/ things to 3raise God /or that don6t e)en need an. e43lanation or o11ents. B'st rela4 and en;o. these /or .o'rsel/. H'5575AJ'HG 4 B'-& to e8press publicly before his people my heartfelt than%s to <od for his mighty miracles. 'll who are than%ful should ponder them with me. For his miracles demonstrate his honor, ma esty, and eternal goodness. <%sal1 111>183 :+"? 'll he does is ust and good, and all his laws are right, for they are formed from truth and goodness, and stand firm forever. <%sal1 111>$.8 :+"? $5

!='4#7 &H7 5O=CG For all who fear <od and trust in him are blessed beyond e8pression. ;es, happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good menHs sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. Bhen dar%ness overta%es him, light will come bursting in. He is %ind and mercifulK and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly. #uch a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. <odHs constant care of him will ma%e a deep impression on all who see it. <%sal1 1 12>18! :+"? ...For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will ta%e care of him. &hat is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. <%sal1 1 12>$.8 :+"? !raise him from sunrise to sunsetG For he is high above the nationsL his glory is far greater than the heavens. Bho can be compared with <od enthroned on highJ $!

<%sal1 113>385 :+"? He gives children to the childless wife, so that she become a happy mother. <%sal1 113>9 :+"? 9ay the 5ord richly bless both you and your children. ;es, Jehovah who made heaven and earth will personally bless youG <%sal1 115>14 :+"? 4 5O*7 &H7 5ord because he hears my prayers and answers them. 6ecause he bends down and listens, 4 will pray as long as 4 breatheG <%sal1 11!>1.2 :+"? 4n my distress 4 prayed to the 5ord and he answered me and rescued me. He is for meG How can 4 be afraidJ Bhat can mere man do to meJ &he 5ord is on my side, he will help me. 5et those who hate me beware. 4t is better to trust the 5ord than to put confidence in men. 4t is better to ta%e refuge in him than in the mightiest %ingG &hough all the nations of the world attac% me, 4 will march out behind his banner and destroy them. ;es, they surround and attac% meL but with his flag flying above me 4 will cut them off. <%sal1 118>5810 :+"?

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4 shall not die, but live to tell of all his deeds. <%sal1 118>1$ :+"? &his is the day the 5ord has made. Be will re oice and be glad in it. <%sal1 118>24 :+"? #H'55 4 5OO) to the mountain gods for helpJ -oG 9y help is from Jehovah who made the mountainsG 'nd the heavens tooG He will never let me stumble, slip or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping. Jehovah himself is caring for youG He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He %eeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He %eeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you. <%sal1 121>188 :+"? O 5O=C, ;OA have e8amined my heart and %now everything about me. ;ou %now when 4 sit or stand. Bhen far away you %now my every thought. ;ou chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. 7very moment, you %now where 4 am. ;ou %now what 4 am going to say before 4 even say it. ;ou both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head. &his is too glorious, too wonderful to believeG 4 can never be lost to your #piritG 4 $8

can never get away from my <odG 4f 4 go up to heaven, you are thereL if 4 go down to the place of the dead, you are there. 4f 4 ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. 4f 4 try to hide in the dar%ness, the night becomes light around me. For even dar%ness cannot hide from <odL to you the night shines as bright as day. Car%ness and light are both ali%e to you. <%sal1 139>1812 :+"? 4 B455 !='4#7 you, my <od and )ing, and bless your name each day and forever. <reat is JehovahG <reatly praise himG His greatness is beyond discoveryG 5et each generation tell its children what glorious things he does. 4 will meditate about your glory, splendor, ma esty and miracles. ;our aweEinspiring deeds shall be on every tongueL 4 will proclaim your greatness. 7veryone will tell about how good you are, and sing about your righteousness. <%sal1 145>18$ :+"? 'll living things shall than% you, 5ord, and your people will bless you. &hey will tal% together about the glory of your %ingdom and mention e8amples of your $9

power. &hey will tell about your miracles and about the ma esty and glory of your reign. For your %ingdom never ends. ;ou rule generation after generation <%sal1 145>10813 :+"? &he 5ord is fair in everything he does, and full of %indness. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust himL he hears their ries for help and rescues them. He protects all those who love him, but destroys the wic%ed. 4 will praise the 5ord and call on all men everywhere to bless his holy name forever and forever. <%sal1 145>1$821 :+"? !='4#7 &H7 5O=CG ;es, really praise himG 4 will praise him as long as 4 live, yes, even with my dying breath. ConHt loo% to men for helpL their greatest leaders failL for every man must die. His breathing stops, life ends, and in a moment all he planned for himself is ended. 6ut happy is the man who has the <od of Jacob as his helper, whose hope is in the 5ord his <odKthe <od who made both earth and heaven, the seas and everything in them. <%sal1 14!>18! :+"?

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He frees the prisoners, and opens the eyes of the blindL he lifts the burdens from those bent down beneath their loads. For the 5ord loves good men. He protects the immigrants, and cares for the orphans and widows. 6ut he turns topsyEturvy the plans of the wic%ed. <%sal1 14!>$89 :+"? &he dead cannot sing praises to Jehovah here on earth, but we canG Be praise him foreverG Hallelu ahG !raise the 5ordG <%sal1 115>1$.18 :+"? He heals the bro%enhearted, binding up their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great he isG His power is absoluteG His understanding is unlimited. %sal1 14$>385 :+"? #ing out your than%s to himL sing praises to our <od, accompanied by harps. He covers the heavens with clouds, sends down the showers and ma%es the green grass grow in mountain pastures. He feeds the wild animals and the young ravens cry to him for food. &he speed of a horse is nothing to him. How puny in his sight is the strength of a man. 6ut his oy in those who reverence him, those who e8pect him to be loving and %ind. <%sal1 14$>$811 :+"? 81

!='4#7 &H7 5ordG !raise the 5ord from the heavens, praise Him in the heightsG !raise Him, all His angels, praise Him, all His hostsG !raise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you stars of lightG !raise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavensG 5et them praise the name of the 5ord, for He commanded and they were created. He also established them for ever and everL He made a decree which shall not pass away NHe fi8ed their bounds which cannot be passed overO. !raise the 5ord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deepsG ;ou lightning, hail, fog and frost, you stormy wind fulfilling His ordersG 9ountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedarsG 6easts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birdsG )ings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers and udges of the earthG 6oth young men and maidens, old men and childrenG 5et them praise and e8alt the name of the 5ord, for His name alone is e8alted and supremeG His glory and ma esty are above earth and HeavenG He has lifted up a horn for His people Ngiving them power, prosperity, dignity and preeminence,, a song of praise for all His godly ones, for the people of 4srael, who are near to Him. !raise Him. 82

!raise the 5ordG +Hallelu ahG, <%sal1 148J %sal1 $5>10J =3hesians 2>1$ AD%? *ow wonder/'l to 7now that we6re not alone when 3raising God be a'se these )erses o/ s ri3t're tell the angels2 the s'n2 1oon2 stars o/ light2 hea)ens and waters the. sho'ld all 3raise *i12 so we6re ne)er alone in o'r worshi3 o/ *i1. +ightning2 hail2 /og and /rost 5 7ee3 reading and .o'6ll see that e)er.one and e)er.thing has been reated to 3raise *i19 !='4#7 &H7 5ordG #ing to the 5ord a new song, praise Him in the assembly of His saintsG 5et 4srael re oice in Him their 9a%erL let :ionHs children triumph and be oyful in their )ingG 5et them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the Nsingle or groupOdanceL let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyreG For the 5ord ta%es pleasure in His peopleL He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory. 5et the saints be oyful in the glory and beauty Nwhich <od confers upon themOL let them sing for oy upon their beds. <%sal1s 149>185 AD%?

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PRAISE THE Lord !raise God in His sanctuaryL praise Him in the heavens of His powerG !raise Him for His mighty actsL praise Him according to the abundance of His greatnessG !raise Him with trumpet soundL praise Him with lute and harpG !raise Him with tambourine and Nsingle or groupO danceL praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutesG !raise Him with resounding cymbalsL praise Him with loud clashing cymbalsG

2et everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the 2ord Praise the 2ord :(allelu,ah ; :Psalm <=> 6MP;

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) Who God Is
Problems, problems, problems, Is there no end, and is there no answer# 7his time you read this familiar story, read it with the fact that "avid knew who God was...
&hen <oliath, a !hilistine champion from <ath, came out of the !hilistine ran%s to face the forces of 4srael. He was a giant of a man, measuring over nine feet tallG He wore a bron(e helmet, a twoEhundred pound coat of mail, bron(e leggings, and carried a bron(e avelin several inches thic%, tipped with a twentyEfiveEpound iron spearhead, 85

and his armor bearer wal%ed ahead of him with a huge shield. He stood and shouted across to the 4sraelis, DCo you need a whole army to settle thisJ 4 will represent the !hilistines, and you choose someone to represent you, and we will settle this in single combatG 4f your man is able to %ill me, then we will be your slavesG 6ut if 4 %ill him, then you must be our slavesG 4 defy the armies of 4sraelG

9end me a man who will fight with me

Bhen #aul and the 4sraeli army heard this, they were dismayed and frightened. Cavid +the son of aging Jesse, a member of the tribe of Judah who lived in 6ethlehem. Judah, had seven older brothers. &he three oldestK7liab, 'binadab, and #hammahK had already volunteered for #aulHs army to fight the !hilistines. Cavid was the youngest son, and was on #aulHs staff on a partEtime basis. He went bac% and forth to 6ethlehem to help his father with the sheep. For forty days, twice a day, morning and evening the !hilistine giant strutted before the armies of 4srael. 8!

One day Jesse said to Cavid, D&a%e this bushel of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers. <ive this cheese to their captain and see how the boys are getting alongL and bring us bac% a letter from themGI +#aul and the 4sraeli army were camped at the valley of 7lah., #o Cavid left the sheep with another shepherd and too% off early the ne8t morning with the gifts. He arrived at the outs%irts of the camp ust as the 4sraeli army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. #oon the 4sraeli and !hilistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. Cavid left his luggage with a baggage officer and hurried out to the ran%s to find his brothers. 's he was tal%ing with them, he saw <oliath the giant step out from the !hilistine troops and shout his challenge to the army of 4srael. 's soon as they saw him the 4sraeli army began to run away in fright. DHave you seen the giantJI the soldiers were as%ing. DHe has insulted the entire army of 4srael. 'nd have you heard .about the huge reward the %ing has offered to anyone who %ills himJ 'nd the %ing will give him one of his daughters for a wife, and 8$

his whole family will be e8empted from paying ta8esGI Cavid tal%ed to some others standing there to verify the report. DBhat will a man get for %illing this !hilistine and ending his insults to 4sraelJI he as%ed them.

*!ho is this heathen Philistine, anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God# 6nd he received the same reply as before.
6ut when CavidHs oldest brother, 7liab, heard Cavid tal%ing li%e that, he was angry. DBhat are you doing around here, anywayJI he demanded. DBhat about the sheep youHre supposed to be ta%ing care ofJ 4 %now what a coc%y brat you areL you ust want to see the battleGI DBhat have 4 done nowJI Cavid replied. D4 was only as%ing a $uestionGI 'nd he wal%ed over to some others and as%ed them the same thing and received the same answer. Bhen it was finally reali(ed 88

what Cavid meant, someone told )ing #aul, and the %ing sent for him.

*"on)t. worry about a thing, "avid told him. I)ll take care of this Philistine
DConHt be ridiculousGI #aul replied. DHow can a %id li%e you fight with a man li%e himJ ;ou are only a boy and he has been in the army since he was a boyGI 6ut Cavid persisted. DBhen 4 am ta%ing care of my fatherHs sheep,I he said, Dand a lion or a bear comes and grabs a lamb from the floc%, 4 go after it with a club and ta%e the lamb from its mouth. 4f it turns on me 4 catch it by the aw and club it to death. 4 have done this to both lions and bears, and 4Hll do it to this heathen !hilistine too, for he has defied the armies of the living <odG

*7he 2ord who saved me from the claws and teeth

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of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine
#aul finally consented, D'll right, go ahead,I he said, Dand may the 5ord be with youGI &hen #aul gave Cavid his own armorKa bron(e helmet and a coat of mail. Cavid put it on, strapped the sword over it, and too% a step or two to see what it was li%e, for he had never worn such things before. D4 can hardly moveGI he e8claimed, and too% them off again. &hen he pic%ed up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherdHs bag and, armed only with his shepherdHs staff and sling, started across to <oliath. <oliath wal%ed out towards Cavid with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this nice little redE chee%ed boyG D'm 4 dog,I he roared at Cavid, Dthat you come at me with a stic%JI 'nd he cursed Cavid by the names of his gods. DCome over here and 4Hll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals,I <oliath yelled. 90

Cavid shouted in reply, D;ou come to me with a sword and a spear, but 4 come to you

in the name of the 2ord of the armies of heaven and of Israel

the very <od whom you have defied. &oday the 5ord will con$uer you and 4 will %ill you and cut off your headL and then 4 will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will %now that there is a <od in 4sraelG 'nd 4srael will learn that the 5ord does not depend on weapons to fulfill his plansKhe wor%s without regard to human meansG He will give you to usGI 's <oliath approached, Cavid ran out to meet him and, reaching into his shepherdHs bag, too% out a stone, hurled it from his sling, and hit the !hilistine in the forehead. &he stone san% in, and the man fell on his face to the ground.

91

9o "avid con5uered the Philistine giant with a sling and a stone.

#ince he had no sword, he ran over and pulled <oliathHs from its sheath and %illed him with it, and then cut off his head. Bhen the !hilistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. &hen the 4sraelis gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the !hilistines, chasing them as far as <ath and the gates of 7%ron. &he bodies of the dead and wounded !hilistines were strewn all along the road to #haaraim. &hen the 4sraeli army returned and plundered the deserted !hilistine camp. <I (a1'el 1$>4853 :+"? 'fter Cavid had %illed <oliath, 'bner brought him to #aul with the !hilistineHs head still in his hand. <I (a1'el 1$>5$ :+"?

6nd remember that God will do it for ?ou

92

1* (ers$stence
!hen you feel like letting down and giving up, keep going ... it pays off
'nd it came to pass, when the 5O=C was about to ta%e up 7li ah into heaven by a whirlwind, that 7li ah went with 7lisha from <ilgal. &hen 7li ah said to 7lisha, D#tay here, please, for the 5O=C has sent me on to 6ethel.I 'nd 7lisha said, D's the 5O=C lives, and as your soul lives, 4 will not leave youGI #o they went down to 6ethel. 'nd the sons of the prophets who were at 6ethel came out to 7lisha, and said to him, DCo you %now that the 5O=C will ta%e away your master from over you todayJI 'nd he said, D;es, 4 %nowL %eep silentGI &hen 7li ah said to him, D7lisha, stay here, please, for the 5O=C has sent me on 93

to Jericho.I 'nd he said, D's the 5O=C lives, and as your soul lives, 4 will not leave youGI #o they came to Jericho. 'nd the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to 7lisha and said to him, DCo you %now that the 5O=C will ta%e away your master from over you todayJI #o he answered, ,&es2 4 %nowL %eep silentGI &hen 7li ah said to him, D#tay here, please, for the 5O=C has sent me on to the Jordan.I 'nd he said, D's the 5O=C lives, and as your soul lives, 4 will not leave youGI #o the two of them went on. 'nd fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. -ow 7li ah too% his mantle, rolled it up, and struc% the waterL and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 'nd so it was, when they had crossed over, that 7li ah said to 7lisha, D's%G Bhat may 4 do for you, before 4 am ta%en away from youJI 'nd 7lisha said, D!lease let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.I

94

"on)t be afraid to ask for big things 0 $lisha wasn)t

#o he said, D;ou have as%ed a hard thing. -evertheless, if you see me when 4 am ta%en from you, it shall be so for youL but if not, it shall not be so.I &hen it happened, as they continued on and tal%ed, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of themL and 7li ah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. -ow 7lisha saw it, and he cried out, D9y father, my father, the chariot of 4srael and its horsemenGI #o he saw him no more. 'nd he too% hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also too% up the mantle of 7li ah that had fallen from him, and went bac% and stood by the ban% of the Jordan. &hen he too% the mantle of 7li ah that had fallen from him, and struc% the water, and said, DBhere is the 5O=C <od of 7li ahJI 'nd when he also had struc% the water, it was divided this way and thatL and 7lisha crossed over. 95

7he first thing he did was a miracle

-ow when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, D&he spirit of 7li ah rests on 7lisha.I 'nd they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. &hen they said to him, D5oo% now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. !lease let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the #pirit of the 5O=C has ta%en him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.I 'nd he said, D;ou shall not send anyone.I 6ut when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, D#end them out.I &herefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. 'nd when they came bac% to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, DCid 4 not say to you, FCo not goHJI &hen the men of the city said to 7lisha, D!lease notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seesL but the water is bad, and the ground barren.I 9!

'nd he said, D6ring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.I #o they brought it to him. &hen he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, D&hus says the 5O=C: F4 have healed this waterL from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.I #o the water remains healed to this day, according to the saying of 7lisha which he spo%e. <II Aings 2>1822 @ABC?

It)s when you)re obedient, persistent and faithful that God can begin to work through you

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11 Who +ou "re

If you have ever 5uestioned who you are, this beautiful chapter will let you know and you will never have doubts again
W*=@ J7#A# H'C finished saying all these things he loo%ed up to heaven and said, DFather, the time has come. =eveal the glory of your #on so that he can give the glory bac% to you. For you have given him authority over every man and woman in all the earth. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 'nd this is the way to have eternal lifeKby %nowing you, the only true <od, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earthG 4 brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to. 98

'nd now, Father, reveal my glory as 4 stand in your presence, the glory we shared before the world began. D4 have told these men all about you. &hey were in the world, but then you gave them to me. 'ctually, they were always yours, and you gave them to meL and they have obeyed you. -ow they %now that everything 4 have is a gift from you, for 4 have passed on to them the commands you gave meL and they accepted them and %now of a certainty that 4 came down to earth from you, and they believe you sent me. D9y plea is not for the world but for those you have given me because they belong to you. 'nd all of them, since they are mine, belong to youL and you have given them bac% to me with everything else of yours and so

they are my glory

-ow 4 am leaving the world, and leaving them behind, and coming to you. Holy Father, %eep them in your own careKall those you have given meKso that they will be united ust as we are, with none missing. Curing my time here 4 have %ept safe within your family all of these you gave me. 4 99

guarded them so that not one perished, e8cept the son of hell, as the #criptures foretold. D'nd now 4 am coming to you. 4 have told them many things while 4 was with them so that they would be filled with my oy. 4 have given them your commands. 'nd the world hates them because they donHt fit in with it, ust as 4 donHt. 4Hm not as%ing you to ta%e them out of the world, but to %eep them safe from #atanHs power. &hey are not part of this world any more than 4 am. 9a%e them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth. 's you sent me into the world, l am sending them into the world, and

I consecrate myself to meet their need for growth in truth and holiness.
D4 am not praying for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these. 9y prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, ust as you and 4 are, 100

FatherKthat ust as you are in me and 4 am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me. D4 have given them the glory you gave meKthe glorious unity of being one, as we areK4 in them and you in me, all being perfected into oneK

9o that the world will know you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me.
Father, 4 want them with meKthese youHve given meKso that they can see my glory. ;ou gave me the glory because you loved me before the world beganG O righteous Father, the world doesnHt %now you, but 4 doL and these disciples %now you sent me. 'nd 4 have revealed you to them, and will %eep on revealing you so that the mighty love you have for me may be in them, and 4 in them.I <Bohn 1$ :+"? 101

?ou)re loved by God

102

12 Strength for Fear

6t some time in our lives, all of us have been attacked by fear. It is a normal reaction because fear often alerts us of danger. (owever...
<od has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. <II :i1oth. 1>$ @ABC?

9ometimes if we read the *fear nots we can obtain victory over fear
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PFear not, 'bram: 4 am thy shield, and thy e8ceeding great reward. <Genesis 15>1 ABC? ...fear not, for 4 am with thee, and will bless thee... <Genesis 2!>24 ABC? P!eace be to you, /ear not:... <Genesis 43>23 ABC? PFear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the 5ord, which he will shew to you today:... <=4od's 14>13 ABC? PFear not, neither be discouraged. <0e'terono1. 1>21 ABC? 6e strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the 5ord thy <od, he it is that doth go with theeL he will not fail thee, nor forsa%e thee. <0e'terono1. 31>! ABC? 'nd the 5ord, he it is that doth go before theeL he will be with thee, he will not fail 104

thee, neither forsa%e thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. <0e'terono1. 31>8 ABC? Have not 4 commanded theeJ 6e strong and of a good courageL be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the 5O=C thy <od is with thee whithersoever thou goest. <Bosh'a 1>9 ABC? P.Fear not, for 4 have redeemed youL 4 have called you by your nameL &o' are 9ine. Bhen you pass through the waters, 4 will be with youL 'nd through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. Bi(en you wal% through the fire, you shall not be burned, -or shall the flame scorch you. For l am the 5ord your <od, &he Holy One of 4srael, your #aviorL 4 gave 7gypt for your ransom, 7thiopia and #eba in your place. <Isaiah 43>183 @ABC? 105

Fear not, for l am with youL... <Isaiah 43>5 @ABC? Fear not, for 4 am with youL 6e not dismayed, for 4 am your <od. 4 will strengthen you, ;es, 4 will help you, 4 will uphold you with 9y righteous right hand. <Isaiah 41>10?

7he *fear@nots are all e+cellent because they will bolster your confidence in God. 9ome of the verses that contain the word *fear will also keep you in time of trouble. Good -ear
10!

&he fear of the 5ord is the beginning of %nowledge, 6ut fools despise wisdom and instruction. <%ro)erbs 1>$ @ABC? &H7 5O=C is my light and my salvationL whom shall 4 fearJ Bhen evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fallG ;es, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall %now no fearG 4 am confident that <od will save me. &he one thing 4 want from <od, the thing 4 see% most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his &emple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory. &here 4Hll be when troubles come. He will hide me. He will set me on a high roc% out of the reach of all my enemies. &hen 4 will bring him sacrifices and sing his praises with much oy. <%sal1s 2$>18! :+"? :here is 3robabl. no greater word that an 7ee3 's /ro1 /ear than the entire 23rd %sal1s. <L'oted /ro1 the @ABC &H7 5O=C is my shepherdL 4 shall not want. 10$

He ma%es me to lie down in green pasturesL He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soulL He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His nameHs sa%e. ;ea, though 4 wal% through the valley of the shadow of death, 4 will fear no evilL For ;ou are with meL ;our rod and ;our staff, they comfort me. ;ou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemiesL ;ou anoint my head with oilL 9y cup runs over. #urely goodness and mercy shall follow me 'll the days of my lifeL 'nd 4 will dwell in the house of the 5ord Forever. When wal7ing thro'gh the )alle. o/ the shadow o/ death in 19882 1 /eared no e)il2 be a'se *e was with 1e. I said2 ,1 /eel horrible2 b't God had a 1ira le at the end9I was healed9 Co not be wise in our own eyesL Fear the 5ord and depart from evil. <%ro)erbs 3>$ @ABC?

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&he fear of the 5ord is the beginning of wisdom, 'nd the %nowledge of the Holy One is understanding. <%ro)erbs 9>10 @ABC? &he fear of the 5ord prolongs days, 6ut the years of the wic%ed will be shortened. <%ro)erbs 10>2$ @ABC? &he fear of the 5ord is a fountain of life, &o avoid the snares of death. <%ro)erbs 14>2$ @ABC? @o weapon formed against you shall prosper, 'nd every tongue which rises against you in udgment &o' shall condemn. &his is the heritage of the servants of the 5ord, 'nd their righteousness is from 9e,I #ays the 5O=C. <Isaiah 54>1$ @ABC? -o evil shall befall you, @or shall any plague come near your dwellingL For He shall give His angels charge over you, &o %eep you in all your ways. 109

<%sal1s 91>10811 @ABC?

110

13 Who God I
"id you ever have a time when you needed to know beyond a shadow of doubt that God is all powerful and that (e holds the entire universe in (is hands# 7hese are wonderful scriptures to bring you into a new heavenly realm where God)s ability is concerned.
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D<od is so great that we cannot begin to %now him. -o one can begin to understand eternity. He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain, which the s%ies pour down. Can anyone really understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunders withinJ #ee how he spreads the lightning around him, and blan%ets the tops of the mountains. 6y his fantastic powers in nature he punishes or blesses the people, giving them food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning bolts. He hurls each at its target. Be feel his presence in the thunder. 9ay all sinners be warned. D9; H7'=& &=79657# at this. 5isten, listen to the thunder of his voice. 4t rolls across the heavens and his lightning flashes out in every direction. 'fterwards comes the roaring of the thunderKthe tremendous voice of his ma esty. His voice is glorious in the thunder.

!e cannot comprehend the greatness of his power.

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For he directs the snow, the showers, and storm to fall upon the earth. 9anHs wor% stops at such a time, so that all men everywhere may recogni(e his power. &he wild animals hide in the roc%s or in their dens. DFrom the south comes the rainL from the north, the cold. <od blows upon the rivers, and even the widest torrents free(e. He loads the clouds with moisture and they send forth his lightning. &he lightning bolts are directed by his hand, and do whatever he commands throughout the earth. He sends the storms as punishment, or, in his loving%indness, to encourage. D5isten, 2 Job, stop and consider the wonderful miracles of <od. Co you %now how <od controls all nature, and causes the lightning to flash forth from the cloudsJ Co you understand the balancing of the clouds with wonderful perfection and s%illJ Co you %now why you become warm when the south wind is blowing and everything is stillJ Can you spread out the gigantic mirror of the s%ies as he doesJ D;ou who thin% you %now so much, teach the rest of us how we should approach <od. For we are too dull to %nowG Bith your wisdom, would we then dare to approach himJ Bell, does a man wish to be 113

swallowed aliveJ For as we cannot loo% at the sun for its brightness when the winds have cleared away the clouds, neither can we ga(e at the terrible ma esty of <od brea%ing forth upon us from heaven, clothed in da((ling splendor. Be cannot imagine the power of the 'lmighty, and yet

(e is so ,ust and merciful that (e does not destroy us.

-o wonder men everywhere fear himG For he is not impressed by the worldHs wisest menGI &H7- &H7 5O=C answered Job from the whirlwind: DBhy are you using your ignorance to deny my providenceJ -ow get ready to fight, for 4 am going to demand some answers from you, and you must reply. DBhere were you when 4 laid the foundations of the earthJ &ell me, if you %now so much. Co you %now how its dimensions were determined, and who did the surveyingJ Bhat supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone, 114

as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for oyJ DBho decreed the boundaries of the seas when they gushed from the depthsJ Bho clothed them with clouds and thic% dar%ness, and barred them by limiting their shores, and said, F&hus far and no farther shall you come, and here half your proud waves stopGHJ DHave you ever once commanded the morning to appear, and caused the dawn to rise in the eastJ Have you ever told the daylight to spread to the ends of the earth, to end the nightHs wic%ednessJ Have you ever robed the dawn in red, and disturbed the haunts of wic%ed men and stopped the arm raised to stri%eJ DHave you e8plored the springs from which the seas come, or wal%ed in the sources of their depthsJ Has the location of the gates of Ceath been revealed to youJ Co you reali(e, the e8tent of the earthJ &ell me about it if you %nowG DBhere does the light come from, and how do you get thereJ Or tell me about the dar%ness. Bhere does it come fromJ Can you find its boundaries, or go to its sourceJ 6ut of course you %now all thisG For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very e8periencedG 115

*(ave you visited the treasuries of the snow, or seen where hail is made and stored#
For 4 have reserved it for the time when 4 will need it in war. Bhere is the path to the distribution point of lightJ Bhere is the home of the east windJ Bho dug the valleys for the torrents of rainJ Bho laid out the path for the lightning, causing the rain to fall upon the barren deserts, so that the parched and barren ground is satisfied with water, and tender grass springs upJ DHas the rain a fatherJ Bhere does dew come fromJ Bho is the mother of the ice and frostJ For the water changes and turns to ice, as hard as roc%. DCan you hold bac% the starsJ Can you restrain Orion or !iciadesJ Can you ensure the proper se$uence of the seasons, or guide the constellation of the 6ear with her satellites across the heavensJ Co you %now the laws of the universe and how the heavens influence the earthJ Can you shout to the clouds and ma%e it rainJ Can you 11!

ma%e lightning appear and cause it to stri%e as you direct itJ DBho gives intuition and instinctJ Bho is wise enough to number all the cloudsJ Bho can tilt the water ars of heaven, when everything is dust and clodsJ Can you stal% prey li%e a lioness, to satisfy the young lionsH appetites as they lie in their dens, or lie in wait in the ungleJ Bho provides for the ravens when their young cry out to <od as they try to struggle up from their nest in hungerJI <Bob 3!>2!2 3$2 and 38>1835 :+"?

If (e can do all that, surely (e can take care of you 7hink of what (e has done

11$

14 For Wa,er$ng Fa$th

7he greatest and the least have had times of 5uestioning their own faith. 7hese are the special times when we need to read some of God)s promises. 7hese can be the *faith scriptures, a few of which I)m 5uoting first, but often it can be those special passages which
118

might not relate to faith, but which give you peace in those wavering times.
&herefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creationL old things have passed awayL behold, all things have become new. <2 Eorinthians 5>1$ @ABC? &herefore submit to <od. =esist the devil and he will flee from you. <Ba1es 4>$ @ABC? &hy word have 4 hid in mine heart, that 4 might not sin against thee. <%sal1s 119>11 ABC? Forever, 2 5ord, ;our word is settled in heaven. <%sal1s 119>89 @ABC? -ow faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. <*ebrews 11>1 @ABC? 119

6ut without faith it is impossible to please HimL for he who comes to <od must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently see% Him. <*ebrews 11>! @ABC? 4 can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. <%hili33ians 4>13 @ABC? lf <od is on our side, who can ever be against usJ <Go1ans 8>31 :+"? For 4 am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Ceath canHt, and life canHt. &he angels wonHt, and all the powers of hell itself cannot %eep <odHs love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are 5 high above the s%y, or in the deepest ocean 5 nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of <od demonstrated by our 5ord Jesus Christ when he died for us. <Go1ans 8>38839 :+"? Be are praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so 120

that you can %eep going no matter what happens 5 always full of the oy of the 5ord, and always than%ful to the Father who has made us fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the %ingdom of light. For he has rescued us out of the dar%ness and gloom of #atanHs %ingdom and brought us into the %ingdom of his dear #on, who bought our freedom with his blood and forgave us all our sins. <Eolossians 1>11814 :+"? 4t was through what his #on did that <od cleared a path for everything to come to him 5 all things in heaven and on earth Kfor ChristHs death on the cross has made peace with <od for all by his blood. &his includes you who were once so far away from <od. ;ou were his enemies and hated him and were separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you bac% as his friends. He has done this through the death on the cross of his own human body, and now as a result Christ has brought you into the very presence of <od,

121

and you are standing there before him with nothing left against you 0 nothing left that he could even chide you for3
the only condition is that you fully believe the &ruth, standing in it steadfast and firm, strong in the 5ord, convinced of the <ood -ews that Jesus died for you, and never shifting from trusting him to save you. &his is the wonderful news that came to each of you and is now spreading all over the world. <Eolossians 1>20823 :+"? 'nd now ust as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each dayHs problemsL live in vital union with him. 5et your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. #ee that you go on growing in the 5ord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. 5et your lives overflow with oy and than%sE giving for all he has done. 122

ConHt let others spoil your faith and oy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on menHs thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said. For in Christ there is all of <od in a human bodyL

so you have everything when you have 4hrist,

and you are filled with <od through your union with Christ. He is the highest =uler, with authority over every other power. <Eolossians 2>!81# :+"? #4-C7 ;OA 67C'97 alive again, so to spea%, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and oys of heaven where he sits beside <od in the place of honor and power.

2et heaven fill your thoughts3 don)t spend your time worrying about
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things down here. ?ou should have a little desire for this world as a dead person does. ?our real life is in heaven with 4hrist and God. 6nd when 4hrist who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories.
<Eolossians 3>184 :+"?

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Heal$ng

9ickness can strike at. any time, and we need to be prepared with healing scripture to ward off the devil. 7he 8ible is full of them, but here are some of my favorites (ebrews <ABC in the /ew Ding &ames 8ible establishes the fact that
DJesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.I 125

If (e healed yesterday, (e is going to heal today. 7hat is one of the most important things we can ever learn about healing is that it is for today
6eloved, 4 wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. <III Bohn 2 ABC? 5'=<7 C=OBC# FO55OB7C Jesus as he came down the hillside. 5oo%G ' leper is approaching. He %neels before him, worshipping. D#ir,I the leper pleads, Dif you want to, you can heal me.I Jesus touches the man. D4 want to,I he says, D6e healed.I 'nd instantly the leprosy disappears. <Datthew 8>183 :+"?

&esus wants to heal you

12!

4 shall not die, but live, and declare the wor%s of the +ord. <%sal1s 118>1$ @ABC? D5et your heart retain my wordsL %eep my commands and live.I <%ro)erbs 4>4 @ABC? 657## &H7 5O=C, 0 my soulL and all that is within me, bless His holy nameG 6less the 5O=C, 2 my soul, 'nd forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your ini$uities, who heals all your diseases, <%sal1s 103>183 @ABC

If we truly understand salvation, we would know that healing is a part of the atonement, and we would be healed at that moment. &esus not only forgives all of your but
12$

sins also heals all your diseases

He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. <%sal1 10$>20 @ABC? 6ut He was wounded for our transE gressions, He was bruised for our ini$uitiesL the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. <Isaiah 53>5 @ABC?

$very disease that man has ever had or will have was put on the back of &esus when he was on the cross. ?our sickness is included in one of those thirty@nine stripes.
128

7here)s no reason for both you and &esus having the same disease
...4f you will diligently hear%en to the voice of the 5ord your <od and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and %eep all His statutes, 4 will put none of the diseases upon you which 4 brought upon the 7gyptiansL /or I a1 the +ord Who heals .o'. <=4od's 15>2! AD%? Bhen evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demonEpossessed. 'nd He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sic%, that it might be fulfilled which was spo%en by 4saiah the prophet, saying: DHe Himself too% our infirmities and bore our sic%nesses.I <Datthew 8>1!.1$ @ABC?

129

&esus healed 622 who came to (im to be healed. God is no respecter of persons for barren womenB
He ma%eth the barren woman to %eep house, and to be a oyful mother of children. <%sal1 113>9 ABC? :here are ,*'nter babies- all o)er the world where I ha)e laid hands on wo1en and s3o7en this 3ro1ise o/ God o)er the19

-or the woman who has miscarriages

6ring all the tithes into the storehouse, &hat there may be food in 9y house, and 130

prove 9e now in this,I #ays the 5ord of hosts, D4f 4 will not open for you the windows of heaven 'nd pour out for you such blessing &hat there will not be room enough to receive it. D'nd 4 will rebu%e the devourer for your sa%es, #o that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, -or shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,I <Dala hi 3>10811 @ABC? *e 3ro1ises 's when we tithe that the /r'it o/ the )ine shall not /all be/ore its ti1e in the /ield9 &o'r hildren are the /r'it o/ .o'r wo1b2 so stand on that 3ro1ise9

Prayer 4loths
-ow <od wor%ed unusual miracles by the hands of !aul, so that even hand%erchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sic%, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. <A ts 19>11812 @ABC? %ra.er loths wor7 e)en toda. in the 20th Eent'r.9 131

2aughter is Good MedicineB

' merry heart doeth good li%e a medicine: but a bro%en spirit drieth the bones. <%ro)erbs 1$>22 ABC? Aee3 .o'r s3irits li/ted '3 and la'gh 5 it is one o/ the 1ost ine43ensi)e 1edi ines 7nown to 1an.

2aughter costs you nothing, but the healing powers are phenomenal
9y son, give attention to my wordsL 4ncline your ear to my sayings. Co not let them depart from your eyesL )eep them in the midst of your heartL For they are life to those who find them, 'nd health to all their flesh. <%ro)erbs 4>20822 @ABC? 132

Deep God)s !ord in your heart at all times.

D4 have heard your prayer, 4 have seen your tearsL surely 4 will heal you... <II Aings 20>5 @ABC? D6ehold, 4 am the 5O=C, the <od of all flesh. 4s there anything too hard for 9eJI <Bere1iah 32>2$?

/othing is too hard for God

6e not wise in your own eyesL reverently fear and worship the 5ord and turn +entirely, from evil. 4t shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones. <%ro)erbs 3>$88 AD%? As Bes's s3o7e to *is ele)en dis i3les ;'st be/ore *e ret'rned to be with *is Father2 he rebu%ed their unbelief and 133

hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. <Dar7 1!>14 @ABC? In the world we li)e in toda.2 do'bt and 'nbelie/ re1ain two o/ the biggest obsta les to healing. Dost Ehristians ha)e no H'estion abo't God6s abilit. to heal2 b't where they are on erned2 the. see1 to ha)e a 3roble1. When it ,hits- ho1e2 that is when it is di//i 'lt to belie)e /or .o'rsel/ or .o'r /a1il.. We r'n into a real1 o/ ,ho3e-2 b't be.ond that it see1s di//i 'lt9 We need to belie)e be.ond a shadow o/ do'bt that God wants to heal 's9

God wants you healthy, wealthy and wise

134

1% Who God Is
!hen you think the enemy is bigger than you are, this is the kind of a story you need to read.
#o one night the %ing of #yria sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. Bhen the prophetHs servant got up early the ne8t morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. D'las, my master, what shall we do nowJI he cried out to 7lisha. DConHt be afraidGI 7lisha told him. DFor our army is bigger than theirsGI &hen 7lisha prayed, D5ord, open his eyes and let him seeGI 'nd the 5ord opened the young manHs eyes so that he could see horses of fire and chariots of fire everywhere upon the mountainG 135

Remember, there were only two of them, but God let him see into the supernatural world
's the #yrian army advanced upon them, 7lisha prayed, D5ord, please ma%e them blind.I 'nd he did. &hen 7lisha went out and told them, D;ouHve come the wrong wayG &his isnHt the right cityG Follow me and 4 will ta%e you to the man youHre loo%ing for.I 'nd he led them to #amariaG 's soon as they arrived 7lisha prayed, D5ord, now open their eyes and let them see.I 'nd the 5ord did, and they discovered that they were in #amaria, the capital city of 4sraelG <II Aings !>14820 :+"?

God gives us spiritual eyes with which to see

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1' F$nances
It doesn)t cost you anything to give to God
:hat state1ent b. Bohn A)anFini 3robabl. sho 7ed .o' as 1' h as it did 1e. *owe)er2 1editate on it5let the /ingers o/ .o'r 1ind rea h o't to e)er. ,gi)ings ri3t're .o' 7now and dis o)er that witho't e4 e3tion when God tells .o' to gi)e2 *e 3ro1ises 1ore in ret'rn than what .o' gi)e9

God will meet your *need, but not your greed. "o we want money for our personal desires, or do we want it to spread the gospel around
13$

the world# God)s !ord tells us that it is '

...He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (0e'terono1. 8>18 @ABC? :o re ei)e the )er. best /ro1 God2 .o' 1'st gi)e .o'r )er. best to God9 I o/ten thin7 o/ the 3eo3le who donated 'sed tea bags /or the 1issionaries in (o'th A1eri a. :he note whi h a o13anied the1 said. ,:here6s still one '3 o/ tea le/t in ea h bag9- God doesn6t honor that 7ind o/ gi)ing2 b't *e does when .o' gi)e *i1 .o'r )er. best. I/ .o'6)e e)er H'estioned God abo't gi)ing2 or 'ns3irit'all. o13lained be a'se so1eone s3ent too 1' h ti1e ta7ing '3 an o//ering2 listen to what God has to sa. abo't gi)ing and .o'6ll dis o)er it6s the onl. wa. to s' ess/'ll. wal7 in the ab'ndan e that God 3lanned /or 's. "oth the #ld and @ew :esta1ent are /'ll o/ the onditions o/ God /or 3ros3erit.2 b't this one in the #ld :esta1ent alwa.s 138

delights 1e2 es3e iall. when I read it /ro1 the A13li/ied "ible>

(ere are the conditionsB

4f you will listen diligently to the voice of the 5ord your <od, being watchful to do all His commandments which 4 command you this day, the 5ord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 'nd all these blessings shall come upon you and overta%e you if you heed the voice of the 5ord your <od.

(ere are the blessings

6lessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field. 6lessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your floc%. 6lessed shall be your bas%et and your %neading trough. 6lessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out. &he 5ord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before 139

your faceL they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

God commands blessings on you.

&he 5ord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you underta%e. 'nd He will bless you in the land which the 5ord your God gives you. &he 5ord will establish you as a people holy to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you %eep the commandments of the 5ord your <od and wal% in His ways. 'nd all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name +and in the presence of, the 5ord and they shall be afraid of you.

?ou will be forced to have prosperity

'nd the 5ord shall ma%e you have a surplus of prosperity, through the fruit of your body, of your livestoc%, and of your ground, in the land which the 5ord swore to your fathers to give you. 140

&he 5ord shall open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the wor% of your handL and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 'nd the 5ord shall ma%e you the head, and not the tailL and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the 5ord your <od which 4 command you this day and are watchful to do them. 'nd you shall not turn aside from any of the words which 4 command you this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. +0e'terono1. 28>1814 AD%? (o o/ten we sto3 there2 be a'se it6s soooo good. and we don6t /ind o't the rest o/ the ha3ter2 b't it6s good to read2 too. As a 1atter o/ /a t2 a /riend o/ 1ine who /orgot to tithe2 had s'//ered 1an. .ears /ro1 3soriasis 'ntil she read the balan e o/ 0e'terono1. /ro1 )erse 15 to )erse 4$>

!hat happens when you disobey#

141

6ut if you will not obey the voice of the 5ord your <od, being watchful to do all His commandments and His statutes which 4 command you this day, then all these curses shall come upon you and overta%e you: Cursed shall you be in the city and cursed shall you be in the field. Cursed shall be your bas%et and your %neading trough. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body, of your land, of the increase of your cattle and the young of your sheep. Cursed shall you be when you come in and cursed shall you be when you go out.

!e don)t want this

&he 5ord shall send you curses, confusion, and rebu%e in every enterprise to which you set your hand, until you are destroyed, perishing $uic%ly, because of the evil of your doings by which you have forsa%en me +9oses and <od as one,. &he 5ord will ma%e the pestilence cling to you until He has consumed you from off the land which you go to possess. &he 5ord will smite you with consumption, with fever and inflammation, fiery heat, sword and drought, blasting and 142

mildewL they shall pursue you until you perish. &he heavens over your head shall be brass and the earth under you shall be iron. &he 5ord shall ma%e the rain of your land powdered soil and dustL from the heavens it shall come down upon you until you are destroyed.

&ust the opposite of when you obey (im

&he 5ord shall cause you to be struc% down before your enemiesL you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them, and you shall be tossed to and fro and be a terror among all the %ingdoms of the earth. 'nd your dead body shall be food for all birds of the air and beasts of the earth, and there shall be no one to frighten them away. &he 5ord will smite you with the boils of 7gypt and the tumors, the scurvy and the itch, of which you cannot be healed. &he 5ord will smite you with madness and blindness and dismay of +mind and, heart. 143

"isobedience
'nd you shall grope at noonday, as the blind grope in dar%ness. 'nd you shall not prosper in your waysL and you shall be only oppressed and robbed continually, and there shall be no one to save you. ;ou shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with herL you shall build a house, but not live in itL you shall plant a vineyard but not gather its grapes. ;our o8 shall be slain before your eyes, and you shall not eat of itL your don%ey shall be violently ta%en away before your face and not be restored to youL your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you shall have no one to help you.

7he curses never end.

;our sons and daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall loo% and fail with longing for them all the dayL and there shall be no power in your. hands to prevent it. ' nation which you have not %nown shall eat up the fruit of your land and of all your labors, and you shall be only oppressed and crushed continually, 144

#o that you shall be driven mad by the sights which your eyes shall see.

It get worse and worse.

&he 5ord will smite you on the %nees and on the legs with a sore boil that cannot be healed, from the sole of your foot to the top of your head. &he 5ord shall bring you and your %ing whom you have set over you to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have %nown, and there you shall +be forced to, serve other gods, of wood and stone. 'nd you shall become an ama(ement, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples to which the 5ord will lead you. ;ou shall carry much seed out into the field and shall gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. ;ou shall plant vineyards and dress them but shall neither drin% of the wine nor gather the grapes, for the worm shall eat them. ;ou shall have olive trees throughout all your territory but you shall not anoint yourselves with the oil, for your olive trees shall drop their fruit. 145

;ou shall beget sons and daughters but shall not en oy them, for they shall go into captivity. 'll your trees and the fruit of your ground shall the locust possess. &he transient +stranger, among you shall mount up higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to himL he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 'll these curses shall come upon you and shall pursue you and overta%e you till you are destroyed, because you do not obey the voice of the 5ord your <od, to %eep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. &hey shall be upon you for a sign +of warning to other nations, and for a wonder, and upon your descendants forever. 6ecause you did not serve the 5ord your <od with oyfulness of +mind and, heart +in gratitude, for the abundance of all +with which He had blessed you,.

...I have set before you life and death, blessings

14!

and cursing3 therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
<0e't. 30>19 @ABC?

7he choice is yours

Ge1e1ber2 it osts .o' nothing to gi)e to God9 "'t it osts a lot @#: to gi)e to God9 I 7now this is long2 b't it6s worthwhile reading2 and e)en tho'gh we all 7now that we ha)e the new o)enant2 the ad)i e in this ha3ter is 1ost ertainl. worthwhile reading2 be a'se 1an. ti1es it an show 's wh. we are wallowing in 3o)ert.. As I was writing this boo72 I tal7ed to a wo1an who had been 1arried and di)or ed. :hro'gho't all her 3roble1s2 she tithed. :hen she re1arried and got ba 7 her hildren2 b't there ;'st wasn6t eno'gh 1one. to tithe and 3't shoes on all o/ her hildren. (he got so1e bad ad)i e when 14$

so1eone told her to /orget the tithe te13oraril. and lothe her hildren. (he did ;'st that2 and i11ediatel. she lost her ;ob2 lost her ho1e and her ar and ended '3 on wel/are. :he 3rin i3les o/ God wor7 whether .o' thin7 .o' an a//ord the1 or not and o/ten it is God seeing i/ we will reall. tr'st *i1 all the wa. down to the wire. We ha)e had to do that so 1an. ti1es in the 1inistr.2 b't ea h o33ort'nit. God has gi)en 's to tr'st *i12 *e has gotten there at ;'st the right ti1e. *e has ne)er /ailed9 :here are so 1an. (tories o/ gi)ing in the "ible that lead to a s'r3l's2 I6d s'ggest that .o' read the1 again and see how the s'r3l's a1e abo't. I /o'nd this e4 iting s'11ar. in a boo7 entitled ,:ithes and #//erings2 God6s Wa. to (' ess- b. 0r. (olo1on D. Aord7ian2 a /a1il. hiro3ra tor. We ha)e to re1e1ber /irst o/ all that God ga)e *is onl. begotten (on so that .o' and I 1ight ha)e eternal li/e. *ad it not been /or *is wonder/'l gi/t2 .o' and I wo'ld not be where we are toda.. *e was and alwa.s will re1ain the biggest gi)er o/ the1 all. A good s'11ar. on how Bes's ga)e> D&he blind receive their sight, and the lame wal%, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf 148

hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.I <Datthew 11>5 ABC? (o1eone ga)e Bes's the water whi h *e t'rned into wine <Bohn 2>!89?. A +ittle "o. ga)e Bes's his l'n h <Bohn !>9?. Dar. Dagdalene ga)e Bes's a /ootbath with her )er. e43ensi)e 3er/'1e and wi3ed *is /eet with her hair <Bohn 12>3?. (o1eone ga)e Bes's a don7e. <Datthew 21>283?. (alo1e bo'ght sweet s3i es /or Bes's6 b'rial to1b <Dar7 1!>1?. (o1eone ga)e Bes's the 'se o/ their U33er Goo1 /or the +ast ('33er <Datthew 2!>18?. Bose3h o/ Ari1athea ga)e his to1b to b'r. Bes's <Bohn 19>38?. =lisha ga)e to his ene1ies /ood and sa/et. <II Aings !>22823?. Bes's highl. o11ended the 3oor widow who ga)e her last 2 1ites /or an o//ering <Dar7 12>42844?. %eter ga)e Bes's the 'se o/ his e13t. boat /or a te13orar. 3'l3it <+'7e 5>3?.

149

%eter6s 1other8in8law2 right a/ter Bes's healed her2 ga)e Bes's hos3italit. <Datthew 8>14215?. Ma he's was a gi)ing 3erson and he showed Bes's hos3italit. <+'7e 19>$88?. :he Good (a1aritan was a )er. gi)ing 3erson <+'7e 10 >30835?. Gi)ing ta7es on 1an. /or1s and whate)er we do as 'nto the +ord is not /orgottenJ it is re1e1bered and brings eternal rewards <Datthew 25>3184!?. :he =arl. Eh'r h was a gi)ing h'r h at birth <A ts 2>44845 and 4>34835?. :he Eh'r h at Antio h was a gi)ing h'r h <A ts 11>29?. :he %hili33ian h'r h was a )er. gi)ing h'r h <%hili33ians 4>1581!?. :he Eent'rion who as7ed Bes's to heal his ser)ant had a well87nown re3'tation in the o11'nit. as being a gi)ing2 genero's 3erson <+'7e $>485?. Dar. Dagdalene2 Boanna and ('Fanna N :hree wo1en who showed Bes's hos3italit. <+'7e 8>183?. "arnabas2 o81issionar. with %a'l2 was a gi)ing 3erson be/ore he was alled to be a 1issionar. <A ts 4>3!83$?. Eorneli's was a gi)ing 3erson whi h God said led to his sal)ation <A ts 10>4?. 150

0or as was a gi)ing 3erson2 ,/'ll o/ good wor7s and al1sdeeds-J she was a dis i3le. (he be a1e si 7 and died. %a'l raised her /ro1 the dead and then that whole area <Bo33a? heard abo't the Gos3el <A ts 9>3!842?. &o'6ll ne)er 7now where .o'r gi)ing will lead to. +.dia showed %a'l and "arnabas hos3italit. <A ts 1!>15?. %a'l and (ilas2 in 3rison in sto 7s and bonds2 /o'nd so1ething to gi!e to GodJ the. sang 3raises to God. God 3ro)ided a 1ight. 1ira le /or their ;ail release <A ts 1!>258 2!?. :he %hili33ian Bailer2 a brand new on)ert2 showed hos3italit. and tender are to his /or1er 3risoners2 %a'l and (ilas <A ts 1!>32834?. %a'l was a gi)ing 3erson <A ts 24>1$?. :he Eorinthian Eh'r h was a gi)ing h'r h <I Eorinthians 1!>183?. Feeding the 3oor2 1ai1ed2 la1e and blind <+'7e 14>13814?. %a'l 3rea hed ,gi)ing- to all his h'r hes that he /o'nded and he was 1ost 3ro'd o/ the %hili33ian h'r h /or their 7nowledge o/ this s3irit'al tr'th and the /a t that the. 3ra ti ed genero's and /aith/'l gi)ing. <%hili33ians 4>14819?. 151

:he new on)erts on the island o/ Delita2 /or1er barbaro's nati)es2 blessed %a'l with their genero's gi)ing. :he. loaded %a'l down with e)er.thing he needed /or his tri3 to Go1e. <A ts 28>10?. In e)er. one o/ these instan es o/ giving, the a t was re orded in God6s Word. :hat6s how i13ortant *e thin7s gi)ing is. Gead o/ ea h o/ the stories in an. )ersion o/ the "ible that .o' want to2 and .o' will see that the gi!er alwa.s re ei)ed ba 7 1ore than the. ga)e. I o/ten thin7 o/ the little bo. who ga)e Bes's his l'n h. *e had so 1' h le/t o)er he 3robabl. started the /irst ba7er. in Israel2 and all be a'se he ga)e what little he had9 6eloved, 4 pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, ust as your soul prospers. <III Bohn 2 @ABC?

*Prove Me, says God

6ring all the tithes into the storehouse, &hat there may be food in 9y house, 'nd prove 9e now in this,I #ays the 5O=C of hosts, D4f 4 will not open for you the windows of heaven 'nd pour out for you 152

such blessing &hat there will not be room enough to receive it. <Dala hi 3>10 @ABC?

God wants you to even prove (im to see what (e will do far you
&o the man who pleases him, <od gives wisdom, %nowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the tas% of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases <od. <= lesiastes 2>2! DC? Isn6t it wonder/'l to 7now that God is allowing the 1one. o/ the sinner to a '1'late ;'st /or .o'I Ge1e1ber2 e)er. ti1e .o' go b. a sinner2 he6s wor7ing /or .o'9 God does2 howe)er2 3't onditions on *is a tions2 so noti e )er. are/'ll. those /irst si4 bea'ti/'l words. O:o the 1an who 3leases *i1.- I/ the sin ere desire o/ o'r li/e is to lo)ingl. 3lease God abo)e all else2 we an ta7e that s ri3t're /or o'r )er. own and 7now that we6re going to see the da. that the 153

sinner wal7s '3 to 's and hands o)er his 1one.9 ' good man leaves an inheritance +of moral stability and goodness, to his childrenHs children, and the wealth of the sinner +finds its way eventually, into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up. <%ro)erbs 13>22 AD%? :hese two s ri3t'res blend together so well I had to 3't the1 together be a'se the. e13hasiFe the /a t that the wealth o/ this world is going to snea7 right into the 3o 7et o/ those who lo)e God. I an hardl. wait /or the da. when so1e sinner o1es '3 to 1e and hands 1e a garbage sa 7 o/ s100 bills and sa.s. ,*ere2 it6s .o'rs /or the 1inistr. 5 it has belonged to the de)il long eno'gh9- &o'6ll hear 1e sho't /ro1 here to eternit.9 D. heart ries /or the sinner who toils and sweats to a1ass wealth and doesn6t e)en 7now that all the wealth o/ the world belongs onl. to God. God allows hi1 the 3ri)ilege o/ ha)ing it /or a while2 and then whoo3s 5 it6s gone2 right into the hands o/ a righteo's 1an9 154

<ive generously, for your gifts will return to you later. <= lesiastes 11>1 :+"? &o' an belie)e /or the ret'rn. 4t costs you nothing to give to <od. God sa.s *e is o'r so'r e2 so we an gi)e as *e dire ts and o'r needs will be 1et. It does not ost .o' to gi)e to God be a'se *is word 3ro1ises that *e ret'rns when we gi)e9 D6ut see% first the %ingdom of <od and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.I <Datthew !>33 @ABC? God ga)e that wonder/'l )erse o/ s ri3t're to 1e when I /ell in lo)e with Eharles. I was ha)ing s' h a wild2 1ad lo)e a//air with God that I didn6t thin7 *e wo'ld e)er want 1e to 1arr.. "'t when 1. heart /li33ed /or Eharles2 God said2 ,"e a'se .o' ha)e so'ght /irst D. 7ingdo1 and D. righteo'sness2 I a1 gi)ing Eharles to .o' to lo)e .o'2 to 3rote t .o' and be a /ather to .o'r hildren9:here is no wa. .o' an e)er o't gi)e God in an. area o/ .o'r li/e2 and re1e1ber2 it osts .o' nothing to gi)e to God9 :he 155

ret'rn is alwa.s there. And it6s so 1' h bigger and better than .o' ga)e. Gead the )erse again and .o' will see when he sa.s to see7 /irst the 7ingdo1 o/ God and *is righteo'sness. and all these things will be added to .o'. &es2 it is a dire t o11and /ro1 God. We are to obe. *is o11ands at all ti1es i/ we want to wal7 in *is blessings. *e doesn6t sa. to see7 *i1 last a/ter e)er.thing else has /ailed2 b't to see7 *i1 /irst. Dan. 3eo3le see7 God when all other a)en'es ha)e /ailed s' h as borrowing /ro1 .o'r /a1il.2 loan o13anies2 ;'ggling .o'r redit ards2 b't see7 *i1 /irst and see what ha33ens. God is the )er. best /riend we ha)e. *e is /ar loser than a lo)ing s3o'se2 an obedient hild or a s3e ial earthl. /riend. *e is alwa.s there and o11'ni ates with 's all da. long i/ we will onl. listen to *i12 I/ we ha)e an. H'estions at all2 we onl. need to share o'r heart with *i1 and 7now *e hears and will answer 's /ro1 *is lo)ing heart9 :he general o/ an ar1. alwa.s s'33lies his troo3s with s'33lies2 with 1oral s'33ort2 with /ood2 with lothes2 and with 1ilitar. s'33ort o/ air 3ower and gro'nd o)er. #'r ('3re1e Eo11ander has the greatest o/ air 15!

3ower and the best wea3ons a)ailable9 We si13l. ha)e to be obedient and see7 *i1 at all ti1es. *e will ;o.o'sl. add all these things 'nto 's so we an ontin'e to /ight the battle o't/itted in God6s )er. best ar1or. <ive, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, sha%en together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured bac% to you. <+'7e !>38 @ABC? *ere again is 3roo/ that it osts nothing to gi)e to God. *is 'nbrea7able 3ro1ise to .o' is that .o' will get it ba 7. I ha)e o/ten said i/ I an6t tr'st God with 1. 1one.2 I ertainl. an6t tr'st *i1 with 1. so'l2 and I do9 =oll your wor%s upon the 5ord 5 commit and trust them wholly to HimL +He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and, so shall your plans be established and succeed. <%ro)erbs 1!>3 AD%? +et go o/ what .o' are holding onto 5 roll .o'r wor7s '3on the +ord in the sa1e 15$

1anner .o' wo'ld let a bowling ball go. &o' an6t get it ba 7 on e it is laid down on the bowling alle. and on e .o' roll .o'r wor7s '3on the +ord2 .o' sho'ldn6t tr. to re o)er the19 0on6t r'n down the bowling alle. tr.ing to get .o'r 3roble1s ba 72 b't wat h God do the s'3ernat'ral instead9 Gi)e the1 o13letel. to *i12 and when .o' an a o13lish what see1s to be an i13ossible /eat o/ releasing e)er.thing2 then *e will a'se all o/ .o'r tho'ghts to be o1e agreeable to *is will2 not &#UG(2 and when .o' an sin erel. do that2 .o'r 3lans will be o13letel. and 3ositi)el. established and be a'se God is the one who is doing it2 the. will s' eed9 &he 5ord is my shepherdL 4 shall not want. <%sal1s 23>1 ABC? "e a'se the +ord is tr'l. o'r she3herd2 we will not be /o'nd in want or need. A she3herd 3ro)ides all things /or his shee3. *e 3rote ts the1 /ro1 the ene1.. *e 3ro)ides /ood and shelter. *e leads *is shee3 to water when the. need to be re/reshed. And e)en tho'gh the shee3 don6t li7e the shearing the. re ei)e in the s3ring2 the hot s'11er wo'ld ertainl. be 1ore 158

1iserable i/ the. had to wear their hea). winter oats all .ear long. :he wise she3herd 7nows what is best /or *is shee3 and will ertainl. not let the1 go h'ngr.2 be le/t in the old or go witho't o1/ort. (o it is with God and .o'9 =iches and honour are with meL yea, durable riches and righteousness. 9y fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine goldL and my revenue than choice silver. 4 lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of udgment: &hat 4 may cause those that love me to inherit substanceL and 4 will fill their treasures <%ro)erbs 8>188 21 ABC? *ow thrilling it is to 7now that God is going to /or e .o' to 3ros3er when .o' lo)e *i19 We an6t r'n /ro1 *i12 we an6t hide /ro1 *i12 we an6t lai1 we lo)e *i1 and not be gen'inel. in lo)e with *i1 and e43e t to re ei)e *is 3ro1ises2 b't when .o' lo)e *i12 .o' o3en the windows o/ hea)en to re ei)e all *is blessings2 and *e will a'se .o' to inherit s'bstan e. 9y son, do not forget my teaching, but %eep my commands in your heart, for they 159

will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. <%ro)erbs 3>182 DC? God is again e13hasiFing *is tea hing and o11and1ents. *e is telling 's to 7ee3 the1 in o'r heart and not o'r head. :his is a 3res ri3tion /or a long and 3ros3ero's li/e. +et6s lo 7 *is tea hing and all *is o18 1ands in o'r hearts right now. A/ter I 1inister sal)ation I tell bab. Ehristians to lo 7 Bes's inside their hearts and throw the 7e. awa. so *e an6t get o't o/ there. Gight now2 let6s /ind the 7e.2 o3en o'r hearts and b'r. all *is tea hings and o11ands right in there ne4t to Bes's9 *is Word needs to be lo 7ed inside o'r own 3ersonal o13'ter 5 o'r heart where we an draw on ;'st the 3er/e t words *e wo'ld ha)e 's 1inister in e)er. sit'ation. &here is one who scatters, yet increases moreL 'nd there is one who withholds more than is right, 6ut it leads to poverty. &he generous soul will be made rich, 'nd he who waters will also be watered himself. &he people will curse him who withholds grain, 6ut blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. <%ro)erbs 11>24.28? 1!0

#n e .o' 'nderstand God6s ret'rn s.ste12 it is eas. to 'nderstand wh. the 3erson who holds ba 7 /ro1 God alwa.s has a 3roble1 with his /inan es2 b't the genero's 3erson will alwa.s ha)e 1ore than eno'gh9 N=ememberO this: he who saws sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously Nthat blessings may come to someoneO will also reap generously and with blessings. 5et each one NgiveO as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for <od loves +He ta%es pleasure in, pri(es above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without, a cheerful + oyous, Dprompt to do itI, giver Nwhose heart is in his givingO. 'nd <od is able to ma%e all grace +every favor and earthly blessing, come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be selfEsufficient +possessing enough to re$uire no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good wor% and charitable donationO. 1!1

's it is written, He +the benevolent personO scatters abroadL He gives to the poorL His deeds of ustice and goodness and %indness and benevolence will go on and endure foreverG <II Eorinthians 9>!810 AD%? 6eloved, 4 wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. <Ill Bohn 2 ABC? God wants 's health.2 wealth. and wise. *e doesn6t single o't one or the other o/ these as 1ore 3ro1inent. :he wa. he wrote it2 all three areas are eH'al. :hat also 1eans the. an6t be di)ided or se3arated /ro1 one another. As we gain 7nowledge2 o'r so'l will 3ros3er. =)en the world 7nows we will be healthier and wealthier with wisdo1. With God6s wisdo12 we will be e)en 1ore so. Gi)e with a lo)ing heart and God will not onl. s'33l. .o'r e)er. need2 *e will bless .o' ab'ndantl.. 'nd my <od shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. <%hili33ians 4>19 @ABC? 1!2

(in e o'r God owns the attle on a tho'sand hills and e)er.thing we see <and an6t see?2 wh. do we do'bt that *e an s'33l. o'r dail. bread2 s hool lothes /or the hildren2 trans3ortation to wor72 or /riends with who1 to share o'r dee3est /eelings. (o1eti1es we an belie)e God /or lo)e2 3ea e and ;o.2 and then t'rn aro'nd and do'bt that *e an 3ro)ide 1aterial things. *e an 3ro)ide all o'r needs2 not 3art2 not 1ost2 b't all9 *owe)er2 *e said *e wo'ld s'33l. o'r need2 not o'r greed9 Another good )erse in %ro)erbs is /o'nd in the third ha3ter starting at the /irst )erse. 9y son, do not forget my teaching, but %eep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity <%ro)erbs 3>182 @IC?. God is again e13hasiFing the need to 7ee3 *is tea hing and o11and1ents se 'rel. lo 7ed in o'r heart. *e is gi)ing 's the 3res ri3tion /or a long and 3ros3ero's li/e. &he blessing of the 5ord ma%es one rich, 'nd He adds no sorrow with it. <%ro)erbs 10>22 @ABC? 1!3

Honor the 5ord with your possessions, 'nd with the firstfruits of all your increaseL #o your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. <%ro)erbs 3>9810 AD%? When .o' honor God with .o'r 3ossessions2 it 1eans to willingl.2 ;o.o'sl. and e4 itedl. gi)e the1 to *i1 with absol'tel. no regrets or sorrow abo't 3arting with what *e has gi)en .o' in the /irst 3la e. Alwa.s the /irst 3art 5 not what is le/t o)er when .o' ha)e bo'ght and s3ent what &#U want to s3end2 b't the /irst /r'its belong to God. When .o' do that2 then *e will alwa.s 3ro)ide e)er.thing that .o' need9

It doesn)t cost you anything to give to God

When .o' read all those s ri3t'res are/'ll.2 it6s eas. to 'nderstand wh. gi)ing to God sho'ld be a nat'ral2 nor1al2 si13le 3ro ed're be a'se we an 7now2 that we 1!4

7now2 that we 7now2 that it will be ret'rned to 's. @e)er sho'ld it be gi)en gr'dgingl.2 b't alwa.s heer/'ll. be a'se it6s o1ing ba 7 with interest and blessings9 #ne o/ the things that e4 ited 1e the 1ost when I read this s ri3t're /or the /irst ti1e was to dis o)er that God is ,'nwilling to abandon or to do witho't a heer/'l2 ;o.o's2 3ro13t8to8do8it gi)er5whose heart is in his gi)ing.- :o thin7 that God annot do witho't .o' ;'st be a'se o/ .o'r gi)ing 5 isn6t that a 3ower/'l tho'ghtI

1!5

1- .$,$ng /H$s0 Way

God)s !ord plainly speaks as to the way we should conduct our lives, we should never have any doubt, but these are my favorite scriptures for reminding me of how to walk in victory, which is@ God)s way
'way then with sinful, earthly thingsL deaden the evil desires lur%ing within youL have nothing to do with se8ual sin, impurity, lust and shameful desiresL donHt worship the good things of life, for that is idolatry. 1!!

<odHs terrible anger is upon those who do such things. ;ou used to do them when your life was still part of this worldL but now is the time to cast off and throw away all these rotten garments of anger, hatred, cursing, and dirty language. ConHt tell lies to each otherL it was your old life with all its wic%edness that did that sort of thingL now it is dead and gone. ;ou are living a brand new %ind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more li%e Christ who created this new life within you. 4n this new life oneHs nationality or race or education or social position is unimportantL such things mean nothing.

!hether a person has 4hrist is what matters,

and he is e$ually available to all. <Eolossians 3>5811 :+"? 9ost of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. 5et the peace of heart which comes from Christ be always present 1!$

in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. 'nd always be than%ful. =emember what Christ taught and let his words enrich your lives and ma%e you wiseL teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the 5ord with than%ful hearts.

6nd whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the 2ord &esus,

and come with him into the presence of <od the Father to give him your than%s. <Eolossians 3>1481$ :+"? 'nd if you donHt do your best for him, he will pay you in a way that you wonHt li%eK for he has no special favorites who can get away with shir%ing. <Eolossians 3>25 :+"? 1!8

ConHt be weary in prayerL %eep at itL watch for <odHs answers and remember to be than%ful when they come. <Eolossians 4>2 :+"? ;ou can see that 4 am not trying to please you by sweet tal% and flatteryL no, 4 am trying to please <od. 4f 4 were still trying to please men 4 could not be ChristHs servant. <Galatians 1>10 :+"? ...for it was through reading the #cripture that 4 came to reali(e that 4 could never find <odHs favor by trying 5 and failing 5 to obey the laws. 4 came to reali(e that acceptance with <od comes by believing in Christ.

I have been crucified with 4hristB and I myself no longer live, but 4hrist lives in me.
1!9

'nd the real life 4 now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the #on of <od, who loved me and gave himself for me. 4 am not one of those who treats ChristHs death as meaningless. For if we could be saved by %eeping Jewish laws, then there was no need for Christ to die. <Galatians 2>19821 :+"? -ow we are no longer slaves, but <odHs own sons. 'nd since we are his sons, everything he has belongs to us, for that is the way <od planned. <Galatians 4>$ :+"? 4 advise you to obey only the Holy #piritHs instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you wonHt always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. For we naturally love to do evil things that are ust the opposite from the things that the Holy #pirit tells us to doL and the good things we want to do when the #pirit has his way with us are ust the opposite of our natural desires. &hese two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures. 1$0

Bhen you are guided by the Holy #pirit you need no longer force yourself to obey Jewish laws. 6ut when you follow your own wrong inclinations your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, spiritism +that is, encouraging the activity of demons,, hatred and fighting, ealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong e8cept those in your own little group 5 and there will be wrong doctrine, envy, murder, drun%enness, wild parties, and all that sort of thing. 5et me tell you again as 4 have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the %ingdom of <od. 6ut when the Holy #pirit controls our lives he will produce this %ind of fruit in us: love, oy, peace, patience, %indness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfE controlL and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.

7hose who belong to 4hrist have nailed their

1$1

natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.

4f we are living now by the Holy #piritHs power, let us follow the Holy #piritHs leading in every part of our lives. <Galatians 5>1!825 :+"? 4f anyone thin%s he is too great to stoop to this, he is fooling himself. He is really a nobody. 5et everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of wor% well done, and wonHt need to compare himself with someone else. 7ach of us must bear some faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is perfectG &hose who are taught the Bord of <od should help their teachers by paying them. ConHt be misledL remember that you canHt ignore <od and get away with it: a man will always reap ust the %ind of crop he sowsG 4f he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and 1$2

he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and deathL but if he plants the good things of the #pirit, he will reap the everlasting life which the Holy #pirit gives him. 'nd let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we donHt get discouraged and give up. &hatHs why whenever we can we should always be %ind to everyone, and especially to our Christian brothers. <Galatians !>3810 :+"? 5ong ago, even before he made the world, <od chose us to be his very own, through what Christ would do for usL

(e decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault 0 we who stand before him covered with his love.
His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. 1$3

'nd he did this because he wanted toG -ow all praise to <od for his wonderful %indness to us and his favor that he has poured out upon us, because we belong to his dearly loved #on. #o overflowing is his %indness towards us that he too% away all our sins through the blood of his #on, by whom we are savedL and he has showered down upon us the richness of his grace 5 for how well he understands us and %nows what is best for us at all times. <od has told us his secret reason for sending Christ, a plan he decided on in mercy long agoL and this was his purpose: that when the time is ripe he will gather us all together from wherever we are 5 in heaven or on earth 5 to be with him in Christ, forever. 9oreover, because of what Christ has done we have become gifts to <od that he delights in, for as part of <odHs sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen ust as he decided long ago. <odHs purpose in this was that we should praise <od and give glory to him for doing these mighty things for us, who were the first to trust in Christ. 'nd because of what Christ did, all you others too, who heard the <ood -ews about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were 1$4

mar%ed as belonging to Christ by the Holy #pirit, who long ago had been promised to all of us Christians. His presence within us is <odHs guarantee that he really will give us all that he promisedL and the #piritHs seal upon us means that <od has already purchased us and that he guarantees to bring us to himself. &his is ust one more reason for us to praise our glorious <od. <=3hesians 1>4814 :+"? 4 pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share.

I want you to reali%e that God has been made rich because we who are 4hrist have been given to him
4 pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him, it is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at 1$5

<odHs right hand in heaven, far, far above any other %ing or ruler or dictator or leader. ;es, his honor is far more glorious than that of anyone else either in this world or in the world to come. 'nd <od has put all things under his feet and made him the supreme Head of the church 5 which is his body, filled with himself, the 'uthor and <iver of everything everywhere. <=3hesians 1>18823 :+"? Bhen 4 thin% of the wisdom and scope of his plan 4 fall down on my %nees and pray to the Father of all the great family of <od 5 some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth 5 that out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy #pirit. 'nd 4 pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. 9ay your roots go down deep into the soil of <odHs marvelous loveL and may you be able to feel and understand, as all <odHs children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really isL and to e8perience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully %now or understand it. 1$!

6nd 9o at last you will be filled up with God himself.

-ow glory be to <od who by his mighty power at wor% within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to as% or even dream ofK infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. 9ay he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ. <=3hesians 3>14821 :+"? 5et me say this, then, spea%ing for the 5ord: 5ive no longer as the unsaved do, for they are blinded and confused. &heir closed hearts are full of dar%nessL they are far away from the life of <od because they have shut their minds against him, and they cannot understand his ways. &hey donHt care anymore about right and wrong and have given themselves over to impure ways. &hey stop at nothing, being driven by their evil minds and rec%less lusts. 1$$

6ut that isnHt the way Christ taught youG 4f you have really heard his voice and learned from him the truths concerning himself, then throw off your old evil nature 5 the old you that was a partner in your evil ways 5 rotten through and through, full of lust and sham. -ow your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. ;es, you must be a new and different person holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. #top lying to each otherL tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. 4f you are angry, donHt sin by nursing your grudge. ConHt let the sun go down with you still angry 5 get over it $uic%lyL for when you are angry you give a mighty foot hold to the devil. 4f anyone is stealing he must stop it and begin using those hands of his for honest wor% so he can give to others in need. ConHt use bad language. #ay only what is good and helpful to those you are tal%ing to, and what will give them a blessing. ConHt cause the Holy #pirit sorrow by the way you live. =emember, he is the one who mar%s you to be present on that day when salvation from sin will be complete. 1$8

#top being mean, badEtempered and angry. Muarreling, harsh words, and disli%e of others should have no place in your lives. 4nstead, be %ind to each other, tenderE hearted, forgiving one another, ust as <od has forgiven you because you belong to Christ. <=3hesians 4>1$832 :+"?

-ollow God)s $+ample in everything you do ,ust as a much loved child imitates his father.
6e full of love for others, following the e8ample of Christ who loved you and gave himself to <od as a sacrifice to ta%e away your sins. 'nd <od was pleased, for ChristHs love for you was li%e sweet perfume to him. 5et there be no se8 sin, impurity or greed among you. 5et no one be able to accuse you of any such things. Cirty stories, foul tal% and coarse o%es 5 these are not for you. 4nstead, remind each other of <odHs goodness and be than%ful. 1$9

;ou can be sure of this: &he %ingdom of Christ and of <od will never belong to anyone who is impure or greedy, for a greedy person is really an idol worshiperK he loves and worships the good things of this life more than <od. ConHt be fooled by those who try to e8cuse these sins, for the terrible wrath of <od is upon all those who do them. ConHt even associate with such people. For though once your heart was full of dar%ness, now it is full of light from the 5ord, and your behavior should show itG 6ecause of this light within you, you should do only what is good and right and true. 5earn as you go along what pleases the 5ord. &a%e no part in the worthless pleasures of evil and dar%ness, but instead, rebu%e and e8pose them. 4t would be shameful even to mention here those pleasures of dar%ness which the ungodly do. 6ut when you e8pose them, the light shines in upon their sin and shows it up, and when they see how wrong they really are, some of them may even become children of lightG &hat is why <od says in the #criptures, 'wa%e, 2 sleeper, and rise up from the deadL and Christ shall give you light.I <=3hesians 5>1814 :+"? 180

'nd you slave owners must treat your slaves right, ust as 4 have told them to treat you. ConHt %eep threatening themL rememE ber, you yourselves are slaves to ChristL you have the same 9aster they do, and he has no favorites. 5ast of all 4 want to remind you that your strength must come from the 5ordHs mighty power within you. !ut on all of <odHs armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tric%s of #atan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies 5 the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of dar%ness who rule this worldL and against huge numbers of wic%ed spirits in the spirit world. #o use every piece of <odHs armor to resist the enemy whenever he attac%s, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. 6ut to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of <odHs approval. Bear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the <ood -ews of peace with <od. 4n every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by #atan. 'nd you will 181

need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the #piritK which is the Bord of <od. !ray all the time. 's% <od for anything in line with the Holy #piritHs wishes. !lead with him, reminding him of your needs, and %eep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere. <=3hesians !>9818 :+"?

(is way is the only way

182

In the beginning

God
... and also at the end
183